Press Releases

Exercise of Viag option

Information notice to British Telecommunications plc.

Telenor adjusts its prices

Telenor will be making some changes to its prices at the turn of the year. The minimum call charge will be increased in both the fixed and the mobile networks, while fixed network call rates (Norway price) per minute will be reduced for daytime calls. It will also be cheaper to call from the fixed network to Telenor Mobil and to several countries in and outside Europe.

Telenor awarded UMTS licence in Portugal

The Portuguese company ONI WAY, where Telenor has a 20 per cent stake, has been awarded a licence by the Portuguese Government for third generation mobile operations (UMTS) in Portugal. The licence was awarded after a "beauty contest", where the price for each licence was set to 100 million Euro.

Telenor and Ericsson sign UMTS contract

Telenor has signed a contract securing Ericsson as its main supplier during the development process of Telenor's UMTS network in Norway.

Telenordia not awarded UMTS license

Telenordia, the joint venture between Telenor and BT, was not awarded a license for third generation mobile operations (UMTS) in Sweden.

Telenor and Oracle sign global partnership agreement for ASP

Telenor has signed a global partnership agreement with Oracle, one of the worlds largest software companies. The agreement gives Telenor worldwide non-exclusive rights to use Oracles technology platform as the basis for ASP (Application Service Provider) and outsourcing services. Telenor is one of the first companies in Europe to enter into such an agreement with Oracle.

Telenor chairman resigns

Chairman of the board in Telenor ASA, Mr. Eivind Reiten, will resign as a result of his acceptance to become President and CEO of Norsk Hydro from May 2nd 2001.

BT and Telenor agree on extending option on Esat Digifone

BT and Telenor agree on extending Telenors put option on Esat Digifone from December 7 this year to February 7, 2001.

Telenor announces final details in relation to its IPO

At a press conference in Oslo Sunday, Telenor announced final details in relation to the completion of the Companys IPO.

Telenor IPO: Indicative price range revised to NOK 42 to NOK 46 per Ordinary Share

Telenor announced today that, due to changed market conditions, it has revised the indicative price range for its IPO to be NOK 42 to NOK 46 per ordinary share (or US$13.57 and US$14.86 per ADS). The total Global Offering (excluding the over-allotment option) would raise a total of between NOK 15.6 billion and NOK 17.1 billion in the form of new shares, with the full proceeds accruing to Telenor.

Telenor has sold its head office in Oslo

Telenor has signed an agreement to sell the groups head office in the centre of Oslo (Universitetsgt. 2) to Entra Eiendom AS and Selmer ASA for a price of 550 million kroner. Subject to the approval of the Board, the sale will be completed by the end of the year.

Ready for 3G: Norwegian UMTS licence awarded to Telenor

On Wednesday 29 November, Telenor was awarded a 3G licence to build the next generation of mobile network. The company will now start the process of building its third generation mobile network so that during the next five years, all areas in Norway with a population of more than 200 will have access to new mobile services.

Telenor announces details of its forthcoming IPO

At a press conference in Oslo on November 10, 2000, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry and Telenor announced further details in relation to the Companys forthcoming IPO.

Telenor Internet with ADSL

Telenor is now preparing for the December 1 launch of Telenor Internet with ADSL, a new product featuring high-speed connection to the Internet, 24-hours a day, at a fixed price.

Half-year results from Telenor

Telenor groups operating profit for the first half-year of this year was NOK 1.983 million, which is an increase of NOK 188 million compared to the same period last year. The growth in operating income compared to the first half-year of 1999 is almost 10 percent. Telenors pre-tax profit for the first half-year was NOK 1.657 million which is NOK 309 million more than the same period last year.

Telenor hangs up on the analogue NMT-900 mobile network

As of 1 March 2001, Telenor will close down its NMT-900 analogue mobile network. Norwegian authorities agree with Telenor that the digital GSM system is a fully acceptable alternative to the NMT-900 system and have shortened the licence period, which will now be terminated at the end of February 2001. Norwegian NMT-900 subscribers will either be compensated or offered reasonably priced GSM subscriptions.

