LIBERALIZING TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS - POLITICAL EXTERNALITIES IN THE GREEK CASE

In the course of technological change in the information technology ar ea and of completing the internal European market, reforms in the trad itional structure of the European telecommunication sector have become a key issue. This paper presents the policy reforms in the Greek case . Focusing first on the importance of regulation as a background activ ity to any type of change, the paper then gives an overview of the sit uation in the Greek telecommunication sector and evaluates the plans f or privatization. It is argued that the new regulatory framework and t he shift to private ownership are necessary, but not sufficient, condi tions to deal with the political externalities the country faces.