STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Telia (Stockholm:TLIA) (Other OTC:TLAAF):
Based on preliminary calculations as of November 17, 2002, shares in Sonera, including shares represented by American Depository Shares, and warrants to subscribe for shares in Sonera, representing a total of approximately 94.8 percent of the shares in Sonera (on a fully diluted basis), have been tendered.
Telia expects to announce the final results on Thursday, November 21, 2002, whereafter trading in Sonera exchanged shares and warrants is expected to commence on the Helsinki Exchanges.
As a result of the extension of the offer, it is expected that Telia shares and warrants will be available on book-entry accounts on Monday, December 9, 2002, when trading in Telia shares and warrants 2002/2005:A on the Helsinki Exchanges and Telia ADSs on NASDAQ National Market is intended to commence.
For further information journalists can contact:
Telia's Press Office, +46 8 713 58 30
Cautionary Disclaimer/Legend
The combination of Sonera and Telia will be implemented through an exchange offer being made by Telia to all shareholders of Sonera. The contents of this document are neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Telia. Any offer in the United States will only be made through a prospectus which is part of a registration statement on Form F-4 which Telia filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on October 1, 2002. Sonera shareholders who are U.S. persons or are located in the United States are urged to carefully review the registration statement on Form F-4, the prospectus included therein and other documents relating to the offer that Telia has filed or will file with the SEC because these documents contain important information relating to the offer. You are also urged to read the related solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 that was filed by Sonera with the SEC on October 1, 2002 regarding the offer.
You may obtain a free copy of these documents at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. You may also inspect and copy the registration statement on Form F-4, as well as any documents incorporated by reference therein, and the Schedule 14D-9 at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. These documents may also be obtained free of charge by contacting Telia AB, Investor Relations, SE-123 86 Farsta, Sweden. Attention: External Communications or Investor Relations (tel: +46 8 7137143, or Sonera Corporation, Teollisuuskatu 15, P.O. Box 106, FIN-00051 SONERA, Finland. Attention: Investor Relations (tel: +358 20401). YOU SHOULD READ THE PROSPECTUS AND THE SCHEDULE 14D-9 CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION CONCERNING THE OFFER.
Telia is the Nordic leader in telecommunications. Over the past year, we have streamlined the Group, focusing our core businesses making the company more flexible. Our four core businesses are: Mobile communications, Broadband and Internet, Fixed networks and International carrier operations. Telia is listed on Stockholmsborsen. Sales Jan-Sep 2002 totaled MSEK 42,727 (42,226) and the number of employees was 16,244 (22,509). Sales 2001 totaled MSEK 57,196 and the number of employees was 17,149.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/18/20021118BIT00040/wkr0001.doc www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/11/18/20021118BIT00040/wkr0002.pdf