Telenor launches Masters degree in Telecommunications Strategy in association with the Norwegian Uni

Telenor, an international provider of high quality telecommunications, data and media communication services, has kicked off the first term of its Masters degree in Telecommunications Strategy (MTS). The degree will be run in partnership by Telenor Corporate University (TCU) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and is one of the first of its kind in the world.

Nextra moves into Russian internet market with take-over of leading ISP, Elvis Telecom

Nextra, the pan-European communications service provider (CSP) owned by Telenor, today announced the purchase of the majority share of the Russian ISP, Elvis Telecom, from VimpelCom and its founders. This purchase is the latest in a series of similar purchases of ISPs throughout Europe by Nextra.

Nextra awarded license and announces the creation of new Czech Wireless business

Nextra, one of Europe's foremost internet-based service providers for the business community, today announced the formation of a new wireless business - Nextra Wireless s.r.o. The new Prague based enterprise, which will be headed up by Vojtech Vrba, was created following the successful tender for one of three new Czech network operator licenses for FWA (26 GHz Fixed Wireless Access). The Czech Telecommunication Authority officially assigned the license to Nextra on 21 Sept. 2000.

Telenor and INTELSAT launch new satellite partnership at 1 degree West

Telenor of Norway, one of Europes leading satellite operators, has purchased a quarter of the capacity available on the INTELSAT satellite that is to be launched in 2003, both organisations announced today, Thursday.

Nextra creates major new force in European messaging services

Telenor's Nextra establishes a new company, TTYL (Talk To You Later),to take advantage of growing demand for seamless messaging services.

Nextra enters neighboring Nordic countries

Telenors Internet company, Nextra, launches in three Nordic countries. At the same time, Nextra AB strengthens its debut in the Swedish market with the purchase of rising ASP Mirea.

Telenor largest shareholder in Inmarsat

Telenor and Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications have agreed for Telenor to acquire approximately one-third of LMGTs stake in Inmarsat Ventures Limited.

Telenor to test digital TV via telephone net

Telenor will be the first telecommunications company in Europe to test out VDSL (Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line), a new broadband technology which will enable data transfer of up to 25 Mbit per second via existing telephone cables. Telenor customers in Stavanger and Sandnes will have the opportunity from this fall, to test out up to 30 digital TV channels and high-speed Internet via the telephone network.

Telenor signs contract with Worldview Global Media Ltd.

Telenor and the Sri Lanka based company Worldview Global Media Ltd have signed an agreement for the development and supply of information and communication services in Europe that aim to enhance international cultural exchange. The agreement has been entered into by ColourSat; a part of Telenor Broadband Services. ColourSat has also signed an agreement for the distribution of two new Indian TV-channels.

Telenor acquires 50 per cent of Telenordia

Telenor and BT have entered into an agreement to acquire TeleDanmarks shares in Telenordia. Telenordia is Swedens fourth largest telecom operator with more than 300,000 customers. Telenors part of the acquisition amounts to approximately NOK 1.24 billion. Following completion of this transaction, Telenor will own 50 per cent of Telenordia. Telenor and BT will acquire 50 per cent each of TeleDanmarks 33.33 per cent stake. This means that Telenor and BT will each own 50 per cent of Telenordia. Telenordia, which commenced business operations in 1995, is today the fourth largest telecom operator in Sweden with more than 400,000 customers in the field of fixed line, data and Internet for the business market and public sector. The company had a turnover of more than SEK 1.5 billion in 1999.

Djuice.com enters into agreement with Total Access Communication (TAC) in Thailand

Telenors Djuice.com and "TAC" (Total Access Communication) in Thailand have signed an ASP (Application service provider) agreement concerning the development, establishment, promotion and marketing of a mobile Internet portal for the Thai market: Djuice.co.th. Djuice.co.th provides both an English and a Thai language version, and in the local portal a large number of Wireless Application Protocol ("WAP") and Personal Digital Assistant ("PDA") links are available.

Norsk Data Ltd acquires XTML to broaden its range of managed services offerings

Telenor-owned Norsk Data, a leading UK provider of IT business solutions, including computer maintenance services, has today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in XTML for an undisclosed sum. XTML is a leading provider of business critical internet hosting and application service provision (ASP) for businesses in UK.

