Telecommunications Ministry anticipates license windfall

Telecommunications Minister Tomasz Szyszko says the ministry is considering issuing up to five third-generation mobile-phone licenses (UMTS). One of the licenses will most likely be awarded outside the tender to state-owned Telekomunikacja Polska S.A. (TPSA), which analysts say is intended to please France Telecom, which together with Kulczyk Holding is negotiating a deal to acquire a 35% stake in TPSA. Although the ministry declines to disclose the amount of money it is expecting to raise from the sale of licenses, it is speculated it could be in the region of $1 billion. Contrary to the government's high windfall-targets, major mobile-phone operators want to minimize costs. Era GSM and Polkomtel are both willing to pay around euro 100 million. Polkomtel's CEO said yesterday he was concerned about the disclosed price and the fact that TPSA is to receive a license on different terms. (Rzeczpospolita, page 1) P.S.