Telenor signs Nordic agreement with Carlsberg

Over the next four years, Telenor will supply all mobile and fixed telephony to Carlsberg's staff of approximately 9,000 in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. In connection with the expiry of the previous contracts in the first three countries, the parties have today signed a new agreement which also includes Carlsberg in Finland. The contract will run for the next four years and will strengthen Telenor's position in the Nordic market.

"We are very proud of retaining and developing a major customer like Carlsberg with this four-year agreement. It proves that Telenor is an international partner able to go the distance in the Nordic market," says Ragnar Kårhus, CEO Telenor Norway.

The focus not on price alone
During the negotiations, Carlsberg stressed the vital importance of developing simple, tailor-made solutions adapted to its requirements, in addition to reducing the price of telephone traffic.

"We are in the midst of a process where we want to reduce costs and create greater transparency in our consumption of telephony services, while also consolidating our supplier base. It is, therefore, a great advantage for us to be able to purchase all our telephony in a single package from one supplier. Telenor has a flat price structure for its subscribers in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which increases transparency and reduces administration," explains Nicolai Birch, Group Category Director at Carlsberg.

With an eye for business development
The parties have also agreed to hold workshops at Telenor's headquarters at Fornebu every six months. The purpose of these workshops is to create ideas for developing and optimising the working relationship. On the agenda for the first meeting is a discussion on the potential to supply Carlsberg with machine-to-machine technology (M2M). Carlsberg is among other things interested in the possibility of installing SIM cards in its draught beer production facilities which can automatically signal when they need servicing.

"In general, there is a huge potential for developing solutions to enable machines to communicate with one another. We have signed a contract today that gives us the best from all worlds. As well as supplying Carlsberg with large-scale telephony services, we will be providing advice and acting as a sparring partner to advance Carlsberg's business development. We are delighted to be able to contribute to these aims," says Ragnar Kårhus.

Press contact:

Elisabeth Evjen
Communication Manager
Tel +47 4127 0000
E-mail: elisabeth.evjen@telenor.com

Jens Peter Skaarup
Media Relations Director, Carlsberg
(International Press)
Tel +45 3327 1417
Mob +45 4094 1417
E-mail: jp@carlsberg.com