Telenor reaches agreement with BT on shares in Viag Interkom

Telenor supports BTs acquisition of E.ONs (formerly Viag and Veba) 45 per cent stake in German Viag Interkom. At the same time, BT and Telenor have entered into an agreement whereby Telenor may decide to sell its ten per cent stake in Viag Interkom before the end of the year. After this period BT has the right to acquire Telenors shares through a call arrangement, for a period of three months. Telenor has made no decision to sell and BT and Telenor remain important strategic partners.

Telenor invests in business-to-business in Finland

Not for distribution in the US, Canada, Australia or Japan. Telenor Media has purchased 60 per cent of the Finnish company Telefakta Telemarketing OY, with the intention of establishing a new business-to-business (B2B) concept in Finland.

Telenor to transmit two Indian TV-channels

ColourSat, a business unit in Telenor Broadband Services will soon add two new channels to its rapidly expanding line-up of ethnic and thematic channels. The company has signed an agreement with the UK based Indian production company, Bollywood Eros Network Ltd., to distribute B4U Movies and B4U Music in Europe. Distribution of the two Indian channels is scheduled to start at the beginning of August.

Prepaid calling cards go satellite

Telenor customers can now use prepaid calling cards for Inmarsat Mobiq and Global Area Network (GAN) services, allowing customers to talk for as long and as often as they wish from their own prepaid account.

Nextra announces the creation of new Swiss ASP business

The growing pan-European ISP commences implementation of its ASP business strategy.

Nextra secures Internet customers

Nextra secures their Internet-customers in the Norwegian private market through a new deal with Symantec, a worldwide producer of security software. Users are effectively protected against virus attacks and hacking over the net.

Telenor Technology Services acquired by Jabil Global Services

The services operation will be integrated into Jabil Global Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jabil Circuit, Inc., a leading electronics manufacturing service provider. Jabil operates facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, provides Jabil with a European repair facility for its customers and extends its global reach. [...]

Zonavi – Telenors new Nordic initiative for Interactive TV

Telenor has established a new company, Zonavi, which will develop content and new services for interactive television based on broadband technologies. "Zonavi is an important part of our strategy to become the leading Nordic supplier of broadband services to the home," said Stig Eide Sivertsen, CEO Telenor Broadband Services.

Norway’s Telenor Media majors in French ATB

Telenor Media has acquired 75% equity of Annuaires Téléphoniques de Bretagne (ATB), a French directory publisher based in Lorient, France. The current owner will retain the remaining 25 % of the company.

IBM/Lotus and Telenor launch IntraWAP: Intranet on your mobile phone

Helsinki/Oslo: On Friday, Telenor, IBM Norway and Lotus presented IntraWAP - a solution that enables employees to have direct access to the companys intranet via their own mobile WAP phones. The project is the first of its kind to be launched worldwide.

Telenor enters into agreement to acquire 53,50 percent of SONOFON

Oslo/Copenhagen: Telenor of Norway has entered into an agreement to acquire 53.50 percent of the shares in SONOFON, the second largest mobile operator in Denmark with approximately 900,000 mobile subscriptions. The investment will amount to approximately DKK 13.1 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 1.7 billion.

Telenor launches Pakistani TV channel in Europe

The Pakistani TV channel Prime TV will be commercially launched in Europe on May 29th 2000. The channel will be encrypted and is available for TV-viewers in Europe. Prime TV is part of the ColourSat concept, marketed by Telenor.

Telenor offers lowest rates to mobile phones

Telenor announces an offensive price guarantee for its fixed line customers: -- Our customers will enjoy the lowest prices available when they call from their home phone to a mobile phone, says Telenor Privats Director of Information, Ole Tom Nomeland. This price guarantee applies to calls to Telenor Mobils subscribers.

Kon-Tiki Museum and Telenor : 2000 No Barriers Research Scholarship

Telenor and the Kon-Tiki Museums "No Barriers" research scholarship will be awarded this year to Dr.Jonathan Ames Friedman, Professor of Social Anthropology, Social Anthropology Department, Lund University, Sweden, and to Dr. Edvard Hviding, Associate Professor of Social Anthropology, Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bergen.

