9th Jan 2006 09:00
Cesky Telecom A.S.09 January 2006 > PRESS RELEASE - 9. 1. 2006> THE POPULARITY OF BROADBAND INTERNET IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC INCREASED IN 2005 During the first week in January, the number of ADSL-based broadband Internetlines in the Czech Republic reached 275 thousand, which represents an increaseof 175 percent in comparison with last year. New services, reduced prices,expanded coverage and continuous development of data technologies has supportedthis record growth of customers. "Broadband Internet has become a regular fixture in Czech households. In thisrespect, we are swiftly closing the gap between ourselves and the oldercountries of the European Union, where this type of connection is verywidespread," says Martin Zabka, the company's spokesperson. According to thelatest statistics from analytical company Point Topic, among 12 monitoredEuropean states, domestic broadband (ADSL) Internet penetration (per 100households) has grown the fastest in the Czech Republic (118% year-on-yeargrowth). At the same time, the survey revealed that growth was also apparent inother Central and Eastern European countries, with Slovakia (112%) and Romania(92%) placing next in the rankings. "In 2005, CESKY TELECOM facilitated broadband Internet access considerably,"adds Mr. Zabka. While it 2004 it was not possible to meet the demands ofcustomers who were more than 3.8 kilometres from a telephone exchange, at theend of the year, thanks to an improved network, the required distance wasextended to 8.2 kilometres. "Over the last year, the Internet has really beenavailable to everybody. Even your average villager doesn't have to leave home toget acquainted with the entire world," says Zabka with a hint of exaggeration. Over the last twelve months, CESKY TELECOM has made broadband Internet availablein 453 new localities, which, in comparison with 2004, means an increase ofnearly 55%. In total, INTERNET EXPRES is available in 1,287 localities and itscoverage is available to 90% of all of the operator's customers. "During the next few months, we expect to extend the coverage of our broadbandconnections further and to improve the quality of our services. CESKY TELECOM'slong-term goal is to make sure that the maximum number of Czech citizens can usethe Internet Expres service and to ensure that the Internet Expres serviceremains the best choice on the broadband Internet access market," Zabka says ofthe firm's orientation. For further information, please contact:MARTIN ZABKAPress SpokesmanTel: +420 271 463 359Fax: +420 271 469 896e-mail: [email protected] CESKY TELECOM, a. s., a member of the Telefonica Group, is the leadingtelecommunications company in the Czech Republic. Through its subsidiary companyEurotel Praha, spol. s r.o., it also has a significant presence in the Czechmobile services market. Further information about the firm and the services itoffers is available at www.telecom.cz, which was rated as BestWeb 2003 in theWebTop100 survey. Signum Temporis has consistently awarded CESKY TELECOM for being one of thedomestic capital market's most transparent firms in terms of providinginformation. Based on an open vote of specialists, members of the press and anine-member committee, CESKY TELECOM placed first in 2003, just as it did in2001. CESKY TELECOM ranks among the most prominent firms on the Czech capital marketin terms of capitalization and trading volumes. Its shares are also traded onthe London Stock Exchange in the form of GDRs. CESKY TELECOM's credit rating isthe highest a Czech corporation can receive from top international ratingagencies. About Telefonica Telefonica is Europe's leading integrated telecom company and second biggest inthe world. Its activities are centred mainly on the fixed and mobile telephonybusinesses with broadband as the key tool for the development of both of these. The company is operating in 40 countries and together with CESKY TELECOM has acustomer base that amounts to more than 140 million access. Telefonica has astrong presence in Latin America, where the company concentrates part of itsgrowth strategy. Telefonica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million directshareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,921,130,397 ordinaryshares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao andValencia) and on those in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, New York, Lima,Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and the SEAQ International Exchange in London. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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