Polish control over mobile telecom operators to end this year, say analysts

According to analysts quoted by Prawo i Gospodarka, by the end of 2001 all three mobile telecom firms operating in Poland could be controlled by foreign entities. This is pretty much already the case with Centertel, a subsidiary of France Telecom (FT) and Telekomunikacja Polska S.A., in which FT has a strategic stake. Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC) is 51% owned by Polish conglomerate Elektrim and 49% by Deutsche Telekom. However, the two are currently negotiating a cooperation agreement, which could mean that the German firm will assume control. The most interesting developments could take place in Polkomtel, operator of the Plus GSM network. It has a diversified shareholder base, with Tele Danmark, Vodafone AirTouch Communications, oil company PKN Orlen and copper firm KGHM each holding a 19.61% stake. Vodafone, the world's largest mobile telecom firm, is reportedly vying to take over Tele Danmark, which would put it in a prime position to take control of Polkomtel. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p.15) T.J.