Rivals launch challenges to threaten TPSA dominance

Telecom giant TPSA, which until July 1 enjoyed a virtual monopoly of the domestic market, is facing a challenge on two fronts from its new rivals. Independent inter-zone operator NOM, a competitor in the field of domestic long distance calls, yesterday asked the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) to institute an anti-monopoly inquiry against TPSA. The complaint centers on a new TPSA television advertisement, which NOM says sounds more like an official government announcement, rather than a commercial. The criticism is supported by Telecommunications Minister Tomasz Szyszko. On the other front, telecom company Netia is objecting to TPSA's demand for 70% of the income derived from providing Internet access that uses the TPSA infrastructure. Netia spokesperson Jolanta Ciesielska is quoted by Puls Biznesu as saying that she sees no reason to give up income to TPSA, since Netia has made serious investment in its infrastructure without any contribution from TPSA. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 17; Puls Biznesu, p. 6) M.T.K.