Bulgaria - Convergence, Broadband & Internet Market - Overview, Analysis & Forecasts

Synopsis

Broadband accounts for the majority of Internet connections in Bulgaria, with healthy competition due to the number of competing technology platforms used to offer broadband access: DSL, cable, FttX, WiMAX and LAN-based micro ISPs. Recognising the potential of applying ICT to improve both social and economic development, Bulgaria has undertaken steps to develop an Internet society encompassing commerce, health and government services. Cable TV penetration is well above the EU average although the number of major service providers is decreasing due to consolidation. Triple play services have been launched as ISPs launch VoIP and broadband TV (IPTV), while cable operators add telephony to existing video and broadband offerings. This report provides an insight into Bulgaria’s burgeoning broadband and convergence market and an overview of the technologies, major players and market developments, as well as a variety of statistics and fixed broadband forecasts to 2018.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Internet market
  
  • 2.1 Overview
    
  • 2.2 Internet statistics
    
  • 2.3 Bulgaria’s emerging Internet society
    
    • 2.3.1 E-government
      
    • 2.3.2 E-health
      
• 3. Broadband market
  
  • 3.1 Fixed broadband overview
    
    • 3.1.1 Broadband statistics
      
  • 3.2 LAN
    
  • 3.3 Cable
    
  • 3.4 Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
    
  • 3.5 Fibre-to-the-Home (FttH)
    
  • 3.6 Wireless broadband
    
    • 3.6.1 World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)
      
• 4. Digital Media
  
  • 4.1 Overview of broadcasting market
    
  • 4.2 Triple play
    
  • 4.3 Digital TV
    
    • 4.3.1 Broadband TV (IPTV)
      
    • 4.3.2 Digital Terrestrial TV (DTTV)
      
    • 4.3.3 Cable TV (CATV)
      
    • 4.3.4 Satellite-based digital pay TV developments
      
• 5. Forecasts
  
  • 5.1 Fixed broadband forecasts – 2009 - 2012; 2018
    
    • 5.1.1 Scenario 1 – higher broadband subscriber growth
      
    • 5.1.2 Scenario 2 – lower broadband subscriber growth
      
    • 5.1.3 Notes on scenario forecasts
      
• 6. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Internet users, subscribers and penetration rates – 1995; 1997; 1999 - 2009
• Table 2 – Internet penetration among businesses, by employee size – 2004 - 2008
• Table 3 – Percentage of businesses receiving orders online, by employee size – 2004 - 2008
• Table 4 – Online purchases by individuals – 2005 - 2008
• Table 5 – Uptake of e-government services by businesses – 2004 - 2009
• Table 6 – Uptake of e-government services by individuals – 2004 - 2009
• Table 7 – Data types stored by GP practices – 2007
• Table 8 – Electronic data exchanged by GP practices – 2007
• Table 9 – Fixed broadband subscribers by access type – January 2009
• Table 10 – Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2005 - 2009
• Table 11 – Fixed broadband lines by speed – January 2009
• Table 12 – Audience share by broadcaster – Prime time – 2007 - 2009
• Table 13 – Audience share by broadcaster – All day – 2007 - 2009
• Table 14 – Forecast fixed broadband subscribers – higher growth scenario – 2009 - 2012; 2018
• Table 15 – Forecast fixed broadband subscribers – lower growth scenario – 2009 - 2012; 2018

• Exhibit 1 – The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) annual E-readiness criteria