OSLO, Norway, April 17, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Telenor (Nasdaq:TELN) today announced that Norwegian branded consumer goods giant Orkla and Danish Carlsberg Breweries have chosen Telenor Business Solutions to deliver fixed and mobile voice services. The three-year contracts, worth an estimated 300 million NOK, comprises approximately 30.000 users in 163 companies across Scandinavia and are probably the most extensive Scandinavia-wide telecom deals ever. Telenor will serve all Orkla companies and Carlsberg Breweries with fixed and mobile telephony subscriptions and traffic.
Orkla is one of Norway's largest companies and the leading supplier of branded consumer goods to the Nordic grocery market, with strong global positions in selected niche areas of Speciality Chemicals, Fine Chemicals and Ingredients. Carlsberg Breweries' primary activities are production, sale and distribution of beer and soft drinks with a leading position within the global brewing industry.
Telenor Business Solutions will manage the integration of services from partners to ensure a single point of contact. The agreement involves the delivery of services from Telenor Business Solutions AB, for fixed telephony in Sweden, and Sonofon for fixed and mobile telephony in Denmark. Telenor partner Vodafone will serve the customer with mobile services in Sweden.
"Major corporations such as Orkla and Carlsberg Breweries, are looking to simplify their provider portfolio across boarders and organizations. The Orkla and Carlsberg Breweries contracts supports our Nordic strategy to deliver a single point of contact for a broad portfolio of services within managed IT and communications services," said Morten Lundal, CEO of Telenor Business Solutions.
About Telenor Business Solutions
Telenor Business Solutions innovates and simplifies IT- and communications solutions for a Norwegian, Nordic and European business market. We serve organizations in all segments with voice- and data communications, advanced networks solutions, managed IT services and consultancy. Telenor Business Solutions employs 4500 people in 10 countries, serving customers across boarders based on international presence and infrastructure.
The Orkla Group
Orkla's main businesses are branded consumer goods, chemicals and financial investments. Group operating revenues have increased from NOK 1.2 billion in 1982 to NOK 44.8 billion in 2001. In the same period, the total return for Orkla's shareholders has averaged 27,5 % per year. Although all the Group's production and the bulk of its sales were originally in Norway, the majority of sales - around 73% - and a substantial proportion of production now take place outside Norway. At the end of 2001, Orkla had 31,767 employees.
Carlsberg Breweries
Carlsberg Breweries is one of the world's major international brewing operations, and Carlsberg and Tuborg are two of the most widely sold beer brands on a global scale. Carlsberg Breweries was established in 2001 when Carlsberg's and Orkla's beer and soft drink activities were united. Carlsberg Breweries comprises, among others, Carlsberg (1847), Tuborgs Bryggerier (1873), Pripps (1828) and Ringnes (1877) - as well as a number of subsidiaries and associated companies, the majority of which are situated outside the Nordic region. Carlsberg Breweries has a total workforce of approximately 27,000 people, if all associated companies are included. Carlsberg Breweries sells its products in about 150 markets.