Bulgaria has improved its position in the GCI substantially, moving from 42nd in 2018 to up to 34th in the GCI 2019.

Bulgaria scores above average in the majority of GCI indicators. Smartphone penetration improved by 1 point to achieve the maximum score, as has mobile broadband penetration. FTTH investment has increased together with more subscriptions to fixed broadband, both of which count towards increased Internet participation.

Mobile broadband became much more affordable this year. Next-generation networks should be deployed to make the number of people using high-speed Internet grow.

Bulgaria is in the lower cluster of countries in terms of high-tech enablers. Businesses in Bulgaria have the lowest usage rate of cloud computing services in the European Union. There should be more development of digital skills and ICT specialists, together with improved digital infrastructure, to drive digitalization for both the public and private sectors in Bulgaria.