Which cellular communication is cheaper in the Czech Republic? Mobile communication in the Czech Republic - what to choose? How to call a month for free

Those planning to stay in touch with loved ones and colleagues while traveling to another country should consider buying a local SIM card in advance. Special tariff plans will help you avoid unnecessary expenses, and you can not worry about the quality of coverage, wherever you are. Mobile communications in the Czech Republic are well developed, the country is served by a large number of mobile operators. Let's consider the offers of the best Czech operators, the process of buying a local SIM-card, as well as the terms of provision of roaming and Internet traffic.

Popular mobile operators in the Czech Republic

To buy a suitable SIM card, you need to contact your local mobile office. Before choosing a specific operator, compare the offered terms.

Operator	Tariffs	Notes (edit)
Vodafone CZ	Karta do svety: connection - 200 CZK. Cellular communications within the country are charged per minute. For one minute of the conversation, 3.50 kroons are charged, calls to Russia are charged at the rate of 5.04 kroons. Messages - CZK 1.90 / piece. 100 MB internet - 49 CZK. Prepaid card: 500 MB internet - 100 CZK, 1.2 GB - 199 CZK, 3 GB - 350 CZK. Studentskiy or Red: up to 1.5 GB of the Internet, phone calls without borders and messages on the network.	It has been operating in the Czech Republic since 2005, the most popular operator among tourists and occupies a third of the local communications market. Has the best coverage in the country, offers 3G and 4G communications. Before buying a SIM card for your phone, make sure that your device supports the local frequency (900-2100 MHz). Standard PIN: 1234.
T-mobile	Standard: connection - 200 CZK. The cost of a call per minute is CZK 3.90, one SMS - CZK 1.90, 400 MB of internet - CZK 100. If you want to make unlimited calls within the country, activate the service at the operator's office for 140 CZK. Promotional offers for roaming are not available - the cost of a minute of calls to Russia and Ukraine is 12 kroons.	It has been on the communications market since 2002 and serves over 5 million Czechs. Official website of the operator: http://www.t-mobile.cz. Offers 2G and 3G coverage on common frequencies and 4G on 1800 and 2100 MHz in major cities. The PIN-code is indicated on the plastic in which the card is inserted, the set of numbers is random. All prepaid subscribers are provided with unlimited free access to social networks Facebook, Google+, Forsquare, Instagram and others.
O2 (Telefonica)	Start: connection - 200 CZK. Tariff for Prepladenka tourists: connection - 20 CZK daily. This price includes unlimited calls and SMS within the country, as well as unlimited megabytes for communication on social networks. As of 2018, O2's internet services are not the most profitable: 500 MB cost 150 CZK. One minute of roaming with Ukraine or Russia costs 50 CZK.	The company has been present on the market since 2006. It has the highest data transfer rate, the 4G network covers 96% of the country's territory, the rest is supported by 3G. You can top up a subscriber's balance using a voucher. To refuse the operator's services, you must apply for a SIM card blocking, otherwise the phone bill will constantly increase.

Registration of SIM-cards in the Czech Republic

To become the owner of a Czech mobile number, it is enough to purchase a new SIM card from one of the Czech mobile operators and ask the service center employee to explain the tariff conditions in Russian.

The number is not tied to passport data, you do not need to register a SIM card.

You can transfer or sell a card with unused balance to someone who is planning a trip to the Czech Republic within the next month.

Purchase a SIM card, top up your account and check your balance

A mobile number is purchased at one of the operator's stores, at the airport or at a local supermarket. You can also buy a SIM card at press kiosks, post offices.

There are several ways to top up your phone in Prague. The first option is to purchase mobile top-up vouchers in denominations of 250, 500 and 1200 kroons.

Vodafone provides a service for recharging the balance from a Czech bank card account via Internet services.

It is also possible to pay for cellular services through terminals that are installed in every large supermarket and shopping center.

To check the balance, enter the number combination in the phone menu and press the call button. For Vodafone this is a combination * 22 #, for O2 - * 124 #, for T-Mobile - * 225 #.

Roaming from operators in Russia and Ukraine

The best roaming conditions in Ukraine are offered by the Kyivstar operator. For just $ 2, you can purchase a package for 15 minutes of calls. At the same cost, 100 MB of Internet are available to order, and to send 15 messages, you will have to pay 95 cents. To activate the service, you need to dial the combination * 106 * 1 # and press the call button.

The services of the Russian operator are a little more expensive.

The “Roaming Goodbye” tariff plan from “MegaFon” costs $ 4.74 - for this money, calls and messages are provided at the prices of the home region ($ 1.34 / minute and $ 0.39 / message).

To activate this option, dial * 105 * 1382 # and press the call button.

