3G Network Set Up in Czech Republic

Working with Ericsson, the Czech Republic based Eurotel Praha has built an UMTS (3G) trial network in the center of Prague. While the third generation network is not yet available to the public, it allows testing of all key 3G services. The network is already being used for video calls, multiplayer multimedia games, and Internet access with speeds of up to 360 Kb/s.

Eurotel' s license for third generation services commit the company to begin coverage in Prague by January 2005. "We'll start offering 3G services by January 2005," says Terrence Valeski, Eurotel' s CEO and Managing Director. "Important element now is that an actual network for 3G exists in Prague. This allows more extensive testing which includes coverage, handover, interactivity with GSM, application trailing, Internet access, video calling etc."

Built with Ericsson technology, the network consists of a scaled-down version of the complete UMTS Network containing circuit and packet switched core network and radiobase stations. On the top of that service network layer with several applications has been installed as well. Based in the Eurotel testing laboratory in Prague 5, it includes four UMTS Radio Base-stations, three of them located directly in the center of Prague.

Eurotel Praha is the largest telecommunication provider in the Czech Republic. In January 2003, the company exceeded 3.9 million customers."

Posted to the site on 20th February 2003