Press Releases

Financial reporting from Telenor in 2003

Telenor intends to presents its financial reports in 2003 and keep its General Assembly according to this plan: Thursday 13 February: results for the 4th quarter and yearend 2002 Wednesday 7 May: results for the 1st quarter 2003 Thursday 8th May: General Assembly Wednesday 23 July: results for the 2nd quarter 2003 Thursday 30 October: results for the 3rd quarter 2003

Telenor announces closing of NMT 450

Telenor Mobil's licence for the mobile network system NMT 450 expires on December 31st 2004. Today, in keeping with license requirements, the company announced that it will likely not apply for an extension of the licence. Telenor Mobil is dedicated to offering alternative solutions to NMT 450. Coverage of the GSM network is still being extended, and Telenor Mobil has entered into a roaming agreement for satellite telephony.

Telenor new principal owner of Utfors, as agreement is given approval

The agreement between Telenor and Utfors AB has been given final approval by the Swedish Competition Authority and today's extraordinary General Meeting of Utfors. The transaction sees Telenor becoming the main contender in the Swedish market for business communications. The integrated company will have Norwegian CEO and Norwegian Chairman.

Telenor sells stake in Russian regional operator to VimpelCom

Telenor has sold its 49% share in Russian regional mobile operator, Extel, to Telenor Mobile's associated company, VimpelCom. The remaining 51% of the shares in Kaliningrad based Extel have also been sold to VimpelCom.

Ericsson and Telenor Mobile sign a global MMS agreement

Ericsson and Telenor Mobile have signed a global framework agreement for Multimedia Messaging Services solutions, the technology that offers enhanced messaging capabilities such as color pictures, photographs, sounds, animations and audio clips.

A simplified Telenor

As of January 1, 2003, Telenor will be reorganised to create a more robust organisation, capable of continuing the development of the Norwegian activities and secure continued growth in the international mobile portfolio. "Telenor is strongly committed to improve services for our customers in the domestic market and to elaborate a clearer strategy for our international activities" said CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.

Tom Vidar Rygh retires from posistion as Chairman of Telenor ASA

Tom Vidar Rygh has accepted the position as CEO of Enskilda Securities AB, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Rygh has informed that he will leave his position as Chairman of the Board in Telenor ASA with immediate effect. Until a new chairman is appointed, Ms. Åshild Bendiktsen will be acting chairman. Rygh has held the position since June 2001.

Telenor to become principal shareholder of Utfors: Strengthens Nordic Position

Telenor today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the board of Utfors, the Utfors bank consortium, Utfors restructuring committee and shareholders representing 34.4 per cent of shares and votes in Utfors, to become the company's principal owner. The company will thereby be part of Telenor's strategy in the Nordic business communications market.

Telenor to increase investments in Russian mobile expansion

Telenor and the Russian companies VimpelCom and Alfa Group have signed an agreement to invest a total of USD 175.44 million in the company VimpelCom-Region, with one third each. The company will build and operate mobile services throughout Russia. VimpelCom, in which Telenor holds a 29 per cent economic stake, had approximately four million subscribers as of October 1, 2002.

Telenor launches electronic international newsletter

Telenor Business Solutions today launched their first edition of SimplySpeaking - a monthly electronic newsletter. The newsletter will offer strategic advice on market developments and innovations along with information on Telenor Business Solutions and Nextra as well as reference to customer experiences. Delivered directly to each recipient's desktop, SimplySpeaking will offer fast access to relevant data and open opportunities to interact.

Cheaper SMS the more messages sent

Telenor Mobil introduces a price scale on text messages (SMS) through the Skala subscription plan. Cost per message decreases according to the number of messages sent per month. The lowest price for a text message is hence NOK 0.69.

Telenor Plus to sell Telenordia Private customer base to Glocalnet AB

Telenor Plus and Glocalnet AB have signed an agreement on the sale of Telenordia Private customer bases in Sweden. Settlement will be in the form of shares in Glocalnet. The sale presupposes approval by the Swedish authorities and is expected to be final by the end of the year.

Telenor third quarter: Restructuring and cost reductions

Telenor's third quarter results for 2002 show a strong profit and revenue growth in international operations, whereas the growth in the Norwegian market is in decline. Domestic operations are characterised by restructuring and a focus on efficiency and cost reductions. This has resulted in improved margins and lower investments in fixed and mobile networks in Norway. Major write-downs, primarily in Telenor Business Solutions, have produced a loss before taxes.