Similar tariff offers are offered by Beeline (tariff "The Most Profitable Roaming"), Tele2 (package "Everywhere Zero") and MTS (tariff "Zabugorische").

Tariffication of mobile Internet in the Czech Republic

The minimum Internet traffic package of 50 megabytes is provided by the O2 operator at a price of 49 kroons per day. T-Mobile has more favorable tariffs: the starter package allows you to connect 400 MB of traffic for 99 CZK.

Unlike the O2 offer, you can save money with Vodafone. The operator provides 100 MB of traffic for 49 CZK.

Conclusion

The Czech Republic is served by three main mobile operators: T-Mobile, O2, Vodafone. Each operator offers tariffs that attract both local residents and foreigners who come to the country for a short time. In order to purchase a favorable package after arriving in the Czech Republic, check the available mobile services in advance.

Mobile communication in the Czech Republic: Video

general information

The fastest and relatively inexpensive way to communicate in the Czech Republic is to call a pay phone, which you can easily find anywhere in the country. Most of these machines work with cards, which can be purchased at post offices, newspaper or tobacco kiosks, shops, and ticket sales points. The most common cards are for 50 and 100 units, they cost 6.5 and 12 euros, respectively. The first one is enough for 8 minutes of conversation with Russia, the second - about twice as long. If you buy a universal card of a local telecom operator, the cost of calls from a city payphone will be much cheaper - 5–8 rubles per minute. There are also machines that work with coins - they are convenient if you are not going to call constantly and talk for a long time, and you only need to make a one-time call.

In addition, you can call from a landline phone at any post office, cafe or hotel. The last option is the most expensive. The cost of calls usually depends on the time of day and day of the week: for example, calls made on weekdays from 7 pm to 7 am and at any time during weekends and holidays will cost you 30% less.

Most of the phone numbers in the Czech Republic consist of 9 digits, but there are also 6-, 7-digit numbers. Numbers starting with 800 are usually toll-free for the caller. Numbers starting with the number 9, except for 974 - police, 972 - railway, 973 - military units, are issued to those who provide paid services: the cost of calls to such numbers may exceed all reasonable limits. In order to call Russia from the Czech Republic, you must first dial 007, then the area code, and only then - the phone number itself.

Every traveler would like to wish an easy trip without troubles, but it is impossible to exclude unforeseen situations, and knowledge of the phones of important services can be very useful. To call the police in the Czech Republic, it is enough to dial 158 or 156, ambulance - 155, firefighters - 150, rescue service - 112.

Internet and Wi-Fi in the Czech Republic

There are no problems with access to the World Wide Web in the Czech Republic: it is easy to find Internet cafes in any city, especially in Prague. The connection quality and connection speed are good. The cost of an hour of work varies between 1.8 - 2.2 euros (50 - 60 CZK). Most internet cafes in major cities are open until 10 pm.

Free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels: sometimes right in your room, more often in a restaurant or lobby. When booking a hotel, check information about the availability of paid or free Internet access. Also, Wi-Fi is always available in McDonald's, KFC and Starbucks coffee shops, often in bars and cafes. Usually, at an institution, you will see a special sticker notifying you of the opportunity to use the free Internet there. At the airport and at the railway station in Prague, you can also use free Internet access, but no more than 15 minutes.

Mobile communication in the Czech Republic

Arriving in the Czech Republic on vacation, you can either leave your SIM card and talk in roaming, or buy a SIM card from a local mobile operator. If you have not arrived for too long and are not going to actively use the mobile Internet, then, most likely, it will be more profitable to leave your own SIM card and talk on it, since cellular services are considered one of the most expensive in Europe (although in Spain and Communication costs in France are much higher).

What Russian operators offer today at prices in roaming(for 2014)?

1. Megafon will allow you to make outgoing calls for 16 rubles per minute, and receive incoming calls for 6 rubles.
2. Beeline - 15 and 5 rubles, respectively, but this operator will also have to pay a subscription fee for roaming at the rate of 15 rubles per day.
3. Tele 2 allows you to both make and receive calls for 9, 45 rubles per minute, there is no monthly fee.
4. MTS offers interesting options with different tariffication per minute, up to free incoming calls during the first 10 minutes, but outgoing calls - from 15 to 30 rubles per minute, plus a monthly fee of 25 rubles per day.

What are the advantages of purchasing local sim card in the Czech Republic? There are two options for connecting to a Czech mobile operator: without a monthly fee and a contract (more convenient for tourists) and with a contract and a monthly fee (contracts are mainly concluded for a year or two). It is easy to buy a SIM card: just go to any communication salon or store and buy a SIM card from any operator, you will not need a passport or any other documents. On the box with the card there will be instructions for connecting, you can also ask the sellers for help - they will not refuse you. Then you buy a payment card, top up your account and talk.

