The project “Development of Broadband Infrastructure in Rural ‘White’ Areas of the Greek Territory and Provision of Infrastructure Exploitation Services through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)” aims to reduce the broadband connectivity gap in regions of Greece where broadband access is not available and where private investors have no plans to develop such infrastructure in the near future.
The European Commission, approved the relevant state aid measure through its decision. Following an international tender awarded to OTE S.A. and the consortium comprising INTRAKAT, INTRACOM HOLDINGS, and HELLAS ON LINE S.A. Subsequently, contracts were signed with the established special purpose companies:
- OTE RURAL NORTH SPECIAL PURPOSE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE S.A.
- OTE RURAL SOUTH SPECIAL PURPOSE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE S.A.
- RURAL CONNECT BROADBAND NETWORKS SPECIAL PURPOSE S.A.
These three entities, under contract with Information Society S.A., have undertaken the development, operation, and management of a public broadband infrastructure network, which provides wholesale broadband services to licensed electronic communications providers, thereby enabling the delivery of broadband services to end users (citizens and businesses) across three designated geographical zones of the Greek territory.
- Approves the reference offers of the above companies and the access prices to their networks.
- Monitors of the overperformance compensation mechanism (clawback mechanism).
