Bulgaria - Mobile Market Insights, Overview and Statistics

Synopsis

Bulgaria has a developed mobile market as indicated by current mobile penetration levels. Three mobile network operators offer GSM and WCDMA-based services. Competition has intensified given the recent implementation of a streamlined mobile number portability process. At least one operator is branching into the fixed-line market, acquiring a number of fibre-based broadband Internet service providers. Mobile data offerings are focused on mobile broadband. This report presents a concise overview of Bulgaria’s mobile market in 2011, offering a variety of statistics and insightful analysis covering the major operators, market developments and services offered.

Key developments:

MNOs fined for MNP non-compliance; HSPA+ coverage extended in 2011; mobile sector nearly half of all telecom sector revenue; Vivacom reports 125% growth in mobile broadband subscriber base in H1 2011; MNP takes off under new regulatory measure; 2GH spectrum licence cancelled; regulator’s 2010 market report; operator data to September 2011.

Companies covered in this report include:

Vivacom, MobilTel, Globul.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Mobile communications
  • 2.1 Overview of Bulgaria’s mobile market
    • 2.1.1 Mobile statistics
  • 2.2 Regulatory issues
    • 2.2.1 Second GSM licence
    • 2.2.2 Third GSM licence
    • 2.2.3 Fourth GSM licence
    • 2.2.4 Third generation (3G) licences
    • 2.2.5 TETRA licences
    • 2.2.6 Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
    • 2.2.7 EU roaming tariffs
    • 2.2.8 Mobile Termination Rates (MTR)
  • 2.3 Mobile technologies
    • 2.3.1 GSM
    • 2.3.2 TETRA
    • 2.3.3 Third generation mobile (3G)
  • 2.4 Major mobile operators
    • 2.4.1 Vivacom
    • 2.4.2 MobilTel/M-Tel
    • 2.4.3 Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile/Globul
  • 2.5 Mobile voice services
    • 2.5.1 Prepaid cards
  • 2.6 Mobile data services
    • 2.6.1 Overview
    • 2.6.2 Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
    • 2.6.3 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
    • 2.6.4 Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
    • 2.6.5 Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+)
    • 2.6.6 i-mode
    • 2.6.7 Mobile TV
    • 2.6.8 Mobile broadband
  • 2.7 Mobile content and applications
    • 2.7.1 M-commerce (micropayments)
• 3. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 1995 - 2012
• Table 2 – Mobile sector revenue – 2009- 2012
• Table 3 – Mobile market share of subscribers by operator – 2006- 2010
• Table 4 – Mobile market revenue share by service – 2006- 2010
• Table 5 – Mobile portings – 2008 - 2012
• Table 6 – European roaming charges – 2007 - 2012
• Table 7 – Vivacom mobile revenue – 2009 - 2011
• Table 8 – MobilTel financial data – 2005 - 2011
• Table 9 – MobilTel prepaid, postpaid and blended monthly ARPU – 2004 - 2011
• Table 10 – MobilTel subscribers – 2007 - 2011
• Table 11 – MobilTel annualised Minutes of Use (MOU) – 2007 - 2011
• Table 12 – Globul financial data – 2009 - 2011
• Table 13 – Globul subscribers – 2007 - 2011
• Table 14 – Ratio of prepaid to postpaid subscribers – 2002 - 2012
• Table 15 – MobilTel prepaid subscribers – 2004 - 2011
• Table 16 – Globul prepaid subscribers – 2007 - 2011
• Table 17 – Total SMS messages sent – 2003 - 2012
• Table 18 – Total MMS messages sent – 2003 - 2012
• Table 19 – Total mobile broadband-capable subscribers – 2006 - 2011
• Table 20 – MobilTel mobile broadband subscribers – 2008 - 2011

• Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers and penetration – 1995 – 2012
• Chart 2 – MobilTel financial data – 2005 – 2011
• Chart 3 – MobilTel prepaid, postpaid and blended monthly ARPU – 2004 – 2011
• Chart 4 – Globul financial data – 2009 – 2011