15/11/2007

The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) is providing free wireless broadband access to the internet for all citizens and visitors to the centre of Athens. In a modern environment, users can link up to the internet at high speeds and become acquainted with wireless broadband access, using their laptops, PDAs or mobile phones.

The NHRF's public wireless broadband network (Wi-Fi HotSpot) operates all day and covers the ground floor of the building, which houses the K. Th. Dimaras Library of Science and Technology and the Electronic Reading Room of the National Documentation Centre /NHRF, as well as the surrounding grounds.

The network operates as part of the project for the 'Promotion of broadband in the Attica region by the National Hellenic Research Foundation', whose aim is to provide information to the public through broadband access to the internet and to stimulate demand for and use of broadband services and infrastructure.

At the same time, information events are being organised at the NHRF to promote broadband services to the general public and also to specific groups, such as school pupils, students, scientists, professionals and library staff. Current activities already include educational visits to secondary schools, seminars with employees from small and medium-sized enterprises and presentations at the facilities of agencies and organisations that express interest in them.

The programme of events and additional useful information on the NHRF's broadband network is available at www.broadbandcity.gr.

The National Hellenic Research Foundation is located in the centre of Athens, at Vas. Konstantinou 48 ('Evangelismos' metro stop).

The project for the 'Promotion of broadband in the Attica region by the National Hellenic Research Foundation' is being implemented by the National Documentation Centre/NHRF as part of 'Digital Greece' (www.psifiakiellada.gr) and is 75% co-financed by the European Union - European Regional Development Fund. 25% of funding comes from the Greek State (Measure 4.2 of the Information Society Operational Programme, 3rd CSF 2000-2006).

Source: National Documentation Centre