Telenor awarded satellite contract in Morocco

Telenor has been awarded one of three licences to establish a satellite network in Morocco. The network will provide complete communication solutions both domestically and internationally for businesses in Morocco. Telenor is planning to invest approximately NOK 25 million in licences and infrastructure in Morocco this year.

Telenor enters into agreement to acquire up to 30% in Thailands second largest mobile operator

Telenor AS of Norway today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire up to a 30% stake in Total Access Communication Public Company Limited ("TAC") and up to a 24.9% stake in TACs parent company, United Communication Industry Public Company Limited ("UCOM"), a major telecommunications group in Thailand. The investment will eventually amount to approximately US$720 million.

Nextra launches voice over IP for business customers in Norway

May 11, Oslo, Norway - Nextra, one of Europes fastest growing business-related communications service providers, today announced the launch of its Norwegian voice-over IP service which will allow the companys corporate clients to cash in on lower price voice calls via data networks and reduce overall network administration costs.

Telenor celebrates quick IPO start

Not for distribution in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan The Norwegian government has submitted a bill to Parliament recommending the partial privatisation of Telenor scheduled to take place from this autumn.

Good 1st quarter for Telenor

The Telenor Groups operating profit for the 1st quarter of 2000 was NOK 1,166 million. Compared to the same period in 1999, this represents an increase of NOK 364 million, of which NOK 352 comes from net gains from the sale of operations. Compared to the 1st quarter of 1999, the growth in turnover was just over 10 per cent. Adjusted for gains from sales, growth in turnover was approx. 6 per cent. The Groups pre-tax profit for the 1st quarter was NOK 908 million, an increase of NOK 387 million compared to the same period last year.

Presentation of Telenors quarterly results

Telenor invites you to a presentation of the results for the first quarter of 2000.

Nextra acquires PVT.net as part of its expansion programme in the Czech Republic

Nextra, one of Europes fastest growing business-related communications service providers, today announced its acquisition of PVT.net, the Internet business unit of PVT. The agreement with PVT, the leading IT and communications system integrator in the Czech Republic, will enable Nextra to provide Internet services to customers across the Czech Republic. The acquisition also establishes a relationship between Nextras parent company, Telenor AS, and PVT.

DnB and Telenor create Norways leading net business channel

DnB and Telenor have agreed to form a new joint stock company with the objective of becoming Norways leading portal for net business solutions. The new company will have NOK 100 million in equity and will develop and offer a number of solutions to link traditional bank and telecom operations. Included will be new net business services via mobile telephone and other presentation media, such as viewing screen telephones and digital television. This joint project will help to accelerate the development of broadband services in Norway.

Nextra appoints managing director for Germany as company gears-up for growth.

Nextra, one of Europes fastest growing business-related communications service providers, today announced that it has appointed Rex Stephenson as managing director of Nextra Germany. Stephenson, 56, joined Nextra on 1 May 2000 from Global One where he was Executive Vice President of Global Operations and a member of the Executive Committee.

WAP to the people from Telenor!

This week will see WAP phones with a price tag of around NOK 1,000 in Norwegian stores. Telenor, in partnership with Motorola, is the first telecom provider in the world to have developed the technical solutions which offer full-scale WAP telephony at a far cheaper price than before.

Major Nordic initiative with Telenor

Yes Television plc and Telenor announce that the two companies have signed a letter of intent to deliver a total television interactive service throughout the Nordic region.

Global coordinators appointed for the listing of Telenor

Not for distribution in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and Telenor today announced the appointment of global coordinators for the planned initital public offering (IPO) of Telenor AS. The listing is subject to approval by the Norwegian Government and Parliament (Stortinget).

Telenor Satellite Tracking opens Johannesburg office

Telenor Satellite Tracking is expanding its operations with a new office in Johannesburg, South Africa. A leading global provider of satellite tracking and telemetry services, the company already has a growing customer base in southern Africa.

Telenor Mobile Communications bids for GSM 1800 licence in Turkey

Norwegian Telenor Mobile Communications is part of a consortium bidding for a GSM 1800 licence in Turkey. Telenor has an interest of 36 percent in the consortium. Three licences have been offered for auction, one of which has been reserved for the state-owned telecommunications company, Turk Telecom. Minimum investment per licence is USD 649 million.

