message by the vice president - eett...message by the vice president to start with, let us first...

Message by the Vice President

To start with, let us first make clear what the digital dividend is. Until today, our TV sets have been receiving an analogue television signal. This means that each TV station requires 8 MHz of spectrum (within the 470-838 MHz band) to send its analogue signal to our receivers. Digital technology transforms this landscape. Thanks to new compression and encoding techniques, instead of one analogue signal, these 8 MHz can now accommodate the digital signals of at least 4 broadcasters, with exceptional reception quality, a number which increases in keeping with technological progress. Therefore, the existing analogue TV stations need

much less frequencies to transmit digitally.

This technological evolution has two major consequences:

a. It enables us to restore some order in the chaotic situation currently prevailing as regards the channels used by TV broadcasters all over Greece.

b. The frequencies liberated thanks to this new technology will constitute the so-called “digital dividend”.

As to the first point, the need for orderliness in the television landscape is self-evident for every well-governed State. In Greece, it should have been established in the course of the last twenty years, which saw the development of private television. Still, it is welcome even now.

The second point, regarding the digital dividend, is of a more immediate interest for the country’s economy. We often hear that the spectrum is a scarce resource. But we rarely have the opportunity to realise this as directly and palpably as in the case of the digital dividend. Already, the Governments in 11 European countries have set down that the 790-862 MHz band will remain outside the width within which free reception digital television broadcasters will be transmitting. This band has been financially evaluated in several different ways, both by the European Commission and individual Governments. Various amounts have been mentioned, which are not of interest to us at this point. What is certain is that the 790-862 MHz band, which is already referred to throughout Europe as the digital dividend, has a considerable economic value that is now quite precious for the winter-beaten Greek economy.

The way in which the digital dividend will be utilised is a decision to be made by the Greek State. This decision must be based on criteria related to the enhancement of pluralism and the bridging of the “digital gap” between urban centres and rural regions, the growth fostered by the new applications of technology, and the fees to be paid in exchange of using the specific band. As long as the Greek Government’s Decision stays in line with that made by the majority of the other EU countries, then the 790-862 MHz band should remain “clear” after the completion of the switchover to digital television.

In any case, all this has to do with OUR digital dividend, the dividend that represents an asset of the Greek people. We should not let it go to waste, but rather make best use of it, to the benefit of the citizens and the economy.

Information

EETT NewsletterOfficial Journal of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT)

Issue 24th Month: April - Year: 2010Pages: 16

Responsible for the current edition by power of law:Dr Leonidas Kanellos, EETT President

EETT’s Central Phone Line: + 30 210 615 1000Fax: + 30 210 610 5049URL: http://www.eett.grE-mail: [email protected]

Chief Editor: Michalis Sakkas, EETT Vice President Editing: EETT Public Relations Department

Reduction - Design - Production: RE: PUBLIC LTD9, Miltiadou Str., 152 32 Halandri Tel: + 30 210 683 5400 - Fax: + 30 210 680 0656

The present is distributed free of charge. The articles that are in the present newsletter do not bind EETT.

Contents

Message by the Vice President p.: 2

BEREC Inaugural Meeting p.: 3

Honorary Awards to the Former EETT Presidents p.: 4-5

5th EETT International Conference: Next Generation Access Networks p.: 6-7

Communication, Information, Technology p.: 8-9

Broadband from the Consumer’s Perspective: Advice for Selecting Broadband Services p.: 10

The Growth of Broadband in Greece p.: 11

EETT Web Services to Providers of Electronic Communications p.: 12

Public Consultation on the Use of the 27.5-29.5 GHz Radiofrequency Band p.: 13

EETT one-day Conference: The Future of the Postal Market p.: 14

New Cost Accounting System of the Hellenic Post p.: 15

Corrado Calabrο p.: 16

by the Vice President for the Electronic Communications Sector, Mr Angelos Syrigos

(OUR) Digital Dividend

`

International Relations

page: 3April 2010 • ISSUE Νο 24

BEREC Inaugural Meeting

BEREC

The inaugural Meeting of the newly established Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) took place in Brussels on 28 January 2010. The outgoing Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Mrs Viviane Reding, and the new European Digital Agenda Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission, Mrs Neelie Kroes, addressed greetings to the meeting participants, among whom was also the EETT President, Dr Leonidas Kanellos.

by Panayiotis Karaminas, EETT Director of Telecommunications

1 Reg. 1211/2009.

This inaugural Meeting set the bases for the operation of the BEREC as successor to the European Regulators Group (ERG), and also approved the rules for its internal operation and staff recruiting in view of its increased powers under the new European Regulatory Framework. Furthermore, it approved the relevant Work Programme for the year 2010, which was released for Public Consultation so as to record the views of economic bodies across the European market of Electronic Communications on the impending actions of this body.

