STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 31, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Svenska UMTS-licens AB, a joint venture of Tele2 and TeliaSonera (LSE:TLSNq) (Other OTC:TLSNF), applied today to the Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency for postponement of the completion of the 3G network. Citing unforeseeable changes of circumstances, the formal application requests amendment of licence conditions for the licence held by Svenska UMTS-licens AB.
According to Svenska UMTS-licens AB, several circumstances underlie the request for postponement. All such changed circumstances could not be foreseen when the application for a licence was filed. In its application to the National Post and Telecom Agency, Svenska UMTS-licens AB states that it is now taking so long for decisions to be handed down in building permit matters that the planned rate of expansion of the 3G network would be impossible even if unlimited resources were available. In addition, the lack of certain technical platforms precludes the establishment of usability, functionality and technical system coordination prior to the end of the year. Nor have suppliers of terminals been able to deliver terminals in the volumes required for a commercial launch.
We believe that the network under construction by TeliaSonera and Tele2 will cover 70 percent of the population in Sweden by early 2004, giving our network the widest coverage of any 3G network in Europe.
In our assessment, the coverage requirements will be met by no later than December 31, 2005, provided there are no critical changes in technological and market developments.
In a special notice released Friday, March 28, 2003, the National Post and Telecom Agency announced a new schedule for evaluation of 3G with reference to the new legislation to be enacted later this year. However, requirements concerning the rate of development have not changed.
For further information journalists can contact: TeliaSonera Sweden Ola Kallemur, Press Officer +46 8 713 58 30.
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http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/31/20030331BIT00260/wkr0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/31/20030331BIT00260/wkr0002.pdf