Bulgarian Posts network off limits for competitors

Local state-owned postal operator Bulgarian Posts said it will negotiate with T-Post, the nation’s first private postal carrier, access to its nationwide office network after the relevant ordinance on network interconnectivity is adopted.

If the document takes effect, the company will start negotiations with the new operators as soon as 2007, said Bulgarian Posts executive director Entsislav Harmandjiev.

Bulgarian Posts operates a network of some 3,000 offices across the country.

T-Post opened its first service center in Sofia last week.

The Bulgarian postal market topped 166 millions levs (USD 117.214 millions) in 2006. In terms of volume, the carriers handled 161 millions postal shipments. Some 67 pct of the total volume is generated by non-universal postal services like parcel deliveries and money wires.

45 of the 56 licensed carriers are operational. Three of the four companies licensed to handle money wires have begun operation.

Although the telecom regulator licensed last year Bulgarian Posts’ first genuine competitors: T-Post owner Tip Top Courier and Ekont Express, the universal postal service continues to be provided exclusively by the state-owned incumbent. Most of the new carriers are focusing on services like money wires and express delivery.