Telenor: presentation of third quarter results

Telenor will present their financial results for the third quarter 2002, on Wednesday October 30, at 0900 hrs Norwegian time. The presentation will be a joint press and analysts presentation, held in the Auditorium, Telenor Expo Visitor centre at Fornebu.

Telenor strongly critical to PT notification

Telenor Mobil is strongly critical to the content in today’s notice from the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (PT) of an upcoming decision regarding the arbitration case between Telenor and Teletopia, which concerns access to connect an own SMS switch to Telenor Mobil’s network. Telenor Mobil objects both to the price determined by PT, and to the fact that this represents a distinctively Norwegian price regulation of SMS-services that could have far-reaching negative effects on the mobile market in Norway.

Telenor Mobil to reduce workforce

As a result of Telenor’s cost- and efficiency initiatives, Telenor Mobil will be reducing the workforce by 216. Employees were informed of the reduction in the workforce on Tuesday morning. Those affected will be offered redundancy packages in the course of the week. Telenor Mobil currently has approx. 1600 employees.

Multimedia messages at NOK 5 apiece

Telenor Mobil will continue to offer the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) free of charge through October. From November 1, the normal price will be halved to NOK 5 apiece for every message sent.

Tax return challenged

The Central Tax Office for Large Enterprises has notified Telenor that it will suggest to its Assessment Board that the 2001 tax return for Telenor Communication AS, a Telenor Group company, may be challenged in respect of this company's sale of its shares in Sonofon Holding A/S to Dansk Mobil Holding AS, another Telenor Group company.

PT decision on Sense prices

Telenor ASA has today received the decision from the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (PT) on the disputed pricing in the service provider agreement between Sense Communication International ASA and Telenor Mobil AS. This decision is in line with PTs announcement as of July 23 and concludes that Telenor Mobile's new price scheme for service providers should be calculated to the effect that the total payment of volume excluding the cost of interconnection and roaming should be 25 per cent lower than the total payment based on the price scheme which applied during the period (unoff. translation).

Operational units at Telenor to merge

Telenor Business Solutions will be restructuring their Operational Services division to simplify and improve the division's commercial development. Four former units will be merged and restructured. The staff reductions will affect 239 out of a total of 923 employees in the division. An additional 35 employees will be offered new employment elsewhere as a consequence of relocation processes. 17 employees will be transferred to Telenor Networks.

Telenor introduces the Fornebu model

Telenor introduces a new service portfolio called the Fornebu model to coincide with the official opening of Telenor's headquarters at Fornebu just outside Oslo. Private industry and public sector activities are being offered access to the same solutions and competence that Telenor now enjoys at Fornebu.

Telenor’s new headquarters to open on September 23

On Monday September 23, Telenor officially opens its new headquarters at Fornebu. Around 6000 employees previously located at 40 different addresses in the Oslo area are now working under the same roof. Norway's Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik will conduct the official opening Monday night.

Telenor opens its new headquarters at Fornebu

The official opening of Telenor's new headquarters will take place on Monday September 23. This is an event that will start off a new era for the Telenor group. A manned press centre will be kept open throughout the day. A press breakfast will also be arranged on the same day, focusing on the new workplace at Fornebu.

Telenor Mobile and Tele2 in MVNO agreement

Telenor Mobile and Tele2 have entered into two agreements giving the companies MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operation) access to each other's GSM and future UMTS networks in Norway and Sweden. This will be the first MVNO operation in Norway and Sweden. The agreements have a 5-year duration.

Telenor highly ranked on Dow Jones’ sustainability index

On Wednesday, Telenor was listed on both the Dow Jones European Sustainability STOXX-index and on the global DJSI World-index. Only three Norwegian companies are listed on both indexes. Telenor is the only telecoms operator in the Nordic Region to be listed on the STOXX-index.

Kyivstar transactions

Telenor Mobile Communications AS (Telenor) has entered into a transaction with Storm LLC (Storm).

BP goes wireless with Telenor

Oil company BP Norway has signed an agreement with Telenor Business Solutions for the delivery of wireless network (WLAN) to the BP's head offices in Stavanger. By implementing "Wireless Zone", BP will provide employees, contractors and visitors with wireless access to the Internet, e-mail and central computer systems.

