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Kakha Bekauri: “Ten Years Ago, 42% of Households Used Fixed Internet, Now the Figure is 97%”
Chairman of the Communications Commission, Kakha Bekauri, summarised the activities of the Communications Comission over the past 10 years on Teleimedi, reviewing the main results achieved in terms of industry development, and noted that the statistics clearly demonstrate significant progress in both fixed and mobile internet segments.
In response to the host’s question about where Georgia stood in terms of telecommunications sector development ten years ago and where it is today, Kakha Bekauri stated that the data from the past decade clearly reflects substantial changes in the field: “Ten years ago, only 42% of households used fixed internet, whereas today 97% of households use this service,” he noted. Mr. Bekauri also highlighted the growth in the number of mobile internet users, stating that ten years ago the number of mobile internet subscribers was 1.8 million, while today this figure stands at 4.6 million. He also noted that Georgia currently ranks 14th in the world in terms of mobile internet speed, which he believes is one of the clearest examples of progress in the telecommunications sector.
During the on-air discussion, Kakha Bekauri also focussed on the economic figures posted in the sector: “Over the past ten years, revenues in the telecommunications sector have increased by 66.5%. According to the latest data, the revenues of telecom operators amounted to GEL 1.787 billion. As for the broadcasters, their revenues have increased by 45% over the past decade years and reached GEL 150.8 million,” the ComCom Chairman stated.
In addition, Kakha Bekauri spoke about technological progress, noting that through the joint efforts of the Communications Commission and the telecom companies, 4G and 5G internet technologies have been introduced in Georgia twice during the past ten years. He also pointed out that high-speed satellite internet from Starlink was introduced in Georgia during the same period. Mr. Bekauri also mentioned the state internetisation project and internet accessibility across the country.
The ComCom Chairman reviewed the Commission’s consumer-oriented policy and noted that ComCom has developed a number of tools to facilitate internet use for consumers. According to him, one good example is the Sheamotsme.ge platform, which for years has been enabling users, on a 24-hour basis, to check internet quality and take action in case of identified problems.
In addition, Kakha Bekauri drew attention to ComCom’s latest project: “The Commission has created a new platform, wifi.comcom.ge, which helps users check Wi-Fi speed and independently identify problems,” Mr. Bekauri stated.
