First UMTS in the Czech Republic to be launched by T-Mobile
Public 20.06.2005 in category Press News / Services, Pricing, Handsets
- Launch of the world's fastest UMTS network - UMTS TDD
- Complementary data services - high speed data anytime, anywhere
- Substitution of fixed DSL brings real freedom to users
Prague, June 20, 2005 - T-Mobile Czech Republic today announced a new data access strategy tailored to address the needs of the Czech market. The company will launch a wireless broadband network based on UMTS TDD technology from IPWireless in Prague by year-end, with nationwide coverage to be built during subconsequent months. The new technology will bring businesses and individuals faster, more economical data access services which can fully substitute fixed ADSL.
The Czech market has one of the lowest broadband penetration rates in Europe but increasing computer penetration has only whetted the appetite for true broadband services - a hunger that T-Mobile plans to satiate with its world-class wireless broadband offering at very attractive prices. Broadband currently reaches only 2 per cent of the Czech population while EU average is around 10 per cent.
"Today we announce a major step in our strategy based on customers` wishes - we commit ourselves to broadband data as the second business focus area in addition to voice," says Roland Mahler, Managing Director of T-Mobile CZ, adding: "We firmly believe the wireless broadband technology will substitute all fixed network services and the strategy will clearly give T-Mobile further boost on it`s way to being number one operator in the Czech Republic."
T-Mobile aims to maximize the value of its acquired UMTS license by using UMTS TDD technology operating in its "unpaired" 1.9 GHz UMTS spectrum. It will be world's fastest commercial UMTS network, capable of delivering peak sector speeds of up to 4.5 Mbps (average user experience runs to 512 Kbps).
T-Mobile also plans to extend its wireless broadband footprint to cover in the first phase till summer 2006 nearly half of the Czech population by leveraging the same UMTS TDD technology in the 872 MHz spectrum that it recently acquired. In this manner, T-Mobile will be able to offer its superior performance in more than 85 cities. By introducing this "portable DSL" product, T-Mobile will be able to build on the success of its fixed-mobile substitution effort. For the first time, Czech customers will be able to completely give up their fixed lines and become completely unwired both for voice and data access while increasing the comfort, speed, flexibility and reliability of their communication experience.
To further fortify its mobile data leadership on the Czech market, T-Mobile Czech Republic also continues to upgrade its existing 2.5G GPRS network to the significantly faster EDGE technology. EDGE can deliver the most relevant 3G UMTS services, but with much broader coverage and lower rollout costs. The build-out of the nationwide EDGE network will provide a solid base from which to deliver a high performance, "3G-like" user experience anytime, anywhere. By combining UMTS TDD wireless broadband and EDGE in easy-to-use, plug-and-play devices, T-Mobile Czech Republic will provide the best "seamless access" and an "always best connected" user experience.
T-Mobile Czech Republic will also enhance its 3G offering by introducing the next generation of UMTS FDD technology (HSDPA/HSUPA) as soon as it has proven to be a stable and viable commercial offering.
This focus on bringing to market only the most advanced technologies also ensures alignment between technology performance, economics and the Czech customers` demand for value added data services.
UMTS TDD
UMTS TDD, a 3GPP-based technology, is the mobile broadband solution designed for GSM operators. Its high average sector capacity, strong cell edge performance, and low cost per megabit make it an ideal technology for mass market mobile broadband networks. UMTS TDD has emerged as a leading global standard for mobile broadband with commercial deployments in numerous countries around the world including Australia, Germany, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About IPWireless
IPWireless offers advanced standards-based mobile broadband technology that drastically improves the way people connect and communicate at home, at the office, or on the road. With a full range of commercially available network solutions and devices based on the UMTS standard, IPWireless allows operators to offer Complete 3G, a spectrum of completely mobile, portable, or stationary packet-based services with unmatched economics and true broadband performance. The IPWireless Partner Program and chipsets allow device manufacturers and infrastructure vendors to very quickly bring innovative new TD-CDMA solutions to market. IPWireless is a founding member of the Global UMTS TDD Alliance. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ipwireless.com.
About the Company
T-Mobile Czech Republic has been operating in the Czech market since 1996. As of 30 September 2011, almost 5.4 million customers were using T-Mobile services.
T-Mobile operates a public mobile communications network on the GSM and UMTS standards. Since 1 January 2008, T-Mobile has been offering fixed data and voice telecommunications services. In 2009, T-Mobile extended its portfolio to include ICT services and, since November 2010, the operator also offers the T-Mobile TV satellite television service.
T-Mobile has always focused on the quality of offered services. Independent tests have repeatedly confirmed that T-Mobile is the quality leader in 2G and 3G (UMTS FDD) data services, as well as in GSM voice services.
Since its establishment, the company has placed emphasis on excellent customer service and proper conduct towards business partners, employees and the environment. T-Mobile has received, among other awards, the VIA Bona 2009 award for the involvement of its employees in philanthropic and volunteer activities.
T-Mobile is a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom. Thanks to the group’s international presence, customers can count on the worldwide availability of their favourite services and enjoy uniform, favourable prices of calls when abroad.
For more information about the company, please visit t-press.cz or www.t-mobile.cz.
