INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: DIFFUSION AND APPLICATION OF ICT
Chapter 2
2.2. Information Technologies Development Status
2.2.1. Current Profile of the Sector
These days, the ICT sector of ICT is one of the most rapidly developing sectors. It plays a significant role in Azerbaijan's economic and political development and steadily contributes to the Gross Domestic Product.
 The growth of benefits from ICT is explained primarily by the rapid development of segments of the cellular link and Internet access services. In 2000, the growth of benefits from the services of a traditional cable telephone network increased 2 percent when compared to the previous year but the growth of benefits of cellular link operators reached 20 percent over the period 2000-2002. The physical indices of the development of cellular link segments and the Internet have also grown at enormous rates. The perspectives of development of cellular link and Internet services are still highly appreciated. It is assumed that this can be ensured by the potential capacity of the market (both quantitatively and qualitatively in regard to cellular link and Internet services) under a simultaneous economic growth and increase of real incomes of the population in Azerbaijan.
The development of the ICT sector also has had a strong impact on the formation of public relations in Azerbaijan. Telecommunication and information technologies ensure an increase in the level of people's awareness and are of significance for the formation of civil institutes and democratization of the community. Along with an apparently growing application of new information technologies in state institutions and national businesses, mass media also observes an increase in the number of users of the Internet (newspapers, news agencies, net radio and television).
Telecommunications expanded, especially after 1995-1996 when the position of the economic and financial markets in the country became more stable. Priority programs for the sector's development have since included the modernization of cable communication lines, transition to fiber optic and satellite communications for international link channels, development of the cellular communication links, enhancement of the international television networks and expansion of the network of e-mail and Internet providers.
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