In an unexpected twist, the Czech telecommunications market is witnessing a paradoxical trend. While the average price of mobile data has significantly decreased, the cost of unlimited tariffs has seen an uptick, according to the latest report from the Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ).
The past year has brought good news for data-hungry consumers, with the average price per megabyte (MB) plummeting to a mere 1.7 hellers. This represents a substantial 23% year-on-year decrease, making mobile internet more accessible than ever. Households have been the biggest beneficiaries, enjoying a 24% reduction in data costs, while business customers saw a more modest 17% decline.
However, the story takes an interesting turn when it comes to unlimited tariffs. Despite the overall downward trend in data prices, the cheapest unlimited tariff has actually increased by 54 crowns, now costing 653 CZK per month. This development has raised eyebrows, especially considering that these tariffs had previously seen a 40% price drop since their introduction in 2019.
The current market offers a mixed bag for consumers. T-Mobile and O2 start their unlimited tariffs at 945 CZK and 949 CZK respectively, while Vodafone offers a more attractive price point at 747 CZK. However, Vodafone’s lower price comes with a trade-off in data speed, capped at 4 Mb/s compared to the 10 Mb/s offered by its competitors.
Interestingly, the report also highlights a shift in communication habits. As traditional voice calls become less popular, Czechs are increasingly turning to online messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. This trend is reshaping the importance of mobile data in consumer preferences and may signal the end of further significant price drops in voice call rates.