Bulgaria, situated in Southeast Europe, is characterised by diverse geography from mountainous terrains in the southwest to the lowlands and plains in the northeast, which can pose some challenges for the distribution of technologies and telecommunications infrastructure across the country. With a population of around seven million, Bulgaria's significant urban centres include Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. Connection speed and internet accessibility are notably high in these concentrated urban spaces but less so in remote and rural regions. Recognising this, the Bulgarian government has implemented the "Digital Bulgaria 2025" strategy aiming to enhance digital connectivity across the country, focusing on improving broadband speed and coverage in rural areas. Innovations in technology, like the deployment of 5G networks, are also a key focus, with Sofia becoming a prototype smart city. Also evident is the country's commitment to renewable energy, exemplified by the Kaliakra Wind Farm and the growing solar power industry. Despite these advancements, Bulgaria still faces challenges to ensure an even spread of digital opportunities across all regions.

ITU Region
Region-1
Geographic Region
Regulatory Body
Communications Regulation Commission CRC
bulgaria world map

Mobile Network Operators

The are 3 companies operating mobile networks in this region.

A1 Telekom Logo

A1 Bulgaria, previously known as Mtel or Mobiltel, is a telecommunications company operating in Bulgaria. It was founded in March 1994 and launched commercially in September 1995 under the brand name Citron. The company saw significant growth after the introduction of prepayment sim cards in 2001, increasing its customer base dramatically. In July 2005, A1 Telekom Austria Group acquired the company, marking one of the largest foreign investments in Austria. The company has been a pioneer in the Bulgarian telecommunications sector, being the first to offer services such as EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA...

Country
Vivacom logo

VIVACOM, the largest telecommunications company in Bulgaria, was initially a state-owned incumbent operator known as the Bulgarian Telecommunication Company (BTC). The company's history traces back to its time as the primary fixed-line operator in Bulgaria, undergoing a significant transition during the privatisation procedure in 2004 when the Bulgarian government sold 65% of the share capital. In 2005, BTC was granted a license for the development of third-generation mobile telecommunication systems under the UMTS standard, launching its mobile services under the "Vivatel" brand later that...

Country
Yettel Logo
Yettel Bulgaria, previously known as Telenor Bulgaria, is the largest mobile network and the third largest fixed telecommunications company in Bulgaria. The company was initially established as "Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile" in 2001 by the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and was part of the Cosmote brand line from 2005 to 2013. The company operated under the brand name "Globul" until 2014. In 2013, Yettel was wholly acquired by Norwegian telecommunications corporation Telenor from OTE for EUR 717 million. In August 2018, it was then purchased by PPF, a Czech private investment fund...
Country
Wireless Spectrum Bands