Press Releases

One year left with NMT

Telenor Mobil's licence for the mobile network system NMT 450 expires on December 31st 2004. The service will be shut down at the same date, but will be in operation until then. The GSM coverage will be further increased.

Telenor initiates compulsory acquisition of remaining 10 per cent of shares in Utfors AB

Telenor has acquired another 150 shares in the Swedish company Utfors AB at a rate of SEK 0,99 per share. Telenor hereafter holds more than 90 per cent of the shares and votes in Utfors. In accordance with Swedish law, Telenor has therefore decided to initiate a compulsory acquisition procedure for the remaining 87,012,723 shares in Utfors, equivalent to just under 10 per cent of total amount of shares, at a rate of SEK 0,99.

Telenor becomes sole owner of SONOFON in Denmark

Telenor has today signed a definitive agreement with BellSouth to acquire the remaining 46.5% equity interest in SONOFON. Telenor will pay the equivalent of DKK 3,050 million in cash, which is equivalent to an equity value of DKK 6,559 million. As of September 30, 2003, SONOFON had a net debt of DKK 3,474 million.

Telenor and Inmarsat ownership

Telenor is to receive a minimum cash payment of approximately US$ 122 millions from the Inmarsat transaction but retains equity stake in new holding company.

Telenor finalises sale of Comincom and Combellga in exchange for 19.5 % stake in Golden Telecom, Inc.

MOSCOW, OSLO Telenor announced today that it has closed a share exchange transaction with Golden Telecom, Inc., under which Golden Telecom, Inc. will receive 100% of the shares of OAO Comincom including its wholly-owned subsidiary OAO Combellga, in exchange for 19.5% of Golden Telecom, Inc.

Telenor ASA 1,500,000,000 Syndicated Revolving Credit Facility

Telenor ASA has successfully closed a €1.5bn syndicated club credit facility.

New business subscription plan

Today, Telenor Mobil launched the subscription plan Bedrift basis for business users. The subscription is designed for business customers with a low use of mobile services, and it can be combined with other business solutions and discount agreements.

Telenor’s Communication Solutions in Microsoft Office 2003

Telenor is the first Telephone operator in the world to launch many of it's most popular communication services as a "plug-in" to Microsoft's new Office 2003. Users of Office 2003 will get direct access to several Telenor services while working on Office 2003 applications. The solution is a result of a strategic cooperation between Telenor and Microsoft.

Results for the third quarter of 2003

Telenor's revenues increased in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the third quarter of 2002. Capital expenditure and debt were once again reduced and the programme for operational efficiency, Delta 4, progressed better in the third quarter than originally expected. Mobile operations (Mobile) showed an overall good growth, and in the Norwegian market there was a positive development in the number of subscriptions compared to the previous quarter. Fixed network operations (Fixed) showed increased margins and in Broadcast an operating loss in the third quarter of 2002 was turned to an operating profit in the third quarter of 2003.

Presentation of third quarter results

Telenor will present their financial results for the third quarter on Thursday 30 October, 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.

New Kidsurf: Safe Surfing from Telenor

Telenor is taking steps on behalf of its customers to prevent "pollution" of the Internet. This autumn Telenor is becoming a leading supplier of IT safety products for children and their families, and for the business market.

Settlement with WR Com Enterprises Ltd.

Telenor has made a settlement with WR Com Enterprises Ltd, a Cypriot company. Under the terms of the settlement, Telenor will pay to WR Com Enterprises EUR 33,6 million.

Telenor Mobil in new European “Mobile Alliance”

Nine leading independent mobile operators today announced the formation of the Mobile Alliance to provide seamless, enhanced voice and data solutions for business and consumer customers across Europe. Amena (Spain), O2 (Germany, UK and Ireland), One (Austria), Pannon GSM (Hungary), sunrise (Switzerland), Telenor Mobil (Norway) and Wind (Italy) yesterday signed a formal agreement in Munich, Germany.

Song Networks, Telenor Mobil Settlement

Song Networks AS and Telenor Mobil AS have settled out of court in the case of a market support agreement between Telenor Mobil and Telenor Bedrift. The settlement means that Telenor Mobil will pay Song Networks NOK 8 million as a full and final settlement for the compensation Song has sought for the years 1999 and 2000.

