Press releases archive - Eurotel
Eurotel to Close NMT Based Voice Services at the Beginning of June
Prague, 12th May 2006 - Eurotel Praha spol. s r.o. has decided to end voice traffic in its NMT network operating in the 450 MHz band. NMT services will be ceased at the end of June and beginning of July. As voice operations on the older analogue technology network are closed, all T!P voice services using the outdated analogue technology will be ceased and customers will be provided access to voice services on Eurotel’s GSM and UMTS networks with their existing number and tariffs ; they will also benefit from advantageous migration offers.
"It is increasingly difficult and very costly to maintain the outdated NMT analogue technology in operation and this is why we decided now to terminate NMT operations. To our knowledge we are the last operator in Europe to close NMT based voice services - we kept it operating out of a recognition of a social need to service remaining customers" says Andrei Marc Torriani, Chief Commercial Officer of Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. and adds: "We will carry that social obligation forward and provide all NMT customers the ability to migrate to our modern GSM and UMTS networks without having to change their numbers and keep the same low tariffs they have today."
All existing customers of voice T!P services will soon receive their migration offers.
NMT
A public telecommunication network operating in the 450 MHz network based on the NMT technology (Nordic Mobile Telecommunications) was launched in September 1991. At the time Eurotel became the first operator offering commercial mobile telecommunications services to general public in the Czech Republic. The digital GSM network operating in 900 and 1800 bands was launched in 1996 and introduced the new mobile telephony generation. It brought new voice and data services such as SMS, MMS, WAP, Internet and facilitated mass spreading of the services. The number of customers using the NMT network has been gradually declining (and so has its importance for voice services).
CDMA
Operation in the network will not be terminated after voice services are closed down. In August 2004 Eurotel upgraded the network by implementing CDMA technology and as the first operator in the Czech Republic started to provide 3rd generation data services. Its quality signal and coverage are now used for data transmission and high-speed Internet access, the speed of data transmission is up to 1 Mbit/s. The network can be accessed by more than 80 % of the Czech population now; the number of customers using the network for wireless high-speed Internet access has just recently passed 80 thousand.Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. is the leading mobile telecommunications operator in the Czech Republic. The company provides complex voice and data services to more than 4.67 million customers (December 2005). Quality of the services provided, scope of offered solutions, level of innovation and customer care make the company founded in 1991 the leader of the Czech market.
Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o. is the leading mobile telecommunications operator in the Czech Republic. The company provides complex voice and data services to more than 4.67 million customers (December 2005). Quality of the services provided, scope of offered solutions, level of innovation and customer care make the company founded in 1991 the leader of the Czech market.
In cooperation with its 100 % owner, ČESKÝ TELECOM, a.s., Eurotel offers the most complex portfolio of voice and data services supported by unique combination of fixed and mobile telephony. The services are provided to customers of contract as well as prepaid services. Eurotel in the long term confirms its leading position in the Czech market also in the segment of business customers.
In the territory of the Czech Republic Eurotel operates the NMT and GSM network as well as unique 3G networks - CDMA2000 1xEV-DO data network and most recently UMTS network enabling data, voice, picture and video transmission. Together with ČESKÝ TELECOM the company operates the most extensive WiFi hotspots network in the country.
Eurotel is a holder of the prestigious award Employer of the Year for the year 2003, in 2004 Eurotel placed second among mobile operators in the chart. Eurotel also holds international quality management system certificate ISO 9001:2003 and was awarded the ISO 14001 environmental management system certificate as the only telecommunications operator in the Czech Republic. The company is a holder of the occupational safety and health and information security certificates. Eurotel is the only operator to be awarded the Health Supporting Business title in 2005. In 2002 Eurotel incorporated a foundation, which regularly on an annual basis supports multiple projects aimed at children and the young throughout the country.
