Our contribution to society
At Telenor, we see how communications services benefit people’s lives every day. Mobile communications allow people to stay in touch, have access to information, receive help in emergencies and reduce the need for travel. The telecommunications industry has an important role to play in social and economic development.
Telenor is committed to providing high-quality coverage in all the countries in which it operates. We also want to extend the benefits of mobile communications to as many people as possible.
Studies show positive effects of mobile communications
In 2007 Telenor commissioned Deloitte to carry out a study of our markets in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Serbia and Ukraine. This study revealed a close correlation between mobile penetration and GDP growth. In emerging markets, a 10 per cent increase in mobile penetration could boost GDP growth by as much as 1.2 per cent.
The study shows that our business has positive effects on:
- Increased productivity
- Economic welfare
- Educational and health improvements
- Disaster relief
- Improving conditions in rural areas and low income groups
The benefits of access to mobile services
Wherever we are in the world, mobile communications technology contributes to social inclusion. People are able to stay in touch. Mobile communication ensures access to emergency services and medical assistance. For many people, performing simple daily tasks would be unthinkable without access to mobile communications. Many of us take that access for granted.
Simple solutions can make a world of difference
It is not necessarily the big technological inventions that make our lives easier. What makes a difference is the way we transform technological knowledge into value adding services. For instance, by developing solutions that enable parents to control which websites their children can access, or by finding new ways to safeguard children against sexual abuse on the Internet.
Giving people access to communications services
However, for countless people across the world, access to communications services remains a remote prospect. Access is a means to combat poverty, illiteracy and poor health. Access is about helping people to improve their own living conditions. This is what we mean when we say Empowerment through Access. We continue to create value for society by providing more people with access to communications services.
