AMSTERDAM -(Dow Jones)- Royal KPN NV (KPN) is exploring options to enter the Polish mobile market, possibly together with local carrier Netia SA (NET.WA), KPN spokesman Bram Oudshoorn said.
KPN, based in The Hague, is the incumbent Dutch telecommunications firm that provides mobile phone services in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as fixed-line services in the Netherlands.
Netia is Poland's largest alternative provider of fixed-line telecommunications services.
Poland already has three mobile operators, but is looking to introduce a fourth one by issuing a new mobile network license.
"We are seriously exploring our options to possibly bid for that license together with Netia," Oudshoorn said. He said the two companies are still working on how to form such an alliance, if an agreement can be reached.
Polish local media reports also suggested that Nordic carrier TeliaSonera AB (TLSN.SK) has showed interest in bidding for the fourth license, but the company Friday said that they have decided not to participate.
"We have followed the tender process but we're not participating in it," said Tobias Lenner, head of investor relations at TeliaSonera.
Other European telecommunications firms are already present in Poland.
T-Mobile International AG (TMO.YY), Deutsche Telekom AG's (DT) mobile unit, has a holding in Poland's largest mobile operator, PTC (PTC.YY); France Telecom SA's (FTE) Orange holds a stake in the market's number-two operator Centertel, and Vodafone Group PLC (VOD.LN) and Danish TDC S/A (TLD) are both shareholders in Poland's third-largest operator, Polkomtel (PKT.YY).
Oudshoorn Friday also reiterated KPN Chief Executive Ad Scheepbouwer's mantra: that KPN is searching for opportunities in other European mobile markets. He didn't provide details.
-By Joon Knapen, Dow Jones Newswires; 31-20-6260770; joon.knapen@dowjones.com
(Magnus Hansson in Stockholm contributed to this article.)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires"
Posted to the site on 29th October 2004
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/11279.php