Address by Minister Georgi Todorov on the occasion of May 17 - World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Dear Colleagues,

Today, when we celebrate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, I would like to address the thousands of Bulgarians working in the technology sector because digital transformation, although technology-based, is people-centered.

In the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the entry of digital services and activities in more and more areas of the economy and everyday life. Information and communication technologies have become a catalyst for social inclusion, decent employment and personal growth. Secure and affordable connectivity has provided opportunities for effective healthcare, education and business.

As a caretaker Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications for me it is crucial to bridge the digital divide. Only 1% of households in rural areas can benefit from access to very high capacity networks, which is 20 times less than the average for the European Union. In the light of this, Bulgarian big cities provide good opportunities for online business and education, as the use of optical networks increasing by 42 percent in recent months.

Dear colleagues,

Cooperation with the industry in the preparation of transparent policies and regulatory solutions is extremely important for our team, in order to facilitate the digital transformation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

I wish you and your families on-going well-being and prosperity!

Happy holiday!