07.12.2009

Celebrating 20 years Digital Systems – 20 years Internet in Bulgaria

During November 2009, Digital Systems marks its 20th anniversary and 20 years of offering Internet in Bulgaria. The company from Varna is the first in the country to use and offer internet services.

In the first years of its operation Digital Systems offers unique, for the time, services: internet, e-mail and RSS news (1989 – 1990). It creates the register for domain names in the .bg area (1991), develops the first web site in Bulgaria (www.digsys.bg, 1993), and registers the first autonomous Internet system in the country (1994).

During its long history, the company creates a number of innovative developments. In 1997 it creates the first web-based system in Bulgaria: “Bulgarian News,” a virtual multimedia platform for publishing newspapers, magazines, books, scientific publications and free access textbooks. During the following year the company starts the first of its kind on-line tourist information and reservation system, TourInfo.

In 1998 the company has satellite channels from the USA to a number of cities in the country and begins constructing wireless networks and offering wireless Internet access. One year later Digital Systems combines voice and data in a single network with the use of IP telephony. The company also builds virtual private networks (VPN), offers Internet via ISDN line, as well as pre-payed cards for Internet access.

With the approach of the new millennium the company continues to expand and improve its network infrastructure. It operates in over 50 cities and towns in the country, and serves over 40 educational institutions.

In 2001 the company is divided by activities:

• Digital Systems Ltd. – Internet provider, building and support of computer systems and networks, Internet/Intranet infrastructures and communication equipment.
• Register.BG Ltd. – registration, support and management of domain names in the .bg zone.
• Digital Systems Limited Ltd. – design and development of software solutions, informational systems and databases.

In 2001 Digital Systems, jointly with TB-MET, starts the first of its kind system on the Balkans for on-line weather observation, which automatically displays the current temperature for numerous locations throughout the whole country (weather.digsys.bg, vremeto.v.bg). In 2002 the system is awarded the 2nd place for web design by ComputerSpace.

In the following years the company continues developing its Internet services through implementing on-line payment (2003), introducing the use of a fully automated system for domain name registration in the .bg zone and its sub-zones (2006), registration and management of domain names with digital signature certificates (2007), employing DNS security: DNSSEC (2007), as a result of which the .bg zone becomes the second zone in the world signed with the DNSSEC technology, and the register, the first in the world to offer fully automated DNSSEC.

In 2008 Digital Systems launches DigSys HotSpot (hotspot.v.bg), the first in Bulgaria, national web-based system for on-line purchase of Internet access. In 2009 the company, for its clients convenience, begins accepting on-line credit card payments.

At the present, after 20 years of development, Digital Systems has a rich infrastructure and high-speed channel links to the global network. It offers a wide range of services: Internet services in over 300 areas in the country, hosting services, development of software systems, as well as system integration. The company has a considerable knowhow in the field of internet technologies, databases and the development of web-based solutions. It employs a staff of highly qualified specialists.

In the occasion of the two anniversaries – celebrating 20 years from the forming Digital Systems and 20 years of Internet in Bulgaria, on 07.12.2009, the company organized a formal cocktail in Grand Hotel Sofia. Attending were officials, long time partners, clients and guests.