Poland's dominant telecommunications operator, Telekomunikacja Polska SA (TPS.WA), Thursday said it will launch France Telecom's (FTE) worldwide Orange mobile brand as of Sept. 19.

The re-branding will allow TPSA's mobile unit, Centertel, now the second- largest mobile operator in Poland, "to become the country's largest mobile operation even faster," TPSA Chief Executive Marek Jozefiak said.

Jozefiak also said he expects Centertel to take over the leading position in 2006.

Centertel, with its current brand Idea, commands one-third of Poland's mobile market, had 8.6 million subscribers at the end of June and is expected to exceed 9 million subscribers by the end of the year.

TPSA has a 66% stake in Centertel and plans to buy the remaining 34% from France Telecom, which is also TPSA's largest shareholder with a 47.5% stake.