Eveline Lubbers on Mon, 24 Sep 2001 23:37:36 +0200 (CEST) |
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[Nettime-nl] Internet restrictie in Central Asia |
De oorlog komt er aan, de verbindingen worden alvast verbroken. gr eveline From: David Banisar <dbanisar@privacy.org> New Internet access restrictions imposed in Central Asia Internet access in the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan is increasingly being threatened by new technologies and price controls, according to a report issued by EurasiaNet, an online news source. In Kyrgyzstan, the national telecom has begun a massive cost increase through the implementation of a new "modem tax." Internet service providers are now required to pay an increased fee in order to provide access to their customers. The providers will almost certainly pass on the costs of the new tax to their subscribers, further limiting an already weak Internet industry in the country. In Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the restrictions are more technological than digital, yet just as threatening, as they directly influence the free flow of information on the Internet. The two largest telecoms in the two countries, Kazakhtelekom and Uzpak, have announced plans to use cheap fiber optic cable lines from a Chinese company, Chinatelecom, to reduce access fees for their customers. While the new system is cheaper, it comes with the same Internet restrictions China imposes on its domestic users. As a result, a large majority of Uzbek and Kazakh Internet users will be unable to access many Western sites, or any other online content the Chinese government chooses to filter. Although alternate connections exist, technology analysts consider them ineffective and useless. Irina Kubasova, who coordinates the Global Internet Policy Initiative's (GIPI) freedom of expression efforts in Kazakhstan, stated, "Many people are unaware of alternatives or it is too complex for some people." Although few analysts believed Central Asia had embraced the Internet when these developments occurred, it did seem to be one industry the regional governments were willing to leave in citizens' control. The presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan had previously acknowledged the importance of the Internet for their societies. These recent developments, however, cast doubt on the region's commitment to promoting Internet use among its population. For more information, visit EurasiaNet at www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav091201.shtml (September 18, 2001) -- David Banisar, Research Fellow Harvard Information Infrastructure Project John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University 79 John F. Kennedy Street - Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617-496-0104 - Fax: 617-496-0606 ______________________________________________________ * Verspreid via nettime-nl. Commercieel gebruik niet * toegestaan zonder toestemming. <nettime-nl> is een * open en ongemodereerde mailinglist over net-kritiek. * Meer info, archief & anderstalige edities: * http://www.nettime.org/. * Contact: Menno Grootveld (rabotnik@xs4all.nl).