Our history in Norway
Telenor has provided telecommunications in Norway for more than 165 years, starting with the telegraph, continuing with telephones and broadcasting networks, and continuing to today’s digital innovations. Telenor’s history is Norway’s history. Here are some of the highlights.
2022
Telenor's 5G business accelerates
Telenor's 5G network covers over 60 per cent of the population, with over a million 5G devices in the network. According to Tutela, Telenor has the best total coverage in Norway, and was once again awarded for having the fastest 5G network in Norway by Ookla. Telenor also launched TV services over 4G and 5G fixed wireless broadband in 2022.
2021
Telenor increased the pace of modernization
By the end of the year we were modernizing 50-60 base stations per week.
Norway’s fastest network
According to results from tests taken using Ookla® Speedtest®, Telenor has the fastest 5G network in Norway (measurements second half 2021). Customers' mobile experiences had a major boost in 2021, speeds more than doubled. The main reason is that the new modernized 4G network is also vastly improved.
The world’s most robust network?
Telenor has introduced dual-homing in the mobile network, and the introduction of this follows the pace of Telenor's 5G modernization. By utilizing double lines, the customer consequence of an outage in the mobile network will be drastically reduced, this is because redundancy is achieved.
Innovation, speed and security
Telenor launched 5G fixed wireless broadband, with speeds up to 500 Mbps. Furthermore, the company strengthened our Security position, both within products and expertise. And we took a leap into the new future within edge computing.
2020
Telenor opened first commercial 5G network in Norway
Telenor’s commercial 5G network opened in nine different cities and villages across Norway, making Telenor the first mobile operator in the country to offer 5G to customers.
Fornebu to remain Telenor headquarter for 25 years with new property owners
Telenor sells the headquarter office building at Fornebu, Norway to NPRO Holding AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Property ASA. The building will continue to operate as Telenor’s headquarter for the next 25 years.
2019
Telenor launched Scandinavia’s largest 5G pilot in Norway
Telenor opened Scandinavia’s largest 5G pilot in the Norwegian municipality of Elverum, making Telenor Norway the country’s first operator to integrate 5G into its mobile network.
Telenor completed 5G vendor selection for Norway
Telenor has completed its vendor selection process for the future network in Norway. Ericsson will modernise and build the Telenor’s 5G radio access network (RAN).
Telenor, NHH and NTNU to establish a new knowledge powerhouse to fuel growth and develop new industries
Some of Norway’s key knowledge institutions join forces to contribute to the country’s digital success: NHH, NTNU and Telenor are establishing an open collaboration arena for digital transformation and innovation.
Three Telenor leaders recognised among Norway’s 50 leading women in tech
On the International Women’s Day, the NHO association Abelia and the women’s network ODA, announced Norway’s 50 foremost women in technology Among the 50 recognised women in technology were three Telenor leaders: Telenor Norway’s Ingeborg Øfsthus, Chief Technology Officer; Camilla Amundsen, Head of Fixed and TV and Astrid Undheim, Telenor Research VP in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
2018
Telenor launched nationwide IoT network over 4G
Telenor Norway opened its 4G network for Internet of Things (IoT) communication. IoT over 4G enables sensors and other “things” to communicate via Telenor’s existing 4G network. This makes Telenor’s network the only one to provide full nationwide coverage for IoT communication.
Telenor Group launched the first 5G pilot in Scandinavia
Telenor Group launched the very first 5G pilot in Scandinavia. The pilot will serve as a testbed for the superfast fifth generation mobile network in Norway.
Ookla: ‘Telenor has the fastest mobile network in the world’
Telenor Norway has the fastest mobile network in the world, according to Ookla, which analyses the speeds from tests conducted by mobile customers.
2017
Telenor-NTNU AI-Lab opened
Norway’s new powerhouse for artificial intelligence (AI) opened in Trondheim. The new centre, Telenor-NTNU AI-Lab, will strengthen national competitiveness and add valuable, future-proof competencies to the Norwegian society.
