Wireless [edit]
Because ADSL was very expensive for an average worker in its early days, an enormous number of wireless ISPs (WISPs) (based on 802.11 Wi-Fi technology) came into existence offering reasonable priced monthly-plans since 2003. At the beginning of 2008, there were over 800 mostly local WISPs[1][2] that had enormous market share of the internet access. It is estimated Wi-Fi ISPs have about 350 000 subscribers by 2007. The Czech Republic has the most Wi-Fi subscriber in the whole European Union.[3][4] There are both commercial and community wireless networks. List of wireless networks is here
Mobile [edit]
Mobile internet is quite popular. Plans based on either GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or CDMA2000 are being offered by all four mobile phone operators (T-Mobile, Vodafone, Telefonica O2 and U:fon). The average cost for an unlimited mobile internet plan ranges around 25 Euro/month. Various traffic shaping (monthly data limits after which the speed dramatically decreases) are used under common name "Fair Use Policy".
Comparison of mobile data plans [edit]
| Company |
Plan name |
Technology |
Maximum download speed/kbps |
Data limit/GB |
Monthly price incl. VAT/CZK |
Source |
| T-Mobile |
Internet Basic |
4G |
512 |
2/month |
474,81 |
[1] |
| T-Mobile |
Internet Standard |
4G |
512 |
5/month |
831,81 |
[2] |
| T-Mobile |
Internet Premium |
4G |
1024 |
10/month |
400 |
[3] |
| Telefónica O2 |
Mobilní internet |
CDMA 450 MHz OR GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA, Wi-Fi |
3600 |
10/month |
300, 500, 750, 1000 |
[4] |
| Telefónica O2 |
Mobilní internet plus |
CDMA 450 MHz, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, Wi-Fi |
3600 |
none |
1000 |
[5] |
| Vodafone |
Připojení na stálo |
GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, HSUPA, Wi-Fi |
512 |
none |
525 (262,50 first 4 months) |
[6] |
| U:fon |
U:fonův fofr internet |
CDMA 450 MHz, 3G |
300-700 |
2/week |
594 (297 first year) |
[7] |
In the Czech Republic, ADSL became commercially available at the beginning of 2003, by then-monopoly operator Český Telecom with basic speeds from 192/64 kbit/s to 1024/256 kbit/s. The start-up of ADSL was very slow due to overpriced plans (~€350 per month for 1024/256 kbit). At the beginning of 2004, local loop unbundling began, and alternative operators started to offer ADSL (and also SDSL). This, and later privatisation of Cesky Telecom, helped to drive down prices. On July 1, 2006, Český Telecom was renamed to Telefónica O2 Czech Republic. As of 2009, ADSL2+ was offered in three variants, mostly without data limits (Fair User Policy - limiting link speed based on amount of transferred data). The speed varied depending on the loop length up to 20 Mbit/s.
The typical VDSL2/ADSL2+ connection offered by Telefónica O2 in the Czech Republic in 2012 is 20/2 Mbit/s with no data limits. For short local loops, VDSL2 40/2 Mbit/s plan is offered by O2 and some other internet providers. Speeds and overbooking vary per each ISP.
Cable internet is gaining popularity with its higher download speeds beginning at 1 Mbit/s up to 120 Mbit/s. The biggest ISP, UPC (which has bought another CATV internet provider Karneval in 2007) is providing its service in big cities and attractive locations (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Liberec, Usti nad Labem, Olomouc, Šumperk)
UPC Prices (2012):
| Maximum download/upload speed/Mbps |
Data limit/GB |
Monthly price incl. VAT/CZK |
Monthly price incl. VAT/EUR |
| 30 / 1 |
none |
499 |
20 |
| 60 / 6 |
none |
599 |
24 |
| 120 / 10 |
none |
799 |
32 |
References [edit]
External links [edit]
- Lupa – server dedicated to Internet in the Czech republic (in Czech)
