PPC urges Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission to secure spectrum for 5G network expansion

Public Power Corporation (PPC) may insist that it is not planning to enter the retail mobile telephony market, but it submitted a text to the public consultation of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) clearly indicating that it is examining the development of 5G infrastructure through its subsidiary DEI FiberGrid.

Moreover, it explained that this move could strengthen competition and exert downward pressure on prices while encouraging greater investment in the Greek mobile communications market.

The issue has been at the centre of market discussions over the last days, following an article published by Naftemporiki that PPC had participated in the EETT public consultation concerning the reallocation of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz bands. However, during the presentation of the group’s first-quarter results, PPC Chairman and CEO Giorgos Stassis stated in response to analysts’ questions that “PPC does not intend to enter the retail mobile telephony market”.

As he explained, FiberGrid is exploring the possibility of wireless connectivity as a complementary solution to its FTTH network, while leaving open the question of whether the group will ultimately participate in the spectrum auction.

However, in the document submitted by PPC, the group appears explicit regarding its intentions. As stated in the text, “the PPC Group intends to participate in the upcoming spectrum award process”, with the aim of “developing new 5G infrastructure in Greece through its subsidiary, DEI FiberGrid”.

The company presents FiberGrid’s entry into mobile communications as a mechanism for strengthening competition. It stated that “the potential entry of a new mobile network operator could generate significant benefits for consumers and the digital economy”, while arguing that “the presence of an additional mobile network operator with proprietary infrastructure strengthens competition, improves service quality and operates to the benefit of consumers”.

PPC places particular emphasis on the argument that increased competition leads to better services and greater investment in networks. As it noted, international experience shows that the entry of new players into telecommunications markets is associated with increased investment and improved service quality for users.

The company also argues that a similar effect has already been observed in the fibre-to-the-home and business (FTTH) market. As it stated, “the increased infrastructure competition triggered by FiberGrid’s entry is already benefiting consumers through lower retail prices for fibre broadband services”. It also noted that “across the full range of speed tiers, PPC offers the lowest prices in the market”.

In the same document, published on the EETT website, PPC directly links its FTTH experience with the possible development of a mobile network. As it stated, “with the appropriate spectrum, FiberGrid can support the development of mobile communications infrastructure in Greece”, while “building on its successful track record in fibre infrastructure, it seeks to assume a similar role in the development of mobile communications infrastructure”.

PPC further stated that FiberGrid “could contribute to the development of a high-performance mobile communications infrastructure capable of supporting the long-term objectives of Greece’s digital economy”, while simultaneously “placing pressure on incumbent mobile operators to reduce prices and increase investment in their networks”.

A significant part of the company’s intervention concerns the EETT spectrum allocation model. PPC stated that “the current spectrum award proposals appear primarily focused on reallocating spectrum to existing licence holders”. At the same time, it argues that “the auction framework should also ensure that credible new entrants such as FiberGrid have a realistic opportunity to enter the market”.

The company underlined that “international experience demonstrates that well-designed spectrum award procedures can facilitate market entry by new players without undermining auction efficiency or spectrum utilisation”. For this reason, it explained that its intervention “focuses on how the upcoming award process could be structured in a way that supports the potential entry of a new operator while maintaining an effective and competitive allocation process”.

According to PPC, “a series of adjustments to the spectrum allocation framework and licence terms” is required in order “to ensure that new entrants can acquire a viable spectrum portfolio and develop a competitive mobile communications network”.

Specifically, the company is requesting “new friendly provisions”, including:

“spectrum reservation for the new entrant”,
“national roaming under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms”,
“proportionate coverage obligations”, and
“indefinite-duration licences”.
At the same time, it proposes a specific “spectrum reservation for new bidders”, requesting:

• “2×10 MHz in the 900 MHz band”,
• “2×20 MHz in the 1,800 MHz band”, and
• “40 MHz in the 2,600 MHz TDD band”.

PPC also seeks to substantiate its argument that the Greek mobile market lags behind other European markets. As the company stated, “over the past decade, mobile telephony prices in Greece have increased by nearly 30%”, whereas in the rest of Europe they “have broadly remained stable in nominal terms”.

In parallel, it noted that “average mobile download speeds in Greece stood at 103 Mbps in the fourth quarter of 2025”, below the EU-27+ average of “122 Mbps”. According to the company, “this methodology reflects the actual day-to-day user experience on mobile networks”.

PPC stated  that “greater competition in the wholesale market could play a significant role in improving these outcomes”. According to the company, “FiberGrid’s entry into the market would contribute substantially to this objective by accelerating investment in next-generation mobile infrastructure”, while also “placing pressure on incumbent mobile operators to reduce prices and increase investment in their networks”.

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