ICT INTERVENTIONS (STATE AID INITIATIVES) IN GREECE Zappeion Megaron, 13 February 2014 Managing Authority O.P. Digital Convergence In the framework of

ICT INTERVENTIONS (STATE AID INITIATIVES) IN GREECE

Zappeion Megaron, 13 February 2014

Managing Authority O.P. Digital Convergence

In the framework of the “Speeding up New Generation Networks (NGN) ubiquity: A pillar for digital growth” Conference

• Factors affecting Broadband Penetration• ICT Status in Greece 2009 – 2014• Broadband Penetration in Greece and EU 27• Broadband Growth Rate in Greece and EU 27 (2005 –

2009)• Broadband Growth Rate in Greece and EU 27 (2009 –

2013)• Major ICT Policy Interventions (2005 - 2009)• Major ICT State Aid Interventions (2005-2009)• Major ICT Policy Interventions (2009 - 2013)• Major ICT Policy interventions: Rural Broadband – a PPP

project• Major ICT State Aid Interventions So Far… (2009-2014)• Future plans

Overview

Factors affecting Broadband Penetration

• Broadband Penetration (High Speed Internet Usage) is related to:– Availability and Quality of Broadband

infrastructure – Services’ portfolio– Demand of services from the citizens and the

businesses– Costs related to Services and Broadband

Connection– Disposable Income of the citizens – Fund availability for the business sector


ICT Status in Greece 2009 - 2014

The deep and long recession in Greece over the last 5 years has deeply affected also the ICT sector– Citizens: • Sharp decline of the disposable income• Focus to the basic needs

– Businesses:• They struggle to stay in the market• Decrease of ICT investments

– Government:• Fewer public investment in ICT• Delays in the implementation of ICT projects


Broadband Penetration in Greece and EU 27

% Penetration (EL) EU 27

January 2004 0,10% 5,10%

July 2004 0,23% 6,53%

January 2005 0,46% 8,50%

July 2005 0,84% 10,50%

January 2006 1,40% 12,80%

July 2006 2,68% 14,04%

January 2007 4,40% 16,20%

July 2007 6,90% 18,20%

January 2008 9,10% 20,00%

July 2008 11,20% 21,70%

January 2009 13,40% 22,90%

July 2009 15,60% 23,90%

% Penetration (EL) EU 27

January 2010 17,00% 24,80%

July 2010 18,60% 25,60%

January 2011 19,90% 26,60%

July 2011 20,80% 27,20%

January 2012 21,80% 27,70%

July 2012 22,70% 28,20%

January 2013 23,80% 28,80%


*Digital Agenda Scoreboard

Broadband Growth Rate in Greece and EU 272005 - 2009


Broadband Growth Rate in Greece and EU 272009 - 2013


ELEL

EU27EU27

MAJOR ICT POLICY INTERVENTIONS 2005-2009

• BROADBAND PROJECT (except Athens and Salonica) – Geographical coverage 60% (initial status 2005: 13%)– Population coverage 90% (initial status 2005: 65%)– Special Broadband Prices for Targeted Special Groups (citizens

over 65, students…)• e-goneis (e-parents) Initiative

– Internet Training of 39.836 Parents– Reduces Broadband Prices for these Families

• Wi-Fi hotspots– 606 Public Hotspots– 290 Free Hotspots on selected business

• ICT Training of Public Servants (including teachers and professors)• ICT equipment (laptops) and Broadband Connection to Selected

Groups: like Students, Farmers


MAJOR ICT STATE AID INTERVENTIONS 2005-2009

• E-business – State Aid projects aiming to support very small SMEs adopt ICT

(equipment and training) – In total 1.563 businesses were funded (completed)

• E-services – State Aid projects aiming to support SMEs create their own e-

marketplace– In total 737 businesses were funded (completed)

• ICT adoption by very small SMEs – State Aid projects aiming to very small SMEs adopt ICT HW / SW

and added value ICT services– In total 4.353 businesses were funded (completed)


MAJOR ICT POLICY INTERVENTIONS RURAL BROADBAND – A PPP PROJECT

• Scope: To close the ‘broadband gap’ between remote / most disadvantageous traditional “white” rural areas of Greece – White rural areas consist of 5.491 remote and dispersed residential

departments all over Greece with a population of 612.643 residents– Project will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase A which will be concluded in less than 3 years• Phase B - the period after services launching (may overlap with phase

A). Total duration of phase B is 15 years• Population coverage 7% of Greek Population (612.643

citizens)• Two categories of Connection speed: 8 or 30 Mbps

(current status 0)• Proposal Submission Deadline: 19/02/2014


MAJOR ICT STATE AID INTERVENTIONSSO FAR…(2009-2014)

• E-security – State Aid projects aiming to support enterprises adopt security

software and security policies– In total 782 Businesses have been funded (completed)

• Digi-Lodge– State aid projects aiming to support enterprises operating in the

tourism sector in adopting e-booking services and promote their business

– In total, 2.835 hotels and accommodation businesses were funded (completion of projects is underway)

• Digi-Retail– State aid projects aiming to support retail enterprises for ICT uptake – Up to now 2.522 Retail Businesses have already been funded (project

ideas are still being evaluated)Managing Authority O.P. Digital

Convergence

MAJOR ICT STATE AID INTERVENTIONSSO FAR… (2009-2014)

• Digi-Content– State aid projects aiming to support businesses such as

newspapers and publishers create and promote Greek digital content through multiple communication channels

– Up to now 241 businesses have already been funded (project ideas are still being evaluated)

• ICT4Growth– State aid projects aiming to support businesses to develop

and provide innovative products and value adding services– Business Plans of 39.991.270,41€ have been approved for

funding


FUTURE PLANS

• ICT Policy Interventions– SYZEYFXIS II– Wi – Fi Greece– FTTH Next Generation Networks

• ICT State Aid Projects– Businesses (e.g. Vouchers for CRM, ERP, e-

commerce, etc.)– Citizens (e.g. Assisting Disabled People, Smart

Metering, ICT Equipment for Special Population Groups, etc.)


Thank you!

Thodoris KaroumbalisHead of Unit B’ – Management & Monitoring of Projects

Managing Authority of O.P. Digital Convergence


Documents

ICT INTERVENTIONS (STATE AID INITIATIVES) IN GREECE Zappeion Megaron, 13 February 2014 Managing Authority O.P. Digital Convergence In the framework of