the population shares orthodox Turkmen and Islamic values (89 percent), although
Muslim traditions have been, to some extent, modulated by local customs and the
country’s Soviet past. Important factors in determining one’s position in the Turkmen
society remain kinship, regional links, and tribal affiliation. The state traditionally marginalizes ethnic and religious groups. Except for officially recognized Sunni Muslim
and Russian Orthodox denominations, religious activities are severely limited. Religious
congregations are required to register with the government to gain legal status. 9
Internet Infrastructure
The telecommunications sector in Turkmenistan is developing slowly, encumbered by
heavy government subsidies of basic services, contradictory procedures for obtaining
licenses, and low levels of foreign investment. 10 In the late 1990s, two German companies, Siemens and Alcatel, were approved by the government to develop the telecommunications system. In addition, the TurkmenTelecom Company and the U.S.-based
Verizon have agreed to provide Turkmenistan with direct access to the Internet. 11 Chinese telecommunication companies, financially supported by the Chinese government, have also entered the market. According to the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan,
prior to 2004 there were no broadband fixed wireless service providers in the country,
and the difficulties involved in obtaining operating licenses from the Ministry of Communications made the involvement of foreign companies impossible. 12
Since the emergence of the Internet, the government has sought to establish complete control of the Internet to avoid any potential threat that unmonitored access
may pose to the regime. In 2001, the largest ISP, Ariana, struggled to survive for
months while appealing the revocation of its license. It continued to provide free Internet access to NGOs until the government finally closed it down. Thereafter, only the
state-run provider, TurkmenTelecom, continued operations. Under the former administration, there was very little public Internet access. It was available only to those who
could afford to pay USD 8 per hour at the few hotels catering to foreigners and less
than ten public access points in the country, all sponsored by foreign aid programs.
Private use was restricted to a few foreign-owned businesses that could acquire twoway satellites or the few USD 1,000 a month DSL lines, a few dozen universities and
institutions connected through the NATO-established Virtual Silk Highway project,
and a small number of local individuals and businesses that managed to acquire
dial-up access accounts. 13
There is only one legal provider of Internet in Turkmenistan, the official government
body, TurkmenTelecom. All channels pass through TurkmenTelecom’s central hub, and
all are thoroughly monitored by the security services. TurkmenTelecom offers a small
range of service connections for individuals and organizations, all of which are officially limited to the holder of the account. It remains illegal for a private organization,
Turkmenistan
239
Muslim traditions have been, to some extent, modulated by local customs and the
country’s Soviet past. Important factors in determining one’s position in the Turkmen
society remain kinship, regional links, and tribal affiliation. The state traditionally marginalizes ethnic and religious groups. Except for officially recognized Sunni Muslim
and Russian Orthodox denominations, religious activities are severely limited. Religious
congregations are required to register with the government to gain legal status. 9
Internet Infrastructure
The telecommunications sector in Turkmenistan is developing slowly, encumbered by
heavy government subsidies of basic services, contradictory procedures for obtaining
licenses, and low levels of foreign investment. 10 In the late 1990s, two German companies, Siemens and Alcatel, were approved by the government to develop the telecommunications system. In addition, the TurkmenTelecom Company and the U.S.-based
Verizon have agreed to provide Turkmenistan with direct access to the Internet. 11 Chinese telecommunication companies, financially supported by the Chinese government, have also entered the market. According to the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan,
prior to 2004 there were no broadband fixed wireless service providers in the country,
and the difficulties involved in obtaining operating licenses from the Ministry of Communications made the involvement of foreign companies impossible. 12
Since the emergence of the Internet, the government has sought to establish complete control of the Internet to avoid any potential threat that unmonitored access
may pose to the regime. In 2001, the largest ISP, Ariana, struggled to survive for
months while appealing the revocation of its license. It continued to provide free Internet access to NGOs until the government finally closed it down. Thereafter, only the
state-run provider, TurkmenTelecom, continued operations. Under the former administration, there was very little public Internet access. It was available only to those who
could afford to pay USD 8 per hour at the few hotels catering to foreigners and less
than ten public access points in the country, all sponsored by foreign aid programs.
Private use was restricted to a few foreign-owned businesses that could acquire twoway satellites or the few USD 1,000 a month DSL lines, a few dozen universities and
institutions connected through the NATO-established Virtual Silk Highway project,
and a small number of local individuals and businesses that managed to acquire
dial-up access accounts. 13
There is only one legal provider of Internet in Turkmenistan, the official government
body, TurkmenTelecom. All channels pass through TurkmenTelecom’s central hub, and
all are thoroughly monitored by the security services. TurkmenTelecom offers a small
range of service connections for individuals and organizations, all of which are officially limited to the holder of the account. It remains illegal for a private organization,
Turkmenistan
239