Mobile phone users overtake number of fixed-line subscribers

In 2002 the percentage of the public with a mobile phone grew to 36%, up from 25% in 2001, thanks to rapidly falling tariffs and promotional campaigns, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) said on Friday. Mobile phone penetration jumped, despite the country's economic slump and high unemployment, which boosted the revenues of the three domestic operators - Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, Polkomtel and Centertel. The number of mobile phone users surged by 4.19 million, according to statistical office estimates. For the first time ever the figure exceeded that of fixed-line subscribers, which last year rose to 4.2% to 11.9 million. However, mobile phone penetration is still far below levels found in other Central European countries and has an even further distance to catch up with levels found in West Europe. (Reuters) A.Z.