Press releases archive - Eurotel

On 1st December 2005 Eurotel launched commercial operation of its third generation UMTS network. Eurotel customers were offered the first and only comprehensive offer of UMTS services in the Czech Republic supporting not only data transmission, but also voice, video and quality real time multimedia services. All contract as well as prepaid Eurotel customers can enjoy quality high-speed Internet access, video calls, up-to-date multimedia applications, fast video and music downloads or TV streaming and real time traffic cameras. All this without any unnecessary delays. There is no special activation needed to enter the world of UMTS - all that customers need is a Eurotel SIM card and UMTS enabled mobile handset or data card.

Internet Speed - change gears to go faster!

Eurotel now upgrades its UMTS by adding the most advanced HSDPA technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) that supports dramatically faster data transmission in the UMTS network; during the phase one the speed will reach up to 1 024 kbit/s of realistic transmission speed. Over the next two years the speed will be gradually growing. "Launching the UMTS network we promised our customers that we would bring HSDPA before mid-year. We're delivering on this promise now by launching this latest ultra-modern technology for high-speed mobile data transmission and Internet access into commercial operation. Our customers will be among the first people in the world who will be able to use this epochal service," says Stanislav Kůra, Chief Strategy and Product Development Officer of Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. and he adds: "In the phase one we are introducing a data card for laptops, and in the next months we are going to present mobile handsets compatible with the technology as well."

With the HSDPA technology the speed of data transmission in the UMTS network enters new dimension. Customers now get really high-speed access to Internet, company networks and applications no matter when and where they are - whether at home, in the office or on business travel in the Czech Republic or abroad. The technology represents an essential improvement of the potential of remote mobile data communication. The technology enables fast downloads and uploads of e-mail messages containing large attachments, data synchronisation, downloading of large files or browsing through Internet sites, and eliminates unpleasant waiting.

Internet Speed - monthly flat fee for 699 CZK

A PCMCIA card for Huawei E620 notebook combining HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS technologies is prepared for customers. The price starts at 2 995 CZK for customers who sign a two-year contract and commit to minimum monthly payment of 600 CZK. The Internet Speed service can be used without limitations for only 699 CZK per month. With the monthly flat fee customers are not charged for the volume of transmitted data or for the time they spend on-line. Customers using a different data tariff, where the volume of transmitted data is subject to charge, can also use the speed options offered by the HSDPA technology. If they use HSDPA card, the data transmission speed will be increased automatically for these tariffs.

Mobile high-speed Internet for more than 80 % of the Czech population

Only customers in Prague and Brno can use the Internet Speed service at the moment. However, Eurotel considers HSDPA the key access technology and will continue working on the coverage roll-out to other large cities in the next two years. In other areas of the Czech Republic GPRS and EDGE technologies secure 99 % mobility for customers. The HSDPA technology is yet another piece in the mosaic of various technologies offered by Eurotel. In most parts of the Czech Republic customers can choose their Internet access solution that best suits their needs. In combination with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology Eurotel offers the high-speed mobile data communication to more than 80 % of the population! No other mobile operator in the Czech Republic is able to offer a comparable complex proposition, coverage, speed and international compatibility of the high-speed mobile data transmission.

HSDPA abroad - growing number of countries

Eurotel is one of the first operators to launch HSDPA, however, the transmission speed options supported by this technology are available abroad as well. Among more than 80 operators of UMTS networks operating in more than 40 countries of the world, there are 10 operators in 6 countries who also support this great new service. Eurotel customers will be able to use this super-fast technology for example in selected cities of the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Portugal or Bulgaria. The number of operators implementing this technology is continuously growing. By the end of the year the technology will be implemented in the networks of a few dozens of operators in other countries.

Nokia - technology supplier

Eurotel is working on the launch of the HSDPA technology together with the leader of UMTS and HSDPA infrastructure development, and mobile handsets manufacturer - Nokia. Pentti Tolonen, General Manager, Networks, Nokia comments on the partnership: "We are very pleased to support Eurotel in launching HSDPA services, which is an important milestone for the Czech Republic and Telefónica Group. Nokia HSDPA solution makes real mass-market mobile multimedia possible, and shows further proof of Nokia's strength in advanced radio network technologies."

For more details about the service visit www.eurotel.cz, Eurotel points of sales or contact our customer service by phone at 800 333 333 toll free. The prices are quoted excluding VAT.