Telenor launches 3G at Svalbard

March 16, 2005

On Tuesday, Telenor opened its new mobile network UMTS in Longyearbyen at Svalbard. The network, which has been supplied by Ericsson, offers high data transmission speeds, and will give Telenor Mobil's customers access to 3G mobile services such as video calls and mobile TV.

"A number of years ago, Telenor Mobil made a commitment that we would provide 3G services to Svalbard as soon as this was technically feasible. Through our partnership with Ericsson, we have now accomplished this, and today we are extremely proud to open our new mobile network at Svalbard," said Bjørn Amundsen, Director of Coverage at Telenor Mobil.

UMTS will give Telenor's mobile customers improved access to the new mobile services collectively known under the heading 3G. This involves transmission of live images, and much faster Internet connection than what customers are used to from current mobile systems.

Telenor's UMTS network currently covers more than 2.8 million people, and Telenor is committed to provide coverage to all Norwegian communities counting more than 200 people by year-end 2007.

The 1800-strong community at Longyearbyen, and the many tourists who make the trip up to 78 degree North will now be given access the same mobile services that they are offered on the mainland. The mobile network at Svalbard has also been upgraded with EDGE technology, which increases the speeds of the existing mobile network. In Longyearbyen, all the central parts of the town, and the road to Longyear will have UMTS coverage.