Facts about Bulgarian Broadband (BB) Market
Bulgaria ranks 1st in the European Union for usage of high-speed Internet (above 10 Mbps). 46.5 % of the Internet users in Bulgaria, are accessing the Net at speeds above 10 Mbps. Sweden is second, with 36 %.
Source: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES - Brussels, 24.03.2009. Figure 107 EU countries by speeds – retail fixed broadband lines (page 114)
Bulgaria's total number of broadband lines increased to 853 089 in January 2009, compared to 580 226 in January 2008, mainly because of the local area networks (LANs) offers. The broadband market is characterized by platform competition between LANs, cable operators, satellite and the fixed incumbent (through DSL). 70% of broadband lines were non-DSL, mainly owned by LANs (57% of the broadband lines), while the incumbent had 29% of the broadband lines by January 2009.
Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION. 14th Report on the Implementation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Package – 2008. Country chapters - Bulgaria
Amongst efficiency-driven economies, Bulgaria topped the most improved list with a 57% increase in BQS* (Broadband Quality Score) from 2009.
Source: Survey made by the Oxford and Oviedo Universities**
Nine countries, South Korea, Japan, Sweden, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, The Netherlands, Denmark and Romania, were found to have the broadband quality required for future web applications, such as high definition Internet TV viewing and high-quality video communications (such as home telepresence) that will become mainstream in the next 3 to 5 years. In 2008, only Japan exceeded this threshold.
Source: Survey made by the Oxford and Oviedo Universities**
Sofia’s BQS is 4th in the Europe, after Kaunas (Lithuania), Malmo and Uppsala (Sweden) and 10th of all the countries in the study.
Source: Survey made by the Oxford and Oviedo Universities**
Bulgaria ranks 3rd by Upload Speed of all the countries in the study.
Source: Survey made by the Oxford and Oviedo Universities**
* Broadband Quality Score (BQS): BQS is calculated based on normalized values of: Download and Upload throughput, and Latency
** Study of the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and the University of Oviedo’s
Global Broadband Quality Study Shows Progress, Highlights Broadband Quality Gap
The complete documents are published here: Broadband Quality Study 2009, Broadband Quality Study 2009 - Appendix and Broadband Quality Study 2009 – Report.
