On Monday, 7 January, the European Commission approved a Greek measure to promote the take-up of faster broadband services.
This measure will result in a 50 million euros voucher scheme for users to increase the use of infrastructure for the provision of faster broadband services, which the Greek authorities define as broadband services ensuring download speeds of at least 100 Megabits per second. These vouchers, which can be activated until 31 March 2020, will cover part of the set-up costs and the monthly fee for a maximum of 24 months.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU state aid rules, considering that the aid would be granted de facto to companies providing telecommunications services. Having taken care to ensure that the Greek authorities would take measures to avoid undue distortion of competition, the institution considered that the aid was compatible with EU law.
The Commission added that it would monitor in the future that this measure is not used to merely replace existing subscriptions. Athens will also submit, by the end of 2021 at the latest, an assessment of the impact of the measure. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)