Reding calls on Greece to create the right environment for tomorrow's broadband
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'. 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.
Countries
Greece