There are four large mobile operator: O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile and Ufon. The cost of calls within the country is approximately the same for all operators: 5–8 rubles for outgoing calls in the Czech Republic. But it is more profitable to call abroad from the Vodafone operator: calls to Russia will cost you only 12 rubles per minute.

Mobile Internet in the Czech Republic

The biggest plus in buying a local SIM card is mobile internet. On average, 500 megabytes of traffic will cost you 300-450 CZK, or about 11-17 euros. For comparison: for the same amount of traffic when using the Internet in roaming, you will pay at least 2 times more. Unlimited tariffs are especially popular in the Czech Republic, however, the absence of a limit is conditional: you get the opportunity to use a certain amount of traffic at a fixed cost, when the limit is exhausted, the speed drops to the minimum. The most favorable conditions for mobile Internet (completely unlimited) are with the T-Mobile operator: about 1,500 rubles a month for free surfing the Web. In addition, each operator has proposals for the package connection of services - you can always choose the best tariff.

Another option for using the Internet in the Czech Republic is buying a USB modem, which will cost you about 1,500 rubles - with 4G support, 700 rubles - 3G.

Landline Internet in the Czech Republic

For those who are going to stay in the Czech Republic for a long time, planning to work or study here, it will be useful to learn about the possibility of connecting a landline Internet. The most widespread connection technology in the Czech Republic is DSL and its various modifications. A subscription fee of 9-30 euros is charged for using the internet at home, depending on the selected tariff. Sometimes you get the Internet access and the opportunity to make free calls to landline phones in the Czech Republic. For connecting a fiber-optic cable, you will have to pay an additional 18 euros. The best rates are offered by T-Mobile. As for the speed, it is more or less high only in large cities and does not always correspond to the declared one. The convenient location of the Czech Republic in the center of Europe has a developed transport system: it is convenient to move around the country itself, it is easy to get to neighboring states and there are no problems getting to the Czech Republic itself. Bonuses include low prices for city transport, which, moreover, works around the clock.

Holidays in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic, or rather the Czech Republic, is beautiful in all seasons. But acquaintance with the country will not be complete if you do not attend at least a few holidays and festivities. Among them are dates of a religious nature, international events, as well as state celebrations. The names of many bring a smile to tourists who are not accustomed to Czech speech. But seeing the full scope and feeling the atmosphere of friendliness in this beautiful country, everyone understands that having visited the Czech Republic once, he will definitely return again.

The Czech Republic is one of the most visited countries among Russian citizens. Such love of Russians is understandable: the Czech Republic is the birthplace of excellent beer, delicious food, countless castles and palaces. The capital city of Prague deserves special words. Just what to do if you are going to the Czech Republic and want to minimize the cost of mobile communications and the Internet? There is only one thing - to read this article to the end.

The Internet project "Be Mobile" continues cellular communications and the mobile Internet in various countries around the world. All of our guides help you save money and get the most freedom and mobility when traveling abroad.

Today we will tell you in detail about the tariffs for mobile communications and mobile Internet in the Czech Republic. This is especially true, since millions of our fellow citizens go to this country for rest, work and even permanent residence.

In terms of penetration of mobile communications, Internet, Pay TV and fixed telephony, the Czech Republic ranks in the middle of the list of EU countries. At the beginning of 2013, about 14.3 million subscribers used mobile services, 7.6 million Czechs (75% penetration) had the opportunity to use the fixed Internet (2.93 million households), and 3.2 million households were connected to paid and terrestrial TV. The maximum penetration of Internet services among the population in Prague is 89%, and the minimum is 50% in rural areas and small towns.

Mobile communication in the Czech Republic

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The Czech mobile communications market also looks interesting. It even reminded me in some way of our domestic one.

There are four national operators in the country. These are the “big three” in the form of T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone, as well as the long-suffering CDMA operator Ufone, which was acquired by Air Telecom a year ago and in the summer of 2013 began providing GSM network services.

In addition, since 2012, virtual operators have begun to appear and develop in huge numbers in the country. Thank you to the legislators who have adopted the relevant laws and regulations. There are about ten relatively large MVNOs, and there are about 30 of them in total. The most famous of them are Mobil.cz, TescoMobil, Open Call, BLESKMobil, ha-loo. These operators are most in demand among tourists, as well as non-residents of the country who are in the Czech Republic for a short time (from a day to 1 month).

In the Czech Republic, mobile communication standards are used that are similar to those in the rest of Europe and Russia. These are GSM-900, GSM-1800, UMTS-2100, CDMA2000, as well as LTE-800/1800/2600. 99% of the country's territory is covered by 2G, 80% - 3G and 15% - 4G.

