Call for Proposals Launched for the Deployment of Very High Capacity Networks to Provide Internet Access Primarily in Rural and Sparsely Populated Areas

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched a call for proposals under the procedure “Large-Scale Deployment of Digital Infrastructure on the Territory of Bulgaria” (Investment K7.I1 of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan).

The available funding amounts to BGN 390,714,710.83. Each project proposal must cover one of the six planning regions in accordance with the NUTS 2 classification, with the applicant required to provide a minimum own financial contribution of 10%.

The main objective of the procedure is to bridge the digital divide by deploying very high capacity networks (VHCN) in areas where there is no existing and no anticipated market interest in building such infrastructure. At least 50% of the settlements covered by the procedure must be located in remote, rural, and sparsely populated areas. As a result of the implementation, at least 350,000 Bulgarian citizens will gain access to high-speed internet, delivered through a technologically neutral infrastructure.

The procedure also foresees the expansion or enhancement of optical connectivity to up to 140 municipal centres. Furthermore, no fewer than 700 base stations will be connected to the newly built transmission networks.

Bulgarian and foreign companies are eligible to apply via the The Unified Management Information System for the EU structural instruments in Bulgaria (UMIS 2020). The deadline for submission of proposals is 11 April 2025.

More information is available on the UMIS 2020 website: https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/800c457d-e8be-4421-8ed9-9e78d0a75c39/Procedure/Info/cfb88c3d-033c-4321-9056-7a2e16fcba93.

After the application deadline, information will be available in the UMIS portal under: UMIS -> Procedures for Grant Funding -> National Recovery and Resilience Plan -> Completed and Closed Procedures -> BG-RRP-7.008 – “Large-Scale Deployment of Digital Infrastructure on the Territory of Bulgaria (Completed)”
or directly at: https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/800c457d-e8be-4421-8ed9-9e78d0a75c39/Procedure/InfoEnded/cfb88c3d-033c-4321-9056-7a2e16fcba93.