Telenor cuts use of consulting services and hired personnel

-We terminate all consultancy agreements and will only re-negotiate agreements of critical importance to Telenor, says President and CEO Mr. Tormod Hermansen. He emphasises that Telenor wishes to stimulate the internal labour market within the Group and that the aim is to solve tasks through use of own employees.

- Due to changed market conditions, especially within IT-related businesses, we have already reduced the number of employees. Employees without immediate tasks may therefore to a large extent replace consultants and hired personnel. Much may also be gained from better use of resources across organisational borders, the CEO says.

The reduced use of consulting services and hired personnel is part of a broader programme for cost efficiency, decided by the Telenor management with immediate effect. Other efforts include freeze of staff recruitement and strong travel restrictions. Telenor's own solutions such as video- and teleconferencing is to be used to a higher extent. Telenor has already reduced travelling expences considerably through agreements with major travel businesses and through the use of electronic booking systems.