SLOVAK Telekom, one of the three mobile providers in Slovakia, launched the commercial operation of its 4G network (or LTE) used for quick data transmission on November 15. In the first phase the network will be available in five towns: Trnava, Nitra, Žilina, Banská Bystrica and Prešov, the SITA newswire reported.
Within the next three months Slovak Telekom (ST) plans to expand coverage to about 20 percent of Slovak territory.
“We are technologically limited since on this frequency we cannot cover the areas close to the borders,” said ST General Director Miroslav Majoroš, as quoted by SITA, when explaining why customers from Bratislava, Trenčín and Košice will not be able to use the network.
The 4G network connection will be available at the 1,800 MHz frequency, with the maximum of downloads standing at 73 Mbps and 23 Mbps for uploads. The quick connection is primarily designed for phones and tablets, but also USB modems are available. The additional fees for a faster Internet connection should stand at €10 per month for smartphones and tablets and €20 a month for connections with USB modems, SITA wrote.
ST is not the first provider to run a 4G network. Telefónica, which runs under the O2 brand in Slovakia, has launched a pilot operation of the network which is available in Bernolákovo, Ivanka pri Dunaji and Zálesie (all in the Bratislava Region). Moreover, the Telecommunication Office will launch a competition over 4G frequencies this year. It is still not clear which companies will attend it as the providers cannot comment on it, as reported by SITA.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
