INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: DIFFUSION AND APPLICATION OF ICT
Chapter 2
2.4. Spread and Quality of ICT Access in Azerbaijan in the Focus of Regional Situation
2.4.1. Public ICT Access
Internet Clubs and Resource Centers are the main points of public ICT access in Azerbaijan today. The number of these establishments has been increasing both in the capital and in regions because the majority of people do not own personal computers. So, while experts claim that there are 7.5 Internet Clubs per 10,000 population in Baku, only 0.8 Internet Clubs are available in the countryside for the same ratio. Resource Centers, playing an important role in provision of the population with ICT access, have been created through the assistance of various international organizations in Baku.
According to this survey, Internet Clubs and Resource Centers in Baku and the regions are equipped with new generation computers (Pentium, Celeron) and have access to the Internet. In 30 Internet Clubs in the seven regions, there were 215 computers. On average, there were seven computers per Internet Club. The majority part of these computers (72 percent) had CD drives. Each of the Internet Clubs had an internal local network, ink and laser jet printers. Only six clubs were equipped with scanners. The cost of services, delivered by Internet clubs both in Baku and the regions, is between 2,000-3,000 manats per hour.
Communication lines are poor in the regions. As a result, IPS Bakinternet, monopolizes the Internet market in those regions. The fact that price rates for Internet services in both the regions and the capital are nearly the same is explained by this fact.
Resource Centers, created through the assistance of such organizations as UNHCR, Eurasia Foundation, IREX, Oxfam as well as some embassies are playing an important role in the spread of ICT. The National Forum of NGOs and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism have also rendered their active assistance in the creation of these centers. There were 69 last generation computers in 17 resources centers situated in regions under survey. All computers were equipped with CD drivers. All Centers had Internet access and printers, primarily laser jet. Only four centers had scanners. These Resource Centers provide services in teaching English, computer literacy, and the use of the Internet.
The greatest percent of users turned out to be male (74 percent). The majority (71 percent) were under the age of 22. The fact that there are more users under age 15 in Baku than in the regions should be noted.
The results of the survey indicates that Internet Club users in Baku and the regions have different goals. In most cases, these differences can be explained by the fact that since greater opportunities are available at work and other institutions in Baku, this eliminates the need for users to use the facilities of Internet Clubs and Resource Centers. The fact that Baku youth under the age of 15 are among the greatest number of users support this claim. They frequent Internet Club to send e-mails (50.7 percent), play computer games (44.8 percent) and chat (37.6 percent). But in the regions, Internet Clubs are practically the only place to access the Internet, and the majority of visitors prefer to carry out scientific research (85 percent), type texts (72.9 percent) and send e-mail 60.8 percent.
The fact that the majority of user responders (76.4 percent) began visiting Internet clubs only this past year indicates the dynamic growth in this field. Only 6.8 percent of responders said they had been using Internet Club services for more than two years. There are not many differences between Baku and the regions in this respect.
Both in Baku and the regions, the survey indicates that the majority (90.3 percent) of responders visit Internet Clubs and Resource Centers at least two to three times per week. Some 35.7 percent use these services every day.
The difference in incomes of the population in Baku compared to the regions explains the differences in how long people have been using the Internet service. The majority of users who responded (60.9 percent) in Baku and the regions spend one to two hours in Internet Clubs and Resource Centers. However, the rural population makes up the majority (76.6 percent) who use these services for less than one hour.
The level of computer literacy among the majority of users still remains low. The majority of responders in Baku and regions (92.5 percent) had never passed a test to determine their computer literacy. In fact, there were no differences between Baku and rural areas in this regard. However, it should be noted that 49.3 percent of the responders had attended computer courses. More than a half of them (54.1 percent) had attended private courses, and 22.2 percent had attended courses organized through the assistance of international organizations. Among those who had attended courses, the rural population made up the majority (65.3 percent). International organizations play an important role in the spread of computer technologies in regions. According to the survey, among those who attended computer courses organized through the assistance of international organizations, 81.3 percent are from rural Azerbaijan. The rural population comprised the majority of those who have attended free computers courses.
At the same time, the survey clarified some of the problems connected with the level of knowledge, obtained from these courses. They do not use result testing after the course is over. In the majority of these courses, they study only simple basic computer skills. The same holds true for courses which students pay for; and instruction is fairly special. Perhaps this can be explained by the low price for these courses. Though the level of teaching at computer courses seems to be the same throughout the country, the prices range from $10 to $16 per month: 23.6 percent of students paid $10 a month, 25.8 percent paid between $10 and $16, and 18.7 percent paid more than $16.
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