OTE Group increases to €1.5 billion its investments for the development of New Generation Networks in fixed and mobile telephony for the 2017-2020 period. Despite the difficult economic environment, OTE Group is expanding its investment plan by €200 million, laying optical fibers and contributing to the technological development of the country. Having invested over €2bn over the past six years, OTE Group is by far the largest investor in telecommunication infrastructures in Greece. OTE Group's investments in spectrum and TV services are not included in the above amount.

OTE Group Chairman and CEO Mr. Michael Tsamaz stated: "We develop the networks of the future that will meet the needs of households and businesses in the digital era. We contribute to the national recovery effort by developing infrastructures that will boost the Greek economy and create growth prospects. Increasing our investments to €1.5 bn until the end of 2020 is a strategic decision that enables our country to achieve the EU broadband targets. Through technology, we aim to make the world a better place for all."

Highgoalsfor 2017

With robust investments in 2017, OTE Group aims to further expand next generation networks, increase population coverage, improve mobile internet speeds and offer new possibilities and services.

In fixed telephony, OTE Group is laying optical fibers in order to provide within the year ultrafast fixed internet speeds via Vectoring technology, as soon as the regulatory authority permits it. OTE Group has already provided access to VDSL speeds up to 50 Mbps for 46% of the population, while the COSMOTE VDSL network coverage is constantly increasing. Ultimate goal and integral part of OTE Group's technological plans is for the optical fiber to reach households (Fiber to the Home).

In mobile telephony, the population coverage achieved by the COSMOTE 4G network is already at 93%, holding on to its No1 position, far ahead of competition, while the 4G+ network has reached 82%. OTE Group was also recently the first in Greece and one of the first providers in the world to launch speeds up to 500 Mbps, making them available to consumers in Athens, Thessaloniki and other areas. Thanks to OTE Group investments, the service will rapidly expand all over the country.

Within 2017, the Rural Broadband project will be completed, making broadband services available to 2,247 remote areas in Northern and Southern Greece. Project implementation is proceeding rapidly, with 90% of construction already completed, while VDSL speeds up to 50Mbps have been commercially launched in more than 250 communities. The project was designed by the Secretariat General for Telecommunications and Post Offices and is implemented via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in cooperation with Information Society S.A.

Finally, within 2017, the transformation of the fixed telephony network into All IP is expected to be completed, covering the full range of the Group's infrastructure and services. Its aim is to improve customer experience via IP telephony, high definition (HD) voice as well as added value services of the highest quality, while also improving operational efficiency.

OTE - Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA published this content on 01 February 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 03 February 2017 14:27:08 UTC.

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