Telenor’s Research Award 2003 goes to Dr. Haakon Bryhni

Telenor's Nordic research prize of NOK 250,000 has been awarded to Dr. Haakon Bryhni of Birdstep Technology ASA. He is awarded the prize for his research within the Mobile IP standard and for his contribution to the development of seamless communication across different technologies. Kristin Clemet, the Minister for Education and Research, introduced the winner at a research seminar at Fornebu on Thursday.

Telenor Fights Spam

30-40 per cent of all emails received by Telenor customers are classified as spam. Telenor now addresses this problem at all levels - locally and globally, legally and technically - developing better spam filters and cooperating with the key players in this area.

Telenor Mobil increases GSM coverage along the Norwegian coast

Telenor Mobil intends to significantly increase the GSM coverage along the Norwegian coast. In many places signals will extend four times as far from land as today. The development will be concluded before the decommissioning of the NMT-450 service on December 31, 2004.

VimpelCom press releases

Please be adviced of three press relases issued by the Russian mobile company VimpelCom, where Telenor is a share holder.

Telenor gives free MMS in September and October too

Oslo, August 22nd, 2003: Sending picture messages on a mobile phone (MMS) will be free of charge for Telenor Mobil's customers in September and October too. The MMS use has undergone an explosive growth during the summer and Telenor Mobil want more of their customers to be able to try out the service for some time free of charge.

Telenor to sell Comincom and Combellga for a 19.5% stake in Golden Telecom

MOSCOW, OSLO Telenor announced today that it has signed a Share Exchange Agreement with Golden Telecom, Inc. under which Golden Telecom, Inc. will receive 100% of the shares of OAO Comincom and its wholly-owned subsidiary, OAO Combellga, in exchange for 19.5% of Golden Telecom Inc., calculated on a post-acquisition basis. The transaction will make Comincom and Combellga wholly owned subsidiaries of Golden Telecom, Inc. Based on the current share price for Golden Telecom, Telenor's stake is equivalent to approximately US$220 million.

Telenor enters into agreement with Coop Norge AS

Telenor and Coop Norge AS have entered into a framework agreement of a two-year duration. The agreement involves supply of a complete communications solution for fixed telephony, mobile telephony and data communications to Coop Norge AS and its co-operative societies, including Coop's chain of shops. The agreement has a total value of approximately NOK 60 million.

Results for the second quarter of 2003

Telenor's revenues in the second quarter increased by 10 per cent to more than NOK 13.2 billion compared to the corresponding period last year. Operating profit increased from NOK 691 million to NOK 1.612 million as a result of good underlying development. Profit before taxes increased by NOK 2.1 billion to nearly NOK 2.5 billion, which include a gain of NOK 1.5 billion following the sale of shares in the Greek mobile company Cosmote.

Telenor: Presentation of second quarter results

Telenor will present their financial results for the second quarter on Wednesday 23 July, at 0900 hrs Norwegian time. The presentation will be a joint press and analysts presentation, held in Norwegian in the Auditorium, Telenor Expo Visitor centre at Fornebu.

Telenor Business Solutions UK sold to 2escape2

Telenor today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Telenor Business Solutions UK to 2escape2 Limited. This transaction concludes Telenor's restructuring of its international Internet operations.

Statoil launches Wireless Internet at 300 petrol stations

Statoil Detaljhandel AS and Telenor today announced the launch of wireless Internet zones at 300 Statoil petrol stations throughout Norway. The deployment is one of Europe's largest Wi-Fi ("wireless fidelity") rollouts and Statoil is the first major gas station chain to offer its customers wireless access. The solution, based on industry-standard WLAN technology (Wireless Local Area Network), allows business and private users to access E-mail and Internet Services from Statoil Petrol Stations all over Norway.

Telenor purchases remaining 25 per cent of Comincom-Combellga from minority shareholders.

Telenor has acquired the remaining shares held by the minority shareholders of Comincom-Combellga. Telenor paid US$120 million for a 75 per cent stake in Comincom-Combellga in 2000. With the purchase of the 25 per cent minority interest, Telenor assumes 100 per cent ownership of the company. Telenor has acquired the shares, held by private individuals and public organisations, for US$ 30 million.

