Bulgaria to build 7,000 km fiber optic networks in poorly connected areas

SOFIA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Contracts worth a total of 433.6 million leva (253 million U.S. dollars) for the construction of 7,000 kilometers of fiber optic networks across Bulgaria were signed on Tuesday, marking a major step forward in the country's digital transformation.

Of the total investment, 390 million leva will be financed through Bulgaria's national Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the remaining funds contributed by the six companies tasked with building the infrastructure.

The project aims to improve digital connectivity in 140 municipalities currently facing poor or nonexistent internet access. The construction is expected to be completed in over a year.

"This is an important step towards the digital transition," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov during the signing ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, who signed the contracts on behalf of the government, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative. After the project is completed, internet speeds in these areas will increase by more than 100 times compared to current levels, he said. (1 leva = 0.58 U.S. dollar) Enditem