Earlier this month FCC made available a draft “Next Generation Connectivity” (links to pdf) by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society on Next Generation Access Networks and the policies endorsed by various nations in respect to broadband connectivity.
What clearly stands out in the study is the acknowledgement of the significance of efficient open access practices for broadband development. Also, this work is yet another study that further underlines the importance of long-term commitment in central policy making for a nation’s broadband success. The report covers the international status of fixed and wireless next generation access networks while it devotes a separate (although I think limited) chapter specifically relating to policies and practices of public investments.
The study considers penetration, capacity and price as the three most interesting attributes that characterize broadband development and these attributes are used to assess each of the reported national economies. Here’s how Greece is ranked in each of these categories:
Price: 13th – This comes as a natural consequence of the fierce price competition between market actors at the early stages of the market liberalization, which significantly reduced market revenues and thinned any chance for recouping investments. This lack of foresight in long-term planning resulted in high market consolidation in recent years with the “cheap” providers already bankrupt or bought-out.
Speed: 23rd – I think this rank underestimates the efforts of the country especially in the recent years, as it does not factor in the fact that other economies have a variety of alternatives (i.e. cable) while in most of them FTTH access is being offered already. In rankings that account only (copper based) DSL speeds, Greece ranks much higher, at great extent due to the fact that the high quality of OTE network compared to the networks of other incumbents.
Penetration: 27th – Penetration is low, especially for a country that is considered among the 30 wealthiest countries in the world. The reason for that is not speed and clearly not price (Greece is ranked 1st in mobile penetration despite its very expensive mobile charges). The reason (and the solution) to this is much more complicated as it seems that it is the added value of broadband for the end-user that is substantially low (i.e. consumers do not see clear benefits by subscribing for a broadband connection).
I would highly recommend reading this study (be prepared, it’s long!). It has a lot of information and although the results are oriented towards US readers it is an excellent read for others as well.
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