Telenor To Terminate Song Agreement

Telenor Business Solutions today announced that it has terminated the business combination agreement with Song Networks, and the offer to participate in a financial restructuring of the company.

Telenor second quarter: continued growth and increased margins

Telenor's second quarter results for 2002 are characterised by continued growth, particularly in the international mobile operations. Telenor Mobile now has in excess of ten million mobile subscriptions (pro rata). In Norway, a strong focus on operational efficiency has contributed to improved margins and lower investments in the fixed and mobile networks. "As well as expecting further growth in our mobile operations, we are now fully committed to rationalizing operations and reducing expenses and investments in the group. Telenor has a strong balance sheet and is well positioned for further development and value creation, particularly in our mobile operations outside Norway," said President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.

Telenor: presentation of half year results

Telenor will present their financial results for the first six months this year, second quarter included, on Friday 26 July at 0900 hrs Norwegian time (GMT +2 hours). The presentation will be a joint press and analysts presentation in the Auditorium, Telenor Expo, Universitetsgt. 7 in Oslo.

Telenor moves into majority position in Kyivstar GSM, a leading mobile operator in Ukraine

Telenor has today completed the acquisition of an additional 16.5 per cent of the shares in Kyivstar GSM from the Sputnik Funds, a Western financed private equity firm operating in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States in the former Soviet Union). The acquisition was made pursuant to a pre-existing option arrangement. After giving effect to the acquisition, Telenor will be the majority owner with 61.9 per cent of the shares in Kyivstar GSM. The purchase price is USD 66.46 million.

Telenor enters into a combination agreement with Song to strengthen Nordic reach

Oslo/Stockholm, July 9th 2002: Telenor Business Solutions today announced that it has agreed to participate in a planned financial restructuring of Song, one of the largest data, internet and telecom operators in the Nordic region. The proposed transaction will give Telenor the opportunity to take a majority shareholding in Song and become a clear leader in the Nordic market for enterprise communications solutions.

Telenor to cover ICT for The Norwegian Public Roads Administration

have signed two comprehensive contracts regarding the delivery of data communications and managed IT services for The Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The three year-agreements have an estimated value of 134 MNOK, and include the delivery of Norway's largest IP VPN ever.

Telenor to handle Nordea Bank telephony

Telenor has signed a new contract with Nordea Bank in Norway to supply services within telephony and customer contact. The agreement is worth NOK 60 million over two years.

New member on the Telenor Board

The Corporate Assembly of Telenor has elected Hanne de Mora (42) as new shareholder-elected member of the Board of Telenor ASA. Deputy Chairman Åshild Bendiktsen is re-elected as shareholder-elected member, both for a period of one year. Bente Neegård Halvorsen leaves the Board.

Canal+ Group and Telenor settle their dispute

Canal+ Group and Telenor sign a definitive agreement to complete the sale of the 50% stake held by Canal+ Group in Canal Digital to Telenor.The agreements signed in July 2001 also provides for the exclusive distribution of Canal+ Group channels in Northern Europe.

Change of CEO in Pannon GSM in September

Mr. Klaus Holgaard Rasmussen (47) will replace Mr. Bjørn Johan Flakstad as CEO of Pannon GSM in Hungary on the 1st of September this year. After more than eight years of international service for Telenor, most of the time in Hungary, Bjørn Johan Flakstad will return to Norway to contribute with his international managerial experience in the further development of Telenor Mobile. Pannon GSM is 100 per cent owned by Telenor and is an important part of Telenor’s international portfolio.

DiGi.com in Malysia not to bid for UMTS license

The following notification has been sent the Oslo Stock Exchange:

Skåne chooses Telenor

Telenor Business Solutions in Sweden and Kommunförbundet (Swedish Association of Local Authorities) in the Swedish county Skåne, have entered into a telephony agreement that includes 28 out of a total of 33 municipalities in the county. The agreement is worth SEK 150 million over a period of three years and provides the municipalities with a complete solution for fixed telephony and mobile services.

Telenor’s Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Telenor has today given its approval to the board of directors' proposed dividend of NOK 0.35 per share. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on May 29, 2002. From May 10 the Telenor share will be traded exclusive of dividend.

Telenor first-quarter results: Growth and higher margins

Telenor's revenues excluding gains increased by NOK 1.821 billion or 19 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. Operating profit before depreciation, amortization and write-downs (EBITDA) increased by 27.6 per cent to NOK 2.926 billion, excluding gains and losses, during the period.

