Network Norway

Network Norway was a Norwegian mobile telecommunications operator established in 2006 by a small group of former Telenor and NetCom employees. The company was created to become an additional network operator in Norway, a market historically dominated by established national carriers. Working with Siemens, Network Norway built a GSM-900 mobile network in a notably short period during 2006 and 2007. Commercial service began in 2007, initially covering the greater Oslo area and the cities of Stavanger and Trondheim. In areas outside its own radio footprint, customers could use roaming on NetCom Norway's network. The operator pursued a network-sharing and wholesale-oriented strategy in parallel with its retail business. During 2007, it attracted partners including One Call and Lebara Group, the latter now associated with the MyCall brand, to use its network. Later that year, Network Norway and Tele2 established Mobile Norway, with each company holding an equal 50 percent share. Mobile Norway became the seventh Norwegian company to receive a licence to operate a commercial mobile network, giving the partners a vehicle for developing and operating mobile infrastructure. Network Norway also expanded its regulatory and technical position. In early 2008, it won a UMTS licence. The planned 3G network was not yet on air by July 2009, and in December 2009 Mobile Norway signed Ericsson to provide equipment for its 2G and 3G network. The agreement represented a shift toward a major international network vendor as the company continued developing beyond its initial GSM deployment. The business also had a retail and device-distribution role. In March 2010, Network Norway was reported as the only Norwegian mobile network operator selling Google's Nexus One smartphone in Norway. This positioned the company as an early channel for a prominent Android device, although the available reference material does not establish the scale or long-term commercial impact of the offering. Ownership changed during the following years. Tele2 owned Network Norway in 2011. In 2014, Tele2 was acquired by TeliaSonera, which also acquired NetCom in Norway, while Network Norway was sold by Tele2 to Ice.net. The available material does not document a continuing independent Network Norway brand after that transaction. The company is therefore treated here as a defunct or discontinued standalone brand, while recognizing that its network assets, relationships, or business operations may have been transferred through the 2014 transaction.

Network Norway was founded in 2006 by a small group of people who had previously worked for Norway's incumbent operator Telenor and its established competitor NetCom. Its founding team sought to create a new mobile network operator rather than operate solely as a reseller. The company worked with Siemens to construct a GSM-900 network during 2006 and 2007. The build was completed sufficiently quickly for commercial service to launch in 2007, making Network Norway a notable new entrant in the Norwegian mobile market. The initial network was concentrated in the greater Oslo metropolitan area and the cities of Stavanger and Trondheim. Network Norway did not initially provide complete national coverage from its own infrastructure. Instead, customers outside the company's coverage areas could roam on the NetCom Norway network. This combination of limited proprietary coverage and national roaming enabled the operator to begin selling service before it had deployed a nationwide radio network. Network Norway also developed a wholesale dimension. During 2007, it brought other service providers onto its network, including One Call and the Lebara Group, which is now associated with the MyCall name. Later in 2007, Network Norway and Tele2 formed Mobile Norway. The two companies held equal 50 percent stakes. Mobile Norway became the seventh Norwegian company to receive a licence to operate a commercial mobile network, creating a shared infrastructure platform for the partners and strengthening Network Norway's position in the national market. In early 2008, Network Norway won a UMTS licence. The licence gave the company a basis for expanding into third-generation mobile services, but deployment did not proceed immediately: the network was still not operating by July 2009. In December 2009, Mobile Norway signed an agreement with Ericsson for the supply of equipment for its 2G and 3G network. The deal connected the operator's infrastructure plans with a major global telecommunications equipment supplier. The company's activities extended beyond network construction. In March 2010, it was reported as the only Norwegian mobile network operator selling the Nexus One smartphone in Norway. The device, associated with Google's Android platform, gave Network Norway a visible retail and handset role in addition to its network operations. Ownership subsequently shifted toward Tele2. Tele2 was the owner of Network Norway in 2011. In 2014, Tele2 was acquired by TeliaSonera, which also acquired NetCom in Norway. Network Norway was sold separately by Tele2 to Ice.net. The supplied reference does not describe the later corporate structure, brand continuation, or precise disposition of all Network Norway assets. On the available evidence, Network Norway is best documented as a former independent Norwegian mobile operator whose standalone brand ended or was absorbed following the 2014 sale.

1. 2014Sale to Ice.net

   Network Norway was sold by Tele2 to Ice.net after Tele2 was acquired by TeliaSonera.

   Source
2. 2011Tele2 ownership

   Tele2 was identified as the owner of Network Norway.

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3. 2010Nexus One retail availability

   Network Norway became the only Norwegian mobile network operator reported to be selling the Nexus One.

