BUTel

BUTel, also known as Bulgaria Telecom, was the state-owned telecommunications company of Bulgaria. Established in 1970, it held a monopoly over telecommunications services in the country for decades. BUTel was responsible for the development and maintenance of the national telephone network, telegraph services, and later, early forms of data transmission.

The company played a significant role in connecting Bulgaria domestically and internationally. Following the political and economic changes in Bulgaria in the late 1980s and early 1990s, BUTel underwent a significant transformation. It was privatized in stages, with the first major sale of a stake occurring in 1999. This privatization process was part of Bulgaria's broader economic reforms aimed at integrating with the global market.

In 2002, after a series of strategic changes and partnerships, BUTel was rebranded as Vivacom (Bulgarian Telecommunications Company EAD). This rebranding marked a new era for the company, focusing on expanding its services to include mobile telephony, internet, and television. While the original entity BUTel ceased to exist under that name, its legacy is carried on by Vivacom, which remains one of the largest telecommunications operators in Bulgaria. The transition from a state-controlled monopoly to a privatized, competitive entity reflects the broader telecommunications industry's evolution globally.