Nick Caplin - Head of Communications said:Thank you for your patience and encouragement over the last few weeks. As covered in the post from earlier today, you can now update the firmware on your PS3 and will be able to change your password when PSN services are restored in your country. Kazuo Hirai just announced that we have begun the phased restoration by region of some of the services, starting with online multiplayer functionality.
Please note that these services will take a bit of time to be turned on and rolled out to the whole region. The process has begun and some countries are being turned on now, so please be patient as we reach you.
In the meantime, now’s a great time to get your PS3′s firmware updated and change your password, both of which are required to get online.
Update: the phased restoration of certain PSN services has begun. We’ll let you know as each territory goes online via @PlayStationEU on twitter, at which point you will be able change your PSN password.
PlayStation Blog Europe
PlayStation Twitter Europe
As soon as multiplayer functionality and all of GT5's online features have been restored, new Club events will be posted. The Championship will follow shortly afterwards once we've confirmed that everything is working correctly.
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Edit:
PSN Welcome Back Schemes:
Europe
North America
Edit:
Sony have released details of their identity theft protection programme for the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.
Identity Theft Protection Programme