On December 2, the 19th Azerbaijan International Telecommunications and Information Technologies Exhibition "BakuTel-2013" opened at the Baku Expo Center.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, familiarized himself with the exhibition. Azerbaijan, which has achieved continuous growth in all areas of economic and social development, has also risen to the level of the world's rapidly developing countries in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT). The increasing role of ICT in the economy has also led to the organization of international events and conferences in this field in our country in recent years. The "BakuTel" exhibition, which has become a tradition, is the largest event in the field of telecommunications, including information technologies, in the Caspian and Caucasus regions.

This year, the "BakuTel" exhibition was held for the 19th time and has become an important event in the world of telecommunications over the years. The regular participation of representatives from the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union, and the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications, as well as its certification with the quality mark of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, are factors that confirm the reputation of "BakuTel."

Today, the ICT sector in our country is rapidly developing. President Ilham Aliyev constantly keeps the development of this field in focus. The declaration of 2013 as the "Year of Information and Communication Technologies" in Azerbaijan by our head of state is a vivid manifestation of this. The first significant event of the "ICT Year" was the launch of the first national telecommunications satellite "Azerspace-1" into orbit. The activities of the State Fund for the Development of Information Technologies, the High Technology Park, the Electronic Security Center, and the Special Communication and Information Security State Agency indicate the continuous attention given to this field. The newly established Information Technologies University has already admitted its first students.

The holding of this year's exhibition and conference within the framework of the "ICT Year," the inclusion of a cybersecurity conference and other events in its program, and the broader representation of leading companies further enhance the significance of the event. In general, the "ICT Year" is particularly noticeable in all the expositions of the "BakuTel-2013" exhibition. Other factors confirming the increased interest in the exhibition include the 35% expansion of the exhibition area this year and the participation of 300 companies from 28 countries in "BakuTel-2013." Another distinctive feature of the exhibition is the greater number of national pavilions organized with the active support of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies. This year, countries that actively participate in the exhibition every year, including the United States, Italy, Afghanistan, and several other states, also joined. The participants of the exhibition display telecommunications and networks, broadband communications and technologies, cable and wireless communications, satellite communications and technologies, broadcasting equipment, software, IT and office technologies segments, as well as technological innovations and a number of other products.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technologies, Ali Abbasov, informed President Ilham Aliyev that for the first time, an Azerbaijani national pavilion titled "Innovative Products and Solutions" has been created at the "BakuTel" exhibition. It provides detailed information about the projects implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies in recent years, as well as future plans for the development of the sector. It was noted that 70% of the population in Azerbaijan are internet users. 50% of them use broadband services. In mobile communications, there are 110 mobile subscribers per 100 people, and 3G and 4G technologies are being implemented. The population of the country is covered by digital television broadcasting. The application of "e-government" solutions, the number of electronic services provided to citizens, and the level of use of these services are increasing. Azerbaijan is also an initiator of many regional projects, including ICT projects. One of these projects, the Trans-Eurasian Information Superhighway (TASIM), has been supported by UN General Assembly resolutions, and significant steps have been taken towards the establishment of the Eurasian Communication Alliance for its implementation. Our country's participation in the EPEG project has also increased our transit access to the internet.

It was brought to the attention of our head of state that, according to the evaluation of the International Telecommunication Union, Azerbaijan is among the top 10 dynamically developing countries in the ICT sector in the world over the past 10 years.

President Ilham Aliyev was also informed about the "World Azerbaijanis Online Forum." It should be noted that the online conference will continue during the exhibition. For this purpose, special equipment was installed in the offices of Azerbaijani diaspora organizations operating in the United States, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora.

For the first time, the UN also had a booth at the "BakuTel-2013" exhibition. The stand showcased four areas of cooperation projects with the Azerbaijani government within the framework of the UN Development Program. These areas are democratic governance, sustainable development, women's empowerment, and crisis prevention.

A commemorative photo was taken in front of the stand.

President Ilham Aliyev also familiarized himself with other pavilions of the exhibition.

