The Universal Service (US) refers to the provision of a minimum set of services of specified quality, which is available to all users regardless of their geographical location at an affordable price. In accordance with Law 4727/2020, the Universal Service includes the following services:
- Adequate Internet broadband access service.
- Voice communication services, including connection, at a fixed location.
Adequate broadband access is defined as a connection with a minimum contract speed of 10 Mbps, a minimum upload speed of 1 Mbps and an actual minimum download speed of 4 Mbps. The service is provided on a flat rate basis without depending on data consumption or for a minimum of 30 GByte per month. Telephony services include unlimited local and long-distance calls. If the service is not provided over a fixed network, a minimum limit of 1500 minutes per month for calls to national fixed and mobile networks shall apply. Services are provided at a maximum charge of €27/month.
If there are no telecommunications products with the same or better characteristics provided at a lower price than these of the universal service, the user may make a reasonable request for access to the broadband network:
- No charge if the connection point is up to 200m from the nearest access point or if the cost of the new connection does not exceed €1500.
- If the cost required for the new connection exceeds the above amount, the universal service provider is obliged to prepare an offer with the estimated cost and the subscriber will have to pay the difference of the €1500.
In case of consumers in remote areas where there is no network connection within 200m or if the cost of network connection exceeds 1500 euros, a mobile network connection up to 30GB/month is available with a maximum price of the universal service (27 euros/month). This obligation applies to all mobile operators and not only to the universal service provider.
Universal service is provided using any available network technology, such as FTTH, FTTC, satellite, mobile network, fixed wireless access, etc. (technological neutrality).
NOVA has been designated as the universal service provider following a competitive tender procedure.
