Having accumulated more than 150 years of experience within the telecommunications industry, we continue to enhance our knowledge. Telenor Group has operations in 14 markets throughout the world and is continuously expanding. Major milestones of our 150 year history:
1853 – 1899
Connecting Norway
In 1853 Norway’s first telegraph cable connection is opened between Oslo and Strømmen. One and a half decades later, the telegraph cable connection between Norway and Denmark is established followed by a cable link between Norway and Great Britain. In 1877, the first public demonstration of the Bell telephone in Norway takes place. The Telegraph Act is passed in 1899.
1901 – 1965
Broadcasting
By the early 20th century, major fishing communities communicate by telegraph to prevent violation of territories. The telegraph becomes extremely important to the Lofoten fishery and soon leads to a 25% increase in the export of fish. In 1920, a telephone exchange amusingly robust by today’s standards is built in the Norwegian city of Skien, the first city in Scandinavia to have one. By the time telephone connection between Norway and USA is established, the radio is invented and becomes the primary means of communication of the Second World War. The number of telephone exchanges increases seventyfold in fifteen years, and television is officially launched by King Olav V of Norway.
1966 – 1974
Common standards
In the second half of the 1960s, the first portable telephone hits the market along with the public terrestrial mobile telephone service (OLT). The drawback of this system is that everybody can hear everybody else talking. The Norwegian Telegraph Administration changes its name to Norwegian Telecommunications (Televerket) and the number of people employed by Norway Telecom exceeds 17,000. This large number of staff is required as at this point more than 50% of Norwegian households have a telephone connection which causes major traffic congestions in the network.
1975 – 1989
Satellite
In 1975, Norwegian telecommunications sets new standards by launching the first satellite. Telecommunications has always responded to various industry needs – the oil industry is the first to use satellite services. Four years later, the number of people on the waiting list for a telephone subscription reaches 100,000 and the local telecommunications company is no longer able to keep pace with the demand. An advertisement from as early as 1981 presents the telephone as a mini-office which can fit into a briefcase. When the automation of the Norwegian telecommunications network is complete and the industry is up to standard the government puts an end to the telecommunications monopoly by opening the market up to competition.
1990 – 1994
GSM network
The 1990s see unprecedented technological development dominated primarily by the proliferation of mobile phones. In 1993, Pannon is established in Budapest with Norway Telecommunications as a part owner. A year later, international media describe the Winter Games at Lillehammer as “The Mobile Phone Olympics” with 25,000 mobile phones in use.
1995 – 1999
The dawn Telenor
In 1995, Norwegian Telecommunications changes its name to Telenor and enters new markets including Russia and the Czech Republic. Short Message Service (SMS) is enabled. A year later, the Internet makes its real breakthrough and Telenor invests nearly USD 2 million in building a network with a capacity for more than 400,000 users. It invests in a joint venture in Bangladesh and launches mobile WAP service in Russia.
2000 –
A new millennium and success story
Telenor greets the 21st century by making the Norwegian telephone directory available on the Internet. The company signs several large-scale contracts with partners including the Norwegian Ministry of Healthcare, British Telecom, and DiGi of Malaysia. It increases its share in Hungary’s Pannon to 100%. Telenor acquires Comsat Mobile Communications and becomes the world’s largest provider of mobile satellite services. With camera phones and 3G technology making a splash in the industry, Telenor continues to develop in new markets. The company enters Pakistan, and in 2009 it launches its mobile operator in India. The Indian opco covers a footprint of 600 million people in 7 telecom districts.
