The FINANCIAL — The joining cable between Bulgaria and Georgia is now ready for exploitation. It’s going to be a brand new informational space, a window to Europe, which will be equipped with ultra modern systems and will assist the development of a high quality communication channel in the country.
According to the Statistics Department of Georgia March 2008 data, in Georgia there are 360,000 internet users as of Mar/08, 7.8% penetration, per ITU.
A window to Europe – it’s the new project being implemented by Caucasus Online with the support of the British investment fund GML. The equipment montage will be conducted shortly and the project itself will be completed by September.
Thus, the General Director of Caucasus Online regards Georgia’s aspiration to have an independent cable to Europe, achieved. In Mamia Sanadiradze’s words, Georgia could already be regarded a part of Europe’s informational net.
“A huge storm of information will be entering Georgia and will become one of the most important factors for the country’s further development. From now on, internet will be accessible for the whole population, which will move the country’s economic and social development forward and will assist the general awareness of the society,” declared Sanadiradze.
As he stated, the project was started around two and a half years ago and is today actually in the phase of completion. For the first time in history the cable will and cross Europe, skipping both Russia and Turkey.
“It’s a big breakthrough for Georgia as a high quality communication channel with huge capabilities will be activated, which will provide the country and the Caucasian communication net with high quality technologies,” said Sanadiradze.
According to him, the project is of great importance for the country’s integration into Europe. Through the project access to free information will be increased in Caucasian countries. At this stage, what matters most is that Georgia will have an independent cable to Europe.
The new cable is interesting in terms of safety measures as well. Besides internet it includes
Telephone communications. Sanadiradze hopes the new system will put an end to illegal “over-hearings”, which have become a frequent occurrence lately. The current communication system is not capable of guaranteeing the safety of the population whereas by having an independent cable to Europe we get included in the civilized universe where no such incidents take place.
“I hope the communication field won’t be oppressed as it used to be before,” noted the Caucasus Online General Director.
As he explained, the ongoing changes in Georgian internet space won’t impact tariffs. On the contrary, the service will become much cheaper and more affordable and people will get faster internet access with higher quality. Problems like particular limitations and low speed won’t be issues anymore, which will hence result in an increased number of customers.
As for the value of the project, USD 40 million has already been spent toward the launch of the cable between Bulgaria and Georgia. The amount was a loan from a British investor to Caucasus Online.
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