UKE negotiates for increased wireless investment

Polish telecoms regulator the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) has offered to slow planned cuts to mobile termination rates (MTRs) in exchange for commitments to improve network coverage black spots. The UKE hopes the scheme will help improve communications services in areas lacking 2G and/or 3G network coverage. Those companies which agree to increase 3G coverage to 80% of the population could, for example, be rewarded with a more gradual cut in MTRs than originally proposed: from 1 July 2011 PLN0.152 per minute, from January 2012 PLN0.137 per minute and from 1 July 2012 PLN0.1223 per minute. The regulator has asked mobile operators to submit their opinions in writing over the next two weeks, detailing whether they are interested in such an agreement, as well as submitting a binding declaration on the extent of investment commitments, corresponding to the amount of benefits calculated in relation to the above schedule, with justification.