EU urges full fixed portability in Bulgaria
The European Commission has formally requested that Bulgaria ensures that customers keep their fixed-line number when changing operator.
Bulgaria received a first warning in May last year after it passed the deadline of 1 January 2009 to introduce number…
The European Commission has formally requested that Bulgaria ensures that customers keep their fixed-line number when changing operator.
Bulgaria received a first warning in May last year after it passed the deadline of 1 January 2009 to introduce number portability. The government then took action and since July 2009 a majority of fixed-line users have been able to port their number. However, subscribers still using analogue lines still do not have this option.
EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: “Number portability is essential for effective competition on telecoms markets. It is not acceptable that about 10% of Bulgarian fixed-line phone customers still do not have this option and I expect the Bulgarian authorities to address this issue without delay.”
Mobile phone users in Bulgaria have been able to keep their numbers when switching operators since April 2008.
If Bulgaria fails to comply to EU rules within the next two months, the Commission may refer the case to the European Court of Justice.
