Azerbaijan launches next phase of People's Computer Project

The next phase of the project People’s Computer will be launched on Nov. 18, said Rufat Gulmammadov, Information Society Officer at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies.

Rauf Hasanov, Director of Bestcomp which is one of the main partners in the project, said that through AZN 1.85 million investment 3500 computers worth AZN 500-700 were sold under the pilot phase of the project (834 computers sold in Baku).

Rasim Bakhshi, Business Development Manager at HP-Azerbaijan, noted that computers will be offered to teachers of universities and government health worker under the new phase of the project. In this case, the configuration of computers will be upgraded without changing the selling price. The operating memory (RAM) will be upgraded from 2 GB to 3 GB.

Besides, two other companies - Symantec and Kur have expressed their interest to take part in the project.

Symantec offers Norton antivirus software on concessional terms (35 kopecks per month), and Kur offers ADSL-modem with 1 and 4 ports for AZN 2.8 and 3.5 per month respectively.

In addition, computer buyers get one month free internet service as a gift.

Those who pay the computer price for 3, 6 or 9 months are granted copier-printers, printers, and flash-card by Aztelekom and Bakinternet.

Elmir Velizade, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technologies underlined the importance of the project for the society.

"Today there are 8 computers per 100 people in Azerbaijan but our goal is to increase this figure. This is aimed to improve the computer literacy and culture among the people,” he noted.

Emin Akhundov, Microsoft Azerbaijan’s Project Manager, added that this initiative has contributed to bridging the digital divide and allowed teachers in rural areas to purchase computers through a network of Azeri Post’s mail delivery service.

Sergei Plaksin, HP’s representative for CIS, noted that the project has no rival in Eastern Europe.

According to him, HP is willing to expand the range of products and increase their functionality in the future.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education, Kur and Symantec.

Under the project, computers were sold at a price 25-40% below market and on interest-free credit for 12 months.

All computers were accompanied by electronic aids from the Ministry of Education, as well as online maps from Aztelekom and Bakinternet. Computers are supplied by Bestcomp Group.

/APA/