Telenor to provide nationwide EDGE coverage

(Fornebu, 8 February 2006) Telenor’s GSM network has now been upgraded to offer EDGE. “This development means not just higher speed, but better coverage too. Telenor wants to provide the best coverage, which is why we’re now proud to offer a mobile network that secures 3G services across the whole country,” says Bjørn Amundsen, Director of Coverage.

A year ago, Telenor only offered 50 per cent EDGE coverage. An almost 100 per cent EDGE coverage, will offer new possibilities for the customers. EDGE is a technology that increases capacity, raises quality and supports the use of state-of-the-art services via the existing GSM network.

Bjørn Amundsen makes no secret of the fact that carrying out this upgrade has been a challenge.

“It’s been a major undertaking. In fact, we already got the upgrade process under way in 2004. Recently we’ve had to battle with the elements, and we’ve had to use snowmobiles and helicopters to reach the most remote areas,” he continues. Telenor will be providing EDGE even to oil platforms in the North Sea, but for practical reasons this will not happen before the spring.

This extensive EDGE coverage will allow Telenor’s customers to enjoy a better service, as new content services will be available practically everywhere in Norway. For instance, Telenor is offering exclusively NRK’s Olympic Games services on mobile TV. NRK’s mobile TV services will be provided free of charge via Telenor’s Entry portal for the duration of the Olympics.

Telenor is now also providing BBC World’s news programmes 24 hours a day via its ENTRY portal.

“Telenor is the first operator in Scandinavia to launch this offering. BBC World will be available to customers using phones that support EDGE or UMTS,” explains Lars Christian Iuel, manager for Private Products, Mobile at Telenor.

“Telenor focuses strongly on developing business models that allow our customers to use new, state-of-the-art services at affordable prices. This, combined with an efficiently operating interface linked to some of the world’s best content providers, makes cooperation with BBC World possible,” continues Lars Christian Iuel.

Telenor WAP portal: wap.telenormobil.no

Some facts about EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution)
EDGE is a technology that increases capacity, raises quality and supports the use of state-of-the-art services via the existing GSM network. EDGE is an upgraded version of the current system supporting data transfer in the GSM network - GPRS (General Packet Radio Services). The transfer rate of EDGE is significantly faster than what is possible using GPRS technology and is capable of achieving, in perfect conditions, up to between 100 and 200 kbit/s, as opposed to 40 kbit/s, which Telenor previously achieved with GPRS.

EDGE is part of Telenor’s commitment to 3G technology.

Contact
For further information about coverage, please contact Bjørn Amundsen, Director of Coverage at Telenor Mobil: Tel: +47 90021000, E-mail: bjorn.amundsen@telenor.com

Contact Information

Atle Lessum

Head of Information at Telenor

Telenor

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