Presentation of Telenor’s quartely result

Telenor extends an invitation to a presentation of the company's first quarter results for 2002.

Jon Fredrik Baksaas the new CEO of Telenor

The board of Telenor ASA has appointed Mr. Jon Fredrik Baksaas as the new CEO of Telenor.

Oracle names Telenor Business Solutions hosting service provider of the year

Oracle has awarded Telenor Business Solutions as "The hosting service provider of the year for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). This decision was announced at Oracle's Executive Partner Forum in Cannes on Tuesday.

Merkantildata and Telenor Mobil enter into strategic agreement

Merkantildata ASA and Telenor Mobil AS have signed an agreement to cooperate on marketing- and the development of new solutions for the mobile market. The prime objective is to develop new solutions with wireless and mobile computer tools for the companies' joint customers in the business segment.

- No basis for further financing of Itworks

"Despite thorough assessments, Telenor has concluded that there no longer exists basis for further financing of the company Itworks. None of the solutions discussed have been found to be economically feasible," says vice president and member of the corporate management of Telenor ASA, Mr. Bjørn Formo, in connection with the decision to wind-up the company. The Telenor Group has loans and other claims in Itworks of more than 110 million NOK. This is considered lost as a result of the wind-up petition.

Telenor Mobil and Eterra sign WLAN agreement

Telenor Mobil AS and Eterra ASA have entered into a framework agreement for supplying wireless Internet zones, also called WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). Under the agreement Eterra will engineer the technical system integration. The aim of the agreement is to assure that users wishing to transmit data across the wireless Internet via WLAN can move freely over to Telenor Mobil's regular GSM/GPRS network without losing the Internet connection.

Orkla and Carlsberg Breweries Picks Telenor for Voice Services

Telenor today announced that Norwegian branded consumer goods giant Orkla and Danish Carlsberg Breweries have chosen Telenor Business Solutions to deliver fixed and mobile voice services. The three-year contracts, worth an estimated 300 million NOK, comprises approximately 30.000 users in 163 companies across Scandinavia and are probably the most extensive Scandinavia-wide telecom deals ever. Telenor will serve all Orkla companies and Carlsberg Breweries with fixed and mobile telephony subscriptions and traffic.

Telenor, Cisco, Accenture, Birdstep Launch Wireless Corporate Solution with Net-Centric Access Control

First Fully Secure Corporate WLAN Solution With Guest Access.

Telenor’s annual report available on the Internet

Telenor's annual report for 2001 has now been made available on the Internet.

VimpelCom annual result for 2001

The Russian mobile company VimpelCom, in which Telenor has a 29 per cent stake, presented its annual result for 2001 today. Press here for for a full English version of the press release.

Telenor launches Marlink – to provide global mobile satellite communication services for the maritime sector

Telenor Satellite Services announced today that it has formed a new company, Marlink, to provide a wide range of mobile satellite communication services, mainly for customers in the maritime sector.

Djuice and The Walt Disney Internet Group enter into a wireless content distribution agreement

Djuice, Telenor Mobile's mobile Internet service provider, and Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) have signed a distribution agreement that will bring Disney-branded content to Scandinavian mobile users for the first time. Disney Mobile content, including logos, ringtones, wallpaper screens, electronic greeting cards and games, based on Disney's line-up of popular characters, will be available to djuice mobile users in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Djuice will launch the Disney offering this spring.

Telenor enter into agreements in Malaysia

Telenor's Malaysian subsidiary, DiGi.Com Bhd today announced its entry into three joint venture agreements with Technology Resources Industries Berhad (TRI), owner of Celcom, the second largest mobile operator in the country.

First SMS, now MMS: Multimedia mobile services

Telenor Mobil is the first mobile operator in Norway to launch the next generation's mobile messaging services: MMS. Thus, the time and technology is ripe for a combination of text, drawings, photographs, sound and short animations to feature on your mobile display. In a trial period until May 1st, it is free to send MMS, while the ordinary price will be NOK ten per message sent from a mobile phone.

Telenor to introduce share option programme

has decided to introduce a share option programme and has today assigned options to 85 managers and key personnel, extending the right to subscribe for up to 2.520.000 Telenor shares. The option programme partly replaces existing bonus and incentive schemes for managers and key personnel.

