Netia calls on Telecom Minister to block El-Net network

Telecom operator Netia wants the Telecommunications Minister Tomasz Szyszko to prevent the rival independent telecom operator in Poland, El-Net, from building a telecommunications network and offering services in Warsaw. Netia justified its demand by pointing to procedural mistakes on the part of the Ministry during the negotiations at which the two submitted their bids for a license to operate in Warsaw. As a result only El-Net received the license. At the same time Netia's representatives declared that they will withdraw all the complaints about El-Net provided Szyszko gives Netia a license also to operate in Warsaw. Rumors are circulating that Elektrim S.A. which owns El-Net is holding talks with Netia concerning mutual cooperation. "These are far-fetched speculations which we are not going to comment," said Elektrim spokeswoman Ewa Bojar. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 21, Parkiet, page 1) A.Z.