Bulgaria has also announced that it will open up its research activities to enterprises, researchers and universities from European Union Member States. In the telecommunications sector, in 1998 Bulgaria had already adopted a law which provides, inter alia, for the introduction of a liberalised regime for all activities in this sector, except those related to the provision of regular telephone services and renting out telephone lines. The State monopoly in this sector will remain in force until 31 December 2002, in conformity with the WTO rules and the Bulgarian constitution. Bulgaria continues to make good progress in the sector. The fixed line network had grown to about 33.6 lines per 100 inhabitants in 1998.
Investment is needed in local lines, however.
The number of mobile telephones grew during 1998, but the level remains low at 1.6 per 100 inhabitants, leaving considerable room for growth. The productivity of the main telephone company increased only slightly in 1998, calling into question its competitiveness in the new liberalised environment. Secondary legislation will also need to be finalised on interconnection, licensing, data protection, universal service arrangements and open network provision. Bulgaria will have to step up its efforts to ensure effective implementation of the legislation. As regards the information society , Bulgaria has made good progress in this field since publication of the 1998 report.