We will no longer talk about digital nomadism, but about opportunities that will be available not only to those living in less populated areas, but also to future businesses that will develop their potential there. This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the signing ceremony of six contracts worth over 443 million leva for the construction of digital networks in the country. “This is an important step towards the digital transition. I would say a digital march towards less populated areas. Where there is no market potential“, the Prime Minister noted.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the project will provide an opportunity not only for access to high-speed internet for consumers, but also for a different regional policy and, as a result, for a better demographic policy. “This project will be implemented in an extremely short time, the necessary digital infrastructure will be built and the process of subsequent regulation is pending, so that all telecommunications operators have access to provide digital services of different nature“, explained Zhelyazkov.
“The total investment in the project is nearly half a billion leva“, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov during the ceremony. He added that the operators are participating with 10% co-financing. “This is a good example of both a public-private partnership between the state and the operators, and their social responsibility. Over 7,000 km of optical network should be developed in a little over a year. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will exercise very strict control, together with the Communications Regulation Commission, to ensure that high-speed internet is built in each of the planned points on time“, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
Grozdan Karadjov stated that the project envisages over 100 times faster internet than the one currently existing. “In remote areas, it will be possible to develop business in the same way as investments are currently being made around large cities. For education, as the government's top priority, daily access to fast internet will also be ensured“, the Deputy Prime Minister also said. He recalled that MTS urgently prepared and adopted legislation that provides new opportunities and shortened deadlines for building networks to base stations. They will provide internet without interruption when there is a problem with electricity. “Only the permits for this equipment would have taken 2 years. The construction of the optical network is now starting, where permits are not required, and by the end of the summer, work will start in the remaining sections,“ added Grozdan Karadjov.
Six contracts for the construction of digital networks in the country were signed at the ceremony with the selected contractors - “A1 Bulgaria“ EAD, “Vivacom Bulgaria“ EAD and “CETIN Bulgaria“ EAD (part of the “Yettel Bulgaria“ group). The activities have a total value of 433,613,866 BGN excluding VAT, of which 390,027,846 BGN excluding VAT are from the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan.