Update November 2000: Czech Republic

The following text complements, respectively updates, the latest version of the KPCO report, concerning the organisations and persons, playing the key role in the development of the information society in the Czech Republic. It is divided into sections, which describe the governmental organisations, associations and professional organisations as well as the most important activities within the commercial sector.

Some of the described individuals or organisations are not included in the database because they have not agreed providing their data yet. Though they belong in any respect to the key information society players in the Czech Republic and they should be mention here.

1. Governmental organizations

The former Director of the Department of Protection of Personal Data in the State Information System Office (USIS), Mr. Karel Neuwirt, has been appointed the Director of the newly established Personal Data Protection Office (UOOU). The major UOOU task is supervision of the institutions that collect and process citizen personal data, supervision and authorisation of certification authorities.
www.uoou.cz

2. Associations and professional organisations

In the late August 2000 the Association for Internet Advertising (SPIR) has been founded. Its focus and membership base placed it among the earlier founded Association of Internet Content Providers (APO) which has not carried out any activities so far this year.,The founding members are Internet Info, Internet servis, IP Praha, M.I.A., Pegas Internet a Run Interactive. The chairman is Mr. Marek Antos.
www.spir.cz

The Center for E-commerce has released the results of the 5^th round of the Internet user survey in the Czech Republic. As the ESIS major partner for the Czech Republic it has announced the ESIS conference with the title "Information society and new economy in the Czech Republic" with the subtitle of "Public Private Partnership in Practice". The conference will be held in Prague on 21^st November, 2000.
www.e-commerce.cz

3. Individual companies

3.1. Telecommunication sector

The Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) has granted the first two licenses for the voice services (demonopolized from January 1^st, 2001) to Aliatel and Contactel.
www.ctu.cz
www.aliatel.cz
www.contactel.cz

The number of mobile phone users (resp. activated SIM cards) has reached 3 millions in middle August. That represents almost 30% penetration. The new mobile operator Cesky Mobil has gained 3% of the market share while EuroTel keeping 51% and RadioMobil 46%.
www.ceskymobil.cz
www.eurotel.cz
www.paegas.cz

3.2. Internet Service providers

In September CTU also decided about the licences for the FWA wireless networks that have been granted to Broadnet, GiTy/StarOne and Nextra.
www.broadnet.cz
www.gity.cz
www.nextra.cz

3.3. Payment and logistics infrastructure

At Invex IT fair and exhibition CitiBank presented the Try me zona – service integrating JuicePay (the virtual bank account operated by Internet or mobile phones) with the courier service. The new users have been offered 100 CZK credit (up to 3 USD) for purchases at partner shops.
www.juicepay.cz

Brno based start-up B2B Centrum announced receiving the seed capital from Esther Dyson and Roman Stanek. Its virtual marketplace Intelligo put together supply and demand records from the area of the non-productive sources (especially office equipment and furniture).
www.b2bcentrum.cz
www.intelligo.cz

3.4. Content providers

XChat server (announcing 180,000 users) has been acquired by NetCentrum, portal Nr.3 in the country. This deal is not clear though in terms what has been actually acquired next to the brand and domain.
www.xchat.cz
www.centrum.cz

Globopolis.com Prague based start-up announced receiving the seed capital of 6 mil. USD from Advent International fund. It is operating the Central European city guide for travel, culture and entertainment covering Prague and 7 more cities (other 15 to be added).
www.globopolis.com

The new monthly magazine focused on new economy and e-business has been set-up by in Brno based Computer Press publishing house. The editor in chief is Pavel Pospisil.
www.ebiz-mag.cz

3.5. Other

The 10^th international IT fair / exhibition Invex organised by Brno Trade Fairs and Exhibitions (BVV) attracted over 150,000 visitors (17% growth) and 853 companies that used almost 40,000 m2. The specialised pavillon was dedicated for the E-zone: e-business solution, lectures and presentations. The Invex manager is Jaroslav Hlousek.
www.bvv.cz

12 traditional Tuesday informal meetings of Internet entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and media representatives in Prague, one in Brno, one Wireless Wednesday and one MatchMaking event were organised by First Tuesday CZ chapter of the global networking organisation. More than 2,000 registered visitors attending First Tuesday CZ events can benefit from matching know-how, capital, ideas and people in this new economy community. The First Tuesday CZ founders are Vlastimil Vesely and Ondrej Bartos.
www.firsttuesday.cz