Telenor to increase prices on first-time connections, transferred connections and subscription

Telenor raises prices on first-time connections, transferred connections and subscription on both analogue lines (PSTN) and digital lines (ISDN), effective from May 1, 2002. After three years without raising prices, the income from subscription and connections is not sufficient to cover the costs. This is the background for the present increase.

Record profits for Telenor

Telenor's preliminary profits before taxes for the year 2001 amounts to NOK 10.3 billion, which is the best result in Telenor's history. Profits before taxes are NOK 8.3 billion higher than in 2000. The record result is primarily due to capital gains and increased revenue from both mobile and fixed-network operations.

Presentation of Telenor’s preliminary result for 2001

Telenor extends an invitation to a presentation of the company's fourth quarter results and preliminary results for 2001.

Pannon GSM in Hungary now has two milion subscribers

Telenor's Hungarian mobile company, Pannon GSM, has today published the following press release:

Telenor licenses patents for video over Internet and UMTS

As a result of research, Telenor has developed technology for effectively transferring video over different networks, such as the Internet and UMTS. This is a part of the multimedia standard MPEG-4. Together with a number of other global leaders in the field, Telenor has established a major international licence programme for commercialising video coding patents in this standard. The licence programme makes the technology available for suppliers who develop products based on the standard. This will enable a breakthrough in the market for video on demand.

Telenor to run Danish governmental IT-systems from Norway

The Danish Agency for Governmental Management, a part of the Danish Ministry of Finance, has entered into an agreement with Telenor Business Solutions whereby the Norwegian business communications provider will be the pre-qualified vendor for the delivery of ASP-services to 350 public institutions in Denmark.

Internationally acclaimed Norwegian author wins Telenor culture award

Ingvar Ambjørsen has won Telenor's seventh annual 'Borderless Communication' culture award of NOK 100,000 for his groundbreaking works that have reached different generations, cultures and languages.

Send SMS from Outlook

All Telenor Mobil's subscribers can now send text messages from their PCs via Outlook. The service is linked to the customer's mobile subscription so that the sender's mobile number will feature with the message. Should the receiver wish to reply, this message will automatically be sent back to the mobile.

Telenor accepts fine from Norwegian authorities

Telenor has decided to accept a fine of NOK two million imposed by Økokrim - the Norwegian authority for economic and environmental crime - on December 13 last year, as well as the seizure of NOK eight million, following alleged violations of telecom legislation. Telenor continues to deny that it has committed any violations but has decided to accept the fine nonetheless.

Tormod Hermansen steps down as CEO of Telenor

Tormod Hermansen, CEO of Telenor, has informed the Telenor board that he wishes to withdraw from his position by the end of June 2002. This is in accordance with the terms in his contract of employment. The board has complied with his wish, and intends to find a successor well before Tormod Hermansen's withdrawal.

Telenor completes acquisition of Comsat Mobile Communications from Lockheed Martin

OSLO, Norway/BETHESDA, Maryland, USA Telenor of Norway (NASDAQ:TELN; OSE:TEL) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) today announced that Telenor has completed the acquisition of LMT's COMSAT Mobile Communications operations . The final purchase price is subject to adjustments in accordance with the asset purchase agreement.

Court rejects Canal+’s claims against Telenor

The Oslo Court of Execution and Enforcement ruled in favour of Telenor and rejected all of Canal+'s demands for a temporary injunction in the Canal Digital transaction dispute. "The verdict is an accordance with what we have claimed all along", said Erik Nord, Vice President of Telenor Plus.

Telenor to reduce workforce and rationalise Directory Enquiries and Customer Services

As a result of a reduced demand for manual customer services, Telenor has decided to reduce manpower levels and rationalise Customer Services and Directory Enquiries in Norway. The aim is to maintain good quality and effective customer services adapted to the needs of the market. Part of this work will involve reducing the manpower levels in Customer Services and Directory Enquiries by a total of almost 420 man-years. This means annual cost reductions of approximately NOK 130 million.

Telenor dismisses all claims by Canal +

In the Oslo Court of Execution and Enforcement on Thursday, Telenor dismissed all claims made by Canal+ in its action for a temporary injunction in connection with the sale of Canal Digital. Telenor's main argument is that the terms and conditions of the sales agreement will not have been met until the EU Commission grants approval of the distribution agreement between Canal+ and Canal Digital. Moreover, it is Telenor's view that the Court of Execution and Enforcement cannot grant a temporary injunction because the case concerns a financial claim.