Polkomtel could lose strategic investor

Polkomtel, a Polish mobile phone operator, may lose its strategic investor, British Vodafone (19.61% stake), due to an attempt on the part of the Polish shareholders (KGHM 19.61%, PKN Orlen 19.61%, Węglokoks 4% and PSE 17.65%) to gain a 75% stake in the company. By agreeing with Danish TDC (19.61%) to buy its stake they had hoped to outnumber Vodafone. It may be difficult, though, as the conflict between TDC and Vodafone, which might have driven the former to sell its shares to the Polish shareholders, has recently died down. TDC officially claims the stake is still on sale but only the general shareholders meeting on July 3 will reveal if this is true. Vodafone may not be interested in being a minority shareholder and might therefore sell its stake, which will force Polkomtel to look for another strategic investor to secure access to new technologies. (Puls Biznesu, p.10) J.L.