UMTS and GSM free frequencies: rules revealed soon

The Telecommunications and Post Regulation Office (URTiP), is on the verge of announcing the rules according to which the vacant UMTS and GSM 1800 frequencies will be distributed. Unofficial sources claim that Tele2, the Swedish-owned fixed-line telecoms firm, and mobile phone operator Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa both submitted letters of intent to bid for the frequencies back in April. The URTiP is obliged to announce a tender within the next six months, and while Witold Graboś, the URTiP's president, is inclined towards announcing an unlimited tender that would allow the three existing mobile phone operators to take part, he may yet decide to introduce extra criteria that would specify the way in which the free frequencies must be used. (Puls Biznesu, pp.1, 7) J.J.