28. 4. 2026 | ← Back to blog
Prague offers intense competition among internet providers: from major players like O2 or Vodafone to dozens of smaller local operators. How to choose between them? Most people compare price and advertised speed. Yet these two figures can be misleading. In this article, we provide a complete checklist for selecting an internet provider in Prague, whether you are looking for a connection for a household, home office or office.
Advertising regulations for internet services in the Czech Republic are lenient. An operator may advertise "up to 500 Mb/s" while realistically guaranteeing only a fraction of this value. Key questions you should ask before signing the contract:
Is the speed guaranteed, or is it a "up to" value? Cable operators typically guarantee 80-85% of the advertised speed. Local fibre operators on a dedicated network can guarantee 100% - this depends on the contract and terms. Request the specific figure from the SLA document, not from a marketing leaflet.
Is the connection shared or dedicated? Cable internet is shared with neighbours in the area. During evening streaming or at weekends when the network is congested, speed drops. A dedicated optical connection has no sharing: the capacity is yours.
What is the upload speed? Asymmetry is standard for cable and DSL tariffs. A "200 Mb/s" tariff may offer only 20 Mb/s upload. For video conferencing, cloud backups or working from home, upload speed is a critical parameter.
SLA (Service Level Agreement) is an agreement on the level of services provided. It defines what happens in the event of an internet outage, how quickly the operator must respond, what penalties apply for non-compliance and what availability is guaranteed as a percentage.
For consumer tariffs from major operators, a true SLA does not exist. The terms state that the operator will "attempt" to resolve faults within a reasonable time. For business tariffs or local operators focused on B2B, you should require:
Guaranteed availability expressed as an annual percentage. 99% means up to 87 hours of downtime per year. 99.9% means a maximum of 8.7 hours. For offices and businesses, 99.9% is the minimum.
Response time (Time to Respond) - how long it takes for the operator to confirm an outage and begin resolution. The standard for business tariffs is 4 hours; for premium tariffs, 1 hour or less.
Restoration Time - maximum outage duration. A local operator with a technician physically close to your office typically has a shorter recovery time than a centralised call centre operator.
A dynamic IP address changes with every connection or router restart. A static one remains the same. Why does this matter?
Companies operating remote access (VPN, Remote Desktop), own servers or IP-based access systems absolutely require a static IP. However, even a home user wanting remote access to their own NAS or cameras will appreciate a static IP, otherwise they must use complex solutions such as dynamic DNS.
With major operators, a static IP is usually a paid item, costing at least an extra 100-200 Kč per month. With local operators focused on business clients, a static IP is typically included in the standard tariff.
Large operators have advantages: marketing, a recognisable brand and extensive coverage across the whole country. If you come to Prague only occasionally, or need a SIM card with data valid throughout the Czech Republic, a large operator makes sense.
For permanent connections in central Prague, local ISPs have structural advantages:
Technical support without a call centre. When you call the local operator, you speak directly to a technician who knows your network and possibly your building. No queues, no scripted responses, no transfers.
Physical proximity of the technician. Our technical centre is located at Břehové 40/1 in Josefov. A technician can be with you within 30-60 minutes of reporting the issue. Compare this to a centralised operator, where booking a technical visit takes days.
Contract flexibility. Major operators typically require a 24-month commitment. Local ISPs tend to be more flexible, shorter commitments, individual terms for business customers.
No hidden installation or hardware fees. With some operators you will pay a monthly fee for the router rental for the entire contract period. It is advisable to calculate the total costs for 24 months precisely, not just the monthly flat rate.
Before signing a contract with any internet provider in Prague, review this checklist:
1. Is the speed guaranteed or "up to"? How is this stated in the contract?
2. What is the upload speed? Is it symmetric with the download?
3. Is the connection shared or dedicated?
4. What is the guaranteed annual availability (SLA) in percentage?
5. How long does it take to respond to a reported outage?
6. Is a static IP included in the price or available for an additional fee?
7. What is the contract duration and the conditions for early termination?
8. Are there any fees for installation, activation or hardware rental?
9. Where is support based and how do I contact it? Is it available at weekends?
10. What is the actual experience of other customers in my building or street?
Prague 1, especially Josefov and Staré Město, are areas with historic buildings. Older properties have specific conditions for cable routing and varying levels of readiness for fibre optics. Before selecting an ISP, verify:
Whether the operator actually covers your specific address: coverage of "Prague 1" is not sufficient; it depends on the street and house number. Whether construction modifications are required and who bears the cost. Whether consent from the building manager or the building's owners' association (SVJ) is needed, and whether the operator will assist with coordination.
These details are usually addressed during the initial technical survey, which should be free of charge and without obligation with a reputable ISP. On on our website You can check availability for your address immediately online, and we will gladly provide more detailed information by phone at +420 775 654 499 or by email to internet@pvip.cz.
More information about the optical connection technology we operate in Prague 1 can be found in the article. Internet optic Prague: complete guide.
We provide fast and stable internet, fair prices and reliable communication. You can sleep soundly.