Azerbaijan Additional Service Providers: Vehicle Rental, Taxi Companies, Freight Forwarding Agents, Handling Equipment, Power Generation and ISPs
For information on Azerbaijan Additional Service Provider Contact details, please see the following link:
4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List
Vehicle Rental
Most Azeri roads and streets
are in such a state that it is practically impossible to break the
speed limits, exception made for some avenues and streets in Baku
which are kept in tip top shape (see map for main roads). Side
streets and minor roads have all kinds of debris, open manholes,
and are pot-holed, unmarked and unlit. Even in some areas in the
center of the capital, streetlights are barely noticeable. Villages
and rural areas are woefully under equipped with earth roads and
puddles like great lakes.
Drivers pay little heed to traffic
regulations, so expect a certain degree of artistic liberty when
driving. Azeri driving behaviour is not incredibly dangerous nor
aggressive, but don't depend on drivers to stay in their own lanes.
Nor will they always pay attention to traffic signals or other
drivers.
Note that "left-hand" turns across
traffic are absolutely forbidden. You have to find a way to get to
the other side of the street and then make a "right-hand" turn.
Sometimes this means driving a kilometre or so out of your way and
reversing direction. Sometimes, you'll find cars backing up a
one-way street just so they can "legally" head in the direction
they want to go. Drive defensively at all times.
Always carry your vehicle
registration papers, passport and driver's licence. Also, make sure
that your car's paperwork gives you authorization to drive it. An
international driver's license is valid in Azerbaijan if you stay
in the country for less than 4 months. After that, you'll need to
get a stamp from the traffic police (79 S. Vurgun, tel. 984
002).
If a policeman signals you to pull
over, he'll use a siren or point with a baton. Above all, stay calm
and don't get out of the car. The officer will shake hands with you
first, introduce himself, then ask for your license and car's
documentation. Answer his questions, but don't volunteer
information. Be ready to apologize. The officer may be looking for
a bribe, but will eventually let you go without one. The police's
obscure fines are more often than not, not for the local road fund,
most are open to bribery to counteract their miserable
wages.
Driving under the influence of
alcohol is a very serious offence in Azerbaijan, so make sure that
you have a replacement driver even if you plan to drink only a
small amount of alcohol.
For information on Azerbaijan Rental Car Costs, please see the following document:
Taxi Companies
Most taxis are unmetered. A journey anywhere within the city
centre will cost 15,000 manats, though it is possible to negotiate
much lower fares if you have the patience. Expect to be asked more
if you dont't speak Azeri or Russian. Driving may be a little
adventurous and rear seat belts do not abound.
Taxis do not generally accept foreign currencies. Make sure you
have change before travelling as some drivers may not.
There are only two official taxi companies in Baku, use either the
yellow Star cabs, or the white taxis with blue sign from Azerq
Taxis. Those with blue license plates are officially licensed and
are considered to be safer. You can book taxis by calling 62-15-15
or 62-12-44/7.
For information on Azerbaijan Additional Service Provider Contact details, please see the following link:
4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List
Electricity and Power
system: 220 V, 50 Hz, double pins, european plug
(non-continentals should bring adapters)
production: 23,80 billion kWh (2007)
consumption: 27,50 billion kWh (2007)
Power cuts are frequent, even in Baku, where people usually stock a
few candles at home. The production facilities consist of eight
thermal plants supplying 85% of generating capacity, and 6
hydroelectric plants. Two-thirds of the country's thermal capacity
is powered by Mazut (residual fuel oil), with natural gas as the
secondary fuel (2400MWt). The second largest thermal plant is in
Ali Bayramly (1050MWt).
Azerbaijan's power infrastructure, built in the Soviet Period, is
generally in poor condition. Since independence there has been
scarce public investment or maintenance of public infrastructure.
Difficult economic conditions, high taxes and non-payment by
customers left the power sector without sufficient working capital
and investment funds. Over half the country's turbo-generators and
boilers and large sections of the distribution network have been in
use for more than 40 years. Most energy generating and distribution
equipment and parts are imported from Russia and the Ukraine, since
they were originally part of the same system the parts are
compatible and very price-competitive.
Although domestic production surpasses consuption, because of the
country's inefficient distribution network, energy losses amounted
to around 20% of the electricity that was generated. In order to
supply electricity to all parts of the country, Azerbaijan imports
power from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia, and the country
participates in energy exchanges as well. Apart from
hydroelectric power, renewable energies have no tradition in
Azerbaijan but recently and agreement between Azerenerji and
Sumitomo has been signed for a project for wind energy.
