Virtual operators now offering 5G mobile service in Czechia

Fast mobile internet is becoming more widespread in the Czech Republic. The first virtual mobile network operators in the country have now started offering 5G network service. Last week, SAZKAmobil came with an offer, and this week Lama mobile followed suit.

Virtual mobile network operators are using the infrastructure of main mobile operators, who started to offer commercial 5G networks in 2020.

"The prices of our data packages are not changing and all of them automatically enable the use of 5G," Jan Schmiedhammer, director of SAZKAmobil, said in a press release.

“In addition, we do not limit the speed of the 5G network in any way, so its parameters always depend only on the current network load in a given location," he added.

SAZKAmobil, which uses Vodafone’s network infrastructure, claims to be the country’s largest mobile virtual network operator. Its users have pre-paid SIM cards. They can top up as they need more credit or use a flat-rate monthly tariff.

Lama mobile also uses Vodafone’s network capacity. They offer four different monthly plans with varying amounts of data.

"Customers with a 5G mobile phone can enjoy super-fast data connections. … The prices for our tariffs remain the same as before," Jan Schöppel from Lama Energy Group said. As with SAZKAmobil, the customer does not need to activate the service and all customers will have access to it.

According to Lama, Vodafone’s 5G network covers 70 percent of the Czech Republic. The main advantage of the 5G network is super-fast internet with a quick response, Lama added.

The name 5G refers to the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks. Phone companies worldwide first started using it in 2019. It offers higher download speeds, of up to 10 gigabits per second. It also has higher bandwidth than earlier standards, which improves the quality of Internet services in crowded areas.

At the end of last year, there were almost 15 million active SIM cards in the Czech Republic. In addition to the three network dominant players – O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone – there are 125 virtual operators on the market who rent infrastructure from them. Their combined market share is around 3.6 percent.