At the beginning of July 2013, there were 14.3 million mobile subscribers in the Czech Republic with a population of 10.5 million. As in other European countries, two types of tariffs are available to customers: prepaid and contractual. According to the Czech Telecommunications Center, 65% of subscribers use prepaid cellular communications, 35% on a contract basis. In the latter case, the subscriber gets a phone, smartphone, modem or router with a substantial discount, or even free of charge.

Roaming with a Russian operator

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At present, every federal operator in Russia provides an opportunity to activate preferential roaming services. All these services and options also apply to the Czech Republic.

Here is a comparative table of special rates and services in international roaming in the Czech Republic for 2013-2014.

Operator	Rostelecom	MTS	Megaphone	Beeline	Motive	Tele2
Option name	Basic rate	Zero without borders	Euro Tariff	Multipass	Roaming NON-STOP	International roaming
Connection	0	0	0	0	RUB 12	0
Subscription fee	0	25 rub / day	No	15 rub / day	2 rub / day	No
Incoming calls	69 rbl.	0 rub / min - from the 1st to the 10th minute (but not more than 200 free minutes per month) 5 rub / min - starting from 11 minutes	RUB 6	RUB 5	RUB 7.7	RUB 9.45
Outgoing to Russia	69 rbl.	30 rub / min - 1st minute and from 6th minute 15 rubles / min - from the 2nd to the 5th minute	RUB 16	RUB 15	RUB 59	RUB 9.45
Outgoing within the Czech Republic	69 rbl.	RUB 30	RUB 16	RUB 15		RUB 9.45
SMS	RUB 19	RUB 19	RUB 6	RUB 5	RUB 10	RUB 4.5
Internet per MB	808 RUB	RUB 768		RUB 14.9	RUB 204.8	RUB 25

Rostelecom is one of the obvious outsiders. This operator does not have any preferential options for the Czech Republic, while the rest have very economical ones.

In order not to be left with an inoperative roaming phone, I recommend that you check before the trip if your number has international roaming service enabled. It is also necessary to ensure that there is enough money in the account, taking into account expenses.

To replenish your account in roaming, you can use a bank card tied to a phone number, express payment cards. In an emergency, you can in any way ask relatives or close people to top up the balance of your phone.

The second way to stay connected in the Czech Republic is to buy a SIM card from a local operator.

Local SIM

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The contract (Paušální tarify) for mobile services is concluded for a year or two years. The second option is more common. At the same time, prepaid (Předplacené) tariffs are more beneficial for the subscriber from the point of view of the absence of obligations. They do not have a subscription fee, and write-offs are made only if the client uses a specific service. However, you will buy a phone, tablet or modem at full price.

An alternative is a long-term contract with an included block of voice calls, SMS and internet traffic. In addition, the subscriber is provided with a free (discounted) mobile device. The cost of the device is included in the subscription fee for a year or two years in advance. For example, a standard package of unlimited voice, unlimited SMS and 1 GB of traffic on a two-year contract (only a sim card) will cost 749 kroons (1,220 rubles) per month, while you can buy an HTC One smartphone with a 10% discount.

Of the features of connecting to mobile communications under the contract, it is worth noting the need for a bank account, from which monthly subscription fees will be automatically debited in accordance with the selected tariff. If the limit of minutes of conversation or mobile Internet has been exhausted earlier, it is possible to replenish the balance by depositing additional funds.

Separate tariffs are valid for young people (up to 26 years old) and people over 60 years old, provided that they connect to the contractual tariff. National operators offer discounts from 10 to 15% on subscription fees. Czechs regularly use this.

People who are in the Czech Republic temporarily (work, study, rest), for the most part, use prepaid tariffs. These offers have good consumer properties, you can connect to them without documents, in customer service centers or in regular supermarkets and grocery stores. Tariffs have no monthly fee. The standard price of such a kit is 200 kroons (326 rubles). In addition, the account is replenished with payment cards, the minimum value of the cards is 200 kroons.

The cost of calling abroad to landline and mobile phones may differ in the lower tariff when calling to landlines. The cheapest calls within the countries of the European Union. On average, a call to Russia costs 5-10 kroons per minute.

As for the prices for mobile devices, you can get them both with a discount and free of charge. In this case, they will only work with a SIM card of a specific operator. In the Czech Republic, there are also classic (in the Russian understanding) schemes for the sale of mobile phones - without contracts, without obligations and restrictions. Large independent retailers are Datart, Euronics, Elektroworld, Okay, the online store alza.cz, Saturn and Mediamarkt.