Production Unit |
Type [1] |
Installed Capacity (MW) |
Current Production (MW) |
---|---|---|---|
220 V, 50 Hz |
n/a |
27,50 billion kWh (2007) | 23,80 billion kWh (2007) |
[1] E.g. Hydroelectric power, Thermal power...
Electricity is supplied at 220V 50Hz with sockets the European
standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, but
non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, US and
Canadian travellers should pack an adapter and tranformer for these
outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in
Azerbaijan.
Additionally, some older buildings may be still equipped with
Soviet-era outlets. The Soviet GOST-7396 standard was very similar
to the current European CEE-7/7 "Schuko plug", but the pins were of
a 4.0 mm diameter, while the Schuko features 4.8 mm pins. As such,
the pins of a Schuko may be too large to fit into a Soviet-era
outlet, although the smaller Europlug will still fit. Although the
Soviet-era outlets have largely been phased out, travellers who are
particularly concerned with having the ability to plug in at all
times may consider packing an adapter for the Soviet-era outlets
too, just in case.
Also, make sure to bring your own automated voltage transformer
because the electricity in Azerbaijan short circuits and "jumps" a
lot and many items may get shocked if you don't bring the
adapter.
Involvement of new private generating enterprises (mini-power
plants) in the electricity sector is minor thus far though
additional investment in new generating capacities and
transmission/distribution operations is a medium term policy
objective.
Although domestic production surpasses consumption, because of the country's inefficient distribution network, energy losses amounted to around 20% of the electricity that was generated. In order to supply electricity to all parts of the country, Azerbaijan imports power from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia, and the country participates in energy exchanges as well.
Power grid / network coverage
|
80 %
|
---|---|
Is supply regular and constant throughout the country?
|
no, Power cuts are frequent, even in Baku
|
On average, how often does power supply go out?
|
frequently
|
On average, how long does the outage last?
|
about 1 hour per day
|
For information on Azerbaijan Additional Service Provider Contact details, please see the following link:
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
High speed internet and IPTV services are provided to subscribers through BTCPA network. At present, 173,169 subscribers connected to the network, use the services of high speed internet through broadband connections (including 88 764 of them use Internet services from BTCPA, 84 405 - other ISPs). Taking into account the increasing demand for online services, the number of ADSL ports in BTCPA network increased to 232,246 units. Of these, 127,568 units (54.9%) are installed by BTCPA, 104 678 units (45.1%) - by other ISPs.Currently, 27.8% of BTCPA subscribers have access to high speed internet through a broadband connection.
The Internet started to develop in Azerbaijan in 1993. The first
Azerbaijani website was created in 1994 by the National Academy of
Sciences of Azerbaijan, and the website of the President of
Azerbaijan Republic, which was founded in 1997, became the first
public Internet resource.
Administration of the national top-level domain AZ has been carried
out since 1993.
From the first days the Internet developed by mainly private
sector. Until 2000, the activities of Internet service providers
(ISP) were conducted under a special permit (license), but in 2000
the licensing of such services was canceled, as a result of this
any natural or legal person in the country is free to engage in the
activity.
Currently, there are about 40 Internet service providers in the
country, of which only three are state agencies (Aztelekomnet,
Bakinternet and Azdatakom).
ISPs operate in a healthy competition and a free market
environment.Companies use wired and wireless communication
technologies for access to the Internet. Application of WiMax and
other wireless technologies are expanded.
Connection of the country to the international Internet network is
provided by two private companies (Delta Telekom and Azertelekom),
which creates an alternative choice for ISPs.
All three mobile operators in the country provide its subscribers
with high speed internet access and provide 3G services. In
general, if we take into account the fact that mobile penetration
in Azerbaijan exceeded 100%, then we can actually say that every
person has access to the Internet.
The broadband access to the Internet in the country started in
2006, and in recent years there has been significant growth in the
number of broadband internet users.
The main reason for this is the result of the execution of public
policies carried out for the development of ICT sector in the
country, the expansion of e-government projects, increasing the
role of the Internet in rendering of services.
Internet Service Providers |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Are there ISPs available? (Yes / No) |
yes | ||
Private or Government |
Government & Private | ||
Dial-up only (Yes / No) |
No | ||
Approximate Rates |
Dial-up: |
10 Hours = 1.00 Manat , 50 Hours = 3.00 Manat , 1 Month unlimited = 7 Manat , 1 Year unlimited = 70 Manat | |
Broadband: |
10Gbps |
||
Max leasable 'dedicated' bandwidth |
10Gbps |
For information on ISP Provider contact details, please see the following links: