Telecommunications in Bulgaria

 Land Lines

Only around 38% of the population in Bulgaria has a land based telephone line, although these figures are increasing drastically despite the quality of the phone service still being substandard. The call completion rate is still only a frustrating 45 %.

Telephone lines are sometimes still insulated with paper and many areas are still using obsolete switching technology.

Dialing Out

The telecommunications system allows a direct dialing service to 58 countries, although it all can seem outdated by our standards:

If you wish to dial to a country not within the list of 58, you will need to call through the operator by dialing 0123.

If you are trying to make an international call from a private house, phone the telephone operator who will arrange the call and phone you back when the lines are available. Sometimes you may have to wait up to half an hour, especially if you are in a small or remote town.

Major hotels and resorts, however, are normally equipped with a 'Betkom' direct dial service to Europe, Asia and Africa which has a digital display screen, and which operates with a phone card that can be purchased at any nearby kiosk.

National and international phone calls, telegram and fax services are also offered by the Sofia Central Post Office and by post offices in every town in the country.

Useful Numbers & Codes (In a table format)

Bulgaria country code: 359

Bulgaria city codes:

Burgas 56 Kardjali 361 Pazardjik 34 Plovdiv 32 Ruse 82 Sofia 2 Varna 52 0123 - operator for international calls (if no direct phone call is possible) 120 - wake up call 121 - operator for long-distance calls within the country 140 - to send telegrams 144 - telephone information for office phone numbers 145 - telephone information for home numbers 146 - Emergency Road Service 150 - Emergency Medical Aid 166 - Police/Road patrols 175 - weather forecast 180 - exact time ("speaking" clock)

Airline offices in Sofia :

Airline Address Telephone (++359 2) Aeroflot - 2 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. 981-49-43, 980-00-67, fax: 873-998 Air France - 36 Al. Stamboliiski Blvd. 987-73-25 Al Italia - 40 Graf Ignatiev Str. 808-786, 808-601 Aua Austrian Airlines - 68 Knyaginya Str., Maria-Louisa Blvd 327-061, 327-057, fax: 334-003 British Airways - 56 Alabin Str. 981-70-00 CSA - 9 Suborna Str. 981-54-08 Lufthansa - 9 Suborna Str. 980-41-01, 980-41-41, fax: 981-29-11 Swissair - 66 Knyaginya Maria-Louisa Blvd 931-08-71, fax: 931-15-59 Turkish Airlines - 11A Suborna Str. 874-220, 883-596

Mobile Phones

Due to the high growth rate of telephone subscribers and their unsatisfactory quality, Bulgaria has seen a rapid increase in the use of mobile phones.

The cellular market in Bulgaria will grow further and much competition on the service side is expected. European suppliers dominate the equipment market, although handsets are also being supplied by Motorola.

Internet

You can get access to the Internet in many of the Internet cafes and clubs, which can be found at practically every bigger street. The normal price per hour is about 1 lev (€1.95).

About the author:

Tina Andlaw lives in Spain and regularly contributes articles to Sunseeker Homes (http://www.sunseekerhomes.com) the Spanish property information website.

 Tina Andlaw

More Articles 

Powerful Tips to Improve Communication with Your Boss - Marla Platt BA MBA
One of the loudest, longest complaints that folks have concerning their work often focuses around their relationship with their boss. After years -- why even decades -- pass by and the details of the everyday aspects of the job are a neutral memory,...

SMS for Redundant Communications - Lew Newlin
Most wireless handheld devices such as Blackberries offer the ability to send and receive email messages to some degree. Despite the fact the PDA devices and services vary, handheld email has become a popular business communication tools. Using PDA...

Enlightened Communication and Network Marketing - Brent Payne
Successful network marketing revolves around effective communication. In your business you need to demonstrate how your product can help to solve your prospect's particular problem. You need to communicate this effectively and listen intently...

Cross-Cultural Communication:Grin and Jump In! - Judith Richardson
Multiculturalism is a reality in North America and for those of us who do business globally. The US has more legal immigrants yearly than all the other countries in the world combined. Also there are vast cultural differences among "native"...

How to Master the Art of Verbal Communication - Della Menechella
When we communicate verbally with others, either in a conversation or in a presentation, our usual goal is to have people understand what we are trying to say. In order to accomplish this, we should remember the acronym KISS (Keep It Short and...

Microsoft Unveils Live Communications Server 2005 - ARA
REDMOND, Wash. -- May 4, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the opening of the beta program for Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005, previously code-named "Vienna." Live Communications Server 2005, a next-generation enterprise...

Toddler With Communication Difficulties - Steve Hill
Does your toddler or young child have problems with their speech? Are you a child who has a stutter/stammer? In this article I write about communication and speech problems in childhood. The type of speech impediment I am going to...

Persuasive Communication - Robert F Abbott
Is all communication persuasive? Sometimes, it seems it is. At the least, we can say much of our communication includes a persuasion component. Consider this article, which takes an editorial rather than an overtly persuasive approach. Yet, the...

How to Improve Communication Skills and Your Personal Style - Peter Murphy
Here are six tips for improving your communication style: 1. Knowing how to improve communication skills will come easier once you become aware of your own communication style. Each person has a unique way of communicating. Listen to...

Effective Communication for Webmasters - Gene DeFazzio
The primary aim of your website is to communicate. In order for webmasters to convey their thoughts effectively they must understand the meaning of what they are trying to communicate and be able to evaluate the effect that their website is...

Effective Communication Skills For The Job Interview - Michelle Roebuck
One of the areas that an employer is looking at on the job interview are your communication skills. Many people will go into a job interview and say to the employer, “I have excellent communication skills.” But, if your interview suggests...

Three Steps to Avoid Dys-communication at Work - Joseph Tomaino
Three Steps to Avoid Dys-communication at Work Have you ever wondered how there can be so much communication about an issue and nothing ever seems to get resolved about it? One thing to consider is that much of the supposed...