07/04/2006

Students can now have broadband access to the Internet with preferential terms and low cost through the new "Diodos" scheme that started on 27 March, through an initiative of the Ministries of Development, Education and Transport & Communications.

Undergraduate and postgraduate university and TEI students are eligible to apply for the preferential broadband service. Specifically, undergraduate students can participate in the scheme for a length of time equal to the expected duration of their studies plus one additional year (for example, students of four year courses are entitled to the service for five years from the day their student status begins). Students of the Hellenic Open University are entitled to the service for six years, while postgraduate students and doctoral candidates for two and four years respectively from the date of their registration.

The service is provided by Internet Service Provider enterprises through ADSL networks of telecommunications providers, which are connected to the Greek Research & Technology Network in order to service the transactions of the subscribed students. Note that the "Diodos" scheme is being developed by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology.

The implementation of the scheme is gradual, and depends on the registrations and on the number of requests, in order to cover all the tertiary education institutions efficiently and quickly. For more information regarding the participation terms and online application, interested parties should visit the scheme's web site.

Source: DIODOS