Telenor takes over Swedish call centre

Telenor Teleservice has purchased the remaining 49 per cent of the Swedish call-centre company Kalix Tele 24, making it a 100 per cent owned Telenor Subsidiary.

Nextra builds Norway’s foremost business Internet Service Provider

The Norwegian division of the Telenor-owned Internet company Nextra is gaining new management. Young talent has been recruited to form Norway's foremost Internet-based communications provider geared toward the business market.

Terje Thon steps down

Terje Thon resigns as Telenors Senior Executive Vice President effective July 1.

Telenor first in the world with SmartPhone

Soon you wont need a PC to surf the Internet. On 22nd March Telenor will be launching SmartPhone, a new form of technology that will make all Internet services accessible to ordinary telephone subscribers.

Nextra acquires German business ISP IVM

Oslo/Bonn: Nextra, one of Europes fastest growing business related communications service providers, announced today that it has acquired IVM, an Internet service provider based in Bonn. IVM is the second German ISP purchased by Nextra this month, and the fourth acquired by the company since November 1999.

Record profits for Telenor_58

Interim accounting figures show that Telenor recorded a pre-tax profit of NOK 3,314 million in 1999. This is NOK 406 million more than in 1998 and the highest profit in the groups history. The profit is mainly the result of significant growth in traffic and gains from sales. Operating income increased by 15.8 per cent.

Telenor Strengthens Corporate Management

Telenor is expanding its corporate management and making it more operational. "We have great challenges ahead of us in both the domestic and international markets. We have to be more offensive to ensure our customers access to world-class telephony and information services at reasonable prices, as well as create new growth and value for our owner," says CEO Tormod Hermansen.

Nextra buys Seicom, its third ISP in Germany

The Telenor company Nextra, Norways leading IP based business communications services provider, has acquired Stuttgart-based Seicom. Seicom, a rising ISP (Internet Services Provider), is the third German ISP focusing on business-related solutions purchased by Nextra in the last four months, signalling the companys expansion into one of Europes largest and most attractive markets.

Norways Telenor moves into Germany

With the recent launch of a Dusseldorf office, Norways Telenor has signaled that it plans to strengthen its focus on the German market.

Telenor: two million mobile phone subscribers Telenor: two million mobile phone subscribers

In the first week of 2000, the number of Telenor Mobil subscribers broke the 2 million barrier. The company has therefore gained more than 500,000 new GSM subscribers in just one year. More than 60 per cent of the Norwegian population, or 75% of all Norwegians over the age of 12, now own a mobile phone.

British Telecommunications plc and Telenor AS

British Telecommunications plc and Telenor AS ("Telenor") announce that they have reached agreement on their future relationship with regard toEsat Telecom Group PLC ("Esat") and Esat Digifone Limited ("Esat Digifone"). The agreement, which will come into effect upon BT's offer for Esat becoming unconditional and after any applicable regulatory consents, will provide that:

The International ISP (Internet Service Provider) Nextra s.r.o., acquires Slovak ISP, IPN a.s.

Nextra s.r.o, a subsidiary in the Telenor group, recently signed an agreement confirming the acquisition of IPN a.s, including its PubNet network.

TELENOR WILL NOT BE EXTENDING ITS OFFER ON ESAT TELECOM plc

Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into Canada, Australia or Japan. This announcement is not an extension of a tender offer in Canada, Australia or Japan. (Oslo, 11. Jan 2000) The Board of Telenor Ireland notes the announcement by British Telecommunications plc ("BT") of a recommended cash offer for Esat Telecom Group plc ("Esat") for US$ 100 for each Esat ADS. This represents a price which Telenor Ireland does not believe it would be appropriate to pay. Accordingly, it will not be extending its offer of US$ 85 per ADS beyond 14 January 2000.

TELENOR IRELAND and the Increased Cash Offer for ESAT TELECOM GROUP PLC

Telenor offers

Telenor conquered the y2k-threat

With the exception of minor local congestion in the mobile network shortly after midnight, Telenor has mastered the year 2000 transition with no problems.