Greece (country regulation overview)
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Greece is one of the most highly regulated telecoms markets in the European Union. It was quick to adopt the European Commission’s regulatory framework in contrast to more developed nations such as Germany.
In Greece, the first round of market analysis commenced in 2004 and by 2008 the regulator, the National Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT), had published the market decisions for all the markets. In 2009 the EETT also completed the second round of market analysis for LLU, wholesale broadband access, and mobile termination services. This proactive approach has enabled a number of alternative service providers to tap the potential present in the broadband market and to offer bundled services to cater for the growing demand for multi-play services. To bridge the broadband divide, the government is planning to roll out a national fiber broadband project in partnership with private parties with the aim to provide a bandwidth up to 100Mbps to approximately 2 million households and enterprises. Progress with rollout is likely to have been impacted by the recent economic downturn.
Similar to other EU countries, the Greek mobile market is also highly penetrated, with a market penetration of 125% at the end of 2009. Additionally the subscriber base has started declining as a result of increasing churn in the prepaid segment. Although the opportunities provided by the unregulated MVNO market and the auction of technology and service-neutral spectrum are expected to bring some respite, high penetration rates and the availability of mobile number portability services will continue to put pressure on the mobile operators.
Greece is one of the most highly regulated telecoms markets in the European Union. It was quick to adopt the European Commission’s regulatory framework in contrast to more developed nations such as Germany.
In Greece, the first round of market analysis commenced in 2004 and by 2008 the regulator, the National Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT), had published the market decisions for all the markets. In 2009 the EETT also completed the second round of market analysis for LLU, wholesale broadband access, and mobile termination services. This proactive approach has enabled a number of alternative service providers to tap the potential present in the broadband market and to offer bundled services to cater for the growing demand for multi-play services. To bridge the broadband divide, the government is planning to roll out a national fiber broadband project in partnership with private parties with the aim to provide a bandwidth up to 100Mbps to approximately 2 million households and enterprises. Progress with rollout is likely to have been impacted by the recent economic downturn.
Similar to other EU countries, the Greek mobile market is also highly penetrated, with a market penetration of 125% at the end of 2009. Additionally the subscriber base has started declining as a result of increasing churn in the prepaid segment. Although the opportunities provided by the unregulated MVNO market and the auction of technology and service-neutral spectrum are expected to bring some respite, high penetration rates and the availability of mobile number portability services will continue to put pressure on the mobile operators.
Overview
Ovum view
Fixed market overview
Internet market
VoIP
Multi-play: dual, triple and quadruple players
Mobile market overview
MVNOs
National regulatory authority
Key legislation and regulation
Other Acts
Current status of market analysis
Wireless licensing
3G licensing
Fixed wireless access
2.6GHz spectrum
Retail regulation
The retail market
Retail pricing
Number portability
Quality of services
Wholesale fixed regulation
Services subject to regulation
Narrowband voice interconnection
Cost model for the RIO
Wholesale access
Wholesale broadband access
Wholesale line rental (WLR)
Local loop unbundling
Wholesale mobile regulation
Mobile operator obligations
Services subject to regulation
Mobile termination charges
Mobile number portability
Universal services
Universal service obligation
Appendix
The EC’s market definitions
Methodology
Ovum view
Fixed market overview
Internet market
VoIP
Multi-play: dual, triple and quadruple players
Mobile market overview
MVNOs
National regulatory authority
Key legislation and regulation
Other Acts
Current status of market analysis
Wireless licensing
3G licensing
Fixed wireless access
2.6GHz spectrum
Retail regulation
The retail market
Retail pricing
Number portability
Quality of services
Wholesale fixed regulation
Services subject to regulation
Narrowband voice interconnection
Cost model for the RIO
Wholesale access
Wholesale broadband access
Wholesale line rental (WLR)
Local loop unbundling
Wholesale mobile regulation
Mobile operator obligations
Services subject to regulation
Mobile termination charges
Mobile number portability
Universal services
Universal service obligation
Appendix
The EC’s market definitions
Methodology
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Radio spectrum details of the Greek mobile operators and their market shares as of June 2010
Table 2: Radio spectrum details of the Greece FWA operators
Table 3: Fixed sector: services subject to regulation
Table 4: Mobile sector: services subject to regulation in the Greece
Table 5: Glidepath of MTRs for the period 2009–2011 (€/min)
Table 6: The EC’s definition of seven markets to be analyzed
Table 1: Radio spectrum details of the Greek mobile operators and their market shares as of June 2010
Table 2: Radio spectrum details of the Greece FWA operators
Table 3: Fixed sector: services subject to regulation
Table 4: Mobile sector: services subject to regulation in the Greece
Table 5: Glidepath of MTRs for the period 2009–2011 (€/min)
Table 6: The EC’s definition of seven markets to be analyzed
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Greece fixed telephony lines (2004–09)
Figure 2: Internet subscribers (2004–09)
Figure 3: Greek mobile customers, 2H07–1H10
Figure 1: Greece fixed telephony lines (2004–09)
Figure 2: Internet subscribers (2004–09)
Figure 3: Greek mobile customers, 2H07–1H10
