In mid-2015, the Ministry of Infrastructure estimates that the first 4,000 hotspots will be ready to provide free internet access, in implementation of the announcement by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
Four companies submitted bids for the project, totaling 15 million euros:
– TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION OF GREECE
– TELESTO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
– COSMOS BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INFORMATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY ANONYME
– ZTE HELLAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOCIETE ANONYME
– INTRACOM TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOLUTIONS COMPANY ANONYME
The electronic unsealing of the bids will take place on the morning of Thursday, October 23, while "after the evaluation of the submitted bids, the selected contractors will be invited to sign a framework agreement with the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Posts and subsequently participate in the procedures for concluding executive contracts for the implementation of the project.".
According to the ministry, "it is the largest project internationally in terms of spatial coverage and its results are expected to constitute good practice for the entire European Union.".
The 15 million euros include the cost of procurement and installation of equipment, management software, warranty and network maintenance services, as well as operating costs until the end of October 2015.
In the second phase - which will follow - it is expected that points of special interest and large-scale locations (e.g. parks, ports, archaeological sites) will be included in the network.
Source: protothema.gr
