The Internet
development in Algeria is still in a relatively early stage. Since 1994, le Centre
d’étude et de recherche sur l’information scientifique et technique (CERIST) is
the leading and only institution offering Internet service in Algeria. Apart from Algiers,
CERIST has created three different nodes (point of presence) in the country, namely in
Oran, Constantine and Ourgla.
The contact for
CERIST is M. Benhamadi (benhamadi@ist.cerist.dz)/Mme. Aouaouche El-Maohab (elmouhad@ist.cerist.dz)
While CERIST is the
only provider of full Internet service, a number of private companies are now offering web
creation and hosting services, as well as e-mail connection. The Internet Service Company
(ISC) in Algiers currently offers, in addition to network and multi-media services, e-mail
forwarding service (using Unix to Unix Copy Command – UUCP), Web page design,
creation and hosting, Web navigation service, and Internet training. The company claims to
have a fibre optic T3 connection with Sprint.
A free Web-based
e-mail service (similar to Hotmail) is available from a company called Djazair. However, users are
still required to have an Internet connection prior to being able to access his/her e-mail
box. This can be done at one of the three cyber-cafés available in the country: Media
Store Agha (in Algiers), Sindbad Club (in Oran), and Cybernet Mentouri (in Constantine).
Internet Service
Provider: CERIST
Internet
Presence Providers (Web Hosting):
E-mail providers (UUCP):
Internet Service Company and
UENET
Web hosting: Internet Service Company, Fakim, Gecos, ISP Ourgla, BMG International, RAID Services and
WMC.
Cyber-cafés: Media Store Agha,
Sindbad Club and Cybernet Mentouri
Internet Tariffs:
CERIST’s charge for a dial-up access is 50,000 Algerian Dinars per year
(approximately US$870).
Internet Host
Sites: 32 (2000)
Internet
Subscribers (1999):
- Total: 1500 (based on the number of
Internet accounts subscribed)
- Subscriber per 10,000 inhabitants:
0.25
Internet Users (2000):
- Total: 50,000
- Users per 10,000 inhabitants: 16.19
Internet
Bandwidth: 256 Kbps (international)
Internet Use by
Categories:
- News and Media: 13
newspapers, 1 television, and 5 radio stations
- Arts and Culture: 4 museums,
21 Algerian artists, and one fashion designer
- Business and Industry: over
50 web sites. A listing is available at the following address: http://www.djazaironline.net/business_economy/companies.htm
- Personal Web Sites: about 90
Algerians have created their own personal Web sites.
- Education: 5 universities, 2
training institutes, and one continuing education school.
- Government: 4 ministries, 3
political parties, and one municipal government site.
- Other usage: 2 Web
directories, 3 medical centres, 5 professional organizations, and about 10 Web sites are
tourism-related (hotels, recreations, restaurants, etc.)
Links to
Internet Sites on Algeria:
Government:
Academic and
research:
- A directory of universities and
research institutions have been compiled by CERIST and is available through its Web site
under the section "Annuaires."
Commercial:
Associations:
NGOs/Development:
