ITU reports internet usage still low in Albania

TIRANA, Jan 8. – International Telecommunication Union, a company that monitors the spread and usage of Internet throughout the world published data according to which Albania still needs to undertake major encouragement projects for the spread of Internet. Only 2.4 percent of the population is familiar with internet and uses it regularly according to the table that summarizes the yearly progress of Albanian concerning the global medium of information exchange. For the majority of household consumers, Internet is being provided by the only fixed telecommunication company, Albtelecom. Albtelecom receives the access from the Italian Telecom through the connection 6×2 Mb/s using optic fibers installed along the bottom of Adriatic Sea for telecommunication purposes.
Actually they have been working to realize a second connection with internet to extend the bandwidth and to establish an independent network. The increase of the number of the users has been encouraged from Internet Caf곮 There are more than 30 of them in Tirana and plenty in other cities as well. Daily users count for a total of 2800 hours on average. ITU statistics show that the usage of Internet has bee increasing at different pace during the last years. The latest initiatives regarding Internet use encouragement have come from both political specters in Albania which have realized the importance of information in the global era. Tirana Mayor, Edi Rama, has promoted a free wireless area surrounding the Cultural Center Arbnori (the Pyramid). This is the first in its kind. Free wireless zones are common abroad, in airports, stations and university campuses. The second initiative, called “Albania in the Internet Age”, was launched by the Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The initiative aims at providing Internet service to the majority of Albanian schools and households in order to assist the qualitative education of the young generation.