Telenor modernises technology and fixed network businesses

(Fornebu, 16 September 2015) Telenor Norway continues modernisation programme in fixed network operations. Company is also streamlining its technology organisation. Initiatives will simplify working processes and ensure more efficient expansion of infrastructure and development of new services. 

‘Technological developments in the telecomms industry are moving very quickly and both the domestic and international competition is very demanding. In order for Telenor to remain the best telecomms operator in the Norwegian market in the years to come, we must modernise. The changes we are implementing now will unfortunately result in some redundancies,’ says Berit Svendsen, CEO of Telenor Norway. 

Ending consultancy agreements
Telenor Norway currently has around 1000 employees in its technology division and slightly more than 400 employees in its fixed network business. The changes will result in a reduction in workforce of around 170 permanent employees across the two divisions.

‘The organisational changes and redundancies are demanding for those who are affected, and our job is to ensure we carry out the process well and in an orderly fashion, providing plenty of information. We are now looking at how to account for some redundancies through natural employee turnover, AFP early retirement pension agreements and other solutions. Telenor will also continue to reduce the use of external consultants, which means that contracts with around 85 consultants will be terminated,’ says Svendsen. 

Rapid technological development
‘It is just under three years since we introduced 4G, and nine out of ten people already have access to 4G provided by Telenor Norway. This illustrates how quickly development is progressing, and we believe this pace will increase in the years to come. At the same time, we are losing approximately 100,000 fixed telephone customers annually, which reduces our revenues. In order for Telenor to continue to lead the way in terms of technological development, we must make changes. We are, among other things, reducing levels internally and merging similar roles. The goal is to simplify working processes and ensure more efficient expansion of infrastructure and development of new services,’ says Svendsen.

The changes in the technology and fixed network division will enter into effect on 1 November. 

For further information, please contact:
Torild Uribarri, Director of Communications at Telenor Norway
Tel.: 911 55 381, email: torild.uribarri@telenor.com