Polkomtel shareholders to demand dividend payments

Plus GSM mobile operator Polkomtel, increased the number of its subscribers in 2002 to 4.55 million. In the last quarter of 2002 the company signed contracts with 462,000 clients, twice as many as three months earlier. At the moment the operator has 2.24 million regular subscribers and 2.31 million of its clients use its pre-paid service. Sector analysts say Plus GSM's 2002 market share is 32.6%, which place it second after ERA GSM operator Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, but ahead of Idea. In the first nine months of 2002 the operator's net profits reached zl. 519.6 million. In related news Polkomtel's main shareholders, KGHM Polska Miedz, PKN Orlen, TDC and Vodafone will, for the first time in the company's history, demand dividends to be paid. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) J.K.