MOBILE SIGNAL IN THE FIRST THREE STATIONS OF PRAGUE’S UNDERGROUND

• 4G signal available in the Muzeum – Vyšehrad section
• The remaining parts of the pilot section to be completed in October this year 

Prague, 2 October 2018 – After less than six months from the execution of a contract enabling the start of works in Prague’s underground, a consortium of operators launched 4G signal in a part of the C line today. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., passengers travelling in the Muzeum – Vyšehrad section can use mobile services both in the stations and in the tunnels between them. The entire Muzeum – Roztyly pilot section will be put into commercial operation by the end of October 2018. The launch of signal in the pilot section will be followed by coverage of the remaining 57 underground stations. The entire rollout is financed and provided by a consortium of operators consisting of T-Mobile, CETIN, O2 and Vodafone. Mobile services will thus be available to all customers of both these and virtual operators. Covering all 61 underground stations[1] will cost the operators half a billion Czech crowns; the works are scheduled to be completed by 2022.

Intensive negotiations with Prague Public Transit Company (Dopravní podnik hlavního města Prahy) on the conditions of the contract that would enable the operators to start the rollout took two years. The contract was signed in April this year; the rollout in the Muzeum – Roztyly pilot section of the C line began one month later, following the necessary preparations. Since installation and assembly works can only be performed for two and a half hours at night during the work week, the speed with which the first section was completed can be regarded as a major success. 

Facts and figures:

• The consortium of operators is covering the underground with 4G technology at their own costs, which are estimated at half a billion Czech crowns.

• The entire Muzeum – Roztyly pilot section will be put into commercial operation by mid-November 2018; all stations should be covered by 2021.

• The project is organised on behalf of all operators in the consortium by T-Mobile.

• Signal will be available to customers of all mobile operators, including virtual operators.

• It takes two months to cover the tunnel between two stations in both directions.

• Seventy technicians work on the project every day.

• The shortest vs. the longest tunnel: 500 m (Muzeum – I.P. Pavlova) x 1300 m (Kačerov – Roztyly)

• Up to CZK 10,000,000 is needed to cover the section between two stations.

[1] Note for experts on Prague’s underground: Interchange stations are counted twice – the operators cover both levels. The same technology will also be installed in the new stations of the A line covered previously.  

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.