The best signal coverage is getting even better

• T-Mobile has the best network in the Czech Republic according to an independent survey carried out by P3 Solutions
• Replacement of technologies completed in West Bohemia; South Bohemia and North Moravia to follow

Prague, 23 July 2009 - T-Mobile has the most reliable network in the Czech Republic according to an independent survey carried out by P3 Solutions. However, T-Mobile is not resting on its laurels and continues to work on improving the network quality. The most significant project in this respect is currently the modernization of the 2G network, which is still underway even during the summer. At the end of June, the technicians completed the replacement of technology in West Bohemia. The service teams are now heading for South Bohemia and North Moravia to replace a total of 800 base transceiver stations (BTS) during July and August. The new network components supplied by Huawei have already been implemented in 1,100 base stations.

P3 Solutions: T-Mobile has the best network
In its survey, P3 Solutions focused on the quality of the 2G networks of the three largest Czech operators, and monitored the level of voice and data services. The T-Mobile network fared best in both aspects.

During the survey, almost 40,000 test calls and data transmissions were made in all networks over the course of 2008. The quality of signal coverage and services was tested both in urban and rural areas and on the country's roads. It is certainly worth mentioning that T-Mobile attained the best Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), which was 99.6% of all calls on average for the whole country. Telefónica O2 ranked second and Vodafone third in this respect.

T-Mobile also scored a victory with respect to 2G data services (GPRS/EDGE). Vodafone and Telefónica placed second and third, respectively. The measurements focused on the average achieved download speed on a mobile phone. T-Mobile's excellent results are attributable particularly to the high level of coverage of the Czech population by EDGE signal - at present more than 91% of the Czech population can use data services via EDGE. In addition, EDGE should be available in the entire T-Mobile network after the completion of the modernization process.

2G modernization continues
Since the beginning of summer, T-Mobile customers in West Bohemia have been able to enjoy the benefits of new technologies supplied by Huawei. In addition to data transfers via EDGE, which is now available in the whole region, customers may try out another new functionality, Paging Coordination, which allows users to accept a call even if they are browsing the web. Until now, a user browsing the web was unavailable to take calls, but now telephones can receive incoming calls also when connected to the internet. If there is an incoming call, the data connection is suspended and renewed after the call is finished.

The new technology has also significantly improved other quality parameters of the T-Mobile network. The tests carried out up to now show that the new technology has helped to substantially reduce (by one-third) the rate of early terminated calls.

The 1,000^th modernized BTS is located in Drahoňův Újezd near Plzeň in West Bohemia. The service teams are now moving to South Bohemia, where all base stations will be replaced by the end of this year.

Modernization is well underway also in Moravia. According to the plan, works near Brno were interrupted and the technicians headed for North Moravia, specifically the Beskydy and Jeseníky mountain ranges. In these areas, the new technology must be installed before winter comes. The modernization of base stations in South Moravia should be completed by the end of the year.

Huawei technology is now in use in more than 1,100 base stations and this number should approach 2,000 by the end of summer. The T-Mobile network contains a total of 4,500 base stations. 

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.