T-Mobile: Only a minimum of drivers drive without a handsfree set

• T-Mobile recorded a more than 200% increase in sales of handsfree devices in July
• Dozens of drivers were penalized for using mobile phones while driving in Prague in July
• The behavior of drivers is continuously monitored within the JaXmobilem project

Prague, 8 August 2006 - The new highways act, which came into effect on 1 July, caused an increased demand for handsfree sets. At the end of June and during July, demand more than doubled compared to the same period last year. Demand started to increase at the beginning of the year, when the final new version of the highways act was announced. This was also reflected in the number of traffic violations committed by drivers. According to the statistics of the Prague Metropolitan Authority, its transport division received 4,986 reports of traffic violations punished with penalty points during July. However, only 42 (i.e. less than 1%) cases of this number were violations related to the use of mobile phones without handsfree sets while driving.

T-Mobile customers were mostly buying the so-called light handsfree sets (headsets) that can be used in a car, on a bicycle, while working or shopping. Sets supporting Bluetooth, which allow their users to change their phone without buying a new handsfree set, are also popular. 

"We are aware of the danger associated with using a mobile phone while driving without using a handsfree set. We are making the maximum effort to meet the demand of our customers and we offer all types of handsfree sets, whether headsets, in-vehicle or plug-in handsfree sets," said Martina Kemrová, Head of External Communication at T-Mobile Czech Republic, adding: "The increase in sales clearly shows that drivers know that even a high-quality handsfree set costs less than the fine imposed for using a phone without one. The issue of the danger of using a phone while driving is also addressed within the long-term JaXmobilem mobile etiquette project."

JaXmobilem is the first Czech mobile etiquette project in the Czech Republic. An exclusive survey of Czech people's behavior in relation to the use of mobile phones showed that 70% of Czech drivers make phone calls when driving, but only 72% of these use a handsfree set. The JaXmobilem project attempts to advise mobile phone users how to use their mobile with consideration. Rules for appropriate use of mobile phones are contained in "mobile ten commandments", where the first commandment is "Drive with both hands on the wheel". For more information on the project see www.jaxmobilem.cz.

Note for editors:

Handsfree and the law
The amendment of Act No. 361/2000 Coll. on Road Traffic, which came into force on 1 July 2006 regulates, among other things, the use of mobile phones while driving. In Section 7(1)(c) it stipulates that: "Drivers must not hold in their hands or in any other way a telephone or any other communication or recording device."
A driver who breaches this provision of the Act may be penalized according to Section 22 (1)(f) of Act No. 200/1990 Coll. on Misdemeanors and Minor Offences, as amended, with three penalty points and a fixed fine of CZK 1,000 when imposed on the spot or CZK 1,500 to 2,500 when imposed within administrative proceedings. Just one such violation will thus cost the driver the same amount as a top-quality Bluetooth-supporting handsfree device offered by T-Mobile.

Handsfree and JaXmobilem
According to the results of an exclusive survey carried out by the IBRS company for T-Mobile's JaXmobilem project, a total of 70% of Czech drivers use their phones while driving, of which 72% uses a handsfree device, which means that 28% of Czech drivers do not use handsfree devices when driving. Mobile phones are most often used by drivers between 35 and 44 years of age. The less frequent users are young drivers under 24. The most responsible drivers are aged 35 to 44.

Age category	Mobile phone users	Of which users of a handsfree set
18 - 54 years	70 %	72 %
18 - 24 years	44 %	59 %
25 - 34 years	72 %	70 %
35 - 44 years	89 %	81 %
45 - 54 years	67 %	68 %

Source: T-Mobile, 4Q/2005

Types of handsfree devices

Light, i.e. headsets
Light handsfree sets are characterized by their light weight. Users can carry these devices with them all the time. They normally consist of a headphone (or headphones) that is inserted directly in the ear. They are often sold with music-enabled mobile phones because they also serve as headphones when listening to music. Some types are connected to the device through wires and can only be used with the given type series of phones from the given producer, or they can be wireless with Bluetooth, and thus universal for phones from different suppliers.
T-Mobile's offer includes almost forty headsets including popular stylish Bluetooth headphones, such as H500, HBH-PV700 or BH-200. A list of all light handsfree sets available at T-Mobile can be found here after selecting the Headsety category and clicking the Vyhledat button.

In-vehicle
In-vehicle handsfree devices are connected to the car. There are also two types:
- those designed directly for the given type series of phones; the phone is inserted into the device
- devices using Bluetooth, which do not include a phone charger as standard; however, this can be purchased separately
At T-Mobile, you can choose from five types. For more information, see:
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/569
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/520
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/470
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/212
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/496

Plug-in
The so-called plug-in sets are somewhere in between. Their name indicates that they are inserted into the 12 V socket (car cigarette lighter) and connected to the phone. These sets include a loudspeaker and a sensitive microphone and usually also use the Bluetooth technology. T-Mobile customers can choose one of four types of plug-in sets. For more information see:
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/553
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/514
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/482
http://t-mobile.cz/Web/Residential/Telefony/DetailPrislusenstvi.aspx/Detail/505

Special
This category is not defined in a particular way and includes different handsfree options, such as devices installed by the producer directly in the car, integrated in the car radio or navigation system. These sets usually use Bluetooth. Some car producers supply handsfree sets with their own phones or receivers to which the SIM card is inserted. Users of this type of device can use the T-Mobile Twin SIM card service offering two SIM cards that can be used with one telephone number. Thus they can use the same number in their mobile phone as well as in the car. For example, with the new Škoda Octavia, such a handsfree device costs CZK 12,900. 

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.