T-Mobile in 2018: Investments higher by 8%, best network, growth in FMC area

•  Investments achieved CZK 4.2 billion
• Successful launch of Magenta 1 program brought strong growth in fix and TV services
• Highest network quality confirmed by P3 test Best-In-Test Award and dsl.cz certificate

Prague, February 21, 2019 – The year 2018 was a year of changes and at the same time of a success for T-Mobile Czech Republic. Not only did the company proved its leading position on the mobile market and confirmed the world-class network quality, but it has also successfully continued in transforming itself into a converged company noting rapid growth in the field of fixed Internet and TV services.. Especially Magenta 1, a new product combining advantageous FMC services, contributed to the very good results. These promising figures underline the carrier’s focus and dedication to becoming the first choice in the area of convergent services.

Investments in technologies and customer experience

In 2018, T-Mobile invested CZK 4.2 billion (by CZK 300 million more compared to 2017) and introduced a number of new products and services. The Operator started roll-out of its own optical infrastructure, improved its mobile network and – in a consortium with other operators – finished coverage of a pilot section of Prague underground Muzeum – Roztyly.

The Operator focuses on the highest network quality. In 2018, TMCZ continued to improve its LTE network. At the end of last year, the fastest mobile internet technology covered 99.1% of the population of the Czech Republic. Combined coverage of 3G and LTE networks reached 99.23% of the population. Moreover, LTE Advanced (LTE-A) technology is now installed on 52% of TMCZ´s LTE transmitters. Thanks to all the improvements, TMCZ was able to offer the fastest Czech LTE network in 2018, which was proven by independentmeasurement by the DSL.cz server. Also, the Operator was awarded with the certificate Best in Test from P3 for the best results in all categories in measurements of Czech mobile networks. Not only winning the previous categories Voice and Data, the Operator also won in the new category – crowdsourcing.

The quality of the operator’s network and its capacity, stability and safety are among T-Mobile´s main priorities. In 2018, the operator was the first to test Massive MIMO 5G feature

TMCZ enriched its product portfolio as well, both for retail and business customers.

B2C: In February, it launched Magenta 1 service offering benefits (incl. Extra data packages) to customers who combine mobile and/or fixed-line services under one contract, the Operator also focused on improvement of its fix and fix-mobile solutions by launching Plug-In internet complementing a very successful product Fixed-line Internet over the Air. As to the TV offer, TMCZ added exclusive content for its customers: BBC Earth documentary channel, or European football leagues within Digi Sport 1 and 2. Also, the Operator introduced a new version of Můj T-Mobile application with improved features. A half a million of customers use monthly the digital tool to manage their services, have detailed overview of their accounts with an advantage of special offers

B2B: In the first half of the year, T-Mobile has launched Extra pro podnikatele ("Extra for Business Customers"), a new offer for VSE and SME customers. They can now combine mobile and fixed-line calls and fixed-line and mobile internet access under one contract. In second half of the year, the Operator opened its 10th data center in CZ, and launched a comprehensive solution of the Internet of Things.

Customers: Number 1 in mobile, growing fix and IPTV

Mobile:  As of 31 December 2018, T-Mobile’s mobile services were being used nearly by 6.2 million customers, of whom nearly 4 million were contract customers (close to 65% of the customer base).

Fixed broadband: In 2018, T-Mobile has changed the device acquisition model for selected fixed services. Customers no longer buy the device, but they rent it and thus gain a benefit of permanent device upgrade and maintenance. Fixed services, including xDSL, Pevný internet vzduchem (Fixed Internet Over the Air), or Pevný internet do zásuvky (Plug-in Fixed Line Internet), are currently used by 251,000 customers, including 75,000 new signings over the last 12 months.TV: T-Mobile TVs on IPTV or satellite platforms are used by almost 86,000 customers, by 49,000 more than in 2017.

Data taking over

While the number of minutes or SMS stagnates, the total volume of data transferred in the Operator´s network continues to grow significantly; in mobile, it grew by 26.1%, reaching nearly 55,300 TB, mobile and fix-wireless access grew by 150%, exceeding 172,800 TB. The introduction of Plug-in Internet or Magenta 1 tariffs in 2018 – which offer the possibility to share the data volume in the group of users and extra data packages – contributed, among other factors, to the increased usage of data services.

Sound financial results

Total revenues from mobile and fixed services, including hardware sales, exceeded CZK 27 billion in 2018, which represents year-on-year growth by 0.7%. The intense usage of data services is mirrored in the share of non-voice services in ARPU from mobile services, which reached almost 51%.

As of 31 December 2018, T-Mobile Czech Republic had nearly 3,500 employees. Last year, the company paid almost CZK 4 billion into the Czech Republic’s national budget (in the form of VAT, corporate income tax, road tax and real estate tax).

Final overview

“The year 2018 proved our strategy focusing on integrated services brings tangible results: more customers believe us using more products appreciate it, which brings sound financial results”, comments José Perdomo Lorenzo, Managing Director of T-Mobile Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom, adding: “For me personally, working with such a professional and committed team is a great experience and opportunity.” 

Juraj Bona, B2C and FMC Director TMCZ and ST (and Director of Commercial Division CZ, as of March 1, 2019) complements: “In T-Mobile, we are aware of our responsibility towards the society and we are highly committed to support its digitalization. In next months, we intend to speed-up fiber roll-out and we are ready to take part in discussing any measures heading towards digital future of the Czech Republic”.

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.