Screening in the cellular network will not work. Operators are running out of their heads in the resorts
Long weekends and holidays are a demanding time for mobile operators. In the most crowded resorts, the participation of subscribers of Play networks in relation to the number of inhabitants exceeds 500 percent. That is why the operator plans to further expand its mobile network to a minimum of over 15,000. base stations. In the years 2020-2024, Play invested over PLN 6 billion in a network and frequency.
– We see how the movement in a picnic or Corpus Christi is growing. Regardless of whether the long weekend lasts two, three or four days, or we are talking about holiday time, which lasts two months, we are still observing the same regularity, i.e. traffic can increase up to four -five times – says Newseria agency Michał Ziółkowski, director of the technology division member of the Play Board.
The Play Report “Holidays” indicates that at the peak of the away season – on vacation, holidays, long weekends or holidays – network traffic in the most crowded resorts is growing from a dozen to several hundred percent. Between January 2024 and March 2025, among the places recording the greatest growths of users, converted to telecommunications infrastructure were:
- during the winter holidays Zakopane, around Białka Tatrzańska and Bukowina Tatrzańska,
- On Easter – Kołobrzeg, Świnoujście, Stegna, Wolin, Międzyzdroje, but also Zakopane and Ostróda.
- During the picnic and Corpus Christi, the most popular are around Władysławowo and Karwi, as well as Kołobrzeg, Stegna, around Mielno and Sarbinów.
The record holder is Krynica Morska, where in July and August the participation of Play subscribers in relation to the inhabitants grows by about 500 percent, and in God's Body, growth reached 552 percent.
– We are preparing for such holiday periods all year. Play has been building very intensively for years. Our investment program is written for years, but we try, especially in terms of holiday rest, plan the investment logic so that the stations are ready for the end of June and can operate increased traffic in places where we rest – assures Michał Ziółkowski.
In the period 2020-2024, Play Investments in the network and frequencies amounted to PLN 6.1 billion, and in the following years, expenditure on network development will be maintained at a similar level. The operator currently has 12,669 transmitters and plans to further expand its mobile network to a minimum of over 15,000. base stations.
– In addition, the existing base stations are retrofitted with new technologies such as 5g of band C, i.e. frequencies in the range of 3400-3800 MHz. Recently, we also acquired two blocks in the 700 MHz band as a result of the auction and in a moment we will also launch this network to improve the experience of our clients inside buildings. At the beginning of April, we decided to change the outdated 3G technology, not very satisfied with users, both in terms of voice connections and those related to Internet access, for more efficient, better technologies such as 4G, 5G – announces the director of Play Technology Division.
Increasing traffic in telecommunications networks is visible throughout the year. In Play, the increase in the use of mobile and stationary data is on average about 20 percent. r/r. Only in the first quarter of this year. The operator's customers sent 1069 PB (petabytes) of data. Users are more and more willing to use devices that support the 5G standard – 4.9 million smartphones are logged to the Play network. Currently, eight out of 10 phones sold in Play are devices with 5G.
– The development of infrastructure also supports business activity, I mean even mobile payments. Many of us no longer wear a wallet, we have telephones in our pocket, smart watches, intelligent wedding rings enter the market. All these solutions cause that connectivity is needed – says Michał Ziółkowski.
The expansion of telecommunications infrastructure is associated not only with significant investment outlays, but also with many formalities, hence the building permits process must be started much earlier.
– The average time of establishment of the station is on average about 18 months, but we also have cases where one station was able to arise for 10 years. You can physically build such infrastructure much faster, but administrative permits and decisions are important. Based on our 20-year experience, we see that these provisions remain too complicated. We want to cooperate with decision -makers to simplify these provisions – emphasizes Małgorzata Zakrzewska, director of the Corporate Matters Division at Play.
The study of Chinese and Taiwanese researchers from Nanchang and Taichung universities cited in the Play report (published in the article “Impact of technology on tourism development”) showed a positive economic relationship between the implementation of modern telecommunications services (fast mobile networks and efficient stationary fiber optic connections) and the number of visitors to a given region of tourists.
– Investments translate into users in such a way that they can benefit from entertainment available through data transmission, from television streaming. They can make connections, work remotely, function in economic circulation by making payments – says Małgorzata Zakrzewska.
– We often watch movies on YouTube or Netfliks on the beach – thanks to good quality network it is possible. The safety aspect is also important, because new base stations, especially in difficult mountain areas, help to call for help and services. The Baltic Sea often plays pranks with different weather, sometimes resting, we must stay in the hotel and here as Play we offer permanent links – adds Michał Ziółkowski.
Investments in telecommunications infrastructure, both mobile and stationary, are the foundation of the entire digital ecosystem in the country. Society and economy are based very much on digital infrastructure. Without connectivity, both the base and modern technologies, such as 5G, society or economy, are not able to function.
– As the tragic flood -related events have shown, an operator like us must be prepared even with electricity generators. When the energy network is rained, we are able to provide such a generator to the crisis and connect the base station so that it can continue and ensure communication for people affected by the crisis – emphasizes the director of the corporate division in Play.
