Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1271
2008-09-25 14:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: SOURCE SAYS THAT DSL WILL COST $500
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001271
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
USTDA FOR DANIEL STEIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EIND TINT TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: SOURCE SAYS THAT DSL WILL COST $500
PER MONTH, POSSIBLY AS SOON AS OCTOBER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001271
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
USTDA FOR DANIEL STEIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EIND TINT TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: SOURCE SAYS THAT DSL WILL COST $500
PER MONTH, POSSIBLY AS SOON AS OCTOBER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.
4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Turkmen officials announced at the opening
of the Turkmentel communications trade show on September 24
that Turkmenistan would offer DSL service starting in
October. According to a fellow diplomat's source at the
Ministry of Communication, DSL service will cost $500 per
month, in addition to a $700 start-up fee. However, those
who are willing to pay bribes over and above the cost of the
published price will have priority in receiving DSL lines.
Therefore, delivery dates of lines to those not willing to
pay bribes cannot be guaranteed. A delegation from Turkey's
television and radio administration has been working on
finalizing technical assistance agreements in the areas of
industry regulation and deregulation with counterparts in
Turkmenistan's government structure. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Turkmen officials announced at the opening of the
Turkmentel communications trade show on September 24 that
Turkmenistan would offer DSL service starting in October.
This claim was surprising, given that dial-up service is
barely available at the moment. At the reception in honor of
the trade show later that evening, Turkish Charge Hakan
Cengiz (please protect) was also surprised that the
government promised availability of DSL service so soon.
Cengiz said that according to his contact at the Ministry of
Communication, the stated price for DSL services will include
a flat $700 start-up fee, plus $500 per month following.
Also according to the Ministry official, the Ministry cannot
guarantee when prospective subscribers will receive the lines
because of others who will be willing to pay bribes over and
above the official prices in order to obtain the lines first.
3. (C) A small delegation from Turkey's television and radio
administration has been at the trade show, finalizing
technical assistance in the areas of industry regulation and
deregulation with counterparts in Turkmenistan's government
structure. The official with whom emboff spoke at the
reception was satisfied with the progress of talks. (NOTE:
Cengiz mentioned with some disappointment that because of
bureaucratic hurdles which prevented some potential
delegation members from receiving visas, only four of the
proposed 12 delegation members were able to come. END NOTE.)
4. (C) COMMENT: DSL would be an astronomical leap forward
for Internet for Turkmenistan, where most of those who do
have Internet have poor dial-up connections. One has to
wonder, however, how many Turkmen will be willing to pay $700
plus $500 per month for DSL service, not to mention the bribe
for installation? Other than A few elites and foreign
businessmen, it is likely most Turkmen will not enjoy the
benefits of DSL for some time. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
USTDA FOR DANIEL STEIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EIND TINT TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: SOURCE SAYS THAT DSL WILL COST $500
PER MONTH, POSSIBLY AS SOON AS OCTOBER
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.
4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Turkmen officials announced at the opening
of the Turkmentel communications trade show on September 24
that Turkmenistan would offer DSL service starting in
October. According to a fellow diplomat's source at the
Ministry of Communication, DSL service will cost $500 per
month, in addition to a $700 start-up fee. However, those
who are willing to pay bribes over and above the cost of the
published price will have priority in receiving DSL lines.
Therefore, delivery dates of lines to those not willing to
pay bribes cannot be guaranteed. A delegation from Turkey's
television and radio administration has been working on
finalizing technical assistance agreements in the areas of
industry regulation and deregulation with counterparts in
Turkmenistan's government structure. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Turkmen officials announced at the opening of the
Turkmentel communications trade show on September 24 that
Turkmenistan would offer DSL service starting in October.
This claim was surprising, given that dial-up service is
barely available at the moment. At the reception in honor of
the trade show later that evening, Turkish Charge Hakan
Cengiz (please protect) was also surprised that the
government promised availability of DSL service so soon.
Cengiz said that according to his contact at the Ministry of
Communication, the stated price for DSL services will include
a flat $700 start-up fee, plus $500 per month following.
Also according to the Ministry official, the Ministry cannot
guarantee when prospective subscribers will receive the lines
because of others who will be willing to pay bribes over and
above the official prices in order to obtain the lines first.
3. (C) A small delegation from Turkey's television and radio
administration has been at the trade show, finalizing
technical assistance in the areas of industry regulation and
deregulation with counterparts in Turkmenistan's government
structure. The official with whom emboff spoke at the
reception was satisfied with the progress of talks. (NOTE:
Cengiz mentioned with some disappointment that because of
bureaucratic hurdles which prevented some potential
delegation members from receiving visas, only four of the
proposed 12 delegation members were able to come. END NOTE.)
4. (C) COMMENT: DSL would be an astronomical leap forward
for Internet for Turkmenistan, where most of those who do
have Internet have poor dial-up connections. One has to
wonder, however, how many Turkmen will be willing to pay $700
plus $500 per month for DSL service, not to mention the bribe
for installation? Other than A few elites and foreign
businessmen, it is likely most Turkmen will not enjoy the
benefits of DSL for some time. END COMMENT.
CURRAN