Press Releases

Vivek Sood appointed Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone

Grameenphone Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Vivek Sood (47) as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Vivek Sood will succeed Mr. Tore Johnsen (65) and take up his position from 7 January 2013.

Telenor and Microsoft merge in the cloud

Telenor and Microsoft have signed a global syndication agreement which means that collaboration and office solutions for companies will merge into one in the cloud.

Telenor in India: Capturing growth in one of the world’s largest mobile markets

Today Telenor presents its updated plan for the company’s operations in India, bringing a challenging year to an end. Telenor Group executives including CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas and India Managing Director Sigve Brekke take to the stage at Fornebu today to share the company’s strategic direction and financial objectives in India.

Telenor briefing on India

Telenor has the pleasure of inviting you to its India media and analysts presentation on Friday 14 December 2012 at 09:00 hrs Norwegian time/CET. The presentation, which will also be broadcast live over the Internet, will be held in Auditorium Voice, Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu near Oslo. The presentation will be available on our website from 08:00 hrs Norwegian time.

Telenor Norway introduces 4G for mobile

Telenor is the first telecoms operator in Norway to make it possible to use mobile phones on the 4G network.

Investigation by the Competition Authorities

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) and the Norwegian Competition Authority have today initiated an investigation against Telenor Norge AS and Telenor ASA regarding possible abuse of dominant market position and/or possible anti-competitive practices.

Uninor celebrates reaching break-even target in its first telecom circle

(Oslo/ New Delhi) Uninor has today announced that Uttar Pradesh East has become its first circle to achieve break-even.This means the company’s operations in UP East are now profitable, with revenues being higher than operating costs (EBITDA break-even).

The job of football referees will get easier with new app

On Thursday, Refsports was awarded the NOK 100,000 Telenor Partner Prize for 2012. The prize was awarded for the solution RefSoccer, a mobile application that makes match administration far easier for referees, coaches and sporting bodies.

Telenor’s Digital Winner makes paper receipts a thing of the past

The Norwegian digital receipt company, dSafe, is this year’s Digital Winners Prize recipient. The award was announced last night during the Digital Winners Conference at Telenor’s Fornebu headquarters.

Telenor awarded spectrum in six telecom circles in India

Telenor Group today announced that the company has been successful in securing spectrum license to provide mobile telephony services in six telecom circles in India. Telenor’s total bid in the spectrum auction was INR 40.18 billion (NOK 4.2bn) of which 33 per cent is to be paid up front.

Telenor to participate in spectrum auction in India

Telenor confirms its participation in the1800 MHz spectrum auction in India that starts on 12 November. Telenor will participate in the auction through its fully owned subsidiary Telewings Communication Services.

From music to mobile payment…Telenor shortlists 5 Digital Winner contenders

Never before have there been so many applicants for Telenor’s Digital Winners Prize. A lucky five candidates were selected by the jury and will compete for the win during the Digital Winner Seminar on November 14-15.

Rolv-Erik Spilling appointed Head of Digital Services

Rolv-Erik Spilling was today appointed Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Services and will become member of Group Executive Management. Mr Spilling has served as the Deputy Head of Digital Services since the unit was established. His appointment secures the continuation of Telenor’s innovation activities in the Digital Services area. Spilling takes on his new role with immediate effect.

Telenor signs agreement with new Indian partner

Telenor Group has on 26 October 2012, through its new wholly owned Indian entity, Telewings Communications Pvt. Ltd. (Telewings), signed a partnership agreement with Lakshdeep Investments & Finance Pvt. Ltd (Lakshdeep), a company controlled by Mr. Sudhir Valia. This is a financial investment by Mr. Valia in his personal capacity.

Telenor opens the door to world of social media for millions of customers

New partnership with U2opia Mobile enables access to Facebook® without any Internet connectivity, using only the USSD protocol to post your status, check your newsfeed or “like” a comment on the popular social networking site.

Third quarter 2012: High margins and continued growth

In the third quarter of 2012, Telenor Group reported revenues of NOK 25.3 billion, representing an organic revenue growth[1] of 3%. EBITDA before other items was NOK 8.8 billion, EBITDA margin was 34.8%, and operating cash flow was NOK 5.5 billion.

Telenor executes on Google deal, starting in Sweden

As of today, Telenor customers in Sweden will have the opportunity to pay for apps and games purchased on Google Play™ via their phone bill as well as access an exclusive shelf in the Google Play store. Customers in other Telenor operations will have access to the same functions in the near future.

Presentation of Telenor’s third quarter results 2012

Telenor will present its financial results for the third quarter 2012 on Wednesday 24 October 2012 at 09:00 hrs Norwegian time/CET. The presentation, which will also be broadcast live over the Internet, will be held in Auditorium Voice, Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu near Oslo. The figures will be published on Telenor's website at 07:00 CET.

