A guide to choosing the best service provider for you
Written by Xabier Fernandez and Scott Green, edited by Mila Boshnakov, photos by Unsplash
Published 3 March 2020, updated 11 May 2023
Looking into mobile and internet service providers can be a tricky process, even more so when contracts and the details within them are confusing. The good thing is that the Bulgarian telecommunications industry is quite well-developed and the service is on par with other countries, in terms of what we’ve come to expect from providers.
It’s important to know what to ask for when looking into service providers and what to watch out for when choosing one for yourself. Some providers have good customer service, faster speeds, and better deals, while others may cost you less but have hidden fees and are unreliable.
Service providers in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, there are three major network providers: A1, Vivacom, and Yettel. While A1 is the most popular with approximately 3 million customers, many say that Vivacom has better service with more coverage across the country, while Yettle is the preferred service provider for many satisfied customers. All providers have different plans for your needs and are similarly priced, as below.
| Mobile Plans | |||
| Vivacom | A1 Bulgaria | Yettle | |
| Service | Unlimited 10 | Unlimited M | Total Unlimited 35.99 |
| Calls | Unlimited | ||
| MB in BG | Unlimited | ||
| MB in EU | 17,200 MB | 15,932 MB | 24,100 MB |
| Price p/m | 30.99 BGN | 27.99 MB | 35.99 BGN |
If you would prefer to not be locked into a mobile plan, you can get a prepaid sim card like the Data2Go or Free2Go plans available from Vivacom. The sim card expires after four and two months respectively, and you can of course add more packets to it. However, the cheaper way is to keep getting a new sim card every time it expires. It is a great and cheap alternative as Data2Go is 20 BGN, while Free2Go is 10 BGN.
| Home Internet Plans | |||
| Vivacom | A1 Bulgaria | Yettle | |
| Service | FiberNet L | A1 No 300 | Home Internet 300 |
| Via | Fibre-optic Cable | Cable | High-speed 5G Wifi |
| Speed | 200 Mbps | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps |
| Contract | 24 months | 24 months | ------ |
| Price p/m | 25.80 BGN | 25.99 BGN | 29.99 BGN |
What to ask/look out for when shopping around
When considering mobile and internet service providers, the first things you should know are what specifics you need for your plan, how many devices you will be connecting, and what internet speed you need. You should then make sure that the service provider you're looking into offers internet speeds that are on the level of what you need and at a price that is affordable to you. Another thing to consider is if they offer unlimited internet access and if their service regularly has downtime.
Some other things to look out for are:
- Always read the contract. If it is only provided in Bulgarian, ask a Bulgarian friend or colleague to read it for you and ensure it is fair.
- After two years, the contract automatically changes to a monthly plan. This means that after 2 years, if you haven’t renewed the contract, you can cancel it anytime, without extra charges.
- Check what you are paying for. Make sure to only pay for the services you need before signing the contract. It is much harder to make changes after the contract is signed.
- If you want to cancel before the 2-year period, you are obliged to pay a cancellation fee equivalent to three months of service fees, nothing more.
- Never agree to overpay, if you think you have been overcharged. In most cases, you are right!
Ultimately, there are many factors to consider when choosing mobile and internet service providers in Bulgaria and it's important to note that the best service provider for someone else may not be the same for you, so you should take the time to do your research.
