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our country. Therefore, during the Bulgarian
Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
Bulgaria made a first step towards integrating
the countries of the Western Balkans into the
values of the Union. Thanks to our strong political
commitment, we were able to sign memoranda with
neighbouring countries for reduction of international
roaming tariffs for telecoms services. Agreements
have encouraged telecom operators to take step-by-
step action to achieve price levels similar to those in
the European Union. Bulgarian telecom companies
have offered special conditions for our western
neighbours and are already reporting increasing
calls and access to the Internet. Improving access to
these services plays an important role in facilitating
economic and social interactions both in trade and
in travel to these countries. A study of the possibility
of a common international roaming space between
the European Union and the Eastern Partnership
countries is underway.
In 2018, telecoms began to implement a number of
concrete projects for the digitalization of society,
economy and everyday life, in close partnership
with the administration. This is an example of
effective cooperation aimed at implementing
Europe’s digital strategy post-2020 and improving
digital skills. All this helps to ensure that citizens,
businesses and administrations make the most of
the enormous opportunities offered by digitization.
Telecommunication connectivity is becoming increasingly
important in the technological development of the economy
and society. Digital technologies have led Europe and the
world to a stage that completely changes business models,
social relationships, policies and visions in all spheres of
life.
With the massive penetration of 5G networks and services,
there is another technological leap ahead of which we have
to be ready in advance. That is why our efforts in recent
years have been aimed at improving the connectivity of the
regions, not only in transport but also in communication.
With the Internet getting more and more into our daily
lives, it is important to provide a high-speed network to the
most remote and sparsely populated areas in the country
as well. In this respect, the example of companies like
VIVACOM and the good practices they apply are a valuable
resource.
These processes should not be encapsulated only within
Rossen Jeliazkov:
The example of companies
like VIVACOM and the good
practices they apply are a
valuable resource
Rossen Jeliazkov,
Minister of Transport, Information Technology
and Communications
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF
TRANSPORT, INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
ANNUALREPORT
2018
INTEGRATED
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