In Brief: Lucent, Polkomtel; Tele-Fonika; PKO BP; BBC Prime

Leading telecom equipment producer Lucent Technologies has signed a contract with Polkomtel, owner of Plus GSM mobile phone operator, for the development of the latter's countrywide fiberoptic network. The figures involved in the deal remain unknown but to build 1,000km of fiberoptic network costs around euro 50 million. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) ... "The continuing blockade of the cable plant in Ozarow may put the existence of the whole Tele-Fonika KFK group at risk," said the company's vice-president, Jan Kurbiel. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) ... The Treasury Ministry is considering upping the capital of PKO BP bank by a share issue prior to its debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange next year. According to the Ministry the privatization advisor for the bank will be chosen before the end of this year. (Parkiet, p.6) ... BBC Worldwide has officially announced the date it will start broadcasting in Poland. The new Polish language BBC Prime will appear on cable TV on January 16, 2003. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 22; Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 5) J.K.