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Brits and Irish expats will find that Greece's earlier period of socialism has left the country's utilities structure in a slow process of change. In PTT, the national telephone company, OTE still dominates the house phone market, while international and mobile services are well de-regulated, competitive and provide efficient service.
OTE - the State Telephone Service Provider
 Photo: OTE - Regional HQ for Crete, El Greco Park, Heraklion with Retail Shop and Customer Service Centre on Ground Floor.
© Gerald Brown
Fixed line service through the national telephone company, OTE (Οργανισμός Τηλεπικοινωνιών της Ελλάδος - the Telecomms Organisation of Greece) can have your new phone line installed in a week or in a year, sometimes two, depending on your location and available lines.
There is to be opening up of the fixed line business, but for now the choice is between OTE and Forthnet. There is wider choice of service for making long distance/overseas calls. You can buy pre-paid telephone cards from about 10 euros from "peripteros" (tobacco kiosks) at street corners and other outlets, including mini marts.
PTT Mobile and Internet Services
The subject of mobile phones and Internet is covered at length in our FAQ page.
Needless to say, OTE (through subsidiary Otenet) is under competition and industry de-regulation, and has reduced its Internet charges three times in 2007 and improved its ADSL infrastructure.
Otenet lowest nominal access speed was enhanced from 768/192 kbps to 1024/256 kbps in December 2007. Greece has one of the best phone infrastructures in Europe and mobile is universally used across the country. There are still a few mountainous areas with a weak signal but they are few and far between.
Post Codes in Crete
Links for the Hellenic Post' - postal codes for the island of Crete here .
Hellenic Post - Local Postal Deliveries
Sometimes ELTA postal delievries can be erratic but basically a reliable service whether you are located in the village or big town. Many locations have poor numbering of houses, and many times no street name at all. The solution for the Hellenic Post has been to focus on the main local kafeneio where mail is dropped off. It actually can turn out to be a very personal service where mail gets delivered, perhaps by unorthodox means, but it does work.
Depending on the time of day, time of year or other extraneous reasons, the postman may or may not get further than the chosen kafeneio. As a result, the authorities are trying to bring services to a higher standard of delivery efficiency with the introduction of P O boxes grouped at strategic locations - easy for the postman and easy for the residents.
Domestic and Airmail Postal Services
Postal service between UK or Eire and Crete and vice versa takes between 2 and 7 days for letters and small packets to arrive. There is no customs between the EU countries but there are certain limitations such as the number of cigarettes sent through the mail. Mail deliveries are generally good. Registered items are fast and safe both inside Greece and to and from external destinations.
ELTA Courier - EMS / SPM Overnight Express and Courier Delivery
The Greek Post Office provides ELTA Courier offers the Express Mail Service - EMS, and Special Priority Mail - SPM, domestic and international next day and 2-day delivery services (Speedpost). Nationwide toll free telephone number is 800 11 83000 for more information. These services are operated by: TACHIMETAFORES ELTA S.A., the ELTA Courier division of Hellenic Post. They are excellent and reliable. They tend to cost less than other commercial courier companies with same time frame deliveries. Download here Speedpost/overnight delivery services rates for Greece and abroad.
Tachimetafores ELTA regional Centres on Crete are located at: CHANIA, Kissamou 105-107; HERAKLION, Ethn. Antistaseos 140 B; AGIOS NIKOLAOS, Mich. Sfakianaki 10; IERAPETRA, Ethn. Antistaseos 44; and at RETHYMNON (Rethimo), Giampoudaki 16.
Private Courier Companies in Greece
For some reason, courier companies such as DHL Greece and Federal Express Greece have designated Crete to be outside their normal 'service area' - resulting in premium charges. TNT Express also operates in Crete.
DHL Greece
DHL Greece nationwide telephone for customer service is ++30-210 9890000.
DHL Hellas is handled by ACS Courier Services on the island of Crete. Telephone numbers by Prefecture (Nomos) :
HERAKLION: Mires 28920-29147, Iraklio 2810-333639, Hersonissos 28970-25067.
LASITHI: Aghios Nikolaos 28410-24252, Ierapetra 28420-26626, Sitia 28430-24414.
RETHYMNON: Rethymno 28310-35535.
XANIA (CHANIA): Xanion (Hania) 28210-92520.
FedEx Greece
FedEx is handled in Greece by Orbit Couriers S.A. telephone: ++30-210-6620222. (Orbit Couriers website is only in Greek).
Growing Courier Traffic
Such is the volume of traffic that there is a regular cargo flight between Heraklion and Athens to cope with increasing demand.
Other Useful Reference Pages on Ex Pat Living in Crete:
Schools for Foreign Children
Being part of the EU, Greece through state organisations has sponsored Schools for Foreign Children, including the EU, European School Heraklion. A true experience of bringing the kids over in "Making the Leap with Kids".
Public Utilities
Public Utilities - Electricity and water. Explanation of billing.
Living in Winter is Different
Crete - you know the weather is good that is why you come to Southern Greece but Crete also has a winter climate and its house heating implications.
Healthcare and Medical Services
Essential reading, including the private Cretan Medicare Centres.
Cretan Culture
Retaining language and customs yet making foreigners feel inclusive along with choices in local TV Viewing.
Updated Cost of Living Details - February 2008
More important information for calculating the cost of living on fixed income on a monthly basis.
Stores and Supermarkets Grocery Shopping
From small village stores, to large supermarket chains, like Carrefour and Lidl, Crete has it all. A Quick guide to what is available.
Citizens Advice Bureaus in Greece (K.E.P.)
Your short cut to the Ministries and who is responsible for what.
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