Bakcell, Azerbaijan's first mobile operator and leading mobile internet provider, offers modern mobile communication services and a wide range of products, as well as 3G mobile internet services under the Sür@ trademark. The Bakcell network covers 99% of the country's population and 92% of its territory. Through new partnerships, the Sür@ service is providing high-quality mobile internet services to the population of Azerbaijan.

Our head of state also visited the pavilion reflecting the activities of "Delta Telecom" LLC. It was noted that "Delta Telecom," one of the largest telecommunications operators in the region, has the most reliable infrastructure in terms of quality indicators of communication and telecommunications services. "Delta Telecom," which carries the region's transit capacities over the most recent generation of DWDM network technologies based on ASON/GMPLS infrastructure, owns a sustainable superhighway and the largest internet superhighway in the region.

"AzərFon" LLC has been operating since 2007. The brand of the company, "Nar Mobile," currently plays a significant role in the development of the telecommunications market in Azerbaijan and further expands the service sector. "Nar Mobile" is the first mobile operator in Azerbaijan to offer 3G services. The company is recognized as a trademark that has made invaluable contributions to the development of the ICT sector in Azerbaijan and has implemented advanced mobile technologies in the country.

The "Aztelekom" Production Union is also participating in the exhibition. As Azerbaijan's national communication operator, the "Aztelekom" Production Union provides various services to individual and corporate clients, communication operators, and other users. The main task of the "Aztelekom.NET" internet provider, created by the company to promote the active implementation of next-generation information and communication technologies in the regions, is to ensure a high-quality and high-speed internet connection using modern technologies.

The SAZZ trademark, created by "AzQtel" LLC in 2010, is the largest operator providing broadband wireless internet services based on "4G Mobile WiMAX" technology in Azerbaijan. The SAZZ 4G internet service covers the capital city of Baku, Sumgayit, Khirdalan, Mingachevir cities, as well as the settlements of the Absheron Peninsula.

President Ilham Aliyev also visited the pavilion of "Hitachi" company, which has a wide reputation in the application of modern technologies.

Established in 2010, "Azərkosmos" JSC is the first satellite operator operating in the Caucasus region. This year, with the successful launch of Azerbaijan's first national telecommunications satellite "Azərspace-1" into orbit, the company began offering satellite communication-based broadcasting and broadband internet services, as well as highly reliable satellite-based communication platforms to its customers. The advanced design and high technological features of the "Azərspace-1" satellite allow "Azərkosmos" to provide quality satellite services in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa today.

The French space rocket company "Arianespace" is also represented at the exhibition. Azerbaijan's first telecommunications satellite "Azərspace-1" was launched into orbit by this company's launch vehicle.

Our head of state gave an interview to a "Euronews" TV channel correspondent at the exhibition.

Later, President Ilham Aliyev also got acquainted with the stand of "NEURON Technologies" LLC at the exhibition. The spider special device demonstrated by the company at the exhibition is the world's smallest electronic cardiogram sensor that performs live monitoring. The device is specially designed and attached to the chest. The use of this unique device, which has no analogs in the world, will be one of the high-tech preventive measures in our country to prevent negative incidents caused by cardiovascular diseases.

Our head of state also visited the stand of the Republic of Turkey. It was noted that the brotherly country is one of the active participants in this exhibition. Five companies developed in the ICT sector in Turkey are represented at this year's exhibition. Afghanistan is also represented for the first time at this exhibition. This country shows special interest in the "BakuTel-2013" exhibition. The exhibition also features mobile buses and other vehicles of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the "ASAN Service" centers. The "ASAN Service" center is an institution that provides 25 legal services of 9 state bodies based on the classic single-window principle.

Our head of state viewed the vehicles used in the organization of the mobile services of "Azərpoçt" LLC. It was noted that citizens can widely benefit from postal services with these vehicles.

President Ilham Aliyev was also informed about transportation and technology, the "Yollar GPS" control system.

It was noted that overall, this exhibition will make a significant contribution to the development of ICT in Azerbaijan, the establishment of new useful cooperation, and the creation of business relationships.

Source: bakutel.az