Telenor submits application for pre-qualification in India’s spectrum auction

Telenor Group confirms that it submitted its application for pre-qualification in the 1800 MHz band spectrum auction to the Indian Department of Telecommunications on 19 October.

Telenor makes it easy with mobile payment

Two of the world’s largest telecoms groups, Telenor and Telefónica, have teamed up to make Telenor APIs available on Telefónica’s BlueVia platform, a shared API platform for building and marketing applications. This is another step in Telenor’s effort to drive flexible mobile payment solutions for customers.

Telenor and Unitech Ltd. reaching settlement

Telenor and Unitech Ltd. have on 10 October 2012 reached an agreement to amicably settle all disputes between the two parties. The parties are bound by confidentiality obligations, and are therefore not able to provide any further comments on specific terms and conditions in the settlement. However, it can be confirmed that the parties agree to support the transfer of the business in Unitech Wireless (Uninor) to a new entity (NewCo) controlled by Telenor. Telenor is preparing to participate in the upcoming 2G spectrum auction through this new entity, but will take a final decision on whether to participate at a later date.

Telenor Norway launches the next generation mobile network

Today Telenor is launching its fourth-generation mobile network (4G) in 11 cities and towns in Norway. It will continue to be developed at a rapid pace, and more than one in three Norwegians will have 4G coverage from Telenor by the end of the year.

Telenor increases its focus on fibre in Vestfold and Sørlandet

Telenor Norway acquired all the shares in LOS Bynett and Bynett Privat from Agder Energi on 1 October, based on an agreement signed in summer 2011. In doing so Telenor is increasing its focus on fibre in Vestfold and the counties of Agder.

Telenor honors its obligation to take delivery of VimpelCom Ltd. preferred shares from Weather, seeks parity with Altimo

On 28 September 2012, Telenor honored its obligation to take delivery of 71,000,000 VimpelCom Ltd. preferred shares from Weather Investments II S.à r.l. for USD 113,600,000 in connection with Weather's 15 August exercise of its put option covering such shares. Telenor now owns 42.95 % of VimpelCom Ltd.'s voting shares.

Timbuktu wins the Telenor International Culture Prize 2012

Meet the winner and find out why the jury selected Timbuktu in a press conference at Det Norske Teatret, Kristian IV’s gate 8 in Oslo, at 1500 today.

Telenor focuses on growth and efficiency at Capital Markets Day

Telenor executives take to the stage at Fornebu today for the 2012 Capital Markets Day. Their shared message centers on how Telenor is creating value by leveraging growth and operational efficiency.

Telenor Group ranked one of top 5 global sustainability leaders

Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes annual ranking of corporate sustainability leaders is out today; Telenor continues to rank high and improves performance.

EVP Kristin Skogen Lund joins The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise as Director General

EVP and Head of Telenor Digital Services & Broadcast, Kristin Skogen Lund, will resign from her position in Telenor to become the new Director General of The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO). Skogen Lund has been a part of the Telenor Group Executive Management since she joined Telenor in March 2010, and since September 2011 she has headed the Telenor Digital Services & Broadcast units.

Telenor announces new EVP People Development and new CEO Telenor Denmark

Jon Erik Haug will take on the role of Executive Vice President for People Development in Telenor Group. Marek Slacik, CMO in Telenor Serbia, will fill the vacancy left by Jon Erik, becoming Telenor Denmark’s new CEO.

Telenor now taking nominations for Digital Winners Prize 2012

Telenor is searching for the most innovative digital business product or service to honour with its annual Digital Winners Prize. This is the second year that Telenor has given this award. The ceremony to honour the winner will be held during the Digital Winners Conference 2012 on November 14. Telenor is now accepting nominees, with a deadline of October 15.

Second quarter 2012: Sound operational performance

In the second quarter of 2012, Telenor Group reported revenues of NOK 25.4 billion, representing an organic revenue growth of five per cent. EBITDA before other items was NOK eight billion, EBITDA margin was 31.7% and operating cash flow was NOK 5.1 billion. With five million new customers added in the period, Telenor’s total subscription base has now passed 150 million.

Presentation of Telenor’s second quarter results 2012

Telenor will present its financial results for the second quarter 2012 on Tuesday 24 July 2012 at 09:00 hrs Norwegian time/CET. The presentation, which will also be broadcast live over the Internet, will be held in Auditorium Voice, Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu near Oslo. The figures will be published on Telenor's website at 07:00 CET.

