Baku had its first permanent internet link only in 1995, through the Academy of Sciences. Dial-up access has been available since 1991. The main problem restricting internet expansion is the poor condition of the telephone network. Most lines are analogue with few digital lines. There's also an acute shortage of telephone lines for residential use, and inadequate connections to many rural locations. The government owned phone company is doing some improvements, mainly in the Baku area. ADSL access arrived later that in Europe, with the service made widely availe in 2007. Internet access prices are also a problem, but these are falling sharply. However further reductions may be hampered by the steep prices for satellite connections due to a monopoly held by the Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications.

Internet censorship is a problem, as revealed by research developed by the OpenNet Initiative (ONI), made up of groups at Cambridge University, Harvard Law School, Oxford University and the University of Toronto - ONI found evindence that the Azebaijani governent blocks or filters internet content.

Azeri Internet Service providers:
 

ADaNet Azerin Azeurotel

Azinternet Services Intrans Sinam-Invest JV

Public Access / "Internet Cafes":

Internet cafes in Azerbaijan are called "internet klubs" and they are found throughout Baku. Some coffee houses provide wireless internet
 

Computer System Azadlig prospekti 24 Baku, 370010 Tel: 937 826 Fax: 981 036 E-mail: rashad@cs.baku.az Price/hour: 30.000 Manat ~ 7 Euro Global Network Communication 11 R. Akhundov Baku Tel: 400135 E-mail: ruslan_22@hotmail.com Price/hour: 1.2 Euro

Net City Internet Club 104 Shamsi Bedelbeyli st.(near the Oil Academy) Baku Tel: 939994 E-mail: asadov@hotmail.com Price/hour: 6.000 Manat ~ 1.4 Euro Voodoo 5 U. Gadjibekov st. Baku Tel: 936949 Fax: 931034 E-mail: voodoo@computer.az Price/hour: 1.1 Euro

For a classified list of Azerbaijan related sites visit "Azerbaijan Internet Links"

Search Engines:

So far the only search engines dedicated to Azerbaijan are:

• Search.az (Azeri, English and Russian interfaces)
• Search.aznet.org (Azeri, English and Russian interfaces)
• try also azerb.com's search service

".AZ" Domain Registration:

Should you wish to register a site under the '.az' domain contact Intra Network Systems (Intrans), 82/2 M. Guseyn, Baku, 370000, Azerbaijan, phone: +994 12 980 522, fax: +994 12 989 968

Internet users: 678,800 (2006)
 

see also: communications, economy, transportation, driving, hotels, images, summary

A to Z of Azerbaijan / A dan Z ye Azerbaycan

www.azerb.com