PTK Centertel pulls the plug on its deal with GTI

PTK Centertel, the operator which owns the GSM Idea network, broke a contract with GTI, a company managing a network of 115 dealers selling Idea's mobile phones. Centertel argues that when in mid-May GTI was acquired by Greek company Germanos, it was impossible for PTK Centertel to continue co-operation because Germanos owns over 150 stores of PTK Centertel's competitor, Era GSM. Owning both Era and Idea's stores would lead to creating a multidealer network, selling different operators' mobiles. However, what is standard in many countries worldwide turned out to be unacceptable in this country. PTK Centertel decided to break the contract, which means that stores owned by GTI are allowed to operate only until the end of August. It is unofficially known that both sides are in negotiations as they want to reach a compromise and preserve the existing network. If they don't, both Idea and Germanos are likely to suffer losses. (Puls Biznesu, p. 10) D.W.