Azercell’s shareholder TeliaSonera acquires Tele2’s Norwegian operations and accelerates nationwide 4G roll-out

Azercell’s main shareholder European communication giant TeliaSonera acquires Tele2’s operations in Norway. The company has also committed itself to a 98 percent population coverage for 4G by 2016, two years ahead of its obligations. Tele2 operates under the brand names Tele2, One-Call, My Call and Network Norway. The number of mobile subscriptions was 1,133,000 and the number of fixed subscriptions was 60,000 at the end of the first quarter of

The transaction will increase TeliaSonera’s mobile market share in Norway to approximately 40 percent from 23 percent while the mobile subscription base will increase to 2.7 million from 1.6 million. In order to show the benefit of consolidation for the customer, TeliaSonera is accelerating the 4G roll-out to reach 98 percent population coverage already by 2016 instead of 2018.

This valuable acquisition will improve competitiveness and ability to offer mobile internet services to enterprise customers and consumers in the entire country, including the rural areas where large investments are needed. Once the acquisition is completed Tele2’s customers will have access to a nationwide 4G network which currently covers 3.2 million people and in 2016 virtually all Norwegians. TeliaSonera will continue to offer a variety of brands on the Norwegian market, both premium and low cost brands. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2015 at the latest.

TeliaSonera provides network access and telecommunication services that help people and companies communicate in an easy, efficient and environmentally friendly way. From Norway to Nepal, TeliaSonera is presented in Azerbaijan, Denmark , Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Nepal, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

 Being the first 4G provider and European’s leading telecom provider TeliaSonera holds 190.6 million subscriptions and 25,741 employees worldwide. Being a part of TeliaSonera group of companies and adopting the best European experiences Azercell continues to introduce latest technological innovations to Azerbaijani market.

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Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996 and since the first years sustains a leading position on the market. Azercell introduced number of technological innovations in Azerbaijan: GSM technology, GPRS/EDGE, 24/7 Customer Care, full-time operating Azercell Express offices, mobile e-service “ASAN imza” (ASAN signature) and others. With 51% share of Azerbaijan’s mobile market Azercell’s network covers 99,8% of the country’s population. By the end of 2013 the number of Azercell’s subscribers reached 4,5 million people. In 2011 Azercell deployed 3G and in 2012 the fourth generation network – LTE in Azerbaijan. The Company is the leader of Azerbaijan’s mobile communication industry and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector.