Poland’s alternative telco market, which is increasingly providing its customers with TV services, could be heading for a period of consolidation.
According to Parkiet, the alternative carrier Netia has increased its credit line by PLN100 million (€21.9 million) through the French bank BNP Paribas. It can also call on a further PLN600 million from Raifessen, BRE and Rabobank, as well as PLN300 million of its own reserves, thereby having a war chest of up to PLN 1 billion for acquisitions.
Netia is understood to be targeting the rival telcos Exatel and Dialog, which are owned by Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) and KGHM Polska Miedz respectively. PGE and KGMH are also shareholders in Polkomtel, the operator of the mobile network Plus.
Netia, which earlier this week was acknowledged by the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) to be Poland’s leading alternative telco, currently lists VOD and cable TV in its offer.
Dialog meanwhile operates an IPTV service while Exatel provides internet services to a number of small cable operators.
