Communications as Sovereignty: Why Azerbaijan’s Digital Future Depends on Human Capital

On April 5, 2026, it will mark exactly 80 years since the birth of Abdul Hamidulla oghlu Kahramanzade, an expert in Azerbaijan’s communications sector. As an expert of the United Nations within the framework of the International Telecommunication Union since 1983, he has made a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijan’s communications sector and raised the flag of Azerbaijan three times in three countries around the world — Afghanistan, Libya, and Pakistan (Projects: AFG-83/001 — 1985–1986, LIB-88/007 — 1992–1993, PAK-88/002 — 1993), carrying out the honorable and responsible mission of a United Nations expert.

Today, this communications specialist, who served as Minister of Communications of Azerbaijan in 1992, has behind him 60 years of industrial, scientific, pedagogical, and expert activity in the communications sector.

— Abdul bey, as an expert in Azerbaijan’s communications sector, could you tell us when the technical development of this field began in our country and how you assess its current state?

— Apparently, the beginning of the technical development of Azerbaijan’s communications sector should be considered the year 1868, when in early February Tbilisi was connected by telegraph to Baku via Ganja using the Morse apparatus. This period also saw the commissioning of the Baku Central Post Office and Telegraph building, where today the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport is located on Zarifa Aliyeva Avenue, 77.

The point is that communications and transport are strategic sectors, like state security and national defense. Figuratively speaking, they are the nervous information system of the state, especially now, at the stage of nearly completed digitalization of Azerbaijan’s communications sector, which began around 1979 with the introduction of digital transmission systems in the Soviet Union, and from 1990 with digital switching systems. This significantly improved the quality of communications in the country and made services much more accessible.

Therefore, in our unified ministry, which in my opinion would be more logical to call the Ministry of Transport and Communications, digitalization projects in the communications sector have been implemented for more than 45 years, and since 2003 also directions such as information and communication technologies, high technologies, and later digital development.

These projects undoubtedly help the survival of almost all sectors of the national economy, ensuring the real philosophy of communications — equal and full access for all consumers to communication services within the framework of building Azerbaijan’s information society.

— In your opinion, what are the main paths for the development of Azerbaijan’s communications sector?

— Historically, Azerbaijan has had many interesting stages in the development of telecommunications, including after the restoration of independence in 1991.

I would especially highlight:

• the project for introducing digital switching systems since 1993;
• the information and communication technologies project launched in 2003;
• next generation networks since 2005;
• the Azerkosmos project;
• the launch of the first satellite Azerspace-1 on February 9, 2013 from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana.

However, the level of development of the economy in developing countries such as Azerbaijan is not determined by purchasing ready-made technologies using natural resources, but by how much the country is able, through its own national human resources, to create and produce its own digital technologies.

This is what South Korea, Estonia, Finland, Turkey, and other countries do.

Therefore, it is necessary to have highly qualified specialists in the administration of the communications sector so that personnel are selected not on the basis of nepotism or personal proximity, but exclusively on the basis of qualifications.

We need to know what is happening in communications enterprises in order not to face a repetition of the shameful events of autumn 2015.

— Could this be related to the fact that the advantages of a market economy are not fully functioning in Azerbaijan?

— For a market economy, first of all, competition, alternatives, and the absence of monopoly in all sectors of the economy are necessary, as well as an independent regulator outside state structures.

The principle of cross-subsidization of local communications at the expense of long-distance, especially international communications, which has been used throughout the years of independence, has led to dependent practices.

As a result, rural communications in Azerbaijan are almost four times weaker than in Baku, which significantly reduces the quality of telephone and internet services in regions where almost half of the country’s population lives.

It is long overdue to switch to time-based billing and metered payment, as is done in utility services.

This would make it possible to reduce tariffs for communications and internet services, which have been increasing over the years.

— Can we say that this is also related to the incomplete privatization of the communications sector?

— Certainly, this is also the case.

Much depends on the lack of competition, real technical and economic justification, and transparent valuation of privatization assets.

Privatization should be carried out taking into account the interests of ten million consumers of communication services in the country, with the active participation of the mass media.

For an objective and transparent privatization algorithm, the following are necessary:

• an open decision on the timing of the start and completion of privatization;
• sectoral commissions without instructions from above;
• a transparent competition process, including among foreign investors.

Only after the creation of an independent regulator, real liberalization, and demonopolization can privatization proceed.

— Please tell us about the real changes in Azerbaijan’s communications sector.

— Let us begin with Bakteleqraf, which was effectively brought to a critical state, having lost its well-functioning network infrastructure and its monumental multi-storey building in the center of Baku.

Out of 300 employees of this enterprise, about 12 people remain.

The second problem is local urban and rural telephone communications, which in essence began to be dismantled from 1993.

The information and communication technologies project launched on February 17, 2003 has essentially not been completed, as have the high technology and digital development projects.

At the same time, the concept of electronic government assumes the round-the-clock receipt of documents and certificates without the participation of officials.

— What are the main steps and prospects for the future development of the communications sector within AZCON?

— I believe the issue is not another renaming of the sector.

We need a national long-term concept for the development of the communications sector based on International Telecommunication Union recommendations in five areas:

1. technical policy;
2. financing;
3. management;
4. commerce;
5. human resources.

It is impossible to build Azerbaijan’s information society only on hastily implemented projects and purchased technical means without our own institutions, manufacturers, continuity, and professionals.

— What are the chances of Azerbaijan making a real transition to a modern digital economy?

— We have the prerequisites for this.

A significant impact can be made by:

• the digital communications and transport sector;
• a real round-the-clock electronic government;
• improved quality of life;
• online education;
• electronic commerce;
• digital mass media;
• most importantly — improvement in the speed, quality, and stability of the internet.

I believe that 2026 could indeed become a decisive opportunity for Azerbaijan in this direction.

— How востребовано is your expert opinion today?

— I believe it is quite in demand.

My materials have been used in the Wikipedia article on telecommunications in Azerbaijan, including my article on restructuring the communications sector and my monograph “Stages of Development of Telecommunications in Azerbaijan.”

I have been in the profession for 60 years — since January 10, 1966, when I started as a technician in the production and technical laboratory of the Baku central post office.

I hold a Candidate of Technical Sciences degree since 1980, I am an associate professor, and the author of more than 320 publications, including 156 scientific works, eleven monographs, and more than 165 analytical articles in the mass media of Azerbaijan.

And, taking this opportunity, I would like to say: I truly love the communications sector.

— Abdul bey, thank you for this deep, substantive, and extremely important interview, and we sincerely congratulate you on your anniversary and wish you further success in your creative life.

— Thank you.