Virtual Mobile Operators have focused on applicants for the Communications Regulation Commission

The Commission must be updated with a new deputy chairman and two members who have expired.

Only GERB was made for a new deputy chairman, in the face of the current one Kristina Hirova, who has taken the post since February 2020. Her experience has passed through an expert at the Ministry of Economy and has experience in the administration of the Council of Ministers and the Public Procurement Agency. From two of the industry organizations – ABRO and ATI, they supported a trick with an argument that he already had experience in the regulator.

According to the most discussed topic, namely the implementation of virtual mobile operators in Bulgaria, she pointed out that the practice is different in different countries, but for their development there is a business interest and the state and the regulator should assist.

The virtual mobile operators in question are independent mobile services built on the infrastructure of network operators. Many countries have introduced similar to legal amendments to be obliged to unlock mobile operators with infrastructure, and for those without improving competition.

The candidate of « Continuing the Change – Democratic Bulgaria » Juliet Mandadzhieva, a lawyer specializing in the field of electronic communications and digital technologies, pointed out that he has experience in the process of compulsory electronic identification, which is still missing in Bulgaria and will allow access to many of the Paneuropian services. In the part with the questions, and in particular « Bulgarian Post », it has revived the idea of ​​developing mail with payment and certification services and to provide access to social services, telemedicine and remote educational services. It was also part of the recovery plan, but the project failed.

On the topic of virtual mobile operators, she pointed out that Bulgaria is the only Member State that does not encourage the provision of services through virtual operators. According to her, their presence improves competition and measures should be taken because this will improve the comfort of the end user.

The candidate of « has such a people » Neich Velichkov described himself as a « telecom man ». On the territory of Bulgaria he has experience in A1, Max Telecom, BTC Net, Bulsatcom, and outside – South Africa and Armenia. He has acquired his education in Moscow and the United States.

In his exhibition, he stood up some new telecommunications trends for Europe. On the subject of virtual mobile operators, he also declared himself in favor. According to him, this will increase customer comfort. He said that the financial barrier to enter the telecom market is currently too high – about 50 million euros, and if it is downloaded to 3-4 million euros, competition will increase. Asked about his education in Russia and his work in Armenia, he denied having ties with Russia and pointed out that he had left his job there because « I have come to Russian interests. »

The BSP nominated former Transport Minister Peter Mutafchiev during the time of Sergei Stanishev’s office. He has been a Member of Parliament in four BSP parliaments, a member of the left since 1987. In the last 15 years he has been a business consultant in the transport sector.

On the topic of « Bulgarian Post », he pointed out that sometimes regulations can help power what policy to make. On the Internet and the mobile coverage, he proposed on the website of the Communications Regulation Commission to make a national platform for it, where everyone would enter and see who, where and what coverage he had.

On the topic of virtual mobile operators, he said that they could improve competition and the regulator to play the role of a bridge between business and power.

The last candidate – of the MRF -DPS, Rushen Riza, does not attend the hearing. He was the Chief Accountant at the MRF, MP and Vice-President of the Party, and in the period 2001 and 2005 he was head of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Agriculture. During his hearing, he expressed criticism that his biography had nothing to do with the Communications Regulation Commission, but did not respond from his party.