www.telenor.com

On Wednesday Telenor opened its new UMTS mobile network for commercial use. The network offers very high data transmission speeds, and Telenor Mobil's customers will have access to third generation mobile services such as video calls and Mobile TV. At the time of launch, the network covers 70 cities and densely populated areas in Norway.

"It is with a feeling of pride and excitement that we now embark upon a new era in Norwegian mobile history. Norwegians are among the world leaders in adopting advanced mobile services, and the potential of such services has now been made significantly greater. At the time of launch, the new network covers approximately half of Norway's population, and we are committed to continue our network rollout as planned," said CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas of Telenor.

UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. The new technology will give customers of Telenor Mobil even better access to the new mobile services commonly known under the heading 3G services. This involves opportunities for transmissions of live images, and faster Internet connection speeds than what customers have been accustomed to from existing mobile systems.

At the time of launch, Telenor's UMTS network covers more than two million people in 70 cities and densely populated areas. By March 2005, 132 cities and densely populated areas will be covered, and all areas with more than 200 people will have full coverage by 2007.

During an introductory phase, Telenor Mobil customers will be able to make video calls free of charge. During the campaign period, customers in the consumer market will not be charged more than NOK 5 per day for Mobile TV and other Internet access (packet switched).