Call Opplysningen® 1881 from abroad

As of today, Norwegian mobile subscribers abroad are able to call Opplysningen® 1881 (national directory services) by dialling +47 1881 Subscribers may also call Opplysningen® Utlandet 1882 from abroad on +47 1882.

Telenor Mobil relaunches djuice® for the youth segment

Telenor Mobil today launched a new youth subscription branded djuice®. The two subscriptions, djuice and djuice kontant (prepaid), will replace the current OYO subscriptions. Djuice has, since 2000, been Telenor's WAP and mobile Internet venture, but is now relaunched as a separate youth subscription.

The Telenor centre at Kokstad in Bergen: Picks up international real estate award

Fending off keen competition from projects from all over the world, Telenor's office building at Kokstad, Bergen ran off with the top honours in the prestigious international real estate award Prix d'Excellence. The award is presented by the international organisation FIABCI. This is the tenth award bestowed on the Telenor Centre at Kokstad.

New CEO in Canal Digital

has temporarily been appointed CEO of Canal Digital AS, the biggest television distribution company in the Nordic countries. Mr. Albech is deputy managing director of Telenor Broadcast and he has broad experience of Telenor's television operations.

Telenor’s Annual General Meeting_51

Telenor ASA's Annual General Meeting has today approved the annual report and accounts of Telenor ASA and the Group for 2002, and the Board of Directors' proposed dividend of NOK 0.45 per share. The dividend will be paid out on May 23, 2003 to shareholders registered as holding shares on the date of the Annual General Meeting. As of May 9, 2003, shares in Telenor will be traded exclusive of dividend.

Two new members elected to the Board of Telenor ASA

The Corporate Assembly of Telenor has elected two new members to the Board of Telenor ASA. They are Ms. Liselott Kilaas and Mr. John Giverholt.

Results for the first quarter of 2003

Telenor's revenues increased by nine per cent to NOK 12.6 billion in the first quarter of 2003 compared to the first quarter of 2002. In the same period operating profit increased from NOK 602 million to NOK 1,475 million as a result of good underlying development, and profit before taxes and minority interests increased by more than NOK one billion to NOK 1,047 million.

Telenor: Reduced SMS prices as of today

Telenor Mobil has recently announced extensive price cuts in June. The SMS prices are however effective already today. Thus, the price of an SMS will start at only NOK 0.69 for Telenor Mobil customers.

Press conference on 1st quarter results.

Telenor invites to a press conference regarding the publication of the financial results for the 1st quarter 2003. CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas will present the results. The press conference, which will be held in Norwegian, takes place in the auditorium at Telenor Expo, Visitors' Centre, at Fornebu outside Oslo on Wednesday 7 May at 0900 hrs Norwegian time.

Telenor has sold nine percent of Cosmote’s share capital via an accelerated equity offering for NOK 2.1 bn.

Telenor announced today the sale of a 9% shareholding in the leading Greek mobile telecom operator Cosmote raising total proceeds of NOK 2.1bn and representing a financial gain before tax of approximately NOK 1.5bn.

Reminder: Capital Markets Day

Telenor reminds of its Capital Markets Day 2003. The programme will provide a thorough insight into Telenor's strategies, future development and business areas.

Telenor: Mobile prices to be cut by NOK 300 million

Telenor Mobil's price structure will be far simpler from June 16 this year. Simultaneously, prices on both calls and text messages will be reduced by a total of approximately NOK 300 million. Text messages will cost from NOK 0.69.

TEL – Proforma Figures

Telenor has today disclosed the historical proforma figures for the new business structure. ProformaFigures spreadsheet can be downloaded on attached link:

MMS free of charge during weekends

In April, Telenor Mobil customers can send multimedia messages (MMS) for free during the weekends. In addition, MMS messages sent from Telenor Mobil's web site are free of charge throughout the entire month.

Telenor annual report available

Telenor has today notified the Oslo Stock Exchange that Telenor's annual report is available in electronic format. The report may be found at http://www.telenor.com/ir/. A printed version will be available after Easter.

