In a report on Broadband speed released by cable.co.uk Azerbaijan was ranked 141 out of 207 countries. The average speed in Azerbaijan remains around 3-4 Mbps.
Experts say this is a result of multiple factors, such as monopoly over internet providers, high costs and poor quality of internet connectivity across the country.
Worldwide broadband speed league 2019
cable.co.uk
In an interview with Azadliq Radio, Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe, the head of Azerbaijan Internet Forum Osman Gunduz said the issue is a monopoly. “65% of the internet market in Azerbaijan is in the hands of the government providers. The price is regulated not by the market but by the government providers. And when private companies offer lower rates they get pressured in return”, explained Gunduz in an interview.
Media law expert Alasgar Mammadli believes the issue is not just monopoly but the lack of infrastructure and supply. The majority of internet service providers are based in the capital Baku. This has a significant impact on regional supply chains. But even in the capital, there is a lack of good internet speed and connection.
Despite numerous government plans and investments to improve overall ICT infrastructure in Azerbaijan, the country’s internet connection quality is only ahead of its neighboring post-Soviet countries – Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.