Section SOCIETY
TOPIC

OTE GROUP
Free broadband services in the top archaeological sites in Greece

To promote Greece and the Greek cultural heritage through technology as well as the public’s interactive connection with the sites. To give a higher profile to the 20 most important —in terms of significance and visitability as they were defined by the Ministry of Culture and Sports— Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece, by means of free wireless broadband services and WiFi/2G/3G/4G infrastructures.

Visitors of Archaeological sites, Research and Administrative Staff, Heritage Practitioners, Antiquities Guards, Tourist Guides, University and Technological Educational Institutions Students. 

2016-2020.

Design-Approval-Authorization -Construction in 9 archaeological sites in 2016:

the Acropolis of Athens, the Archaeological site of Knossos, the Archaeological site of Delphi, the Archaeological site of Sounion, the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), the Archaeological site of Akrotiri in Santorini, the Archaeological site of Delos, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes and the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, The Byzantine and Christian Museum

Design-Approval-Authorization -Construction in 11 archaeological sites in 2017: the National Archaeological Museum, Ancient Olympia, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Acropolis of Lindos, Ancient Epidaurus, the Acropolis of Mycenae, Spinalonga, the Museum of Byzantine Culture, Ancient Dodoni and Ancient Corinth

OTE Group and the Ministry of Culture and Sport shall provide said services for a renewable period of three years.

In the framework of Corporate Responsibility as well as OTE Group’s support to culture and society over time, the Group intends to provide telephone and internet services through the 2G/3G/4G WiFi technologies in selected archaeological sites and museums, nationwide. To this end, OTE Group intends to undertake the:

  • Design and construction of all necessary infrastructure for the provision of said services
  • Design and installation of the necessary equipment in museum facilities and spaces visited by the public.
  • Design and building of WiFi hotspots in indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Maintenance of the necessary infrastructures.
  • Interconnection cost of providing free WiFi services to all visitors.
  • The Ministry of Culture and Sports, with which OTE Group signed a memorandum of collaboration for the Cultural Sponsorship;
  • the local competent Ephorates of Antiquities for the signature of Contracts; and
  • the Central Archaeological Council for the approval of the Cultural Sponsorship as well as the studies concerning the infrastructure installation

No

The following have been completed and are operational:

  • The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes and the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
  • The Byzantine and Christian Museum

Works are to start immediately in: Delos, Deplhi, Akrotiri in Santorini

To be completed by the end of 2016: Acropolis, Sounion, Vergina, Knossos

Enabling communication, internet access, access to websites proposed by the Ministry, the digital tour applications and any potential activity resulting from the use of this infrastructure, in the future. Making full use of the overall digital photographic and information material which can be consulted on the Ministry’s Odysseus portal by all visitors, researchers, students, pupils. Enabling the visitors to see the monument that stands before them as it was built and painted by its actual manufacturer; to find out its story and the facts of history that accompany it, by swiping their smartphone or tablet screen in front of the display item. Significantly, in 2015, the Hellenic Statistical Authority recorded

COSMOTE considers as a benefit its pivotal role in Enhancing the Cultural Heritage of Greece, with a strong focus on innovation and technology. This initiative contributes to enhancing our country’s Cultural Heritage, fully informing the visitor as well as addressing their needs by means of technology. In this way, OTE Group helps that the most significant and visited archaeological sites and monuments become more friendly and approachable while providing the competent Ministry, the local Ephorates of Antiquities as well as the research, maintenance and guard staff with more tools for the proper information of the public. There is no doubt that digital tours, QR codes providing further information about the display item, and any digital facilitation will immediately increase the visitability of such sites. In turn, visitors will contribute to the growth of local business and the Greek economy overall. Significantly, the Hellenic Statistical Authority recorded more than 4,370,000 visits to the 10 sites in which we will operate in 2015.