TEL – Consolidated Financial Statements 2002

The board of directors of Telenor today approved the financial statements for 2002. As announced in the preliminary financial statements for 2002, excess values have been re-allocated for subsidiaries acquired in 2002. Telenor has also decided to write down the remaining book value of the shares in Sponsor Service ASA and reversed the provisions from the settlement with NetCom. The following changes were made compared to the preliminary financial statements decided by the Board of directors on 12. February 2003:

Telenor sells Nextra Italy

Telenor has entered into an agreement to sell Nextra Italy to the Italian quoted company Tiscali. The value of the transaction is €2.4m (19 mill NOK), to be paid in new Tiscali shares. The sale is a result of Telenor's strategy to improve profitability through focus on core activites and markets.

Out-of-court settlement between Telenor and NetCom

The parties have agreed on an out-of-court settlement that involves Telenor paying NOK 35 million, including interest on arrears from January 19, 1997, as a complete settlement of the claim NetCom put forward regarding partial repayment of the rate for leased circuits in the years 1993-1996.

Mr. Thorleif Enger elected new Telenor Chairman

The Corporate Assembly of Telenor ASA has elected Mr. Thorleif Enger (59) as new Chairman of the Board. Mr. Enger has been a member of the Board since October 2001.

Preliminary result for 2002

Telenor's revenues for 2002 amounted to NOK 48,826 million, which is an increase of NOK 2,786 million from 2001. The result before taxes in 2002 was a loss of NOK 5 billion, mainly due to costs related to write-downs and staff reductions, totalling NOK 7.6 billion.

Visa available through mobile commerce solution

Visa Norge and Telenor Mobil have entered into an agreement concerning mobile commerce. The agreement implies that all Visa cardholders with Telenor Mobil subscription can sign up for the Telenor Mobil m-commerce solution, MobilHandel, using their Visa-card as a means of payment. The co-operation opens up for new possibilities in a new market.

Telenor: Fourth quarter and year end results

Telenor will present their financial results for the fourth quarter and year end 2002, on Thursday, February 13, 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.

2002 Sees Virus Slowdown

Less then 1,2 per cent of all e-mails sent in Norway in 2002 was infected by virus, which is down almost two per cent from the previous year. 2003 will see the focus shift from virus to unwanted mail ("spam"), according to Telenor.

Price cuts on mobile data services

Telenor Mobil has reduced prices on mobile Internet and other packet switched data services with up to fifty per cent. Simultaneously, WLAN prices have been cut with up to seventy percent.

Telenor sells stake in Russian regional operator to VimpelCom

Telenor has sold its 49 per cent share in Russian regional mobile operator, StavTeleSot, to the Telenor Mobiles associated company, VimpelCom for USD 20.9 million. VimpelCom has acquired 90 per cent of StavTeleSot.

Telenor exits the Nextra operations in Austria and Hungary

Telenor is continuing its strategy for improving profitability with a clearer focus on core markets and activities. As a result Telenor has closed the sale of its Nextra operations in Austria and Hungary through agreements that ensure the continued development of these companies under new ownership.

Telenor to appeal Greek court ruling

The City court in Athens, Greece has in a verdict ruled in favour of WR Com Enterprises Ltd, a Cyprus company, controlled by Vasillis Sarantitis, against Telenor Mobile Communications AS, a company in the Telenor group. The court has decided that Telenor Mobile Communications AS owe WR Com Enterprises Ltd approximately NOK 444 million plus interest.

Cheaper business subscription plan from Telenor Mobil

Telenor Mobil will launch the subscription plan Bedrift for business users on January 20th. The subscription offers all services useful for a business customer, and implies between four and 21 percent lower minute fares. As a whole, an average business customer gets a five percent price reduction.

Telenor regrets PT decision

Telenor Mobil regrets the decision from the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (PT) regarding the arbitration case between Telenor and Teletopia, which concerns access to connect an own SMS switch to Telenor Mobil's network. This represents a distinctively Norwegian price regulation of SMS-services. Telenor will consider filing a complaint to the Ministry of Communication over the decision.