GSM operators threaten to sabotage gov't UMTS tender

GSM operators have threatened to sabotage the tender for the third generation mobile system UMTS licenses unless the Telecommunications Ministry lowers the price and limits the number of licenses granted (currently euro 750 million and 5 licenses). "The document prepared by the Telecom Ministry is not good," said cellular phone operator Polkomtel head Wladyslaw Bartoszewicz. There are doubts whether the licenses granted in 2000 will operate under the current telecom law or will be the subject to the new regulations to take effect in 2001. Also the obligation to provide internal roaming (using the network belonging to another operator) is at issue. "The provision of the Telecom Ministry document which imposes the obligation on GSM operators to provide roaming for other operators who do not have GSM licenses infringes the law," said the chairman of Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC) Boguslaw Kulakowski. The operators point out that the inquiry period has been shortened from 45 (as was the case in GSM license tenders) to 21 days, and the Ministry now has two days instead of 30 to make all the decisions. (Parkiet, Sept. 16-17, page 1, 3)