Telenor to launch new Nordic data communications portfolio

Nordic Connect is the name of the new data communications portfolio that Telenor will be offering to business customers in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. In addition to high-capacity data communication, Nordic Connect will facilitate use of advanced services such as Voice over IP, streaming and video conferencing.

"Our customers recognise the usefulness of coordinating their Nordic communications, and with the Nordic Connect solution we are able to fully meet our customers' needs. We are simplifying the workday of our Nordic customers, providing them with reliable functionalities and high quality, regardless of where in the Nordic region they are located," said Berit Svendsen, head of Telenor's Nordic fixed line operation.

Nordic Connect allows Telenor to overstep national borders, helping businesses achieve their Nordic ambitions. The product portfolio meets companies' requirements by providing joint price structures for the whole Nordic region and Nordic customer centres with local representation, as well as 24-hour monitoring and alarm functions built into the networks.

"We have made an effort to achieve a simple customer interface. Our customers will be offered easy ordering, supply, invoicing and management. Furthermore, we have also focused on availability: Access to Nordic Connect can be achieved both via home office solutions and through wireless connections, such as mobile data cards in laptop PCs," said Berit Svendsen.

During the initial phase of the launch, additional services such as Internet Firewall, which provides access to the Internet through a simple physical access, will also be included. This will ensure enhanced security and simplified firewall functionalities for companies' data networks.

Nordic Connect is an extension of Telenor's already existing IP VPN network. This network is a so-called MPLS network (Multi Protocol Label Switching), which enables capacity to be scaled in accordance with customer needs. Through its ownership of Telenor AB in Sweden and Sonofon in Denmark, Telenor has extensive infrastructure all over the Nordic region. With the acquisition of Swedish Bredbandsbolaget and Danish Cybercity, this infrastructure will be further strengthened.

Nordic Connect will be launched to coincide with the commemoration of the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden, which took place on 7 June 1905. Nordic Connect will be ready for shipment to customers from 28 September 2005.

To the editors: A picture of Berit Svendsen may be downloaded from www.telenor.no/presse/_gfx/berit_svendsen.jpg

For more information, please contact:
Head of Information Arild S. Johannessen, Telenor Nordic, Tel: +47 48191921,

e-mail: arild.johannessen@telenor.com