Polska Telefonica Cyfrowa of Poland started its “Era GSM” Global System for Mobile communications service, offered at rates lower than those of existing operator Centertel, announced U S West Media Group.
Elektrim SA is lead partner in PTC, while U S West holds a 22.5 percent stake. Remaining shares are owned by Polish investors.
Era GSM is offering coverage in Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan, Katowice and Krakow, Poland’s five major cities. U S West said service will expand to cover between 75 percent and 80 percent of Poland by the end of 1997.
Poland’s other GSM licensee, Polkomtel, is scheduled to begin service in Warsaw the first week of October, said Airtouch Communications Inc. spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg.
AirTouch International, Tele Danmark, Polish oil refinery Petrochemia Plock and the mining company KGHM Polska Miedz each hold 19.25 percent in Polkomtel. A number of Polish investors hold interests in the venture as well.
In addition to better rates, Era GSM offers roaming service and phone security, which separate it from Centertel, said U S West. Era GSM’s customers can roam in Germany and Spain today, and in as many as 10 European countries by the end of October, said the company.
“Our experience in Hungary and the Czech Republic shows us that being first provides an important advantage,” said Ken Denman, chief operating officer of European wireless operations, U S West International.
U S West holds a 46.5 percent interest in Westel 900 Hungary-which, according to U S West was the region’s first GSM service and Central Europe’s largest cellular network-and a 24.5 percent interest in EuroTel Praha GSM in the Czech Republic, which launched GSM service in July.
Centertel claims around 125,000 customers on its Nordic Mobile Phone 450 analog network. The venture is controlled by Polish telephone operator Telekomunikacja Polska and Ameritech International and France Telecom Mobiles International each own 24.5 percent.
Separately, international arbitration proceedings are underway between the Polish government and each of Ameritech and France Telecom. The two foreign operators maintain their $75 million combined investment in 1991 to Centertel’s analog operation was contingent on a guarantee they would receive a GSM license. Polish parliament last year changed telecom rules to require GSM licenses be awarded through a tender process.
Complaints from Ameritech and France Telecom filed in Polish court were rejected.
