2024-07-03 18:00:05
The penetration of fiber optic networks to homes and businesses (FTTH or FTTP) in Greece has been set at 38.4%, a figure improved compared to a year ago by 10 percentage points, but which falls short of the European average term (64%).
Also according to the data published yesterday by the European Commission, despite the aforementioned progress in connectivity, the number of specialists in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) remains low, while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a relatively moderate level of innovation and a low level of digital maturity. On the contrary, Greece is progressing satisfactorily in the digitization of public services.
The above is data (for 2023 to be released in 2024) from the second Digital Decade report which examines the progress made in Member States towards the achievement of the 2030 digital goals under the Digital Decade policy ( DDPP).
It is recalled that the EU’s goal is that by 2030 all citizens will be able to enjoy internet connection speeds of 1 Gbit.
The Commission’s analysis across all Member States shows that performance so far falls short of EU ambitions. Gaps identified include the need for additional investment, both at EU and national level, notably in the areas of digital skills, high-quality connectivity, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics by enterprises, semiconductor manufacturing and the development of start-up ecosystems.
The report points out that the EU is a long way from achieving the connectivity targets set by the DDPP: Fiber networks, which are vital to deliver gigabit connectivity and enable the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing and the internet of things (IoT), reach just 64% of households.
The road map of Greece for the Digital Decade
The report in its full text also refers to the road map that Greece has presented to the EU for the Digital Decade.
The roadmap, according to the EU report, contains a detailed analysis of the current situation and a comprehensive set of measures and initiatives designed to achieve the goals of the Digital Decade to transform the country into a digitally advanced and inclusive society by in 2030.
It is added that funding for digital transformation is largely based on EU funds (RRF and Cohesion Policy funding). The total public funding for the 104 meters of the road map is estimated at 5,230.2 million euros (about 2.37% of GDP).
The priorities concern the digital transformation of the public sector, including the health sector, the digital transformation of the economy and the adoption of advanced digital
technologies from businesses.
The roadmap also provides a rough estimate of private investment over the next few years in data centers and gigabit connectivity of €6,900 million.
Regarding the rest of the data concerning Greece with a score of 86.2, Greece performs above the EU average (85.4) in the digitization of public services for businesses (17.5% annual growth). In digital public services for citizens, although Greece performs slightly below the EU average (75.9 against an EU average of 79.4), it also registers an annual growth of 17.5%.
Digitization of media
In 2023 only 43.3% of SMEs had at least the basic level of digital maturity below the EU average (57.7%). Businesses in Greece also have a low level of adoption of advanced technologies, with 33.5% of them having adopted AI (artificial intelligence), cloud or data analytics below the EU average (54.6%).
As the dynamic start-up ecosystem is noted, however, it remains a positive sign of a growing digital ecosystem.
Digital skills and ICT specialists
As noted in the European Commission’s report, Greece has not yet responded to the challenge of educating the population to the level of the required digital skills. In 2023, only 52.4% of the population had at least basic digital skills (EU average 55.5%), showing no progress since the previous data collection in 2021.
At the same time the number of ICT specialists as a share of employment is 2.4%, far below the EU average (4.8%), despite growing demand.
Digital rights and principles
At the same time, data from the Special Eurobarometer “Digital Decade 2024” was published yesterday, which provides an insight into the perception that EU citizens have of digital rights.
In Greece only 33% of respondents believe that the EU protects their digital rights well (+1% compared to 2023), significantly below the EU average of 47%.
Concerns are escalating, with 62% concerned about children’s online safety (+2%) and 51% about the control of personal data. Overall, Greek respondents appear to be more concerned about their digital rights and principles than the EU average. The EU notes that these findings highlight the need to strengthen digital rights at national level.
Recommendations to Greece
The recommendations accompanying the Report call on the country’s government to monitor progress on gigabit coverage to identify any remaining investment gaps to meet the 2030 target.
It is also asked to improve – strengthen the framework so that more SMEs adopt the digital transition and all businesses benefit from the data economy by adopting advanced technology (AI, cloud, data analytics).
It is also recommended to examine whether the additional targeted measures for the education of the population are sufficient, as well as to strengthen the measures to increase the number of specialists employed in ICT.