Telephone

There is currently only one main telephone line provider in Greece, O.T.E.

To install a new phone line ('nea sindesi') apply in person at the nearest OTE office with your passport and tax number (AFM).

There is a one-time connection charge of 29.34 Euros + VAT. Non-Greeks may also be asked to pay a deposit against future bills.

If you are changing an existing phone line into your name from someone else's ('metavivassi') both parties should go to the OTE office with their passports and tax numbers.

There are many 'fixed telephony' providers such as Forthnet, Telepassport, Tellas, Q Telecom and a number of others who all offer cheaper rates particularly for overseas, long distance and mobile phone calls. You must have a normal OTE line installed and you will be billed as usual by OTE for line rental. You can then sign up to a fixed telephony provider at no charge for cheaper rate phone calls.

Mobile phones are very popular in Greece. The main network providers are Cosmote, Vodaphone/Panafon, and Telestet/TIM. Pay-as-you go cards are available from 7 Euros at phone shops and cigarette kiosks. For a mobile phone on a monthly contract a tax number and ID is usually required.

Post

"ELTA" is the Greek postal service and covers the whole of Greece and the islands.

It is possible to have mail delivered to the Poste Restante at a local post office if you have no permanent postal address.

Internet

The Internet is becoming very popular in Greece, although uptake still lags behind the rest of Europe. There are many Internet cafes in the towns, and larger villages will usually have at least one. Cost is around 6 Euros an hour to surf in an Internet cafe.

Dial up connections and ISDN are widely available. ADSL/Broadband Internet is currently available in the towns and some suburbs, but is not yet available in villages and all parts of the country.

The main internet service providers are Otenet, Forthnet, Tellas, Hellas online and Panafonet.

TV

There are numerous national Greek TV channels as well as local ones in different parts of the country. American and English films are usually aired nightly on 2 or 3 channels, in English with Greek subtitles.

The Greek Satellite TV Company, Nova, has deals starting from 290 Euros for the basic package (dish, digibox) plus monthly subscription fees of 54 Euros. Channels include Movies, Sports, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Music Channels and the Cartoon Network. Most films and documentaries are in English with Greek subtitles.

A small charge for the TV licence fee is automatically added to all electricity bills!