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The dynamics of the technology sector requires us
to be constantly informed about the latest trends
in all aspects of our business – networks and
infrastructure, innovative products and services,
regulations, customer demand and behavior. Our aim
goes beyond just simply following the improvements;
the goal is to be their driving force on the Bulgarian
market. We strive for key stakeholders – clients,
employees, partners and society as a whole, to
recognize us as a carrier of industry expertise and to
trust us as a source of innovations.
As part of this strategy, during the year, we
participated in several key forums on industry-
specific topics:
VIVACOM Chief Executive Officer Atanas Dobrev
took part in the annual meeting of the European
Telecommunications Network Operators Association
(ETNO) along with with the CEOs of the most
important companies in the sector in Europe,
including Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica, Orange,
Telecom Italia and others. VIVACOM is the only
Bulgarian operator that is a member of ETNO, and
since 2017 we are also a member of the branch
organization’s Management Board, which is the
main group for policies initiation of the European
operators of electronic communications networks. Its
40 members and observers from Europe and beyond
are the backbone of Europe's digital progress, as
well as the leading engines of digital networks and
services on the Old Continent. The main topic of ETNO
annual meeting in 2018 was the EU's Global Digital
Leadership Policy and the telecoms’ vision for their
own contribution to the process. ETNO members
are united around the idea that operators need
to ensure the digitalization of services for people
and businesses through super-fast high-quality
connectivity throughout 5G networks and enhancing
their capabilities by integrating artificial intelligence.
Analysts estimate that by 2020 the value of the EU
data economy will grow up to 739 billion Euros or 4%
of the total EU GDP. In this sense, regulations must
not obstruct innovation but help increase customer
confidence in the new technologies;
Our company was a partner of the two-day
conference IT Hub Connect in Sofia, under the
patronage of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council
of the European Union in the first half of 2018. The
topic of the forum was ‘Innovations, Regulations and
Investments’. Representatives of the governmental
institutions, executive directors of technological
companies, among which Atanas Dobrev, as well
as business experts and start-ups, took part in the
discussion;
VIVACOM hosted the first for Sofia and second
for the region telecom event iCU Sofia 2018, which
gathered for two days digital experts from all over
the world, turning Bulgaria into a know-how center
of new technologies. The international platform
is designed to share experience and knowledge
as well as expert opinions about the future of
telecommunications, mobile technologies, Internet
of Things and the digital content. The event attracted
more than 300 executives and representatives of
leading telecom companies, network operators,
Internet and cloud services providers, smart
solutions and Internet eXchange Point (IXP)
developers as well as streaming media and content
providers. They discussed digital transformations
under the influence of the fast-growing Internet of
Things, cloud services and smart cities platforms.
The participants expressed their view that, in order
to maintain an active role on the market, at the
moment telecoms are focusing on building on their
basic role, namely data transfer and infrastructure
providing.
4.5.3.
Experience Exchange with International
Leaders in the Technology Sector
As a company operating in one of the most dynamic
sectors on the market, we strive to build not only the
quality but also the content of the services we offer.
In recent years, the trends in the television content
consumption show an increasing interest of viewers
towards thematic programs according to their
personal preferences – movies, sports, music, etc.
To answer these needs, in 2012 VIVACOM launched
its own movie channel VIVACOM Arena, and in 2018
we completely changed its appearance so it already
broadcasts all its content in FULL HD quality. The
change is part of the overall renewal of the program,
which since the autumn of last year has a new logo
and vision. The rebranding of the television comes
with a number of changes and improvements that
contribute for a better movie experience of viewers.
VIVACOM Arena is the only Bulgarian television that
does not broadcast commercials and it is already
interactive. Channel’s content is available up to 24
hours back with the ‘TV Archive’ function, and the
‘TV Pause’ function allows pausing up to 2 hours
back. The broadcast at a separate position also
continues, with the ‘Delay TV’ function which allows
the program to be delayed for 1 hour.
‘For me, for you, for us’ is the new slogan embodying
the channel's philosophy to provide quality and
interesting content for the whole family. VIVACOM
Arena offers viewers a wide variety of exciting
TV shows, movie premieres, animation, and
contemporary Bulgarian cinema.
In addition to making changes to its content
and features, we have also improved the visual
appearance of the program. The new logo places
emphasis on the content and interactivity of the
channel, and in developing the visual identitywe have
been guided by the most current trends targeting a
wider audience with more diverse taste for movie
content. The graphic concept of the new channel’s
identity has been developed by HAVAS agency, and
the video realization was made by Screen Brothers
production house. The musical signature and layout
were created by the composer Viktor Stoyanov, an
author of movie music for Bulgarian and Hollywood
productions. The author of the overall art and video
concept is Sergey Georgiev for HAVAS agency.
The channel is available to all our customers who use
satellite TV, interactive TV or the mobile TV GO.
In 2019, we will continue to add new, family-friendly
content, as well as thematic slots with movies and
TV shows, such as ‘Children's Zone’ during the
weekends.
4.5.4.
VIVACOM Arena with an Entirely New Appearance
ANNUALREPORT
2018
INTEGRATED
4.
PERFORMANCE
4.5.
Dynamic
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