Following a relevant ballot, the presidency of the BEREC for 2010 was assigned to Mr John Doherty, head of the Regulatory Authority of Ireland (Commission for Communications Regulation-ComReg). Also, Messers Matthias Kurth, Chris Fonteijn and Reinaldo Rodriguez, respectively heading the Regulatory Authorities of Germany (Federal Network Agency-BNETZA), the Netherlands (Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority of the Netherlands-OPTA) and Spain (Telecommunications Market Commission-CMT), were elected as Vice Presidents.

The formation of the BEREC promises to strengthen the institution of Regulatory Authorities and play a decisive role in the creation of a single European market of Electronic Communications, to the benefit of businesses and consumers. According to its founding Regulation1, the new body does not form part of the European Commission but replaces the ERG as a forum of cooperation among Regulatory Authorities for Electronic Communications,

as well as between these Authorities and the European Commission.

The BEREC will bring together as members the Regulatory Authorities of the 27 member states of the EU, while representatives of the European Commission and of the respective Authorities of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Island, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

and of the three EU accession candidates (Croatia, FYROM and Turkey) will participate in its meetings as observers.

The new body is expected to have taken up its full duties by May 2011, when the new Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications will have been tran-sposed into the domestic legal order of all EU member states.

EETT


Honorary Awards to the Former EETT Presidents

In his introductory speech, the current EETT President, Dr Leonidas Kanellos, stressed that these honorary awards are of a symbolic nature, granted in recognition of the valuable work of the former Presidents and as proof of the continuity that has characterised the Independent Authority ever since its foundation. After briefly praising each former President’s individual contribution, he pointed out EETT’s current priorities and emphasised the importance of its cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks.

Honorary Awards

The General Secretary for Communications, Prof. S. Katsikas. Attendants to the awarding ceremony.

The General Secretary for Communications greeted EETT’s initiative and stressed the Authority’s major role in view of the great challenges that lie ahead, such as the switchover to digital television, the optimum exploitation of the digital dividend, the deregulation of the postal market, and the completion and launch of the Fiber To The Home (FTTH) project. Thereafter, he emphasised that relations between the State and Independent Authorities should always be governed by mutual respect, without any interventions in the Independent Authorities’ work, and

characterised by exemplary cooperation.

Next, the three awarded former Presidents referred to the most important achievements during their respective terms in office, thanking EETT staff members for their effective cooperation.

Mr Andreas Lambrinopoulos referred to the ex nihilo formation of EETT and to his own personal struggle to secure for it sufficient powers. He recalled the first steps of EETT, when he had to face the challenge of recruiting staff for the newly established Αuthority and

On 5 March 2010, the EETT Plenary paid tribute to the Independent Authority’s former Presidents, Messers Andreas Lambrinopoulos, Emmanuel Giakoumakis and Nikitas Alexandridis, granting them honorary awards officially presented by the General Secretary for Communications, Prof. Sokratis Katsikas.

EETT


The General Secretary, Prof. S. Katsikas, with the awarded former Presidents (from left) Messers Α. Lambrinopoulos, E. Giakoumakis and Ν. Alexandridis.

From left to right: The General Secretary, Prof. S. Katsikas, the awarded former Presidents, Messers Α. Lambrinopoulos, E. Giakoumakis and Ν. Alexandridis, and the current EETT President, Dr L. Kanellos.

ensuring for it the necessary material and technical infrastructures. In addition, he characterised as the greatest achievement during his term in office the establishment of a comprehensive institutional framework that has enabled EETT to carry out its regulatory duties free of outside interventions. Concluding, he emphasised that the key advantages of EETT today are its financial autonomy, its administrative flexibility, its human resources and its institutional framework of operation.

Prof. Emmanuel Giakoumakis, after thanking the Plenary for the presentation of this honorary award, characterised his term

in office at EETT as a thrilling experience. He then referred to the progress made during his presidency in a broad variety of matters, such as the creation of a regulatory framework for the operation of the telecommunications market, the licensing of telecommunications service providers, the new National Numbering Plan (NNP), the new domain name management plan, the framework for the digital signature, the introduction of the Carrier Selection and Preselection functions, the Number Portability service and the management of the radiofrequency spectrum.

