TP delays wholesale broadband access for operators

That was until the accepted model of cooperation it was going to employ was found to be unfavorable to its partners. Four operators, namely eTel, GTS Energis, Netia and Telefonia Dialog, currently have contracts with TP, however, there are many others in the wings waiting to strike up their own businesses piggybacking on TP's network. According to a representative from one of TP's current partners, if the four can sign 100,000 broadband customers between them, then they will have a more positive outlook for the future. At the moment though, they are not so optimistic. Netia, who originally estimated that it would win several thousand new subscribers, has had to re-evaluate its plans. Along with Energis, Netia believes that the only way it can turn a profit is to bundle internet and voice services. TP on the other hand, is doing well and will increase the number of its subscribers by 600,000 next year. Other operators claim that the accepted model of settling accounts with TP (up to 51% of discount from TP's retail price) renders them unable to compete with the telco. Operators need to invest in infrastructure and customer service and TP will always offer better prices. In order to compete other operators need to slash their profit margins. (Puls Biznesu p.7) M.M.