Bulgaria Communications 2008

Telephones - main lines in use:
2.399 million (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.253 million (2006)

Telephone system:
general assessment: an extensive but antiquated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; quality has improved; the Bulgaria Telecommunications Company's fixed-line monopoly terminated in 2005 when alternative fixed-line operators were given access to its network; a drop in fixed-line connections in recent years has been offset by a sharp increase in mobile-cellular telephone use fostered by multiple service providers
domestic: a fairly modern digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of the regions; the others are connected by digital microwave radio relay
international: country code - 359; submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2 Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2007)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:
39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001)

Internet country code:
.bg

Internet hosts:
298,781 (2007)