In turn, Prof. Nikitas Alexandridis also

thanked the Plenary, characterising the award granted to him as a moral recognition of the efforts made and the results achieved during his term in office. He noted that both the European Commission and the local market have already acknowledged the decisive role of EETT, mentioning indicatively that it has often been called the “Flagship of the Independent Authorities”. Finally, he referred to the considerable progress made during his presidency as regards broadband penetration and the sharp rise in the number of broadband subscribers through the local loop.

Electronic Communications


5th EETT International Conference, June 17th & 18th 2010

Next Generation Access Networks: Unleashing the Potential for the Citizen and the Economy

Provisional Conference Agenda

Thursday, June 17th 2010

• 09:00-09:30 Arrivals and registration

• 09:30-11:00 Welcome • Dr Leonidas Kanellos, EETT President

Inaugural Speech • Mr George Papandreou, Greek Prime Minister*

Introductory Speech • Mrs Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President and

Commissioner for the Digital Agenda*

Keynote Speakers and Addresses • Mr Demitrios Reppas, Greek Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and

Networks* • Representatives of Greek political parties*

• 11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

• 11:15-13:30 Session 1: The NGAs are here; lessons from the Pioneers

Next Generation Access networks (NGA) promise to reshape Electronic Communications in a way that underpins innovation, empowers the consumer and promotes Green Economy. Setting the roadmap is a major challenge under the current economic crisis. This session will present success stories of broadband deployment and best practices at national, regional or local level to the benefit of the citizens (France, Singapore, Sweden, etc.).

Invited SpeakersRepresentatives from municipalities, regions or countries that have successfully implemented NGAs.

• 13:30-15:00 Lunch Break

• 15:00-17:00 Session 2: Business models for NGA deployment

Which business models are most appropriate for NGA deployment in Greece? Which is the role of the public sector and of private investors? How does the emergence of NGA affect business strategies of network operators and service providers? Can open platforms act as business enablers for converged networks, converged services and content innovation to face the economic downturn?

* subject to confirmation

On June 17th & 18th 2010 EETT will host its 5th International Conference, on the topic of “Next Generation Access Networks: Unleashing the Potential for the Citizen and the Economy”.

International Conference

The Conference aspires to offer an open discussion forum for constructive dialogue on the appropriate technical, economic, investment and regulatory choices to be made in the Greek Electronic Communications market, to the benefit of the citizens, the businesses and the national economy.

The Greek Prime Minister, Mr George Papandreou, has been invited to give the inaugural speech of the Conference, while the European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, Mrs Neelie Kroes, has been invited as keynote speaker.

Invitations have also been sent to several Presidents of Regulatory Authorities, representat ives of the European Commission and market experts from Greece and abroad.

The Conference will take place in Athens, at the “DAIS” Cultural Centre (Paradisos, Maroussi).



* subject to confirmation

Keynote Speaker

Prof. Sokratis Katsikas, General Secretary for Communications*

Round Table Discussion With the participation of policy-making officials, market representatives, investors and field experts.

Friday, June 18th 2010

• 09:00-09:30 Arrivals and registration

• 09:30 -10:30 Keynote Speakers • Mr Pavlos Yeroulanos, Minister of Culture and Tourism* • Mr Nikos Sifounakis, Vice Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and

Networks*

• 10:30-12:00 Session 3:Regulating NGAs; Encouraging investment while fostering competition

NGAs change the competitive landscape and introduce new regulatory challenges. Innovation and investment, particularly in NGAs, need to be encouraged without however tolerating market distortion. How do European Regulators (France, Italy, Portugal) address such issues? What will be the impact of the New Regulatory Framework on new network infrastructure and services? What will be the consequences for the consumers?

Invited Speakers European Commission representative, Regulatory Authorities, competition experts.


• 12:15-14:00 Session 4:Unveiling opportunities of mobile broadband

What are the main drivers and strategic decisions necessary, in the promotion of mobile broadband development? How are issues such as longevity of investments and social benefits addressed in this context? How will fixed and mobile broadband services compete with and complement each other?

Invited Speakers International experts, Electronic Communications market representatives, GSMA.

• 14:00-15:00 Lunch Break

• 15:00-17:00 Session 5: Digital Switchover-NGAs in the era of converged electronic networks

and media

The digital switchover changes the broadcasting landscape, further enhancing the convergence of Electronic Communications and mass media. What strategic and policy choices are needed to unlock its full potential and how can we maximise its benefit for the economy and the society? Other countries’ experiences (Cyprus, Ireland).

Keynote SpeakersRepresentatives of the Regulatory Authorities of Cyprus and Ireland.

