“Internetization” Campaign Begins in Pshav-Khevsureti Mountains

With the support of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the project to bring Internet to the regions of Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudamakari has begun.

Within the framework of the project, the Internet connectivity will finally reach the communities of Pshavi, Khevsureti, Arkhoti, Shatili, Ardoti, and the Gudamakari Gorge. The new network will cover 76 villages, 496 families, 1291 permanent residents, and four secondary schools. A static IP telephone network will also be arranged for 50 subscribers to improve connectivity for emergency situations.

On March 15, an official state financing agreement on the Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudamakari Community Internet Project was signed by Avtandil Kasradze, Chairman of the LEPL "Innovations and Technologies Agency" under the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and Executive Director of "Mountain Community Organization" Jemal Damatsalashvili. The signing ceremony, held at the Techno Park in Tbilisi, was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Lasha Mikava and the Prime Minister's Advisor on Regional Issues, Sozar Subari.

Mikava told media representatives that residents of the Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudamakari gorges will now be able to use modern information and communication technologies, as well as many electronic services offered by the public and private sectors. The new technology will have a positive impact on the social, cultural and economic development of Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudamakari, explained the Deputy Minister, especially regarding the potential for tourism.

“This project is a successful example of cooperation between the state, the non-governmental sector, and donor organizations, towards the joint effort of achieving internet access to this very important area,” said Mikava.

The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia worked with the Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association of Georgia (TOA), and the Internet Society – Georgia Chapter (ISOC), to develop the project, which received technical and financial assistance to the amount of $25,000. An additional 246,805 GEL ($92,091) was allocated from the High Mountain Settlement Development Fund. Other funds required for the construction of the network will be covered by various donors.

The project involves 10 different parties, including the Czech Embassy in Georgia, Veoni Georgia (Beeline Georgia), Dusheti Municipality City Hall, Intellcom Group, LTD. “Digital Technology” (Cambium Networks Georgia), LTD. "SkyTele" And LTD. "Enbi Net.”

Subari expressed pride in the project, saying that its implementation “once again emphasizes the special care taken of Georgia's mountain development, which has been a priority for the government in recent years. Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudamakari are the valleys that have great potential for tourism development.” He also noted the “historically significant functions” of many of the region’s villages that lie on the border with Russia. It is “very important,” said Sozari, to properly support the development of these villages to encourage the population, who have largely moved to more easily habitable lowlands or larger population centers, have a desire to return.

A similar project was implemented in Tusheti in 2017 by the TOA, with the involvement of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and technical assistance from the ISOC. Today, internet is available in 25 villages and four gorges in Tusheti and the network is managed by the NNLE Tusheti Development Fund. As explained on the TOA website, the project was lifechanging for many local people, especially small business owners. “For many fulltime residents the internet is free, and costs are covered by Tusheti Development Fund,” says TOA, noting that project creates “hope that young people will have more reason to stay in the area. In essence, internet in Tusheti serves as an additional service for tourists a connection for locals to obtain information and to contact to their family members and friends, both near and far.”

By Samantha Guthrie

Image source: Travelgraph.ge