MTITC launches the largest GIS project in Bulgaria that will integrate data of the entire technical infrastructure in the country and will be implemented by Esri Bulgaria.
On 13th September, at an opening meeting at the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology, and Communications (MTITC) was officially launched the project “Implementation of a GIS-based electronic platform “Unified Information Point” whose contractor is Esri Bulgaria.
The ambitious goal of the project is to bring together and integrate data about the routes of the entire technical infrastructure of Bulgaria – electronic communications networks, water and sewerage, gas, road, railway and electrical infrastructure, heat transmissions, street lighting, and others.
In the presence of representatives of more than 30 organizations, including the Communications Regulation Commission, the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, the US Embassy in Bulgaria, network operators and others, MTITC and ESRI Bulgaria presented the project, including the main objectives and tasks, as well as the expected benefits for the stakeholders.
“High-speed electronic communications networks are the backbone of the digital economy and are an essential factor and a catalyst for the development of every society,” said Dimitar Genovski, Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications at the opening of the meeting, adding: “Combining all the information in a single Geographic Information System will ensure increased transparency and incentives for investments in high-speed electronic communications networks by promoting co-operation in using the existing physical infrastructure “.
Currently, there is no information on the physical infrastructure built, suitable for the deployment of electronic communications networks, which leads to duplication of infrastructure or damage of the already existing one, and as a result, unnecessary use of funds and time in similar activities. There is also a lack of information on the planned physical infrastructure building and deployment of electronic communications networks. One of the main problems is also the lack of a common information database for the authorities competent to issue relevant acts, as well as clear rules for the formation of the fees (tariffs) for issuing them, specific documents for obtaining permits and other acts.
The implementation of the project aims to solve all these problems in the sector. It complies with the requirements of the Directive 2014/61/EU to reduce the deployment costs of high-speed electronic communications networks and the provisions of the Electronic Communications Networks and Physical Infrastructure Act.
During the meeting, it was announced that the project will be implemented using the GIS platform of the leading geospatial technology company – Esri Inc. The system will be developed by ESRI Bulgaria, a company with more than 20 years of experience in the field of Geographic Information Systems, including for the needs of engineering infrastructure and electronic communications networks.
For more information – here.