Max Telecom, the Bulgarian WiMAX telecom operator, said it has earmarked five million euro in investment in 2008 as it targets to expand coverage to 90 of the country by the end of the year. The company currently has an operating footprint covering a third of Bulgaria's territory and 2.5 million people.

Coastal coverage will soon expand beyond Bourgas, which is currently the only spot where the company has launched operations. Varna and the Kakao Beach (Cocoa Beach) in the sea resort of Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) are expected to be added to areas covered by the WiMAX operator within weeks.

The company's biggest project is the deployment of integrated broadband access services in the Zlatni Pyassutsi (Golden Sands) resort, a project that Max Telecom marketing director Plamen Vutov said was ground-breaking for the local next-generation wireless internet service industry.

All Golden Sands vacationers will be able to go wireless for one, two, five or 10-hour sessions by purchasing Max Telecom vouchers from some 50 resort outlets and several hotel reception desks. The same outlets will also offer prepaid cards for the Golden Sands MAXPhone phone booths installed throughout the resort.