2001 results show Polkomtel winning mobile phone war

Polkomtel, operator of the Plus GSM mobile phone network, recorded a net profit of zl.591 million last year, nearly three times the figure for 2000. In financial results for 2001 announced yesterday, Polkomtel revealed that revenues rose 20%, to zl.4.2 billion. The company ascribes its good pe rformance to a 40% increase in the number of subscribers, which reached 3.44 million in December, and to the heavier use of non-voice services, including SMS. Chief Executive Marek Mroczkowski said that, while he expected revenues would continue their growth and reach zl.5 billion in 2002, profits would be restricted by the stiff competition, falling tariffs and heavy investment in the expansion of services. "We will do our best to maintain earnings in 2002 at least at last year's level. All will depend on the economic situation," he said. Given the economic slowdown, none of Polkomtel's rivals is expected to have matched its spectacular success. Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), operator of the Era network, is thought to have maintained its position as the market leader, with around 3.8 million customers. But its net profit for the first three quarters of 2001 was just zl.199.9 million. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7; Prawo i Gospodarka, pp. 1, 3; Reuters) M.K.