Press News

Budapest, December 8, 2004

Over a year ago T-Mobile Hungary had been the first operator to present video calls on its own UMTS test network, using appropriately enabled mobile telephones. By this the company indicated that it was technologically prepared for the introduction of third generation network and services. With appropriate coverage, in the usual GMS quality, having the necessary range of headsets and holding the required licenses, the largest Hungarian mobile operator will launch commercial UMTS services to its customers from next year, at the beginning in downtown Budapest.

UMTS – a uniform system, uniform frequency band globally.

In a longer time frame, in 10-15 years T-Mobile Hungary Co. Ltd. considers UMTS a determining service that will transform the communication of its customers more than ever before. For that reason, back on December 9, 1998 the Company joined the UMTS Forum as an associate member and has been participating actively in it, being the only Hungarian member. Owing to the uniform standards and frequency ranges developed in global cooperation, third generation UMTS network will globally offer high quality multimedia applications, fast Internet access and the freedom of choice between different forms of communication. T-Mobile Hungary will add value to that by creating harmony between the existing (GSM, GPRS, EDGE,WLAN) and new technologies and by combining them.

Thanks to third generation UMTS technology, the utilization of the frequencies will be more efficient and economical than ever, and the capacity of the networks will provide the necessary background for the enhancement of the existing multimedia applications and for the implementation of new applications. Owing to UMTS, through the cooperation of the operators a worldwide wireless multimedia network may be implemented, which will be more uniform and compatible than GSM.


UMTS commercial service, only in good quality

Service quality is one of the most important features in the development of the integrated GSM-UMTS network. T-Mobile Hungary Co. Ltd. has always attached special attention to the quality of its services, however, the complexity of UMTS radio technology poses an even bigger challenge in this field. T-Mobile will launch its commercial UMTS service in 2005, assuming that the usual GSM quality can be guaranteed with appropriate coverage, and in addition, there should be enough UMTS handsets of various models. The internationally acknowledged professionals of T-Mobile Hungary and the international experiences of T-Mobile International provide the required background for high quality UMTS service. However, the premature implementation of UMTS in Hungary may result in the disappointment experienced in several countries of Western Europe, a phenomenon that should be avoided.

Elek Straub, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matáv welcomed the decision of the National Communications Authority and the successful acting of T-Mobile Hungary on the UMTS bid. : "T-Mobile will be able to come to the market with solutions and services that provide added value to both the customers and the owners and in line with its leading role in innovation, the Company will open new perspectives in mobile communication."


Dual network, smooth and non-sensible handover even during use

By using the UMTS service integrated into the existing GSM system, the customers will have access to all the usual services - then enabled by the third generation system - they will have a chance to enhance their mobile experience with further applications and opportunities. If subscribers use the appropriate dual (GSM/UMTS) handsets in the integrated mobile system, they will not have to know what the technological platform is for the given service. In the network of T-Mobile Hungary the switch between the various systems "will not be felt," only the bandwidth and the availability of the related services might change. Thus for example, if a service is available on both GSM and UMTS, in the interest of constant availability, shifts between access technologies will be possible even during a call.

Due to the international background of T-Mobile, upon the implementation of commercial services the Company will make UMTS available to its customers on several foreign networks, similarly to GPRS/MMS roaming. After that, the number of roaming partners will keep growing, offering freedom of movement and communication.


UMTS – free communication, entertainment and information flow

In mobile communication UMTS will enable "unlimited" information flow, high quality multimedia and several as yet unknown innovative solutions affecting personal connections, learning and entertainment significantly. The uniform network platform, the opportunities of the technology, the significant capacity, the various applications and services offer unprecedented opportunities for T-Mobile as well.

In addition to excellent voice quality, UMTS networks will bring about huge changes in the penetration of messaging services, broadband Internet access, as well as in multimedia solutions, in the field of live video transmission and video broadcasting.

Having played a leading role so far in Mobile Multimedia in Hungary with t-zones WAP, SMS and MMS content services, upon introducing UMTS T-Mobile will be offering more varied and interesting content services, video and music downloads and messaging services that will come complete with video transmission. In the field of third generation services video calls will appear and become widely used in the long-term, with simple availability. For corporate customers this service may provide an opportunity for the fast and simple organization of cost efficient, yet full-featured video conferences.

"The advent of new content services will have a long-term effect on the media and on media consumption as well" – said András Sugár, Chief Executive Officer of T-Mobile Hungary Co. Ltd. He added: "the fast mobile Internet, live video broadcasts, entertaining applications, file exchange applications and novel forms of communication will probably transform our everyday lives. Given the major geographical coverage and guaranteed service quality, broadband wireless Internet usage and easy access to internal networks will become possible. UMTS will significantly accelerate the development of the information society in Hungary."