From 26/8/2024, pre-contractual information to subscribers about effective speeds (minimum speed, usually available and maximum speed on fixed networks, maximum speed on mobile networks) will become mandatory, both at service points of sale and via the internet.
This involves the implementation of the new National Open Internet Regulation (EOI) of the National Telecommunications and Postal Commission (EETT) under which subscribers will have the possibility, before choosing a plan, to consult the actual speed expected in their connection or in the area they are concerned about. Improvements are also being made to the process of analyzing subscriber complaints to better inform subscribers.
Furthermore, by 26/02/2025, the implementation of provisions to improve mobile operators’ speed maps is expected, with the addition of speed classes above 100 Mbps and the creation of dynamic maps, where the user will be able to change different levels of focus and have a more supervisory view of the speed achieved in different areas of the territory.
Speed measurements
Meanwhile, the EETT Open Internet Report 2023 – 2024 records an increase in Internet access speed on fixed networks in 2023, as a result of the increase in users with high-speed connections.
According to YPERION measurements, in 2023 the average speed value on fixed networks in the downstream flow across the territory was 76.91 Mbps against 47.94 Mbps in 2022 (an increase of 60.4%), while according to measurements from Ookla’s speedtest.net platform the corresponding speed was 62.72 Mbps against 44.27 Mbps in 2022 (an increase of 41.68%).
On mobile networks the increase is smaller (average download speed 111.26 Mbps vs. 101.05 Mbps in 2022 (increase of 10.1%).
In traffic management practices, there is a huge increase in speed restrictions after a certain amount of data is consumed. In 2023, 39 such plans were registered, including plans with unlimited data.
It should be noted that as of 26/4/2024 it became mandatory to inform subscribers when 80% and 100% of the correct usage limits were exceeded, which are often not known to users.
The blocking of domain names and IP addresses for illegal gambling or intellectual property infringement also shows a large increase, as a total of 3,543 domain names and IP addresses were blocked in 2023, compared to 2,552 in 2022, including requests received by the EETT to stop illegal sports broadcasts (88 requests in 2023 versus 46 in 2022).
Cybersecurity
Standard cybersecurity measures, such as blocking ports used for cyberattacks and using automated tools for early diagnosis and response to cyberattacks, also remain in place.
Congestion mitigation measures are applied in some cases to mobile and satellite networks, limiting speed or access for users who have consumed a large amount of data, as well as for users connected via 4G/5G routers compared to other mobile subscribers.
There have also been cases of long delays in granting VoIP codes to subscribers wishing to install a VoIP modem/router of their choice, and (rarely) cases of not granting a discrete ONT to subscribers who so desire.
The Open Internet Report 2023-2024 (reference period 01-05-2023 to 30-04-2024) is the EETT’s eighth consecutive annual report on the implementation of the provisions of Articles 1 to 6 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 to access the Open Internet. The report includes EETT’s actions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2015/2120, as well as key findings on the state of the Open Internet in Greece.
The new EKAD
The most important event of this period was the amendment of the National Open Internet Regulation (OPEN). The new EKAD (EETT Decision 1097/4B, Official Gazette 1282/B/26-2-2024) includes a complete ban on differentiated billing practices, with exceptions for distance learning services, speed measurement, balance updates and package renewals, as well as emergency services.
As mentioned in the Report, a better picture of mobile networks will also be provided by the scheduled acquisition of access to the Speedtest Intelligence® platform for a period of twelve months, which will offer an analysis of the results of measurements with the Speedtest tool, which were carried out by mobile phone users for all mobile operators in Greece (Speedtest Intelligence Performance Dashboard).
In addition, in 2024, EETT will launch a mobile network measurement campaign. The campaign will take place in areas of Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, along the motorways connecting them, as well as in Heraklion, Crete, and is expected to provide useful conclusions on the quality of Internet access on mobile networks in various mobility conditions.