Round Table Discussion With the participation of international field experts, broadcasters, Electronic Communications and content providers.

For more information: www.eett.gr

Main Article


Communication, Information, Technology

by the Vice Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks, Mr Nikos Sifounakis

The proliferation of communication and information technologies on a global scale has radically changed the political decision-making process and, by extension, the actual pursuit of all policies that affect and shape the citizens’ everyday life. In this day and age, practically no policy is implemented in the absence of a prior relevant social dialogue, where concerned citizens and bodies participate and jointly form values, principles and measures in all fields of public life.

The triangle “communication, information and technology” constitutes today the main driver of the world’s transition from its industrialised past to the knowledge society. This transition means that, for the first time in the history of mankind, raw materials cease to be the cornerstone of the production process and the economy is now based less on manual labour and

more on services. Knowledge has become the main source of wealth production in the world economy.

Our country now has to face these challenges, i.e. the transformation of the world economic model and the formation of a “global knowledge society”, in which the digital component -with the New Technologies of Communication and Information- will constitute the basic infrastructure. In view of this, the Greek State needs to promptly take measures to ensure that all Greek citizens, and particularly those who form part of the weaker population groups and are threatened by poverty and exclusion, can grow accustomed to all these rapidly occurring changes.

Accordingly therefore, two immediate priorities of the Ministry of Infrastructure,

Transport and Networks are -among other things- the creation of a national fiber optic network and the allocation of the digital dividend.

The deployment of a national fiber optic network -that will connect the households and businesses of all Greek cities (Fiber To The Home-FTTH project)- is a fundamental infrastructure task comparable to the development of the country’s electrical power supply, motorway, airport and port networks and all other major infrastructure projects that have been carried out in Greece in the previous decades.

On the other hand, the currently promoted switchover from analogue to digital television by 2015 will set free a substantial part of the radiofrequency spectrum, referred to as the digital dividend, which will then be able to accommodate new,


Main Article

innovative services ranging from wireless connection to the Internet and cutting-edge mobile phones to the new high-resolution interactive television channels, and from the provision of telework and telemedicine services to electronic commerce. Particularly the country’s remote areas will reap the highest benefits from this switchover, as wireless broadband communications will be able to use the then made available radiospectrum to provide high-speed Internet connections in regions not yet covered by fixed-wire network infrastructures.

The completion of the above projects will transform the country’s current profile and will place it among those at the vanguard of the new era. The benefits for end users -i.e. households, businesses and public sector services alike will be multiple, touching upon the economy, the society,

the environment, the provision of public services to the citizens, as well as the underpinning of democratic institutions.

As regards the economy, the targeted Green Growth is directly associated with knowledge, innovation and environment-friendly new information and communication technologies. It thus enables the creation of new capital, new jobs and, in general, whole industries of new economic activities, which will operate while ensuring harmonised use of natural resources, or will use no natural resources at all.

Furthermore, as far as society is concerned, the increasing growth of the number of people using the Internet is structuring a new trend, the so-called “digital communities”. These communities, which are groups of citizens with shared characteristics and

interests, mobilize forces and take the lead in many cases. We all remember the large protest of the citizens of Athens regarding the ecological destruction of Parnitha back in the summer of 2007, which was fully organized through Internet and mobile phones.

And of course, we should not forget that our country has already witnessed the emergence of the “Internet generation”, i.e. the children that were born after the reestablishment of democracy (in 1974), who have been obtaining information, knowledge and education, and have been shaping their character, through the Internet. Soon enough, this generation will be called upon to take action and participate in the world’s evolution and progress. We, as representatives of the State, have the obligation to “endow” these children

with the most powerful tools of knowledge and democratic conscience. And this is exactly the reason why we consider all digital infrastructures and access to them as our country’s new national capital, in which all citizens should have a dividend.

Every modern-day Republic relies on two main pillars: an effective and transparent State, and the participation of its citizens in the proceedings through open public consultation procedures.

The introduction of the Electronic Public Administration saves vast resources that could be used for covering other, more pressing needs, extricates the citizen from the labyrinth of red tape and, ultimately, fosters the creation of a State-helper that stands right next to, and not on the opposite side of society. Already today, in several public administration sectors, a simple “click” is enough even for residents of the most remote areas to gain access to information and services for which they once had to travel perhaps even several kilometres. Our goal is to constantly and increasingly improve these services and allow an ever growing number of citizens to partake in this new reality.

