It’s surprising that a country like Greece, which is welcoming digital nomads and remote workers through parliamentary voting laws, would have such poor telecommunications services.
Unfortunately, it’s a harsh reality that needs to be addressed. This article is based on personal experiences that have been documented for years.
Perhaps the Greek government assumes that digital nomads do not need a good internet connection or mobile telephony service.
Or even worse, they may assume that all digital nomads will choose Athens as their destination.
While some parts of Athens and its surrounding areas may have acceptable services, the people who design these laws can only see that far.
However, most digital nomads are seeking to escape chaotic lifestyles in big cities, so they will not necessarily look at Athens.
It’s essential to inform Greek politicians and corporations that the rest of the country exists, too.
Regardless of which company supplies the service, it won’t make much of a difference. They are all more or less the same.
Cosmote, in particular, is the worst of the lot, though Vodafone and Wind currently known as Nova, aren’t any better.
Despite having been given the earth and the moon by the Greek governments and substantial European funds over the years in order for them to provide specific services, they have consistently failed to deliver.
If you plan on moving to Greece for a short or longer period of time and your work depends on a good internet connection, here’s what you should know:
Avoid choosing any remote locations. Don’t choose a small island, not even popular ones like Mykonos or Santorini, because none of them have good telecoms.
Don’t expect your connection to reach the promised speeds; be prepared for much lower speeds.
Be ready to pay high monthly fees for a service that will fail at least half the time.
Cosmote-provided routers will burn out at the slightest storm, and you will need to replace them.
Cosmote may even charge you for the equipment, even if you have returned it immediately.
Don’t set bills to be paid automatically via your bank account or card. You can pay them through the app when the time is right.
Double-check your bills at all times. It’s common to see charges you don’t recognize that shouldn’t be there.
When you call the provider, they will apologize for their “mistake,” but it raises the question of how many times the same action can be considered a “mistake” and be forgiven as one.
As for mobile telephony, it’s better to get a pay-as-you-go card from another country like Italy. Here’s why:
- Costs in Greece are sky-high.
- Services are very poor. In 2023, there are areas in Greece where mobile telephony signal does not exist.
- You will learn to become friends with the “No Service” sign on your phone. So even if you pay a huge amount of money every month, you will be left without a signal for mobile telephony and mobile data for hours and maybe days.
- 5G exists only in certain areas of Athens.
To conclude, it is important to not fall for misleading advertisements if you are considering a move to Greece.
Prepare yourself for the challenges that come with the country’s telecom services.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that many businesses have invested significant resources into providing quality internet to their customers.
If you are not a direct client, it is important to confirm that your chosen location has the necessary infrastructure before arriving.
If you plan on staying in Greece for an extended period and require a reliable internet connection for work, there is some positive news.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has begun to roll out in Greece and is currently available in select regions.
While the service may not be accessible throughout the country at this time, it could be a valuable option for those residing in remote locations. Or the islands where traditional telecom services are substandard.
And we can assure you that you will face no challenges with installation and equipment.
Starlink is a much-needed solution for individuals in need of a dependable internet connection.
And just to avoid any assumptions… we are in no way whatsoever linked to Starlink. We are just stating facts.