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The role of innovation in the development of the
communications society
Telenor's Innovation Prize aims to emphasise the importance of research
and innovation in the development of the modern communications society.
The jury had prepared the following theme for this year's award:
"The development of business models, roles and competitive regimes
in light of the convergence that is taking place in the mobile, communications
and media industries".
"This year's award underscores Telenor's strong focus on innovation.
We are pleased to see that the development of innovative business models
is recognised in this way. At Telenor, we are clearly seeing how our focus
on innovation plays a decisive role with respect to our development in
markets around the world," says Hilde Tonne.
Pioneers within business models
Over a ten-year period, the two winners have been pioneers in generating
new initiatives, in the theoretical field as well as in practice, relating
to network businesses such as Telenor, with the new competitive regimes
as the backdrop. At a very early stage, they recognised the importance
of the Internet, but were never dazzled by the so-called 'new economy'.
They were also able to defend their claims and contributed significantly
as Telenor made many right choices during these turbulent times. It is
the view of the jury that the two researchers have achieved striking results,
and further, that they have a bright future ahead of them.
"Through their models the two prize winners have contributed significantly
to bring out the added value of Internet based networks. This is a key
contribution to the Nordic telecommunications industry," says Vice
President Berit Svendsen at Telenor.
User driven demand
Since the Norwegian telecommunications monopoly was dissolved, the competition
in the market has contributed strongly to give users new and improved
services at lower cost. Today, nearly everyone carries a mobile handset,
and customers are offered much more than just voice services. New players
have entered the market, and traditional players assume new roles. User
demand is key to bring new products to the marketplace.
In addition, the Internet also represents a major shift in the industry.
The Internet has created expectations among most people that the Internet
should offer content free-of-charge. At the same time that users are fighting
for free access to web content, both large and small content providers
are struggling to protect their own copyrights.
For more information, please contact:
Eunike Ditlefsen, Head of Information at Telenor, Tel: +47 909 23 556
E-mail: Eunike Ditlefsen
For more information about Telenor's Research and Innovation Award please
visit our R&I
site
Press Release
The members of the Jury was:
Vice President Berit Svendsen (leader), Telenor Nordic Fixed
Professor Peter T. Kirstein, University College London
Ekonomie Dr. Erik Bohlin, Chalmers University of Technology
Associate professor Mads Christoffersen, The Technical University of Denmark
Professor Gunnar Stette, The Technical University of Norway,
Professor Olli Martikainen, The University of Oulu, Finland
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