WARSAW (AFX) - France Telecom's 47.5 pct affiliate Telekomunikacja Polska (TPSA) will probably be fined 3 pct of its 2006 sales -- or about 90 mln eur -- for hindering competition, said Poland's Electronic Communications Office (UKE).
UKE is accusing TPSA of setting excessively high prices for high-speed internet access.
'The penalty is inevitable and will be very unpleasant for the operator. It is set at 3 pct of group sales for 2006, the maximum allowed under the law,' said UKE spokesman Jacek Strzalkowski.
TPSA said it will appeal against the fine, if it is imposed.
The newspaper Dziennik cited UKE president Anna Strezynska as saying TPSA has not sent UKE its official results yet, but she expects them to be in line with media reports, which would put 3 pct of sales at 356 mln zlotys (90 mln eur).
TPSA must submit the 2006 figures by the end of this week.
UKE will make its final decision about the fine and how much it will be at the beginning of February. If it is confirmed as being 90 mln eur, it will be the highest fine TPSA has ever had to pay.
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