Ove Fredheim appointed CEO Telenor Serbia

Ove Fredheim was today appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telenor in Serbia. Fredheim will take up the new position on 1 September, succeeding Kjell-Morten Johnsen, who became Head of Telenor’s European operations and member of the Group Executive Management earlier this year.

Telenor obtains new 4G licence

Today Telenor’s and Telia’s Danish joint venture, TT-Netværket P/S, has obtained a licence to build a 4G network in the wide-range 800 MHz frequency band. The 800 MHz licence is a major step on the way to creating Denmark’s best network.

Through cooperation with Alcatel-Lucent Telenor will have the ability to deliver personalized digital content to its subscribers in Europe and Asia

Digital Media Store from Alcatel-Lucent allows one-stop customer access to music, applications, e-books and video

Telenor commences action in Bermuda seeking declaratory judgment on Altimo’s mandatory tender offer allegation

Telenor yesterday filed a claim in the Supreme Court of Bermuda, requesting the Court to declare that Telenor's 15 February purchase of 234,000,000 VimpelCom preferred shares from Weather Investments II S.à.r.l. did not trigger the mandatory tender offer requirements in VimpelCom's Bye-laws.

Telenor targets corporate responsibility challenges in new Sustainability Report

The Sustainability Report is now available for download on Telenor’s web site. It offers a comprehensive overview of Telenor’s efforts to add value, manage risks and contribute to growth in its markets.

Telenor celebrates 10 years of reinventing the workplace

Initial skepticism was great, but for the last 10 years Telenor has thrived at Fornebu, a place built around the interplay between people, technology and the working environment.

Telenor presents a joint roaming initiative in the Nordic region

Just in time for the summer travel season, Telenor presents a powerful, joint roaming initiative in Sweden, Denmark and Norway called TravelSure. Telenor TravelSure is defined by its simplicity, cost control and flexibility.

This year, nine out of ten Norwegians will have 3G coverage where they live

Telenor is intensifying its 3G expansion. In the course of 2012, 90 per cent of Telenor's mobile telephone customers will have 3G coverage where they live, and further expansion will ensure coverage for 95 per cent of its customers.

Svein Aaser elected new Chairman of the Board of Telenor ASA

The Corporate Assembly of Telenor ASA has on 16 May 2012 elected Svein Aaser as Chairman of the Board of Directors, succeeding Harald Norvik.

Nomination of new Chairman of the Board and new Chairman of the Corporate Assembly in Telenor ASA

The Nomination Committee in Telenor ASA proposes that Mr. Svein Aaser should be elected as Chairman of the Board in Telenor, succeeding Harald Norvik. The Nomination Committee also proposes that Mr. Anders Skjævestad succeeds Mr. Jan Erik Korssjøen as Chairman of the Corporate Assembly and thus Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

Kjell-Morten Johnsen Appointed Executive Vice President and Head of Telenor’s European Operations

Kjell-Morten Johnsen was on Friday 11 May appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) and member of the Telenor Group Executive Management. Johnsen comes from the position of Managing Director of Telenor Serbia and will take on the responsibility as Head of Telenor’s European operations.

First quarter 2012: Maintaining growth momentum

In the first quarter of 2012, Telenor Group reported revenues of NOK 25.1 billion, representing an organic revenue growth of 8%. EBITDA before other items was NOK 7.7 billion, EBITDA margin was 30.8%, and operating cash flow was NOK 5.3 billion. Telenor’s consolidated mobile operations added more than five million subscriptions during the quarter.

Presentation of Telenor’s first quarter results 2012

Telenor will present its financial results for the first quarter 2012 on Tuesday 8 May 2012 at 09:00 hrs Norwegian time/CET. The presentation, which will also be broadcast live over the Internet, will be held in Auditorium Voice, Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu near Oslo. The figures will be published on Telenor's website at 07:00 CET.

The Chairman of the Corporate Assembly of Telenor ASA resigns

Mr. Jan Erik Korssjøen, the Chairman of the Corporate Assembly of Telenor ASA, today informed that he will resign following the Annual General Meeting of Telenor on 16 May 2012. Korssjøen will also resign from his duty as Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

The Chairman of the Board of Telenor ASA resigns

Harald Norvik, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Telenor ASA, today informed the Board that he will resign. “The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Trond Giske, representing the majority shareholder in Telenor ASA, today expressed a lack of confidence in the Chairman of Telenor, following the handling of the TV2 issue in [...]

Write-down of remaining book values in India

During the first quarter 2012, Uninor’s operational performance in India has developed according to plan. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in February to cancel Uninor’s licenses and the recent recommendation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding the 2G license re-auction, the uncertainty has increased significantly. If the recommendation from TRAI in its [...]

mHealth has the potential to change the face of healthcare: A new Telenor and BCG study finds out how

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), in cooperation with Telenor Group, has now released the complete report on the “Socio-Economic Impact of Mobile Health”. The report explores the potential impact of mHealth solutions, such as how Norway can save € 1.5 billion each year with remote monitoring solutions for the elderly and how Thailand can cure 40,000 cases of tuberculosis through SMS treatment compliance.

Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service Files Claim against Telenor in Russia

Telenor has learned the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation (FAS) filed a claim in the Moscow Arbitrazh Court, the principal commercial court in Moscow, against Telenor East Holding II AS and Weather Investments II S.à.r.l. The companies OJSC VimpelCom, OOO Altimo, VimpelCom Ltd., VimpelCom Holdings B.V. and Altimo Cooperatief U.A. are named in the claim as interested third parties. Telenor has not yet been formally notified of the Claim by the FAS or the Court.

Telenor increases its stake in VimpelCom Ltd.

Telenor terminated its cash-settled total return swap (TRS) in respect of VimpelCom Ltd. shares that it had entered into with J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. on 22 July 2011 and amended on 7 October 2011. Following such termination, Telenor purchased depositary receipts representing 65,000,000 VimpelCom common shares from J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. for a purchase price of USD 715,000,000, thereby increasing Telenor’s economic and voting interests in VimpelCom Ltd. to 35.66% and 39.51%, respectively.

60 million Telenor customers. Three countries. One common billing platform.

The success of a global telecom operator depends on two factors: its ability to adapt to customer needs and the ability to leverage on its scale. Telenor Group is among the first in the industry to introduce a unique cross-border billing platform initiative, built around both objectives. Three business units in Telenor Group, with a combined total of 60 million customers, will deploy a common solution for billing and charging. The result is, simply put, increased competitive advantage.

New study: The world is ready for mobile healthcare

Based on the explosive growth in global mobile phone penetration, a technology revolution is quickly gaining pace in healthcare. Around the world, healthcare systems are overburdened, costly and incapable of meeting the needs of a growing population. According to a new study from The Boston Consulting Group and Telenor Group, mobile health technology can offer sizeable benefits to all countries, lead to economic growth and promise a better life for individuals.

Telenor makes Wikipedia available to 135 million customers in Asia and Europe

Telenor Group and the Wikimedia Foundation today announced a new partnership to offer Wikipedia free of traffic charges on mobile devices to Telenor customers in Asia and Southeastern Europe. By making versions of Wikipedia available to 135 million mobile customers, Telenor Group and the Wikimedia Foundation demonstrate a shared commitment to increasing access to the free and open knowledge available on Wikipedia.

Telenor acquires 234,000,000 VimpelCom preferred shares from Weather Investments II and withdraws arbitration claim

- Telenor has purchased 234,000,000 VimpelCom preferred shares from Weather Investments II S.a.r.l. ("Weather"), for US$374,400,000, thereby increasing Telenor's voting share in VimpelCom Ltd. to 36.36 %, subject to adjustment arising under certain put and call arrangements. Weather is the investment vehicle through which Mr. Naguib Sawiris and his family hold their interests in VimpelCom Ltd. ("VimpelCom").

Telenor Group seeks indemnities from Unitech Limited as it gets ready for a new future in India

Telenor Group today issued a notice to its Indian strategic partner Unitech Limited, that it will seek indemnity and compensation following the cancellation of Uninor's 22 licenses by the Supreme Court of India.

Fourth quarter 2011: Completing a year of strong growth

In the fourth quarter of 2011, Telenor Group reported revenues of NOK 25.4 billion, representing an organic revenue growth of 7%. EBITDA before other items was NOK 7.4 billion, EBITDA margin was 29 per cent, and operating cash flow was NOK 3.8 billion. For the full year of 2011, Telenor's revenue were NOK 98.5 billion, EBITDA before other items was NOK 30.5 billion, EBITDA margin was 31% and operating cash flow was 19.1 billion.

Indian Supreme Court cancelling 2G licences

2 February 2012 the Indian Supreme Court delivered its judgment on a public interest petition seeking cancellation of 122 cellular phone licences granted by the Government of India in 2008, including 22 licences to Uninor.

Press conference Friday 13 January at 13:00 regarding the sale of TV2

Press conference Friday 13 January at 13:00 regarding the sale of TV2

Presentation of Telenor’s fourth quarter results 2011

Telenor will present its financial results for the fourth quarter 2011 on Wednesday 8 February 2012 at 09:00 hrs Norwegian time/CET. The presentation, which will also be broadcast live over the Internet, will be held in Auditorium A, Telenor Expo Visitor Centre at Fornebu near Oslo. The figures will be published on Telenor's website at 07:00 CET.