OT at TΙF – Tsaprounis (NOVA): “We are making the big digital leap”

United Group’s plan to implement investments of 2 billion euros in Greece until 2027 to upgrade the new technology telecommunications infrastructure, but also in the company’s ambitious investment plan, was described by Giorgos Tsaprounis, NOVA’s communications director, speaking at the OT FORUM which takes place within the framework of the 86th Thessaloniki International Fair.

Mr. Tsaprounis referred to the meeting he had last Thursday at Megaros Maximos, which was also attended by Nikos Stathopoulos, President of BC Partners in Europe and the United Group managing director Victoriya Boklag.

Big investment plan

“We have presented a very large investment plan, over 2 billion euros, which will be directed toward a new generation optical fiber network,” he underlined. NOVA’s communications director emphasized that unlike mobile telephony, where Greece is among the elite of European countries, fixed telephony and networks are very inferior: “For about 100 years, copper was the dominant factor in fixed telephony, while in mobile there has been a rapid evolution, and now we are approaching 5G technology” he said characteristically, clarifying that the main medium in fixed telephony is still copper.

Mr. Tsaprounis acknowledged that in recent years, huge investments have been made by all providers. Referring to United Group’s investment plan, he emphasized that it envisages the installation of a 10 Gigabit fiber optic network that will cover 4.5 million individuals and businesses: “This is a technology that will exist in the next generations, it will work for many years.”

“The country is making a digital leap” he underlined.

Speaking about the company’s other moves, Mr. Tsaprounis said investment moves in co-productions, television and content are being promoted, “for the benefit of consumers”: “We’ve got the Premier League games for six seasons, and that’s very positive for someone who will choose the platform” he underlined, stressing that British football has many fans in Greece.

The new technologies

Speaking about the international networks, which until recently “bypassed Greece”, he underlined that there are now partnerships: “We are at the crossroads of large digital cables and interconnections. We will win the wager of new technologies.”

“Investments have a multiplier effect. The 2 billion euros that will be given by United for the construction of the new generation optical fiber network, will have a multiplier effect on the economy of more than three billion euros. If we add these to the investments of the other providers we will make this digital leap. Until now we have taken steps, now we are taking the leap”

“This is a digital revolution, concerning society and entrepreneurship. It concerns medicine, education, fast speeds”, he said, recalling that during the difficult years of the pandemic our country’s communication networks endured, despite the fact that traffic increased tenfold.

Mr. Tsaprounis also underlined that the new technologies are environmentally and climate friendly as they foresee significantly lower, up to 60%, electricity consumption, and he announced new major investments in our Greece by United.