Polsat, TCF to capture PTC via Elektrim stock purchase?

Leading private television group Polsat and TCF signed a deal on Friday to buy Elektrim shares owned by BRE Bank, strengthening their hand in talks to buy into the PTC mobile phone company. Polsat and TCF will take over the 21.6% stake for around zl. 127 million. The owner of Polsat, Zygmunt Solorz, said his company also wants to buy an additional stake of nearly 10% from Zbigniew Opara. Polsat has reportedly been seeking a deep-pocketed partner to help it finance the purchase of Vivendi's assets which would give it 51% control in PTC. Analysts suggest that once he gains control of the mobile operator, Solorz may try to sell his stake with a good profit to Deutsche Telekom. BRE said it is expecting to profit zl. 20.3 million from the deal. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb 8-9, pp. A1, B2; Gazeta Wyborcza, Feb 8-9, pp. 1, 2, 24; Reuters) J.K.