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Mobile communications
GSM is gaining terrain towards becoming the leading standard for mobile communications throughout the world. As of August 1995, 66 countries had GSM networks in operation
The development of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) was inspired by the Nordic countries' development and launch of the world's first automatic mobile system. In 1981, the Nordic Mobile Telephone System (NMT), a system with multi-country roaming, was launched in Norway. NMT was the model used when developing GSM, the originally European standard for digital mobile communication. Actually, the world's first GSM test system was set up in the Norwegian capital Oslo in 1987. This was the natural consequence of Telenor engineers being deeply involved in the specification of the GSM standard.
The Norwegians broke another world record in the summer of 1995 when mobile penetration reached 23%, in addition to one of the highest penetrations of fixed phones. That means that almost one in four Norwegians own their own mobile phone. Mobile subscriber uptake is now outnumbering fixed network subscriber growth.
As mobile phones become more widespread, people are expecting more from their phones. First of all, it should be possible to use them practically everywhere. Secondly, services such as Voice mail, Short Message Services and GSM data and fax are gaining popularity. Telenor is meeting these challenges by increasing the extent and quality of coverage, as well as the range of services offered.
Telenor's success in its domestic market has inspired confidence in the company's ability to plan, implement and operate GSM networks outside Norway. Currently, Telenor also operates GSM Networks in Hungary and Russia, together with international and local partners. In the autumn of 1995, Telenor was awarded the license to operate a second GSM network in Ireland. When rolling out and operating networks in foreign countries, Telenor is determined to compete on quality to meet the increasingly sophisticated user demand and intense competition in the mobile communication field. Telenor is determined to maintain its leading position within the GSM field by adapting to this new reality.
Paging
Wide-area paging was first introduced in Norway in 1984. Since then, the service has been very popular, bringing Norway to the top regarding paging penetration in Europe. The level of penetration is today approximately 3%, with 130,000 paging subscribers.
One of the reasons for the popularity of paging is due to the automatic service. Calls can be sent from any touch-tone telephone directly to the paging subscriber. The alphanumeric service can be accessed from the fixed and mobile networks in the same way as the numeric service.
In addition you can send messages from any PC with modem, from X25, E-mail and many other office systems. Most mainframe suppliers also supply transmitting software for the alphanumeric service. We are now developing new methods and possibilities in the field of messages.
We also offer information services in the paging system. Information about currency and stock-exchange rates are regularly sent to special pagers made for this purpose. We feel that this part of the business will grow very fast in the future, and we plan to offer this service for PC users as well. Messages can also be handled through message-handling centres where people without access to touch-tone telephones can get their messages forwarded.
Satellite Services
Telenor is a leading international supplier of satellite services, drawing on expertise that dates back to 1976, when Norway became the first country in Europe to use satellites in its domestic telecommunication network. Our company is a co-owner of the INTELSAT, EUTELSAT and INMARSAT organisations.
Norwegian ship-owners have been among the heaviest users of mobile satellite communications services for a long time, using the Inmarsat satellite system. Telenor has facilitated mobile communications to and between mobile telephone units since 1982. The EIK Land Earth Station is the world's largest satellite ground station for communication via the Inmarsat satellites, where we offer access to all current Inmarsat services.
Business Satellite Networks is a growing market, especially in countries where the infrastructure on fixed lines is not so good. Our company offers extensive telecommunications services for business use around the world, including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and one- and two-way services. Our company was the fastest-growing company in Europe in 1994 in the management of VSAT networks.
We are a leading distributor of both radio and television channels in the Nordic countries, with a growing international involvement. International and domestic TV channels are broadcast through our own satellites and leased transponders. During the Winter Olympic Games at Lillehammer in 1994, Telenor was responsible for the distribution of TV signals to the whole world.
Telenor
Telenor is engaged in projects in several countries in Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, Northern America and Africa, ranging from complete telecommunications services to mobile and satellite communications.
Telenor consists of the parent company, Telenor AS, which is a wholly state-owned limited company, and seven business areas. International telecom traffic, satellite communications, international corporate networks and investments outside Norway's boundaries are all looked after by Telenor International AS.
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