Era (telecommunications)
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Era is the main brand name of Poland's largest mobile phone network operator, Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa (PTC). As in other European countries, the company operates a GSM network. 51 percent of the firm is owned by a consortium of Polish conglomerate Elektrim and French company Vivendi, and 49 percent belongs to German telecommunications firm Deutsche Telekom.
At the end of 2004, Era had over 8.6 million customers and was the leading mobile phone network operator in Central Europe. Era is one of Poland's most recognizable domestic brand names, partly because the company has pursued an aggressive advertising campaign that makes Era billboards, sponsored events, and other commercials ubiquitous in Poland. The company's popular prepaid mobile phone service is called Tak Tak (Yes Yes). PTC also operates a second prepaid brand, Heyah, aimed primarily at the youth market.
Towards the end of 2005, Era became the first mobile phone operator in Poland (and eighth in Europe) to have 10 million customers. The 10,000,000th client signing was celebrated with a concert by Van Morrison in Warsaw.
Era may be re-branded to T-Mobile Polska if Deutsche Telekom is successful in the law suit brought by Vivendi concerning majority control.[1]
