REGIONAL STUDY ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The objective of this study is to analyze the development potential of the telecommunications sector in each of the three Caucasus countries, identify bottlenecks and key constraints that limit the contribution the sector could make to the overall economy, and design a sector reform program to take advantage of technological and regulatory innovations to foster growth and connect the region to the Global Information Infrastructure. This study is being done in the context of preparations for a possible peace settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh. Such a settlement, by ending blockades and opening borders between the Caucasus states and with neighboring states, should serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the three countries of the region, and facilitate the development of new markets and trade routes.

Establishing modern telecommunications systems, linked to the Global Information Infrastructure, are key to economic development of the region as a whole. This study looks at the key issues that are constraining telecommunications development in each country, and then looks at the region as a whole (and to the extent relevant, developments in neighboring countries) to see where telecommunications development can be facilitated through regional approaches, harmonization of policies and/or new technologies.