IoT pilot launched
Telenor Group unveils a new experimental Internet of Things (IoT) offering, Telenor Start IoT, in Norway. Available free of charge to Norwegian entrepreneurs and students, the multi-city pilot initiative will support entrepreneurship, boost innovation and new national competence building.
2015
Sigve Brekke new Group President and CEO
Sigve Brekke appointed President and CEO of Telenor Group. He leads the digital transformation of Telenor Group, focusing on operational efficiency, modernisation and positioning the company as a digital telco. His experience includes roles in Telenor as Executive Vice President and Head of Asia and CEO of Thailand’s mobile operator dtac.
2014
The mobile payment solution Valyou is launched in Norway
2012
TravelSure is launched in the Nordic countries
Nordic customers get more simplicity, cost control and flexibility when using their mobile abroad thanks to TravelSure.
Introduced 4G phones in Norway
Telenor is the first telecoms operator in Norway to make it possible to use mobile phones on the 4G network
Launched first 4G networks in Norway
Telenor launched its fourth-generation mobile network (4G) in 11 cities and towns in Norway
2011
Celebrated 100 years with operations in the Arctic
Telenor Svalbard celebrates 100 years in the Arctic and launches the northernmost 4G network.
Telenor Norway ran network swap
Replacing equipment at 6500 locations and wins InfoWorld Green Award for clever handling of 1500 tonnes of used network equipment.
2010
Launches music streaming service Wimp in Denmark and Norway
2007
Telenor Norway is granted a licence in the 2.6 GHz band for 4G
The digital terrestrial network opens in Norway
2005
Telenor celebrates 150 years
2014
3G UMTS service is launched in Norway and Sweden
2003
Fibre optic cable connects Svalbard with the mainland, Norway
2002
The new Telenor Group headquarters opens at Fornebu, Norway
The first trial of UMTS (3G) takes place in Norway
Jon Fredrik Baksaas succeeded Tormod Hermansen as Group CEO
Jon Fredrik Baksaas was President and CEO from 2002 to 2015. During this period, Telenor grew to become a leading global telecommunications service provider with 200 million customers and operations in 13 markets across the Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. Baksaas also served as Director of the Board of VimpelCom and was Chairman of GSM Association from 2013 through 2016.
1999
Merger process between Telenor and Telia stopped
The Norwegian and Swedish states intervene; the merger process closing after 12 months
1998
Telenor launches the first of its IP telephony products in Norway
The end of the monopoly of telecommunications in Norway, as The Norwegian telecommunications market opens up to full competition.
1997
Fully digitalised network in Norway
The Norwegian telecommunications network is one of the first in the world to become fully digitalised.
1996
Builds a new, high capacity infrastructure for the Internet in Norway
1995
Televerket (Norwegian Telecommunications) changes its name to Telenor
1994
Norwegian Telecom (Televerket) becomes a public corporation
ISDN (broadband) introduced in Norway
Olympic Winter Games at Lillehammer – Telenor a major partner
International media dubbed the event the ‘mobile phone Olympics’ due to the fact that 25,000 handsets were in operation.
1993
Launches GSM-system – setting a new international standard (2G)
Telenor leads in establishing GSM (2G) – the SMS service was a part of this platform
1992
THOR I is purchased and moved to the 1ºWest position
Tormod Hermansen became Managing Director
Tormod Hermansen was Managing Director of the Norwegian Telecom from 1991 to 1995 and President and CEO of Telenor from 1995 to 2002. Under his leadership, the company transformed from a state corporation to a public listed company. As a response to deregulation of the Norwegian mobile market, Telenor increased its strategic focus on mobile services and started exploring international mobile opportunities.
