OSLO, Norway and STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 16, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Telenor Mobile and Tele2 have entered into two agreements giving the companies MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operation) access to each other's GSM and future UMTS networks in Norway and Sweden. This will be the first MVNO operation in Norway and Sweden. The agreements have a 5-year duration.
Tele2 is the second largest GSM network operator in Sweden and has a service provider agreement with Telenor Mobile (through its wholly owned subsidiary Telenor Mobil) in the Norwegian market. The company has been running its Norwegian service provider operation since 2000.
Telenor Mobile has since 2001 been running a service provider operation in Sweden under the djuice(TM) brand. The MVNO agreement enhances Telenor Mobile's abilities to deliver customised mobile services to the Swedish market. The agreement will enable Telenor Mobile to deliver improved crossborder solutions to the business market.
The agreement opens up for a commercial launch in the first quarter of 2003. djuice has 72.000 customers in Sweden, operating through Europolitan/Vodafone's network. This customer base will continue to be served through Europolitan/Vodafone's network.
"We are pleased to have signed a MVNO agreement with Tele2. With this access to both 2G and 3G networks in Sweden, we will be able to improve the services we offer and be more competitive in the Nordic market," said Arve Johansen, CEO of Telenor Mobile.
The agreement does not influence either parties' obligations regarding network rollout and coverage stated in their UMTS licenses.