Zygmunt Solorz-Zak has effectively been given the go-ahead to create what would be the largest media and telco conglomerate in Poland.
This follows the decision by the Competition Office (UOKiK) to approve the acquisition of Polkomtel by Spartan Capital Holdings, a group controlled by Solorz-Zak whose interests include the national commercial broadcaster Polsat and DTH platform Cyfrowy Polsat.
Polkomtel owns the mobile operator Plus and Solorz-Zak plans to use its infrastructure to roll out 4G internet services, using LTE technology, that will offer subscribers throughout the country a range of integrated multimedia services.
The deal is worth PLN18.1 billion (€4.13 billion) and is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Polish market.
By significantly increasing competition, it could, according to one forecast, save customers up to PLN6.5 billion over the next five years.