5G regulation and law in the Czech Republic

All mobile network operators (MNOs) have deployed 5G networks focusing on coverage of the most populated areas and specifically cities. Vodafone covers over 96.47%, O2 over 93.56% and T-Mobile 93.40% of the population in the Czech Republic (data as of 1 November 2024). The three MNOs, in cooperation with the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) and CETIN, have also deployed 5G coverage in all stations across the Prague metro network. Each MNO has a coverage map available on its website. The Czech Telecommunications Office (CTO) has also published an overall map of mobile network coverage (including 5G) on its website qos.ctu.cz.

The public 5G networks in the Czech Republic currently operate on a non-standalone (NSA) 5G architecture, which is built on top of the existing 4G LTE infrastructure. To date, standalone (SA) 5G networks have been deployed primarily as private "campus" solutions. Notable examples include the ČVUT SA 5G network deployed by T-Mobile, the ŠKODA AUTO SA 5G network deployed by Vodafone, and the partial SA 5G network at the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant, also deployed by Vodafone.

In August 2020, there was a public auction of new 5G frequencies. The public auction conditions also regulate access to frequencies in the 3400-3800 MHz band for 5G private networks for industrial use. Entrepreneurs interested in accessing the frequencies for deploying 5G private networks must sign a contract with O2 or T-Mobile, and receive authorisation to use the frequencies from the CTO.

The 700 MHz and 3400–3600 MHz band auction started on 7 August 2020, and the CTO announced winners on 13 November 2020. The bidders paid more than a combined CZK 5.596bn (EUR 212.6m). O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone acquired the majority of the spectrum licences, with Nordic Telecom and Incrate obtaining smaller shares of the spectrum licences. The auction was divided into two categories – Block A (700 MHz) and Block B (3400-3600 MHz). In July 2023, Incrate transferred its spectrum licences to T-Mobile. In May 2024, Nordic Telecom transferred its spectrum licences to O2.

On 1 July 2024, the spectrum licences of O2 and T-Mobile for the 900 MHz and 1.800 MHz bands were extended. At the same time, the CTO imposed an obligation on the MNOs to significantly improve the 5G mobile signal quality in all transit corridors. The prolongation was obtained in accordance with Section 21 of the Electronic Communications Act without a public tender procedure.

Development criteria

For frequencies in the 700 MHz frequency band, operators must for example:

• Within three years, ensure 95% coverage of the population in all municipalities considered white spots;
• Within four years, ensure 100% coverage of core transportation corridors, 98% of branch transportation corridors of railway and road corridors sections within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in the Core Network and Comprehensive Network;
• Within four years, ensure 95% coverage in centres of cities with more than 50,000 people.

For frequencies in the 3400-3600 MHz band, allocation holders must operate a minimum of 15 base stations within three to five years of winning the licence, and 230 base stations within five years, with a minimum of 30 national districts covered.

Criteria for effective use of the acquired radio frequencies:

• Launching commercial electronic communications services using public communication networks on the allocated radio frequencies, in the 700 MHz frequency band, within 18 months, and in the 3400–3600 MHz band within 24 months of winning a licence;
• Launching public electronic communications services using the full range of radio frequencies in the 700 MHz frequency band within 24 months, and in the 3400–3600 MHz band within 48 months of winning a licence.

The frequencies may only be used following individual authorisation by the CTO for each band. In case of radio frequencies for which a spectrum license has been issued, individual authorisation may only be granted to the holder of the spectrum license or, with their consent, to another undertaking. According to the CTO, the holders may also use their frequencies to provide 4G services as long as they meet 5G development criteria.

The 700 MHz band spectrum licenses (held by O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone) are valid until 30 June 2036. The 3400–3600 MHz band spectrum licenses (also held by O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone) are valid until 30 June 2032.

The 900 MHz and 1.800 MHz band spectrum licenses for O2 and T-Mobile have been extended until 31 December 2044.

Yes, there is a long-term spectrum utilization plan in place in the Czech Republic (available in Czech: https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2010-105).

No future public auctions have been announced.

There are no 5G-specific rules, apart from the public auction and spectrum licence obligations. There is no focused 5G network sharing or spectrum sharing regulation.

Yes, there is a network sharing agreement between O2 Czech Republic a.s. / CETIN a.s. and T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s. which was concluded in 2011 and has been increasing in scope since. So far it covers 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G and the entire territory of Czechia except for Prague and Brno, thus covering approx. 85% of the Czech population. T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s. manages the mobile telecommunications network in the west of Czechia and CETIN a.s. in the east of Czechia; each company provides services to its counterpart in its own area.

In October 2016, the European Commission began investigating the sharing deal. In August 2019, the European Commission published its preliminary statement and established that the deal violates EU antitrust rules. Despite the general allowance of sharing deals, the European Commission claimed that due to the nature of the Czech market, which has only three major mobile providers, a deal which covers 85% of the Czech territory significantly restricts competition. In 2022 the European Commission accepted commitments offered by T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s. and O2 Czech Republic a.s. / CETIN a.s. and their parent companies preventing restriction of competition. The commitments will remain in force until 28 October 2033. Summary of the case and commitments accepted by the European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_4463

The August 2020 public auction of the new 5G frequencies also provided national roaming obligations in 700 MHz band. All MNOs with frequencies in the 700 MHz band must provide network capacity to other parties with frequencies in the 700 MHz or 3400-3800 MHz bands under cost-oriented conditions if those parties meet development and coverage criteria of their own network.

The August 2020 public auction of the new 5G frequencies also provided access obligations in 700 MHz frequency band. All MNOs with frequencies in the 700 MHz band must provide access to their network infrastructure to virtual operators under specified conditions.

In December 2018, the National Cyber and Information Security Agency issued a directive that included a warning that Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation, as well as their subsidiaries, could potentially pose a national threat. This directive is still in effect and followed by many official agencies and companies.

In September 2020, the second 5G Security Conference in Prague took place in private. Based on a summary written by the National Cyber and Information Security Agency, 5G security will be governed by specific regulations and cooperation based on trust. 

According to the Prague Proposals (May 2019), cybersecurity is not a purely technical issue. Safe, secure and resilient infrastructure requires a national strategy, sound policies, a comprehensive legal framework and specialist personnel. Strong cybersecurity supports the protection of civil liberties and privacy. In April 2020, the US and the Czech Republic signed a joint declaration on 5G technology.

In February 2022, the National Cyber and Information Security Agency issued Recommendations for Assessing the Credibility of 5G Network Technology Suppliers in the Czech Republic, which sets out strategic, business and technical security criteria that should be taken into account. The guidance is not legally binding.

The new Cybersecurity Bill, which aims to implement the NIS 2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555) into Czech law, also addresses the cybersecurity of 5G network infrastructure. The Bill shall provide the National Cyber and Information Security Agency with the necessary tools to ensure the reliability of suppliers of strategically important services, including electronic communications infrastructure.

No, while a public consultation on the draft report of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) on 6G strategic vision has been launched at the EU level, there are currently no specific projects underway in the Czech Republic.