Modernization of the GSM network started in the Plzeň region

• Installation of new technology started in Western Bohemia and in Brno
• 122 base stations modernized during phase one

Prague, 5 February 2009 - Modernisation of T-Mobile's GSM network has been launched successfully. Installation of new equipment started in selected areas of the Plzeň region and is now continuing in Brno. To date, 122 base transceiver stations (BTS) and three base station controllers (BSC) have been modernized. By 2010 T-Mobile will install Huawei technology in all 4,500 BTSes and 150 BSCes.

"We are happy with the progress of the modernization that started in the third week of January. When put into full operation, the technology functions properly and replacements are being made very quickly," says Heinz Schmid, T-Mobile's Executive Vice President Technology, adding: "A remarkable record was achieved on one BTS in Brno, where joint team of T-Mobile's and the supplier's engineers managed to replace the equipment in five minutes and a quarter."

This project will enable all customers to use the EDGE technology throughout the T-Mobile network. Moreover, the new technology should help enhance the overall quality of services, e.g. by increasing the rate of successfully connected and transferred calls and by reducing the number of interrupted calls. The installed equipment will also support new technologies to be used in the future, such as WAMR (higher quality of voice services) and EDGE2.

Most of the work, with the exception of work at heights, is being done at night in order to minimise any impact on the services provided to customers. Over one to two nights, the old technology is replaced and the new technology is put into operation in one whole area consisting of several tens of BTSes and one BSC. Once the newly installed technology is connected to the T-Mobile network, it is tested - for about two weeks - to check, e.g., the speed of call set-up, rate of successful call transfers between BTSes and the rate of unsuccessful calls.

Four new BSCes (including hundreds of BTSes to be modernized) should be put into operation every month. Beginning in June, the pace of modernization will accelerate, with eight BSCes being replaced each month. Another region where T-Mobile plans to modernize its network is Southern Bohemia. Over 18 months, the new technology will be installed in the entire network consisting of 4,500 BTSes and 150 BSCes.

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.