T-Mobile tests LTE and plans to introduce internet speeds of up to 42 Mbps

• The fastest 3G network in the Czech Republic
• Thanks to HSPA+ 42, T-Mobile will be able to offer internet speeds of up to 42 Mbps next year
• LTE is now being tested in Prague’s Roztyly district

Prague, 6 December 2011 – A new era of mobile internet for T-Mobile customers is approaching. Next year, the operator will gradually offer download speeds of up to 42 Mbps in its 3G network. Testing of the new HSPA+ 42 technology is now conducted at  Prague’s Roztyly district. This new technology should then be available in the first locations during the second quarter of 2012. Additionally, test operation of the LTE network is now in progress at the T-Mobile headquarters in Prague. 

“We take our aim of being the technology leader in the Czech Republic very seriously and that is why we want to offer the fastest 3G network with speeds of up to 42 Mbps,” says Frank Meywerk, Technology Director at T-Mobile, adding: “So far we have invested more than four billion crowns into the 3G network. Until the conditions for launching the LTE network are clear, we will focus fully on bringing our customers the 3G network in the highest quality available.“ 

T-Mobile is the first and so far only operator in the Czech Republic to offer HSPA+ technology enabling download speeds of up to 21 Mbps throughout its 3G network. One year after the introduction of the technology, the next stage in the evolution of high-speed mobile internet is now being tested: the new HSPA+ 42 technology will enable T-Mobile to offer data download speeds of up to 42 Mbps in its 3G network. This will bring customers not only an enhanced experience when browsing the internet but also increased data capacity. The enhancement will be achieved by changing the parameters at the existing 3G base transceiver stations.   

In the next year, the new technology should become gradually available in areas with the highest customer interest in mobile web browsing. Its introduction will require investments in expanding the transmission capacities. “The volume of data in the 3G network has increased fourfold  in the past year. Therefore expansion of the capacity is a must so that customers are not limited in any way when using the internet,” explains Frank Meywerk. 

LTE testing in Prague’s Roztyly district
A time-limited test operation of LTE technology is also currently in progress at T-Mobile headquarters. The tested LTE network uses the digital dividend frequencies. The technology allows download speeds of up to 75 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 25 Mbps when using the 10 MHz frequency. LTE can use the bandwidth of up to 20 MHz, which means twice as fast download and upload speeds (150/50 Mbps). 

The test operation follows similar pilot projects carried out within the Deutsche Telekom Group, e.g. in Germany and Austria. As compared to the 3G networks, LTE will offer several times higher transmission speeds and more than 50% lower latency, which is important, for example, for on-line games, video calls, etc. 

The commercial launch of the technology, however, is now limited by the adoption of an amendment to the Electronic Communications Act and by the Czech Telecommunication Office’s announcement of the radio-spectrum auction. The conditions of the auction, its results, i.e. what spectrum the operator wins, and financial requirements will then be the decisive factors for the introduction of the fourth-generation network.

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.