Examples of the current tariffs of the contract and prepaid system of payments for mobile communications in 2013 in the Czech Republic. Prices are indicated including VAT in rubles at the rate of 1.63 rubles per Czech crown.

Operator	T-mobile	T-mobile	O2	O2	Vodafone	Vodafone	Air Telecom
Rate	S námi v síti + (2 year contract)	Twist	FREE O2 (contract 2 years)	NA! VÝBĚR	RED do sítě	Karta do sítě	AIR Max
Subscription fee	813 rbl	0	653 rbl	0	813 rbl	0	650 rbl
Free service package	Free calls and SMS within the network, 120 minutes to other networks, 200 MB of traffic	No	Free calls and SMS within the network, 150 MB traffic	No	Free calls and SMS within the network, 130 minutes to other networks, 150 MB of traffic	30 free on-net minutes every month	300 minutes to all networks, 100 MB of traffic per month
Outgoing within the network	0	RUB 4	0	3 rbl	0	4.8 rubles	2,45 rbl
Outgoing to mobile	5.7 rbl	RUB 4	5.7 rbl	7.9 rbl	5.7 rbl	4.8 rubles	2,45 rbl
Outgoing to fixed opera.	5.7 rbl	RUB 4	5.7 rbl	7.9 rbl	5.7 rbl	4.8 rubles	2,45 rbl
Outgoing to Russia	11.6 rbl	11.6 rbl	19 rbl	19 rbl	11.8 rbl	11.8 rbl	11.6 rbl
SMS within the Czech Republic	2,45 rbl	3 rbl	2,45 rbl	3 rbl	2,45 rbl	2,45 rbl	2,45 rbl
SMS to Russia	RUB 6	RUB 6	RUB 8	RUB 8	4.1 RUB	4.1 RUB	RUB 6
Internet	40 rubles per day for 30 MB	2 rubles per MB	48 rubles per day for 30 MB	48 rubles per day for 30 MB	146 rubles for 500 MB per month	40 rubles per day for 25 MB	80 rubles per day for 50 MB

As the data in the table show, mobile communications in the Czech Republic are cheaper than in France and. However, Czech tariffs are almost twice as expensive as Russian or. They can be compared with those in Moscow.

Mobile Internet

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There are two ways to use mobile Internet services in the Czech Republic. The first is to connect the traffic packet at the maximum speed. After it is used up, an additional amount will be debited from the subscriber, equal to the cost of the package. The second option is to connect to unlimited Internet. In this case, the subscriber will be charged a monthly fee only once a month, but the speed will decrease when a certain limit is exceeded. Tariff parameters are very similar to Russian ones. In packages with a large block of traffic or on expensive anlims, free use of WiFi hotspots is provided.

A USB modem can be purchased at any operator's office or major electronics stores. The average price of a 4G-enabled device is 900 CZK (1,460 rubles), but you can find models with 3G support for 695 CZK.

As for LTE, it has been operating in the Czech Republic for a little over a year. In 2011, an auction was held for frequencies covering 360 MHz in 3 bands 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.6 GHz. The frequencies are distributed among the three operators Telefonica 02, Vodafone and T-Mobile.

The first LTE network was launched in June 2012 in Prague by the O2 operator. In November of the same year, T-Mobile launched its 4G network (in Mlado Boleslavl). Vodafone's new generation networks were launched at the beginning of 2013, and Karlovy Vary became the first settlement.

At the beginning of October 2013, the Czech LTE networks covered 1.6 million subscribers. At the same time, there are about 1000 base stations operating throughout the country. The most popular are the LTE-2600 networks. The deployment of networks in the 800 MHz range is planned for 2014-2015. Most of these networks will operate in rural areas and on highways.

Nevertheless, 3G continues to form the basis of mobile Internet in the Czech Republic. The average speed of 3G Internet in Prague, Brno and Karlovy Vary, for example, reaches 1.9 Mbps (download) and 0.5 Mbps (upload). 4G is much faster. Average speed 22 Mbps (download) and 6 Mbps (upload).

Examples of current tariffs for mobile Internet in 2013 in the Czech Republic. Prices are indicated including VAT in rubles at the rate of 1.63 rubles per Czech crown.

