CETIN contracts Ericsson to build Czech 5G network

CETIN, the biggest Czech telecommunications infrastructure owner, has concluded a five-year contract to build a 5G network and modernize existing mobile networks with Ericsson.

The contract followed a tender that assessed bids according to various commercial, technical and security criteria. Other companies offering 5G include China’s Huawei and Finland’s Nokia.

Last week, the three Czech incumbent mobile operators – Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2 Czech Republic – won frequencies in an auction linked to future next-generation 5G networks. O2 CZ’s mobile infrastructure were transferred to CETIN, part of the PPF group owned by Czech billionaire Petr Kellner.