1. Cross-border Empowerment of Next Generation Access National Networks MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband Trilateral Balkan partnership between Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia to interconnect their public networks

2. Overview  EU Digital Agenda - availability of high-speed broadband Internet and access to digital service infrastructures are the building blocks of a modern government  Government and public institutions with a focus on border regions need advanced and stable infrastructure and services MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

3. Overview  Not possible to rely solely on the market forces  A strong, dynamic, stable, professional, not-for-profit organization in each country is required MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

4. Overview  Information exchanged between government bodies and relevant public institutions from different countries should cross borders in a trusted way  Bulgaria proposed to Romania and Serbia to interconnect the NGA public networks of the three countries  The proposal was formally accepted MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

5. Objectives  Establish cross-border links between the NGA public networks of the three countries  Invest in NGA broadband in border regions to reach the Digital Agenda 2020 indicators MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

6. Objectives  Backup the national NGA infrastructure and public services  Develop network protection tools and systems to guarantee cybersecurity  Establish ground and tools for information exchange in a secure and trusted manner  Foster cross-border projects MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

7. Opportunity  Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has a budget of EUR 1.14 billion, incl.  EUR 170 million for broadband activities  EUR 970 for DSIs delivering networked cross-border services MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

8. Opportunity  Interconnection and interoperability of and access to national, regional and local networks  Good Governance ecosystem – a prerequisite for the development of a Digital Single Market MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

9. Opportunity  DSIs will facilitate the cross-border and cross-sector interaction between European public administrations  Provision of essential services for businesses and citizens in diverse areas: ex. electronic identification and procurement, interoperable health services, etc. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

10. Opportunity  Contribute to the achievement of the Digital Agenda targets for the internet connection by 2020:  All European household - 30 Mbit/s  50% of the households - above 100 Mbit/s MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

11. Solution Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia cooperate in developing a joint project and apply for CEF funding targeting the following:  Implementation and delivery of cross- border NGA broadband infrastructure to interconnect the public- administration NGA networks of the three countries MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

12. Solution  Invest in NGA broadband development in the border regions of Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania to reach the Digital Agenda targets  Establish secure and responsive cooperation and contingency policy and plans in the area of network and information security. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

13. Recommended Immediate Steps:  Sign a tripartite international agreement  Establish a Steering Committee at executive level to negotiate guidelines for a proposal development  Establish a Technical Committee at expert level –to develop the technical and service part of the proposal; MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

14. Recommended Immediate Steps  Establish a Technical Committee at expert level –to develop the technical and service part of the proposal  Consult with the DG CONNECT/EC and ITU, on assistance and support for the project development and implementation. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband

15. Thank you Julieta Tencheva jtencheva@mtitc.government.bg MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EUR2 – Development of broadband access and adoption of broadband