On the other hand, the proliferation of communication, information and technology leads to a new form of “electronic democracy”, where traditional institutions are no longer the only “transmitter” of information, and where the importance of information acquires a different, much greater dimension. For a modern-day Democratic State it is inconceivable not to take into consideration the needs and the views of its citizens with respect to all major issues that determine their lives. Recognising and adopting these developments, we, as Government, have established the institution of public consultation on every draft law we propose, and have rendered the Internet a substantial tool for transparency.

To achieve our objectives, we need society to move along with us in this direction, we need the social bodies to participate in the currently ongoing “ferment” for the formulation of our policy. The shape of future developments in the fields of technology and communications not only depends, but also relies on society.

Consumer Issues


The Internet and the use of broadband services, which already form part of our everyday life, are not merely a technology, but a public good and a right of all citizens. Before selecting a provider of broadband services, it is important for consumers to carefully consider the following:

Market Research: Τhey should search, among the economical packages of broadband services available in the market (double-play, triple-play, quad-play), for the one that best fits their personal needs.

Availability: Τhey should check the availability of broadband services in the geographical area of their interest.

Package Final Price: Τhey should verify the final price of the package, including all taxes or any other extra charges, e.g. activation and/or deactivation fees, equipment/router cost, offer’s expiration dates, tariff rates of services additional to those included in the selected package.

Offer Duration: They should obtain information, before choosing, on the duration of the offer of the specific connection package and on the likeli-hood of changes in the service provision costs upon expiry of the offer (e.g. after 3 or 6 months).

Right to withdrawn: They should obtain information on their right to withdrawn the agreement, as well as on the time limits applicable with respect to this right, particularly in the case of applications regarding Number Portability in parallel with Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).

Internet Access Speed: They should clarify whether the speed of broadband connection access are nominal. In addition, the distance between the local exchange of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (ΟΤΕ) and the consumer’s location, as well as the quality of the cable and the connections, are also important.

International Call Rates: They should obtain information on the tariff rates of international calls and the countries included in their preferred package, as well as on any exceptions to international calls (non-geographical area numbers/numbers of higher call rates).

Terms of the Contract: They should carefully read, before signing, the terms of the contract and any other document. Particular attention should be paid in all terms and conditions related to any cases of early termination of the contract by the consumer (e.g. penalty clauses, disconnection fees) and cases where the owner and the user of the connection are not the same person.

EETT, with a view to promoting broad-

band, takes steps to constantly provide timely information and protection to the consumers. Specifically, it is actively engaged in the following actions:

• Providing information, as much throughits own website (www.eett.gr) as through the website dedicated to broadband in Greece (www.broadband.gr).

• Providing information on broadband services through the “Guide of the Informed Consumer”.

• Processing, through its Consumer Service Sector (CSS), all queries and complaints submitted in relation to such services over the phone (801 11000 80) or electronically ([email protected]).

• Act ivat ion of the broadband Geographical Information Systems (GIS), through which (http://mapsrv2.terra.gr/eettutilities/map.aspx) consumers can obtain information on broadband infrastructures in their region, as well as on their Internet access speeds.

• Publication of the “Illustrated Dictionary of Informatics and Broadband”.

by Savvas Andreadis, Coordinator of EETT Consumer Service Sector

Broadband from the Consumer’s Perspective: Αdvice for Selecting Broadband Services

Broadband Services

The development of broadband has enabled consumers to use new services, such as tele-education, telemedicine and teleworking, and gain access to online information, communication and entertainment, as well as to public services through the applications of electronic government.

Broadband


The Growth of Broadband in Greece

As regards broadband penetration, measured as increase of the number of broadband lines per 100 inhabitants, Greece ranked 4th among the 27 EU member states in the twelve-month period from 6/2008 to 6/20091 (with 4.5 lines per 100 inhabitants, against a European average of 2.2).

It is worth mentioning that this rise was recorded despite the fact that the growth rate of broadband declined. In more detail, in absolute figures, during the second half of 2009, new connections were 113,845, compared to 246,820 in the first six months of the year. Moreover, the progress of broadband penetration rate in 2009 stood at 3.62%, compared to 4.3% in 2008.

The rapid increase of the LLU lines was a catalytic factor for the country’s broadband growth, since at the end of the year 2009 it constituted 41.5% of the total broadband lines, compared to 36% at the end of 2008.

In contrast, in December 2009, ADSL lines constituted the 58% of all broadband lines, compared to 63.6% in December 2008. This is attributable mainly to the decrease of wholesale ADSL lines (bitstream), which fell from 6.3% in December 2008 to 2.7% in December 2009. As regards the lines of the other technologies (such as fiber optics, Fixed Wireless Access, satellite connections and Leased Lines), they still remain at very low levels, with a share of less than 1%.

