T-MOBILE LAUNCHES LTE IN PRAGUE AND MLADÁ BOLESLAV

Download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, upload speeds of up to 37.5 Mbps
The technology supports tablets, modems and smartphones, as well as voice calls
Data downloaded via LTE during the trial operation does not use up the data allowance

Prague, 1 July 2013 – T-Mobile today launched the trial operation of the LTE network for its customers using mobile internet. The fastest network experience can now be tested by all customers who have an LTE-enabled device, are in an area covered by the LTE network and register in the LTE network (via an SMS, the My T-Mobile service, the operator’s Customer Centre or at a T-Mobile shop). The LTE network currently covers the city of Mladá Boleslav, a part of the Prague 4 borough and the operator’s buildings in Louny and Hradec Králové. T-Mobile will gradually expand the LTE network coverage in the capital of the Czech Republic by the end of the year.

“With LTE, we are bringing a new-generation mobile network to customers, which, in addition to higher data transmission speeds, offers a significantly lower response time that is fully comparable with a fixed-line connection. This is in line with our strategy of providing the fastest mobile network to our customers,” says Milan Hába, Vice President Category & Product Management at T-Mobile, adding: “During the trial operation, data downloaded via LTE will not use up data allowances available within data bundles and plans, so customers can test the fastest network to the fullest.” Customers can use LTE with their existing plans and standard SIM cards.

LTE enables download speeds of up to 100 Mbps as compared with the current maximum of 42 Mbps in the 3G (HSPA+ 42) network; upload speeds can reach 37.5 Mbps (against the current 5.76 Mbps). A 700MB movie can be realistically downloaded within one and a half minutes in the LTE network, while it would take 19 minutes in the 3G network. An e-mail with a 5MB attachment can be sent in three seconds when using the LTE network, whereas nearly nine times that amount of time would be needed in the 3G network.

T-Mobile’s LTE network supports tablets, USB modems and smartphones, including calls – this is enabled by the CS FallBack function, which transfers the device during the call into the 3G or 2G network and then back to LTE. The operator’s portfolio includes a number of handsets that are LTE ready; the only condition for their connection to the network is update of their firmware. Devices that can be connected to the LTE network currently include Sony Xperia Z handsets; updates for other models such as the HTC One, HTC One SV, Nokia Lumia 820, Samsung Galaxy S4, BlackBerry Q10 and Apple iPhone 5 are being developed in cooperation with their respective manufacturers and will be available in the coming weeks.

The trial operation will take at least two months, during which customers can provide their feedback to the operator via Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #tmobileLTE. T-Mobile will use customers’ comments for further improvements of the LTE network before putting it into commercial operation.

As of 1 July, T-Mobile has also terminated the LTE pilot operation with special SIM cards in Mladá Boleslav.

For more information, including a coverage map and currently supported devices, please visit t-mobile.cz/LTE.

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.