Phone lines per 100
Greece has established adequate modern networks to reach all areas. There are 4,080,000 telephones, a density of 40 per one hundred inhabitants. Greece has direct dial telephone service with 4 countries and direct dial teletype service with 19 countries. Microwave radio relay carries most of the traffic.(22)
Fiber trunks
Currently, Greece relies solely on radio wavelength transmissions for its broadcasting sector. However, in trying to remain competative with the European Union, Greece is planning to run fiber optic cables to seven million homes by the turn of the century.(17)
Submarine cables
Greece has established eight submarine cables to off-shore islands in an attempt to offer extensive communicational support throughout the nation and its islands.(17)
T1, ISDN other high speed services
Telex usage and fax machines are already widespread and are becoming a standard business tool.(5)
Cellular systems
As of 1991, cellular communications have progressed rapidly throughout Greece. The Ericsson Company has set up several cellular stations, yet the technology is still new within Greece and is very expensive for the end-user. Nevertheless, a large amount of people who had to wait several months, sometimes years, for phone lines to be openned in their homes can now activate a cellular unit within hours and communicate.(9)(25)
Satellites, earth stations, and teleports
Greece has one satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean antenna), EUTELSTAT and MARISAT systems.(3)
Private networks
Greece's telecommunications is still under government regulation, (see privitivation and deregulation). No other competitor can enter the telecom market successfully. However, opportunities exist for radio and television, almost all of which is imported. Greece currently has more than 300 state and private stations and more than 15 TV stations. Most of them came into existance in the past 2-3 years following the government's decision to allow operation of private radio and TV stations.(14)
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