Finally, the number of active subscribers who at the end of 2009 had made use of 3rd Generation mobile communication data services (access to Web/Internet content, online gaming content, etc.)

rose to 1,374,783. It should be noted that these lines are not taken into consideration in the calculation of broadband penetration.

Broadband Growth

At the end of 2009, broadband connections in Greece were 27.2% higher than at the end of 2008, and numbered 1,916,630 (17% population penetration rate).

by Persephone Apostolelli, EETT Electrical Engineer

1 According to the latest available data of the Communications Committee (COCOM) semi-annual Report.

Chart 1Evolution of Broadband Lines in Greece

Chart 2

Breakdown of Broadband Lines by Technology



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EETT Web Services to Providers of Electronic Communications

Online Submission of Applications

by Assimina Giannopoulou, EETT Engineer

With a view to offering better services for providers of Electronic Communications and faster processing of their requests, EETT has adopted a new communication pattern that applies the principles of electronic government.

In more detail, through an appropriate web application, providers can submit electronically, via EETT website, applications related to Electronic Communi- cations services. Furthermore, they also have the option to submit online all the required accompanying documents and data.

At its initial stage, this web application currently allows for online submission of applications related to the following categories of services:

• General Authorisation to Providers of Electronic CommunicationsSubmission of a request to obtain a General Authorisation in order to engage in one or more activities in Electronic Communications.

• Domain Name RegistrarsNotification to EETT regarding their activity as Domain Name Registrars.

• Electronic Signature Certification Service ProvidersSubmission by Electronic Signature Certification Service Providers (CSPs) of their details and the services they provide, so as to be recorded in EETT’s Registry of CSPs established in Greece.

• Point of Service Activation (PSA) of Inmarsat Terminal Equipment for the Provision of Satellite Services through Mobile Terrestrial StationsSubmission of a relevant registration declaration regarding their activity as activation points of Inmarsat services in Greece.

• Assignment of Numbers under the National Numbering Plan (NNP)Submission of a request for the allocation of numbering resources.

When electronically submitting their applications, providers are informed on the completeness of the information they submit, and their application is immediately forwarded to be examined and processed by the competent EETT employee. In addition, this facility will soon enable them to obtain information on the progress of their application and any possible further details or clarifications required.

The EETT’s objective is for this web application to become in the future the only means of communication used by providers for submitting applications.

In this respect, EETT keeps improving it in order to enrich it with further abilities and to expand it in the sector of Postal Services as well.

It should be noted that this web application was elaborated in the context of the project for the development of EETT’s new Integrated Information System (IIS), around 80% of which was co-funded by the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) of the EU under the Operational Programme “Information Society” (OPIS) of the CSF III, while the remaining 20% was covered by national resources.


Radiofrequency Spectrum

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Public Consultation on the Use of the 27.5-29.5 GHz Radiofrequency Band by Lambrini Stratigaki, EETT Engineer

The most important points of this Consultation are:

• The rights of use to be assigned will allow the development of the Fixed Service Point-to-MultiPoint networks on a national scale (including Point-to-Point radio links exclusively for supporting the infrastructures of the above networks).

• The rights of use will be assigned for a period of nine years.

• Other terms that will apply with respect to these rights, such as network development obligations, technical terms, transfer terms, spectrum usage fees.

Furthermore, according to the legal framework in force (Law 3431/2006), EETT has to examine whether the number of the rights of use that are about to be assigned in the 27.5-29.5 GHz frequency band should be limited. This need arises in cases where demand for spectrum is expected to exceed availability. Such limitation maximises the benefits for the users of this scarce resource and at the same time ensures the protection and development of market competition.

In view of the above, upon completion of the Consultation, EETT will announce a time period for the submission of applications for the assignment of

rights of use for radiofrequencies in the specific aforementioned band. Thereafter, the applications will be assessed and, as long as the available spectrum is sufficient for the deployment of the required Electronic Communications networks, EETT will proceed with the assignment of the rights. Otherwise, as was mentioned above, EETT will limit the number of rights of use to be assigned in the 27.5-29.5 GHz frequency band and proceed accordingly.

It should be noted that the 27.5-29.5 GHz radiofrequency band is currently made available at European level for the development of the Fixed Service systems (Point-to-Point and Point-to-MultiPoint Radio Links) and for Earth Stations of the Fixed Satellite Service.

Indicatively, the applications that can be developed include:

• Fixed Wireless Access Networks, which are extensively used in highly congested areas as an alternative to fixed-wired access networks for the provision of telephony, data transfer and subscriber television services.

