Competitive dynamics in Polish telecommunications, 1990-2000: growth, regulation, and privatization of an infrastructural multi-network

This paper analyzes the relationship between governmental regulatory polici es and competitive dynamics amongst private operators and the national mono polist, TP SA, in three network segments of the Polish telecommunications s ector. Special attention is paid to the evolution of organizational strateg ies in a regulatory environment characterized by constant strategic indecis ion and reorientations of national policy makers. The paper finds that regu latory/competition coevolution has taken diverse forms in the three network subsegments, with asymmetric duopoly operating in the local fixed network, hidden competition at work in the long-distance fixed network, and oligopo listic technology-driven competition characterizing the high-growth cellula r network. The conclusion reached is that Polish telecommunications to date has been stuck in a broad stage of pre-competitive market maneuverings by domestic and international capital, in preparation for privatization of the national operator and for full liberalization as part of EU integration. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.