New GSM frequencies don't get ringing endorsement

There are 33 radio channels at three bands to be distributed. By Friday, however, not even a single offer had been submitted to the Telecommunication and Post Regulation Office (URTiP). "Operators are holding back with their decision to the very last moment," said Jacek Strzałkowski, URTiP's spokesperson. The main problem is that the number of channels offered in one band is not enough for the construction of a countrywide mobile network, and GSM 1800 is most suitable for large cities. The potential candidates, which are still not present on the mobile phone market, are currently conducting negotiations with existing operators about the use of their networks. According to Parkiet, it is highly probable that Netia and Tele2 will participate in the bidding. URTiP will evaluate the candidates' financial credibility, experience on the telecoms market, as well as their ideas concerning technical solutions. (Parkiet, p. 7) A.F.