Vodafone launches high-speed 3G network in Plzen

Vodafone is launching high-speed 3G internet in Plzen. It is covering 99% of the population of this regional town, as well as nearby Starý Plzenec, and Sedlec. In total, Vodafone’s high-speed mobile internet signal now covers nearly a fifth of the population of the Czech Republic. In addition to Plzen, people can now download data to their mobiles and portable computers quickly in Prague, Brno, and Karlový Vary. New and existing Vodafone customers in Ostrava will be able to try this technology for free for one month.

“During the construction of our high-speed 3G network, we have been placing great emphasis on its optimization so that we can guarantee the highest quality of the voice and data services we offer,” says Pavel Kos, Vice-President for Technology, Vodafone Czech Republic, adding, “Vodafone technicians have travelled over 1,200 km in and around Ostrava while testing and optimizing the network. The most difficult task was installation on a train yard lighting tower, where the technicians had to watch out for approaching trains.”

By the end of this year Vodafone’s 3G signal will cover a total of 60 towns and villages, including all regional metropolises. By the end of September 2010, it will be covering the following regional towns: Olomouc, Hradec Králové, Zlín, Plzeň, Ústí nad Labem, and Liberec, and other towns and villages such as Příbram, Napajedla, Otrokovice, Starý Plzenec, Jablonec nad Nisou, Chlumec, Sokolov, and Prostějov.

To operate its 3G network, Vodafone is using the latest HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology from Huawei. This enables customers to connect to mobile internet at speeds of up to 7.2 Mb/s downstream and up to 2 Mb/s upstream.

With 3G access, customers can surf the internet on their notebooks or mobile phones 10x to 15x faster than they can with existing EDGE technology. Customers aren’t paying any surcharges for faster connection speeds; 3G will be available as part of the current data tariffs.

Customers in Plzen can now try the Connect Steady data tariff, which is ideal for surfing and downloading larger quantities of data, for free for one month. Should they decide to continue using it, they can get a practical USB modem for just CZK 77 in order to connect to the internet on their notebooks.

In addition to a 3G network, Vodafone also offers its 2G – EDGE networks, which are accessible to over 95% of the population of the Czech Republic.

Overview of all Vodafone data tariffs:

Data tariff for connecting to the internet with a smartphone:

Data tariffs for connecting to the internet with a mobile:

Monthly data tariff for connecting to the internet with a computer/notebook:

About Vodafone Czech Republic

Vodafone (formerly Oskar) received a license of the operation of a GSM mobile telecommunications network in October 1999. Shortly after this, it became a swiftly growing operator and set a new record in the history of GSM – after nine months, its signal covered 98% of the population of the Czech Republic. In 2002, the company welcomed its millionth customer, and in 2005, it acquired its license for building and operating a 3G-standard network. In that same year, it became part of the world’s leading telecommunications company, Vodafone Group. Today it provides services to over three million business and private customers. The company is also active in the field of corporate responsibility and in 2006 it founded the Vodafone Czech Republic Foundation, through which it has distributed more than 50 million crowns to the non-profit sector. More information is available at www.vodafone.cz.