• Point-to-Point Radio Link Networks for supporting the infrastructures of existing Electronic Communications service provision networks.

• Broadband services to the end consumer through satellite terminal equipment at fixed points.

In addition, according to a Decision1 issued by the European Communications Committee (ECC), the 27.5-29.5 GHz frequency band is subdivided into spectrum segments intended for specific uses respectively (see Table below). In our country, this Decision has already been transposed to the relevant legislation.

Public Consultation

1 ECC DEC/(05) 01.

Spectrum Segments Uses

27.8285-27.9405 GHz Fixed Service Systems- Time Division Duplex (TDD) technologies

27.9405-28.4445 GHz Fixed Service Systems-coupled with 28.9485-29.4525 GHz Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) technologies

• 27.5-27.8285 GHz Uncoordinated Earth Stations • 28.4445-28.9485 GHz of Fixed Satellite Service*

• 29.4525-29.5 GHz

EETT is about to start the process of assigning rights of use for radiofrequencies in the 27.5-29.5 GHz band, and more precisely, in the radiospectrum segment of 27.9405-28.4445 GHz coupled with 28.9485-29.4525 GHz. In this respect, it has launched a relevant Public Consultation until 15 April 2010.

* For stations with specific technical characteristics.

Postal Services


EETT one-day Conference

The Future of the Postal Market:Regulatory Challenges and Development Tools

The Conference, aims at offering a forum for exchanging views and for recording the positions of the concerned bodies and businesses regarding the appropriate technical, financial and regulatory choices which can be made, so as to constitute tools for growth of the Greek postal market, to the benefit of the citizens, the businesses and the national economy.

In more detail, the topics to be discussed include postal market deregulation, with examples and practices from the experience of other EU member states, consumer issues, features and trends of the postal market, cooperations among industries for mutual growth, as well as questions related to new technologies and “green” growth.

The Vice Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks, Mr Nikos Sifounakis, will be the keynote speaker.

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One-day Conference

A one-day conference is organised by EETT on Wednesday 21st April 2010, on the topic of “The Future of the Postal Market: Regulatory Challenges and Development Tools”.

Programme• 09:30-10:00 Arrivals and registration

• 10:00-10:30 Welcome Mr Michalis Sakkas, EETT Vice President

Greeting Dr Leonidas Kanellos, EETT President Keynote Speech

Mr Nikos Sifounakis, Vice Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks

• 10:30-12:00 Session 1: “Opening of the Postal Market to Competition: European Directions and

National Practices” Coordinator: Mr Angelos Syrigos, EETT Vice President

• Mr Kamil Kiljanski, Head of Postal Markets and Related Logistics Unit, European Commission

• Mr Ulrich Dammann, International Postal Affairs, BNETZA - President of CERP (European Committee for the Regulation of Postal Issues)

• Mr Jan Bart Henry, Head of EU Affairs, TNT Post • Mr Christos Varsamis, CEO, Hellenic Post (ELTA SA) • Mr Nikolaos Dimosthenous, General Manager and Member of the Board of

Directors, DELTA POST SA • Mr Christos Apostolou, EETT Postal Services Director

• Discussion-Q&A


• 12:15-13:30 Session 2: “Postal Services: Focus on Citizens”

Coordinator: Mr Michalis Sakkas, EETT Vice President Keynote Speech: Mr Demitrios Spyrakos, General Secretary of Consumers

• Mr Εvangelos Zerveas, Consumer’s Ombudsman • Mr Ioannis Kourniotis, Chairman of EPAM (Union of Enterprises of Distance Sales

and Direct Marketing) • Mrs Angeliki Koronioti, EETT Economist • Mr Savvas Andreadis, EETT Consumer Service Sector Coordinator

• Discussion-Q&A

• 13:30-14:30 Lunch

• 14:30-16:30 Session 3: “New Services-New Cooperations-New Technologies: Opportunities and

Strategies towards Green Development” Coordinator: Mr Georgios Papapavlou, EETT Plenary Member

• Dr Tassos Vassilopoulos, CIO, DHL Express Ηellas SA • Mr Adrian Humbel, CEO, SwissSign AG • Mr Stamatios Andrianopoulos, Executive Consultant, PLANNING SA • Mr Apostolos Tzimourtas, General Manager, ORPHEE BEINOGLOU GROUP OF

COMPANIES • Mr Sotirios Trichas, President of ΕΕL (Hellenic Logistics Association)

• 16:30-17:00 Discussion-Conclusions

The Conference will take place in Athens, at the Divani Caravel Hotel (2, Vas. Alexandrou Str.). For more information and participation statements: www.eett.gr.