Operator	T-mobile	O2	O2	Vodafone	Vodafone	Air Telecom
Standard	3G / LTE	3G / LTE	3G / LTE	3G / LTE	3G / LTE	CDMA2000
Name	Pro mobil	Mobilní internet L	Mobilní internet XL	Mobilní připojení	Mobilní připojení	Neomezený internet
Type of	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited	unlimited
Subscription fee	1055 rbl	490 rbl	905 rbl	435 rbl	905 rbl	1120 rbl
Traffic block	10 GB	3 GB	10 GB	4 GB	10 GB	unlimited
Over block speed	64 kbps	64 kbps	64 kbps	64 kbps	64 kbps	-
Peculiarities		Rate limiting 20 Mbps				Max. speed 3.1 Mbps

As for free Wi-Fi, in the Czech Republic and in Prague in particular, it is almost everywhere. Most hotels, including hostels, offer guests free internet, and more expensive establishments charge an additional fee. In addition, an increasing number of bars, cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi and have a sticker on their door. According to my own observations, there are almost 50% of such establishments in Prague.

Often the best places with guaranteed free Wi-Fi are McDonald's and KFC, which offer free Wi-Fi throughout the Czech Republic. And of course, don't forget coffee shops like Starbucks, which also offer free Wi-Fi regardless of the purchase price.

It goes without saying that there is also free internet at the Prague airport, at the train station. True, there is limited to a block of 15 minutes. Next, you need to go through the authorization procedure.

When tourists go on a trip, do they always think about how to keep in touch with their family? And how to contact satellites if you have lost each other or just decided to visit different places? There are two options: either use your usual SIM card while roaming, or buy a card from one of the local mobile operators. The answers to these questions may differ depending on the duration of the trip, on the specifics of the place you are going to ... However, if you are going to Prague and plan to stay there for more than three days, then we definitely advise you to buy a local card. In this article, we will try to explain to you why such a choice was made.

Let's start with the fact that Czech operators offer profitable mobile internet. This allows you to use GPS without worrying about traffic. 500 megabytes will cost you 450 CZK. If you already have an operator card, it is even cheaper: 300 CZK. The best part is that this is definitely enough for you for comfortable navigation around the city and using ours for a whole week.

At the same time, you will always know your exact location, you can regularly check the transport schedule and specify exactly how long it will take to travel from one point to another. You will also have access to an online map of Prague pubs with a detailed description of the establishments and real reviews of visitors. will also become "closer" to you: you can not only admire the beautiful buildings, but also be aware of what exactly is in front of you.

In addition to an affordable Internet connection, Czech communication is convenient for cheap calls. You will probably need to call a taxi, reserve a table in a restaurant, contact your friends who have gone for a walk without you ... All this is extremely inconvenient to do using expensive roaming. And so a minute of conversation will cost you exactly 6 Kč, the cost of SMS - 2 Kč, MMS - 5.90 Kč.

Calls to other countries will also be much cheaper through Czech mobile networks. Calling to work or your mom won't cost you too much, so you have no doubts about whether to call at all.

In general, we figured out that it is definitely worth buying a local operator's card. But which one? There are quite a few offers. Let's take a look at the top three mobile operators in the Czech Republic and compare their features.

1) First, consider O2.

Their minimum top-up amount is 150 CZK. You have to pay 6 kroons per minute of conversation. Sms will cost CZK 2 and mms will cost CZK 5.90. Internet: CZK 150 for 150 Megabytes, CZK 300 for 300 Megabytes, CZK 500 for 2 Gigabytes and CZK 750 for 10 Gigabytes.

2) The next one is Vodafone.

They have a higher minimum top-up amount - 200 kroons, but a minute of conversation costs 5.5 kroons. Sms and mms are the same: 2 kroons and 5.90 respectively. Internet: CZK 177 for 150 MB, CZK 249 for 300 MB, CZK 315 for 600 MB and CZK 449 for 1.2 GB.

This company needs the least amount of money for replenishment: the minimum is 10 kroons. You will be charged CZK 5.9 per minute, CZK 1.9 for sms, CZK 4.9 for mms. Internet traffic costs: 100 Megabytes - 139 CZK, 300 Megabytes - 239 CZK, and 2 Gigabytes - 449 CZK.

The question of where to buy a SIM card may only bother you before the trip. When you arrive in Prague, you will find that there are many telephone company offices throughout the city. Having decided on the most convenient provider for you, go to the office of the selected company. Even if you don't speak Czech or English, it won't be difficult to figure it out. All offices have pricing brochures. Indicate the tariff that you have chosen to the seller, and they will gladly help you to activate it.

Another undoubted advantage of Czech operators is that they provide a completely free service for sending sms from the Internet. Follow the links and you will see that you can send sms for free:

... on O2: //sms.1188.cz/

... on T-mobile: //sms.t-zones.cz/open.jsp

... on Vodafone: https://park.vodafone.cz/?t=hp-vodafonesms-cz

You can also use the services of a third-party service created specifically for sending sms in the Czech Republic: //www.smsmania.cz/

Don't forget about the important numbers that may come in handy in an emergency:

• Rescue Service - 112
• Firefighters - 150
• Ambulance - 155
• Police - 158

We hope that these numbers will not be useful to you, and your vacation will be worry-free! Stay in touch with your family, travel around Prague and - at the same time - save! We wish you a good time in this beautiful city!

