Remote but not out of reach: an Azerbaijani village goes online

Khinalig is one of Azerbaijan's oldest villages, and one of its most remote. Situated high in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, it has maintained a unique language and semi-nomadic way of life for 5,000 years, and in 2023 was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Yet while the modern world communicates instantly over fiber-optic networks, the village of Khinalig remained geographically isolated and largely cut off from global connectivity.

Khinalig native Izzet Baghirov returned to his village after graduating from university in Baku. He works at the local museum, runs a guesthouse, and hopes to share the culture of Azerbaijan and Khinalig with others.

"We invited the world, but our voices could not cross the mountains," Izzet recalls.

Five years ago, no stable network existed. Global travelers couldn’t find Khinalig online, and only a few guidebooks mentioned it. Visitors who did arrive often left quickly because they couldn’t stay connected. Uploading photos and videos was painfully slow, making it impossible to showcase the guesthouse on booking platforms.

"Children and young people couldn’t access educational resources or learn new skills,” says Izzet. “Many chose to leave."

Carrying voices beyond the mountains

In 2021, Azerbaijan launched its national digital infrastructure strategy, “Online Azerbaijan.” The strategy had an ambitious goal: to achieve nationwide fiber broadband coverage at gigabit speeds by 2024.

The telco Aztelekom partnered with Huawei to build a high-speed, reliable, all-optical network covering the whole country, from remote Caucasus villages to coastal cities on the Caspian. Solutions such as 10G PON, FTTR for all-optical smart homes, and FTTO for all-optical smart small and micro enterprises, were deployed to deliver digital connectivity starting at hundreds of megabits per second.

"Online Azerbaijan isn’t just a technological modernization project; it’s a major initiative to narrow the digital divide, ensure equal digital access for all citizens, and accelerate the digital transformation of government services," says Aztelekom CEO Hasan Omarov. "Huawei's innovative technologies and solutions, together with its experience delivering large-scale projects quickly and reliably, have played an important role in building the nation's digital infrastructure."

High-quality all-optical Wi-Fi 7 solution for homes

A Millennial Village Goes Live

Gigabit fiber has unlocked new economic and educational opportunities for Khinalig. Visitor numbers are rising, and business travelers and digital nomads who discover Khinalig online (and see that it has high-speed connectivity) stay longer, and return more often.

Fast, stable Wi Fi means entertainment, video conferencing, and online learning for every guest and every room in Izzet's guesthouse, making it a top choice for remote workers and professionals. With bookings on the rise, he’s building a larger guesthouse where all-optical coverage guarantees a seamless online experience.

Tourists use high-speed Internet to video call friends

"In the next five years,” he says, “I hope to build a nationwide travel company to introduce Azerbaijan's culture to the world."

Ancient crafts, global classrooms

Gigabit fiber has also revived traditions once feared lost.

"Spinning, carding wool, and weaving socks and carpets from sheep's wool are traditions passed down from our ancestors and are very precious to us. Now, through livestreaming, these crafts can be seen by many and continue to thrive," explains Khinalig artisan Melikova Pervane.

Modern communication technology complements ancient village crafts

Gigabit connectivity has also brought education to this remote mountain area. "With the internet, I learned English easily and can communicate confidently with foreign visitors," says student Rafiqul Aliyev.

Paving the way to a digital future

The connectivity campaign has delivered remarkable results. In about four years, broadband users in Azerbaijan have increased thirteenfold, with 100% national fiber coverage covering 2.4 million households and businesses.

Looking ahead, the Online Azerbaijan strategy will enter a new phase of digital development. A nationwide all-optical network, powered by advanced technologies such as 10G PON and 50G PON, will become the platform for smart cities, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, enabling households, communities, and businesses to enjoy ultra gigabit, reliable connectivity.

Advanced connectivity will bring equality, innovation, and opportunity to everyone, accelerating the digital economy and supporting sustainable social development.