Postal Services

New Cost Accounting System of the Hellenic Post

The basic features of the new cost accounting system, which uses the Activity Based Cost (ABC) methodology, are the following:

• Resources: The available means (employees, raw materials, buildings, machinery, equipment, etc.) used for carrying out the activities.

• Cost Elements: The products or services that absorb the total of the organisation’s activities.

• Resource Drivers: The links between the cost pool and the activities.

• Activity Allocators/Cost Drivers: They are used for distributing the cost of the activities to products/services.

Today, the cost accounting system of the Hellenic Post counts more than 1,000 resource drivers, with the use of which, more than 50% of total expenses (payroll, operating costs, depreciations, etc.) are directly assigned to a specific activity. Resource drivers use the work load, the kilometres travelled, and in some occasions the relevant labour cost, for distributing costs to more than one activity.

Cost drivers definition is based mainly on product’s volumes, item weight, and the time required for carrying out an activity (see Chart below). In very few cases, the cost drivers are based on implied charges. It should be noted that the cost of secondary/supportive activities (e.g. administrative costs of delivery office), is initially redistributed to the main productive activities before being allocated to the roughly 4,000 products of the organisation.

Distribution absorbs almost half of the available resources (44%), while collection only 22%.

In conclusion, the new cost accounting system of the Hellenic Post offers the following advantages:

• Takes into consideration the complexity of the phases of the postal business and the differences between the roughly 4,000 products, while ensuring an accurate estimate of each product’s profitability in an open postal market.

• Evaluates the indirect general expenses (overheads), while it identifies secondary/supportive activities (e.g. storage) with limited added value to the final product (effective cost).

• Enables the impementation of various new scenarios (e.g. introduction of new

postal products, or discontinuations of certain production/supportive activities).

• Facilitates postal products pricing, while it uses detailed databases for drafting the annual budget and estimating the volume of each product.

The complexity of the various phases of the postal business, combined with the large number of products, necessitates the collection of huge amount of data, i.e. a particularly costly process. However, the benefits gained from the operation of this cost accounting system outweight any disadvantages.

In agreement with the legislation in force, EETT has approved1 the implementation of Hellenic Post’s new cost accounting system for a period of three years, suggesting at the same time certain improvements for its better operation.

�

Chart Keys for Distributing Activity Costs to Products (Cost Accounting Data of 2007)

The new cost accounting system of the Hellenic Post, which was developed under EETT’s close collaboration/supervision, is a reliable tool for assessing the compliance of the Hellenic Post as a Universal Service Provider (USP) to its regulatory obligations, while ensuring a smooth and effective transition to a fully deregulated and competitive market.

Postal Services

by Dr Dimitris Ν. Lambrou, EETT Statistician-Mathematician

1 EETT Decision 551/069/4-2-2010.

ΚΕΜΠ.ΚΡΥΟΝΕΡΙΟΥ

175

Corrado Calabrο

Missed CallMissed call, ΟΚ?For more information dial five.Ten digits. It’s her. No messages.

Missed call. Repeat call?Of course I have a calling for her… althoughwhoever has once loved ill-timedis like the colour blind in front of a traffic light:Never sure when the right sign appearsmust always pay attention to what others do.

To call, dial OK.Yeah right, it’s not simple when you’re over thirtyto talk unprepared about your selfas young people do over the phone.A secret code is needed.

Call failure. Redial?Yes, no – there’s no third choice.Yes, yes – no, no – temptation triumphs overthe believer who adopts an unfamiliar vocabulary.

No answer – but my numbermust have appeared – I think – on the screen.Automatic redial, OK?Automatic or depended?(for anything prior to this, see Song number five).

ΟΚ, ΟΚ, just seven rings.One, two, three, four, five, six:No, there was no seventh…

Neither I nor her said hello.

Corrado Calabrο

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Mr Corrado Calabro is the President of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Italy (AGCOM). In parallel with his activities in the field of Electronic Communications, he is also known for his endeavours in poetry. He has published 16 collections of poems and has received several awards and distinctions in Italy. His poems are inundated by his love for Greece, and particularly for the Ionian Sea, with which he is quite familiar thanks to his origin from Calabria.

The following is one of his poems, titled “Missed Call”, included in the Greek publication “Poems” (Gavrielidis Editions, 2007-Translated in Greek by Vassilis Rouvalis).

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message by the vice president - eett...message by the vice president to start with, let us first...

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