
The ISP in Afghanistan scene has changed over the years, with some of the major players still leading the way with new and advanced technologies. The ISP in Afghanistan prospects in 2001 were bleak with the ISP in Afghanistan services banned by the Taliban at stage; arguments for this banning included the broadcasting of so-called obscene material. The Taliban also did not appreciate the difficulty of controlling the users who received their lines from neighbouring Pakistan at that stage.
Fortunately for users the ISP in Afghanistan prospects changed considerably after the 2001 war and today the ISP in Afghanistan industry creates work opportunities and help businesses to compete on an equal footing with the rest of the world because of increased access to advanced Internet related services.
The commitment by the ISP in Afghanistan industry to improved Internet access to all in the country is not without its struggles. Afghanistan is still one of the less penetrated Internet markets mostly because of the rural areas which are rather remote. The scenario in the country’s capital is a bit different as WiMax, VSAT, and Wireless Communication are well represented. The satellite network has been grown and with that improved services such as online payment VSAT systems for business users.
Literacy levels of women in the country are still low, but as improved literacy is on the horizon, one can expect more and more users to join the cyberspace. The .af domain is used in Afghanistan and with just five ISP in Afghanistan services in 2003 the market has shown tremendous increase to a total of 22 service providers in 2006.
An indication of the improved ISP in Afghanistan services is the growing number of Internet cafes and the support thereof by Afghanistan people. The Internet is no longer limited to the wealthy few in the country. Such improvements in Internet access are good news and one can expect even more advanced services and access in the nearby future.