Remote villages in 29 districts across Azerbaijan [7] now have free Internet access thanks to the USAID-funded Azerbaijan New Media Project [8].
Although online access in the country is growing, Internet services remain slow and expensive, particularly in the rural areas. Most citizens can only access the Web in cafés, Internet clubs or at work.
To help bridge the gap, USAID and IREX partnered with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies (MCIT) to install free Internet kiosks in 30 local post offices. IREX purchased the necessary equipment and procured the connections. The Ministry will take control of the operation after one year.
"This initiative is helping to transform public spaces into vital resources that can help improve people's lives," said Alesger Mammadli, IREX Deputy Chief of Party.
Each community selected for the Village Online initiative has a population between 3,000 and 10,000. According to a recent IREX survey, almost all residents (96 percent) say they regularly visit their local post office for payments or mailing letters. In addition:
- • 82 percent want to attend basic Internet courses
- • 50 percent are keen on computer programs
- • 27 percent are curious about social media networks.
IREX trained the post office managers to maximize kiosk potential. Each post office also received printed materials with step-by-step tutorials about computers and the Internet.
In the last two years, the Azerbaijan New Media Project has installed Wi-Fi in five universities in Baku. It has also established, and handed over to local partners, 19 fully equipped Community Information Centers. In November 2012, IREX will launch the USAID-funded Online Education initiative.