By the way, while walking around Prague, do not forget to visit our convenient website that looks great on your smartphones. All Prague sights and tips are always at your fingertips.

We use it ourselves, therefore we recommend: we book flights on Aviasales and hotels on

The Czech Republic is beautiful at any time of the year. There is always something to do here for the curious tourist. Wonderful medieval castles, delicious beer, healing Karlovy Vary waters, ski resorts and even the golden beaches of the famous Machovo Lake resort. In addition, the Czech Republic is very beautiful, it enchants with its architecture and traditions. This country will leave a lot of impressions that you can share with your friends, relatives, colleagues right during your trip. The main thing is to decide on the choice of a mobile operator. Czech mobile operators have prepared several lucrative offers for prepaid subscribers. Tourists can choose from three major cellular providers. Of course, there are many virtual operators that use the networks of other companies, but provide services under their own brand. But we will focus on the main ones:

• Vodafone.
• T-Mobile.

2G / GSM speed works great in all cities (900 and 1800 MHz). As far as 3G / UMTS is concerned, basically, the data transfer rate is 2100 MHz. 4G / LTE is also available for all prepaid subscribers:

• 800, 900, 1800, 2100 MHz on Vodafone;
• 800, 1800, 2100 MHz on O2 and T-Mobile.

Vodafone provides the best high speed internet for the majority of the population today. According to the Czech Telecommunications Authority, 93 percent of people in 76 percent of the territory have the ability to connect LTE from Vodafone. Despite the joint efforts of providers O2 and T-Mobile, their rates in 2015 are lower: 82 at 43 percent.

Starter packs can be purchased at company stores or supermarkets. To top up your account you need to buy vouchers that are sold:

• in company stores, kiosks;
• post offices;
• at gas stations.

Unlike other European countries, your account balance in the Czech Republic burns out if you do not have time to spend money. But there is a way out of the situation: if you have money left in your account, you can buy a ticket for public transport, the fare and money for the sent SMS will be removed from the account.

Vodafone provides its services in many countries of the world (28). The operator entered the Czech market in 2006 by purchasing the local company Oskar.

Vodafone now offers good conditions for prepaid subscribers, has the best coverage and offers 3G and 4G customers. High-speed Internet operates at 5 frequencies and reaches over 92 percent of the population. Depending on the selected tariff and region, the data transfer rate can be: 800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz. In rural areas, as a rule, no more than 900 MHz is available. In big cities - 2100. Before purchasing a starter pack, it is important to make sure that your phone supports the required frequency. If you are not so sure, you can rent a Vodafone Hotspot that works on all Czech frequencies. LTE Vodafone is called “Turbo Internet” and is available to customers at no additional cost.

A prepaid starter package will cost the traveler 200 CZK, the same amount will be credited to his subscriber account. The default PIN is 1234, you don't need to do anything special to activate the SIM card, just insert it into the phone. And accept messages for customization.

You can buy a SIM card in the operator's branded stores, where it is also possible to connect all the necessary services, including mobile Internet. Online top-ups are not possible if you do not have a Czech bank credit card. But you can still top up your mobile using your credit card in some shops and supermarkets. Also, top-up vouchers can be purchased at various points of sale, in denominations for:

• 250 CZK.
• 500 CZK.
• 1200 CZK.

It is best to connect the Internet package immediately in a company store when buying a SIM card. But you can use the service only after you receive a confirmation message about the connection. You can also activate the tariff online. The operator offers the following monthly packages for mobile internet:

Available volume	Cost (in CZK)
500 MB	249
1.5 GB	399
4 GB	519
10 GB	999

After activating the tariff plan, it remains valid for a calendar month, after which the conditions are extended automatically if the subscriber has funds on his account. If finance is not enough, then tariff charges will be suspended, only the daily fee will be charged, which is set by default.

The cost of a minute of conversation may vary depending on the amount of a one-time top-up, so if you top up your account with 100 kroons at once, the cost of one minute of conversation to other operators will decrease by 1.5 kroons. If you add 800 kroons to the account, then a minute will cost not 6, but 4 kroons. The larger the amount, the cheaper and more profitable. Within the network the price per minute is 2.98. Calls to Russia are charged at 8.33, regardless of the package chosen.

