OTE Group begins commercialization of optical fiber services within the framework of the UFBB project

OTE Group announced the start of commercial rollout of fiber-optic services under the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFBB) project.

According to a company announcement, internet speeds of up to 1 Gbps, available both at wholesale and retail level, are now commercially offered in areas within the regional units of Messinia and Rhodope. By the end of March, services will also become available in parts of Drama, Evros and Corinth.

Over the coming months, fiber-optic services will be launched commercially in additional areas across Attica, Evia, Phthiotis and Chania.

As infrastructure deployment under the UFBB project progresses, the availability of fiber services is expected to gradually expand nationwide. By the end of the year, more than 250,000 lines will have been built, while services will be commercially available to around 150,000 households and businesses.

According to the same announcement, the UFBB project aims to deliver ultra-high-speed fiber connectivity to households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas, helping to bridge the digital divide and support regional development.

Having recently assumed responsibility for the entire UFBB project, covering all seven geographical zones, OTE Group is leveraging its technological expertise to implement the largest telecommunications infrastructure project ever tendered by the Greek state, and one of the largest public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Europe.

With a total budget of approximately 830 million euros (excluding VAT) – of which 250 million euros is financed through EU co-funded public expenditure from the Structural and Investment Funds under the Digital Transformation Programme of the 2021–2027 NSRF, overseen by the Ministry of Digital Governance – the UFBB project is expected to extend fiber-optic connectivity to more than 830,000 households and businesses and around 10,000 public buildings across Greece.

Papastergiou: A project of national importance

Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, stated:

The development of fiber-optic infrastructure in every corner of the country is a key prerequisite for Greece’s digital progress. Through Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFBB) — a project of national importance — we are bringing ultra-high-speed internet to semi-urban and rural areas. The launch of commercial services demonstrates that our planning is being translated into action, reducing the digital divide and strengthening regional development.

On his part, Chairman and CEO of OTE Group, Kostas Nebis, said: For us, the commercial rollout of fiber services under the UFBB project brings us one step closer to achieving our vision of a Greece that stands out in Europe for its digital maturity. Leveraging expertise and proven execution capabilities, we are deploying fiber-optic infrastructure that transforms people’s daily lives, enhances competitiveness and productivity, and creates equal digital opportunities for all.

OTE is by far the largest investor in telecommunications in the country, the company added. It implements an annual investment plan of around 600 million euros aimed at the overall upgrade of Greece’s digital infrastructure and the development of a Gigabit Society. Through its investments, the company plans to extend fiber-optic connectivity to around 3.5 million households and businesses by 2030, covering more than 70% of the country’s fixed lines with fiber infrastructure.