Telenor’s objective is to contribute to fair regulatory frameworks through active engagement with political decision-makers and public authorities, both at the national and the international level, firmly opposing biased and unpredictable competitive terms.

Telenor’s operations adapt to the regulatory frameworks that they are subject to in individual markets. The development of equal and fair competition is a key challenge for authorities in all countries, and Telenor seeks to play an active role in the development of robust competition in all markets. Unpredictable framework conditions and market intervention could affect Telenor’s revenues and profitability, and thus represent a regulatory risk.

The rapid development of the telecommunications industry has resulted in a need for new and revised regulations in Europe. At the same time, European regulatory practices are becoming a blueprint for the development of national regulatory regimes in many markets. Being present in emerging, maturing and advanced markets, Telenor is uniquely positioned to transfer learning and set the right focus on regulatory issues.

Telenor actively cooperates with international organisations and industry associations with the common objective of securing and developing fair and predictable national frameworks that can attract long-term investments in the telecom sector. Outside Europe, membership of the WTO and alignment with the WTO Agreement contribute to secure stable framework conditions for the international operations.

The goal of ensuring a well-functioning telecommunications market will be difficult to achieve if players in Norway are subject to more detailed and extensive regulations than those which apply in other European countries. Today, we are observing such a trend in the Norwegian market, with respect to both fixed-line and mobile interconnections.

During the course of 2005, broadband telephony has gained a firm foothold in the Nordic market. An extensive regulatory process has resulted in provisional clarification as regards regulatory obligations and dispensation schemes for the various broadband telephony services. This involves far-reaching and important changes to the telecommunications industry.

An increase in the regulation of mobile operators is expected to take place in many countries outside Europe. This development is likely to involve contributions to USO funds, introduction of mobile number portability and altered conditions for interconnections. Telenor will continue to work actively to ensure optimal regulatory framework conditions for all its operations.