Cyfrowy Polsat: MVNO launch in pipeline

Polish digital satellite TV provider Cyfrowy Polsat is expected to launch its long-awaited mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) business this month, with a mobile-TV service scheduled for September. Cyfrowy Polsat is reported to have secured agreement with Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC) for use of its network; the broadcaster will, however, have its own access code, network meeting points, interconnect agreements, billing system and customer relationship management (CRM). Polsat has said it does not intend to compete only on price, but will instead focus on discounts on handset-plus-TV packages. As a TV operator, Cyfrowy Polsat has coverage of 2.2 million households and 7.5 million Poles. In 2008 the company expects its MVNO investment to total EUR3.8 million, a 36% decrease from the EUR5.95 million in 2007.