Poland's GSM operators could boycott UMTS tender

Poland's three mobile telecom operators are threatening to boycott the UMTS tender if the Telecom Ministry does not change several key terms for granting the licenses. Their main objection is the Ministry's conditions on domestic roaming, which will force the three present GSM operators, Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC), Polkomtel, and Centertel, to let new UMTS licensees use the three established networks once the newcomers cover 30% of Poland's population.The three argue that in order to introduce domestic roaming, the Ministry would have to change the terms of their GSM licenses issued several years ago, which it cannot do without their permission. PTC, Polkomtel, and Centertel are also criticizing the Ministry for not attaching a blueprint UMTS license to the tender documentation. "Such a situation is unprecedented in Europe. The tender is open and we still do not know what we are fighting for," said Boguslaw Kulakowski, president of Era GSM network operated by PTC. The GSM operators are set to meet the Telecom Minister on Oct. 30, while Nov.10 is the deadline for placing bids in the tender. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.24)