22/09/2006

Increasing broadband penetration to 7% and ensuring 90% population coverage by 2008 are two key objectives for the Digital Leap according to statements made by Mr Giorgos Alogoskoufis during the recent joint press conference held by the Ministries of Economy & Finance and Transport & Communications on broadband and digital convergence.

Mr Alogoskoufis presented the Plan to Develop Broadband by 2008 which has an overall budget of EUR 450 million and relates to the development of broadband infrastructure and to stimulating supply and demand for broadband services.

More specifically, the plan includes actions to develop broadband fibre-optic networks in 75 municipalities in the regions, which will interconnect more than 2,500 public interest points, and to develop wireless broadband networks for more than 140 municipalities and 20 local municipality and community associations. It will also aim to establish broadband interconnections between Greek schools in the nationwide school network, and to develop more than 770 wireless hotspots in almost 400 private businesses, primarily in the tourism sector.

Moreover, there are plans to utilise the HellasSAT satellite to provide broadband services to islands and other remote areas of Greece, to develop "smart towns" with broadband infrastructure and to support specialised broadband services for the disabled. Private investment in broadband infrastructure and services is encouraged, particularly in the regions. The plan also includes awareness-raising and familiarisation activities for citizens at more than 85 points around the country.

Mr Michalis Liapis, Minister of Transport & Communications, pointed out that the electronic communications sector is a source of economic growth and guarantor of employment, and substantively contributes to a reduction in social disparities. He also referred to the tender notice, with a EUR 36.4 million budget, for the action of financing SMEs to implement state-of-the-art telecom/broadband service projects. Particular reference was also made to the first Internet Governance Forum, which will be held in Athens from 30 October to 2 November 2006 under the aegis of, and with the support of, the United Nations.

Source: Ministry of Economy & Finance