Fibre optic cable connects Norway and Denmark
1988
End of monopoly of sale of telephone sets in Norway
1985
The last manual telephone exchange is shut down in Balsfjord, Norway
Automation of the Norwegian telecommunications network is completed
1984
Early on with satellite-based TV transmission
Norwegian Telecom (Televerket) starts its field trials for television transmissions to Svalbard sent via satellite
1981
The telefax is introduced in Norway
NMT (1G) is launched in Norway
Nordic Mobile Technology (NMT), first generation mobile services (1G), is launched by Telenor in Norway – subsequently a byproduct of a Scandinavian project headed by Telenor
1980
Kjell Holler appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telecom
Holler holds the position as General Director from 1980 to 1991.
1979
94,000 names in Norway are on the waiting list for a phone subscription
1976
First satellite connected to oil installations and shipping fleets
Officially opens up satellite connection from the mainland to oil installations in the North Sea and to shipping fleets abroad.
1974
Takes over the last private telephone company in Norway
Andebu Telephone Association, is taken over by Norwegian Telecom (Televerket)
1972
Norway is one of the last countries in Europe to launch colour television broadcasts
1970
Partners to establish international standards for the mobile networks
1969
Nordic telcos create the NMT standard (1G)
Cooperation between the Nordic countries to create a common standard resulting in Nordic Mobile Telephony (NMT)
From Telegrafverket to Televerket
The Norwegian Telegraph Administration (Telegrafverket) changes its name to Norwegian Telecommunications (Televerket)
1968
Per Øvregard appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Øvregard holds the position as General Director from 1968 to 1980.
1966
First manual mobile telephone is launched in Norway
Direct international distance dialing from Norway is enabled
1965
Satellite telephone connection between Norway and USA opens
1962
Leif Larsen appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Larsen holds the position as General Director from 1962 to 1968.
1960
Norwegian Television (NRK TV) opens for television broadcasts
1955
Celebrates our 100th anniversary
Celebrates our 100th anniversary – one of the oldest telecom companies in the world
1941
Norway is occupied, new director appointed
The German occupying forces take control of the Norwegian Telegraph and appoint a new CEO in 1941. The appointed director, Andreas Hadland, steps down in 1945.
1938
Andreas Haarberg appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Haarberg holds the position as General Director from 1938 to 1941.
1935
Magne Hermod Petersen appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Petersen holds the position as General Director from 1925 to 1938.
1932
First red telephone booths appear in Norway
“Miss Clock” introduced in Norway
The ‘speaking’ clock, known to all as “Miss Clock”, is introduced as a new and popular telephone service.
1930
Tore Olaus Engset appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Engset holds the position as General Director from 1930 to 1935.
1928
Telephone connection opens between Norway and USA
The telephone connection between Norway and USA opens
1925
The first radio broadcast is transmitted in Norway
1922
Niels Stockfleth Schultz Nickelsen General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Stockfleth Schultz Nickelsen holds the position as General Director from 1922 to 1929.
1920
Opens the first automatic telephone exchange in Northern Europe
The Norwegian city of Skien opens an automatic telephone exchange
1906
Second in the world to open radio waves connections between islands
1905
Thomas Thomassen Heftye appointed General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Thomassen Heftye holds the position as General Director from 1905 to 1921.
1901
Norwegian state obtains exclusive rights to run telephone services
The Telegraph Act is passed, giving the Norwegian state exclusive rights to run telephone services in Norway
1893
Norway is one of the countries in the world with the highest density of telephones per habitant
First international telephone line introduced
The first international Norwegian telephone line connects Christiania (Oslo), Norway with Stockholm, Sweden
1892
Jonas Severin Rasmussen appointed as General Director of the Norwegian Telegraph
Rasmussen holds the position as General Director from 1892 to 1905.
1880
Norway’s first official telephone exchange opens
1878
First telephone cables between Norwegian cities
The Norwegian cities of Arendal and Tvedestrand are connected via telephone cables
1877
The first public demonstration of the Bell telephone in Norway one year after Bell introduced the telephone for the first time
1869
The telegraph cable connection between Norway and Great Britain opened
1867
First international telegraph cable connection opened between Norway and Denmark
1855
First Norwegian telegraph line opened by the Norwegian Telegraph Administration
Connects Christiania (Oslo) and the city of Drammen