In January 2008, the installation of Bulgaria's national 112 emergency number system would start with the installation of regional centres in Rousse, Bourgas, Varna, Montana and Plovdiv, a media statement from the Disaster Management Ministry said.
The regional centre in Sofia would be extended, Computerworld said.
Funding for the construction came from the 2007 budget surplus. The funds were split between responsible institutions. The Disaster Management Ministry received 26 million leva, Interior Ministry six million leva, Healthcare Ministry three million leva and State Agency for Information Technology and Communications (SAITC) 13 million leva.
Institutions involved hope to avoid sanctions from the European Commission for not introducing the unified 112 emergency number on time. The EC started procedures against several countries, including Bulgaria, for the late introduction of 112.
