T-Mobile Czech Republic Introduces High-Capacity Cisco CRS-1 Platform

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – November 2, 2009 – Leading mobile operator T-Mobile Czech Republic and Cisco today announced that T-Mobile has deployed a new Internet Protocol (IP) backbone to provide a unified infrastructure for its Release 4 mobile architecture. As a result, 5,4 million T-Mobile customers in the Czech Republic can look forward to increased bandwidth and new voice, data and streamed multimedia services on an 'anytime, anywhere' basis.

The cooperation with Cisco is a substantial part of T-Mobile's efforts to prepare its network for new technologies, such as next-generation mobile networks and IP-based telephony services. The main building block is the 'Dark Fibre' project, including the construction of a network of more than 6,000 kilometres of fibre optic lines. The project will offer a capacity of up to 60 x 10 gigabits per second and will provide sufficient space for the transmission of large data volumes.

The new IP backbone is based on the Cisco® CRS-1 Carrier Routing System platform, which is the foundation for the operator's Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN).

Key Facts / Highlights:

With the explosive growth of data-intensive visual applications on the mobile Internet, the need for IP capabilities is coming front and centre for many operators. According to the latest edition of the Cisco Visual Networking Index, mobile data traffic will roughly double each year from 2008 to 2013, increasing 66 times between 2008 and 2013. The same study forecasts that almost 64 percent of the world's mobile data traffic will be video in 2013. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has responded to this trend, and several operators are now migrating to 3GPP architectures.
T-Mobile Czech Republic wanted to move to a 3GPP Release 4 architecture to meet current network performance requirements and to be ready for rapid developments in the wireless broadband space, including High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) services.
Cisco is playing a major role in the mobile Internet build-out by providing a range of IP infrastructure technologies, including gateways designed for 3G and LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC), Radio Access Network (RAN) backhaul solutions, IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) core backbones and cell-site routers.
Cisco solutions implemented at T-Mobile Czech Republic include a carrier-grade solution based on CRS-1 routers in the MPLS core, Cisco XR 12400 Series Routers in the MPLS edge, Cisco Catalyst® 6500 site switches, and the Cisco IOS® XR carrier-grade operating system on all MPLS routers. The solution enables T-Mobile to deliver high-performance, personalized data services to its customers and differentiate its offering. Additionally, the solution is IPv6 ready to accommodate the exponential growth in mobile devices.
The Cisco CRS-1 platform was introduced in May 2004 as a new class of carrier routing system designed to deliver continuous system operation, service flexibility and extended system longevity to service providers, with more efficient space and power consumption than comparable routers. The Cisco CRS-1 was the first core router to scale to more than 90 terabits per second of bandwidth capacity, helping service providers to deliver superior customer experience as IP traffic exploded with the advent of broadband video.
To date, more than 3,500 Cisco CRS-1 systems have been shipped to more than 300 customers around the world.
The project was designed and implemented by ICZ a.s., a Cisco Gold Certified Partner in the Czech Republic.

Supporting Quotes:

Frank Meywerk, executive vice president, Technology, T-Mobile Czech Republic

"The need for broadband services is one of the most intensive drivers in the telecommunications industry these days. Customers want to exploit fast data services anywhere and anytime: check their emails, download information and content, share photos and videos within their communities. The Cisco solution helps us meet these needs and prepare the T-Mobile network for efficient implementation of 4G technology in the near future."

Alexander Winkler, general manager, Cisco Czech Republic

"Until recently, the mobile world has focused on circuit-switched voice as the primary application. We are now seeing a tremendous acceleration in the adoption of mobile broadband services. The factors driving this transition include powerful new devices, high-speed mobile networks optimized for IP transport, and compelling social media and collaboration applications like Facebook, Flickr and Cisco WebEx Connect, to name just a few. Cisco is proud to support T-Mobile in getting ready for the 4G era."

Tags, Keywords:

T-Mobile, Cisco, 3GPP, mobile data, 4G, CRS-1

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Supporting resources:

About T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s.

T-Mobile Czech Republic has been operating in the Czech market since 1996. Since its establishment, the company has placed emphasis on the quality of services and excellent customer service. As of 30 March 2009, more than 5.4 million customers were using T-Mobile services.

T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s. operates a public mobile communications network based on the GSM standard in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands and is also authorized to operate a UMTS network. T-Mobile was the first operator in the Czech Republic to launch its third-generation technology on 19 October 2005 under the name Internet 4G.

T-Mobile is a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom Group. Thanks to T‑Mobile's international presence, customers can count on the worldwide availability of their favourite services and take advantage of unified, favourable prices of calls when abroad.

For more information about the company, please visit www.t-press.cz or www.t-mobile.cz.

About ICZ a.s.

ICZ ranks among the leading players in Central Europe offering integrated software and network solutions.
The company offers services based on a wide spectrum of platforms and technologies, including customer application development as well as information protection and security projects. Information about ICZ can be found at http://www.i.cz.