NEWS

Greece is still in the digital Middle Ages

Static is the word used to describe the Internet market in Greece according to a recent survey by GfK Market Analysis, which found that over the past year and a half, the percentage of the population who access the Internet has been steady at 30 percent, whereas in European countries that are technologically advanced, almost two-thirds of the population are connected to the Web. Greeks are even further behind in DSL connections. One in five European families are expected to have a broadband connection by the end of the year, and will enjoy a higher standard of service, while in Greece there are just a few tens of thousands. There is at least a two-month wait for a DSL line, the prices are much higher than in the rest of Europe, the quality is shaky and the content which would be of interest to Greek subscribers inadequate. Digital quality is so low that there have been many allegations of hitches in expensive DSL links, throwing subscribers offline for several hours. The supposed speed is merely indicative. Undoubtedly, the reason for the delay lies with specific business and political interests. Everyone who logs on to the Internet curses the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), with its inadequate infrastructure, high fees and effort to promote outdated technology, raising obstacles to the expansion of new technology in Greece.

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