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Land Lines
Only around 38% of the population in Bulgaria has a land based
telephone line, although these figures are increasing
drastically despite the quality of the phone service still being
substandard. The call completion rate is still only a
frustrating 45 %.
Telephone lines are sometimes still insulated with paper and
many areas are still using obsolete switching technology.
Dialing Out
The telecommunications system allows a direct dialing service to
58 countries, although it all can seem outdated by our standards:
If you wish to dial to a country not within the list of 58, you
will need to call through the operator by dialing 0123.
If you are trying to make an international call from a private
house, phone the telephone operator who will arrange the call
and phone you back when the lines are available. Sometimes you
may have to wait up to half an hour, especially if you are in a
small or remote town.
Major hotels and resorts, however, are normally equipped with a
'Betkom' direct dial service to Europe, Asia and Africa which
has a digital display screen, and which operates with a phone
card that can be purchased at any nearby kiosk.
National and international phone calls, telegram and fax
services are also offered by the Sofia Central Post Office and
by post offices in every town in the country.
Useful Numbers & Codes (In a table format)
Bulgaria country code: 359
Bulgaria city codes:
Burgas 56 Kardjali 361 Pazardjik 34 Plovdiv 32 Ruse 82 Sofia 2
Varna 52 0123 - operator for international calls (if no
direct phone call is possible) 120 - wake up call 121 - operator
for long-distance calls within the country 140 - to send
telegrams 144 - telephone information for office phone numbers
145 - telephone information for home numbers 146 - Emergency
Road Service 150 - Emergency Medical Aid 166 - Police/Road
patrols 175 - weather forecast 180 - exact time ("speaking"
clock)
Airline offices in Sofia :
Airline Address Telephone (++359 2) Aeroflot - 2 Tsar
Osvoboditel Blvd. 981-49-43, 980-00-67, fax: 873-998 Air France
- 36 Al. Stamboliiski Blvd. 987-73-25 Al Italia - 40 Graf
Ignatiev Str. 808-786, 808-601 Aua Austrian Airlines - 68
Knyaginya Str., Maria-Louisa Blvd 327-061, 327-057, fax: 334-003
British Airways - 56 Alabin Str. 981-70-00 CSA - 9 Suborna Str.
981-54-08 Lufthansa - 9 Suborna Str. 980-41-01, 980-41-41, fax:
981-29-11 Swissair - 66 Knyaginya Maria-Louisa Blvd 931-08-71,
fax: 931-15-59 Turkish Airlines - 11A Suborna Str. 874-220,
883-596
Mobile Phones
Due to the high growth rate of telephone subscribers and their
unsatisfactory quality, Bulgaria has seen a rapid increase in
the use of mobile phones.
The cellular market in Bulgaria will grow further and much
competition on the service side is expected. European suppliers
dominate the equipment market, although handsets are also being
supplied by Motorola.
Internet
You can get access to the Internet in many of the Internet cafes
and clubs, which can be found at practically every bigger
street. The normal price per hour is about 1 lev (€1.95).
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