Nokia offers Internet service to Telenor customers

By Gabrielle Kalika

July 7, 2008

Mind your business mobility

Wireless carrier Telenor and handset maker Nokia have partnered to promote the Internet service on the Ovi services platform provided by Nokia.

Nordic consumers can now access the Internet via their Nokia mobile devices. The deal will also combine Nokia's Ovi service with existing Telenor content offerings.

"Nokia has a significant market share in the markets where we have announced the partnership," said Morten Karlsen Soerby, executive vice president and head of Telenor Nordic, Fornebu, Norway.

"Based on Nokia's large investment and R&D in mobile services under the Ovi umbrella, a cooperation with Nokia will benefit our users and the experience of being a Telenor subscriber," he said.

Nokia handsets will be pre-configured with Ovi and Telenor services, allowing the user to choose both.

Specific Nokia devices will offer access to both companies' selected services, such as Nokia Maps, N-Gage and Telenor Music Store and Mobile TV. The subscriber is billed normally for pay-services through the mobile phone bill.

Telenor provides services in telecommunications, data services and media distribution. The company is one of Norway's largest listed companies, and claims to have an estimated 35,800 employees, 25,600 of which are internationally employed.

The Ovi service will be available for selected Nokia devices during the second half of this year. Telenor customers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark as well as the Eastern European Hungary can access the service.

"Both Telenor and Nokia are excited about the Ovi partnership and offering our customers attractive services," Mr. Soerby said.

"Nokia's business model has evolved and not only relates to sale of handsets but also to include attractive operator and end-user services," he said. "By integrating our existing services, our brand and our billing and customer care relationship, the end-user is provided with attractive services.

"Nokia recognizes the value of Telenor as an operator and our end-user relationship and both parties have struck the right balance with regards to our cooperation," he said.