Overview of the ICT sector in Georgia

Download a more detailed report on the national ICT sector elaborated by the EECA Cluster here.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays the important role in development process of Georgian economy. As the result of economic reforms carried out in Georgia the liberalized and de-monopolized market was settled in the country. There is the favorable environment for investments and for implementation of new services and info-communications means. Competition is progressively developing which positively effects on the service quality and its accessibility for the population.

Regarding the Governance of ICT sector in the country it must be underlined that the Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for policy development from the Government in the field of ICT. At the same time the mission of the Ministry of Economic Development is to provide stable and high temps of economic growth with working up and implementation an effective economic policy. The government of the country is implementing consistent structural and institutional reforms with aim to provide the most favorable business environment.

Several years ago the National Regulatory Authority - NRA (Georgian National Communications Commission - GNCC) was created in Georgia. The NRA is governed by very strict rules implying transparency, independence, consultation and conflict of interest avoidance.

On the other side ICT sector is one of the component part (subject of teaching and development) for the most Georgian universities, high education schools, research institutes of the former Academy of Sciences of Georgia in which there are several ICT specializations and scientific directions. At last there are private companies, SMEs, NGOs in the field of ICT (especially in telecommunication area), which are mainly working as a service and provider companies.

For stabile and secure Communication among the governmental bodies Georgian government has launched Georgian Governmental Network GGN project that has started in November 2006. The first phase of project was accomplished and currently the Georgian Governmental Network connecting more than 400 of different Ministries and entities. There was established network management center, maintained installation and switching in the net of IP telephony and also its technical service. At the same time mentioned network offers the customer the wide Internet services.

For the second phase, according to the demand will be insured switching process of any governmental body and organization in the GGN with relevant technical service. In 2009 secondary schools and resource centers were included in the network. Currently approximately 170 institutions are linked via Virtual Private Network. Network operation services is provided by the Georgian Research and Educational Networking Association GRENA. Until the end of 2010 all 2200 secondary schools and resource centers will be linked.

The modern technologies based GGN stipulates the development of IP protocol-supported, integrated and protected VPN type of computer network all over the Georgia that enables the online interconnection of governmental bodies, exchange of any type of digital data between central and regional agencies, considerably decreasing the communication costs of state authorities, allowing the use of high-speed, as well as that of the ordinary internet access at affordable rates.