Released on: November 6, 2007, 10:40 am

Press Release Author: NEWSS

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: EU Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding
has applauded efforts in Greece to catch up with the rest of the EU in broadband
access and coverage, but called for further policy measures, principally in
regulation, to guarantee Greece a place at \'the forefront of broadband innovation\'.


Press Release Body: Greece is still way behind the EU average in terms of broadband.
In January 2007, 4.4 Greeks out of every 100 were active broadband users. The EU
average is 16.9%.

\'Despite the significant increase in recent months and the government initiatives
such as the \'Year of Broadband\', Greece is still trailing in last position in the
recently enlarged European Union of 27 member States. And the average speed of these
broadband connections is well below what many other European consumers are used to,\'
said Ms Reding.

The coverage of broadband in Greece is no better than the penetration. Only 19% of
Greeks could subscribe to broadband, compared to 90% across Europe as a whole.

But why should Greeks care about low levels of broadband coverage and penetration?
The Commissioner used economic, e-health and e-government arguments to urge new
initiatives from Greece.

Broadband boosts economic growth by creating employment and increasing turnover
through e-business, said Ms Reding.

Broadband also brings more efficient public services to citizens. The Commissioner
used the example of healthcare to make this point: \'Broadband means bringing the
best standards of care to the remotest locations. It can offer life-saving clinical
applications such as remote surgery and remote diagnosis.\'

She asked her audience to imagine having chest pains while away at an island
retreat. Perhaps a local doctor would be able to help, but he or she would not have
access to the results of previous electro-cardiograms, or to treatment records.
\'Suppose there is something wrong, and you need treatment in a local hospital. Would
you not feel better if your cardio-specialist could sit in on the intervention?\' she
asked.

Greece has set targets - some 90% of the population should have access to broadband
by 2008. Work towards the target is being supported with €210 million, 50% of which
is coming from the EU budget. Greece also has plans to implement Metropolitan Area
Networks in 75 municipalities, wireless broadband in 120 towns, wireless hotspots in
400 firms, and the use of broadband by satellite.

\'These are very substantial ambitions and I applaud the government\'s aims and
actions. But there are some further policy steps that are crucial to make sure that
Greece not only catches up but that it moves itself to the forefront of broadband
innovation,\' said Ms Reding. After all, the targets for broadband are moving all the
time, and others will not sit still and wait for Greece to catch up before ploughing
ahead.

\'Greece needs today\'s broadband today, but it also needs a dynamic, competitive
environment to deliver tomorrow\'s broadband tomorrow,\' said Ms Reding.

The key is not however more public funding. \'Government subsidies can trigger the
evolution, but they cannot deliver the long term solution: this needs a market-led
response,\' said the Commissioner. For this reason, Greece must ensure that is has a
regulatory approach that stimulates innovation, competition and investment on a
sustainable basis, she added.

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Contact Details: Athens, Greece