Bulgaria has taken an important step in the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
According to Dnevnik, the country’s Communications Regulation Council (CRC) has unveiled plans for two DTT tenders that will run simultaneously.
The winner of the first licence will secure the right to operate a multiplex in six cities, including Sofia, until this December, with coverage being extended to 95% of the population by 2012.
The winner of the second multiplex will meanwhile be required to launch a multiplex covering seven cities, again including Sofia, by July 2011 and to reach 95% of the population by 2015.
The plans have been criticised by TV companies, which maintain that the operators of the digital networks will have a monopoly position in the market.
Crucially, the incumbent telco BTC, considered by many to be the likeliest winner of a multiplex licence, has decided not to take part in the tenders following the suspension of the sale of its transitions network NURTS to Austria’s ORS.
About Chris Dziadul
"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins. 
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.