About our History

More than 155 years of accumulated experience within telecommunications, coupled with a pioneering spirit and a quest for knowledge and development – are what have brought Telenor to where it is today. Telenor Group has mobile operations in 11 markets around the world and in additionally 19 markets through our 31,67 per cent ownership in VimpelCom Ltd. Go ahead and explore our history – in text, film and pictures.

View the Telenor History

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2005

2005

Telenor Pakistan launches its own mobile GSM network in March 2005.

  • Safe transition to digital TV: Telenor plans to build digital terrestrial TV network in Norway.
  • Telenor celebrates its 150th anniversary and gives away 7000 PCs and digital teaching aids to Norwegian primary and secondary schools.
  • Telenor contracts with Orbital to build THOR II-R.
  • Telenor increases its economic exposure in DTAC, Thailand and as a result, consolidates the company.
  • Telenor enhances its position in the Nordic region by acquiring the broadband suppliers Cybercity in Denmark and Bredbandsbolaget in Sweden.
  • The Telenor owned subsidiary, Telenor Pakistan, launches its GSM mobile network on 15 March. By year-end it has 1.9 million subscriptions.
  • The UMTS service is launched in Hungary.

2004

2004

With 3G and mobile broadband you can surf the net wherever you are...

  • Partly owned by TSBc, Intelsat 10-02 positioned at 1º West is successfully launched aboard an ILS proton launch vehicle. Intelsat 10-02 replaced Intelsat 707, providing high power coverage of Europe and the Middle East
  • Telenor enters into an agreement to roll out mobile communications infrastructure in Pakistan.
  • The commercial 3G UMTS service is launched in Norway and Sweden.
  • Telenor opens for IP telephony.
  • Telenor upgrades the GSM network with the EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) technology.
  • The remaining shares in Cosmote are sold at a profit of NOK 2.6 billion (USD 497.4 million).

2003

2003(Photo: Simon Marcus /Corbis/SCANPIX)

Mobile telephones with built-in cameras make a splash in the market.
Photo: Simon Marcus /Corbis/SCANPIX

  • A new mobile alliance, Starmap, includes nine European mobile operators as members.
  • Fibre optic cable connects Svalbard with the mainland, Norway.
  • Mobile phones incorporating cameras are put on sale.
  • Telenor acquires 100% of Sonofon, Denmark.
  • Telenor acquires the remaining 25% of Comincom-Combellga in Russia, which later merges with Golden Telecom, in which Telenor obtains an ownership interest of 19%.
  • Telenor disposes of half of its shares in Greek mobile operator Cosmote at a profit of NOK 2.1 billion (USD 401.74 million)

2002

2002(Photo: Damien Heinisch)

The new Telenor head office opens at Fornebu in 2002.
Photo: Damien Heinisch

2002(Photo: Bo Mathisen)

Jon Fredrik Baksaas takes over as President and CEO of Telenor in 2002.
Photo: Bo Mathisen

2002(Photo: Damien Heinisch)

6000 employees move into the new Telenor head office in 2002.
Photo: Damien Heinisch

  • Jon Fredrik Baksaas succeeds Tormod Hermansen as CEO in April.
  • Telenor increases its investment in VimpelCom.
  • The first trial UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) call takes place in Norway
  • The new Telenor headquarters at Fornebu, Oslo opens in September and more than 6000 employees move in.