(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 January 1999 release by the Free Information Society of Bulgaria (Sofia) forwarded by GHM: On 18 December 1998, the chief of the Committee for Post and Telecommunications (CPT) signed a “list of telecommunication services which are to be licensed.” The draft list was placed on the web site […]
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 January 1999 release by the Free
Information Society of Bulgaria (Sofia) forwarded by GHM:
On 18 December 1998, the chief of the Committee for Post and
Telecommunications (CPT) signed a “list of telecommunication services which
are to be licensed.” The draft list was placed on the web site of CPT, and
ten days later, on 29 December 1998, was published in the State Gazette as a
final decision.
In Section II (“General licences”) of that list, Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) were included as liable to “general licensing” which puts them under
excessive bureaucratic control. Licensees have to register with the State
Commission for Telecommunications (SCT) and follow a number of ambiguous
requirements. The SCT can terminate the registration of any ISP if it
considers that the requirements (set partially by itself) are not met. A
legal provision has been created allowing a state administrative body to
arbitrarily restrict and eliminate ISPs from the market.
Background Information
Restrictions to Internet access are not limited to Bulgaria, but they are
predominantly an Asian occurrence. In China, local ISPs must register. In
Singapore, the Internet is regulated as broadcasting media, and web sites
with religious and political contents must register with the government. In
Vietnam and Saudi Arabia there is only one, state-owned ISP. In India, the
prices for leased lines are restrictively high. Bulgarian authorities are
imposing restrictions without consulting Bulgarian citizens.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:the
Telecom boss to include Internet service providers in the list for general
licensing
neither been consulted nor adequately informed about official intentions
free
communication and neglect the basic democratic principle of freedom of
information
the Bulgarian public in designing and implementing democratic reforms in
Bulgaria
Appeals To
Mr. Petar Stoyanov
President of the Republic of Bulgaria
Fax: +359 2987 5601
E-mail: president@president.bgCouncil of Ministers of Republic of Bulgaria
Fax: 00359 2 981 81 70Mr. Antoni Slavinski
President of the Committee for Post and Telecommunications
E-mail: aslavinski@cpt.bgBulgarian Information Agency
Fax: +359 2 802428
root@bta.bg
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