Vodafone also has special offers for visitors to the Czech Republic. A traveler will be able to buy a SIM card and connect to the Internet on favorable terms right at the airport. To connect, you should contact the information desk, which is open every day from 7 am to 9 pm, except holidays. The following offers are relevant for guests of the country:

• Data SIM for Visitors: 10 GB for 30 days, 800 CZK, unlimited calls within the operator's network.
• Hotspot for Visitors: unlimited Internet on any device, 800 CZK for 2 weeks, 1000 CZK for 4 and 1500 for 2 months of use.

Settings:

• APN: internet
• SIM Sizes: Standard and micro SIM supported. Nano SIM is available in all Vodafone stores.
• modem: yes.
• check balance with * 22 #
• hotline (open on weekdays): +420 776 975 324

Mobile operator O2 has good national coverage and excellent data transfer rates. For prepaid subscribers, high-speed 4G / LTE Internet is available on:

• 800 MHz
• 1800 MHz
• 2100 MHz

According to statistics, at the beginning of 2016, high-speed LTE coverage covered 82 percent of the population, and the combined 3G and 4G coverage covered 96 percent.

The prepaid package is called “NA! DLOUHO ”and will cost the tourist 99 EEK, with the receipt of credit funds in the amount of 150 EEK. Top-up vouchers can be found at:

• company stores;
• large supermarkets;
• at gas stations.

Vouchers for 200, 300 and 500 CZK are available. To receive the settings, you need to send an SMS “IVMNASTAV” to 999555. After sending, the subscriber will receive a message with all instructions. The standard pin code is 12345 or 1234.

A tourist, if desired, can add any Internet set to any tariff:

In order to send SMS messages, you need to activate the appropriate service, Internet packages are automatically renewed every week or month.

The default price, without ordering a special set of services, is 30 CZK for 24 hours. After the end of the provided traffic, the speed drops to 16 Kbps per second.

Settings:

• APN: internet
• Balance check * 104 * #
• Standard SIMs, but Mini or Nano SIMs are also available
• O2 does not function on IOS. On Android it is possible.

Operator T-Mobile has excellent 2G and 3G coverage throughout the Czech Republic, competing with providers such as O2 and Vodafone. High-speed 4G / LTE access is currently available at 800, 1800, and 2100 MHz, just like O2.

Their prepaid package is called Twist and is sold at retail locations, for example:

• T-Mobile stores;
• In the markets;
• Shopping centers: ALZA, Comfor, CZC, Tesco, Electro World.

Prepaid SIM cards are sold for CZK 200 with a credit of CZK 150. The PIN code of the card can be found on the holder along with other codes. It is important not to throw away the holder, as there are other codes for unlocking the SIM card if you enter the wrong PIN code. You do not need to provide a passport or sign a contract to buy a SIM card. It is enough to contact a company store or another distribution point.

You can top up your mobile account at the points of sale described above. The SIM card remains active for 12 months from the date of the last recharge. The minimum top-up amount is 200 CZK, or rather, to save your SIM card, you need to deposit this amount at least once a year. You can check how much is left on the account by dialing this combination - * 101 #.

Internet by default, without purchasing additional packages, is quite cheap, only 0,40 CZK per megabyte.

Subscribers are provided with unlimited access to the following social networks:

T-Mobile also provides an Internet-only tariff (tablets and laptops). It's called “Twist Online,” and can be purchased at major retailers as well as some post offices. The client can buy:

• Only a SIM card for 200 CZK with the same credit on the account.
• A 3G device and a SIM card worth 899 CZK + 200 are automatically credited to the subscriber's account.
• 3G Mifi and a starter package for 1549, the account will be 200 CZK.

If you do not order a package, then the cost per megabyte, as in the previous case, is 0.40 per megabyte. In branded outlets, they offer SIM cards of a standard format, but it is also possible to buy a micro SIM card or convert a standard one. You will need to pay for this service separately.

Settings:

• Modem: Allowed
• APN :: internet.t-mobile.cz

Of course, it is difficult to understand the tariffs for cellular communications and the Internet in a foreign country, so you can get advice and choose the really optimal prices for your trip. Today in all cities of Russia Euroaming operates, which can offer SIM cards and tariffs of all European countries, the most optimal of which are:

Orange(Spain) with tariff Mundo

• Mundo 1 Gb - 7 euro
• Mundo 2 Gb - 10 euro
• Mundo 3 Gb - 15 euros

Internet packages are designed for a month, but they can be renewed as needed. And also the operator does not limit the distribution.

Estonian operator on GlobalSim cards now has . For only $ 19 you can
connect 1 GB or 2 GB for only 35 $. The package can be reconnected as needed. You can also set up distribution for third-party devices if you are eating with a company.

Operator Three offers 12 GB traffic for a month.

For only 48 euros you get 12 GB of Internet in 43 countries of the world. Fast and high-quality internet connection. The card is only compatible with 3G and 4G smartphones or tablets.