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4. 2009Ericsson network equipment agreement

   Mobile Norway contracted Ericsson to supply equipment for its 2G and 3G network.

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5. 2008UMTS licence awarded

   Network Norway won a licence for UMTS mobile services.

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6. 2007Commercial GSM network launch

   The company launched commercial GSM-900 service with initial coverage in the Oslo metropolitan area, Stavanger, and Trondheim.

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7. 2007Mobile Norway formed

   Network Norway and Tele2 created Mobile Norway with equal ownership shares.

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8. 2006Company founded

   Network Norway was established by former employees of Telenor and NetCom.

   Source

A challenger Norwegian mobile operator combining its own urban GSM network, national roaming, wholesale partnerships, and later shared-network development with Tele2.

• Network Norway mobile serviceMobile telecommunications2007

  The core consumer offering was mobile telecommunications service delivered over Network Norway's GSM-900 network in the greater Oslo area, Stavanger, and Trondheim. Outside those areas, subscribers could roam on NetCom Norway's network, allowing the brand to offer service beyond the geographic limits of its own infrastructure.

• Mobile Norway network accessWholesale mobile network2007

  Through Mobile Norway and its broader network strategy, Network Norway participated in the development of shared mobile infrastructure with Tele2. The company's network also supported partner service providers, including One Call and the Lebara Group, enabling other brands to use the infrastructure.

• Nexus OneMobile device2010

  Network Norway sold Google's Nexus One smartphone in Norway. In March 2010 it was reported as the only Norwegian mobile network operator offering the device, making the handset a notable retail product associated with the brand.

• 2014Transfer Network Norway to Ice.netM&A

  Tele2 was acquired by TeliaSonera, creating a need to determine the future ownership of Network Norway.

  What changed. Network Norway was sold by Tele2 to Ice.net.

  Aftermath. The available reference material does not document the subsequent standalone operation of the Network Norway brand.

  Source
• 2009Select Ericsson for 2G and 3G infrastructureStrategy

  Mobile Norway needed network equipment for its continued second- and third-generation deployment.

  What changed. In December 2009, Mobile Norway signed Ericsson as the equipment provider for its 2G and 3G network.

  Aftermath. The agreement advanced the shared infrastructure project's technical development, although the supplied material does not provide deployment results.

  Source
• 2008Obtain a UMTS licenceOther

  The operator planned to extend its network capabilities beyond GSM into third-generation mobile services.

  What changed. Network Norway won a UMTS licence.

  Aftermath. The planned 3G network was not operating by July 2009, and later network equipment procurement was handled through Mobile Norway's agreement with Ericsson.

  Source
• 2007Combine proprietary urban coverage with national roamingStrategy

  At launch, Network Norway's own GSM network covered selected urban areas rather than the whole country.

  What changed. The company used its own network in the greater Oslo area, Stavanger, and Trondheim, while allowing customers to roam on NetCom Norway outside those areas.

  Aftermath. The approach enabled commercial operation before nationwide infrastructure had been built and supported the company's early market entry.

  Source
• 2007Create Mobile Norway with Tele2M&A

  Network Norway sought to expand its infrastructure and establish a stronger position in the Norwegian mobile market.

  What changed. Network Norway and Tele2 formed Mobile Norway with equal 50 percent ownership.

  Aftermath. Mobile Norway became the seventh Norwegian company to receive a licence to operate a commercial mobile network.

  Source

• 2014Network Norway is sold to Ice.net

  Following TeliaSonera's acquisition of Tele2, Network Norway was sold by Tele2 to Ice.net.

  M&ALeadership change
  Source
• 2011Tele2 owns Network Norway

  Tele2 was identified as the owner of Network Norway.

  M&A
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• 2010Network Norway sells the Nexus One in Norway

  Network Norway was reported in March 2010 as the only Norwegian mobile network operator selling Google's Nexus One smartphone in Norway.

  Product launch
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• 2009Mobile Norway selects Ericsson for 2G and 3G network equipment

  Mobile Norway signed Ericsson in December 2009 to supply equipment for its second- and third-generation mobile networks.

  Other
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• 2008Network Norway wins a UMTS licence

  The company obtained a UMTS licence, although its 3G network was not operating by July 2009 according to the reference material.

  Regulation
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• 2007Network Norway launches a GSM-900 mobile network

  Network Norway began commercial mobile service after building a GSM-900 network with Siemens. Initial coverage included the greater Oslo area, Stavanger, and Trondheim, with roaming on NetCom Norway outside the company's own coverage.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2007Network Norway and Tele2 establish Mobile Norway

  Network Norway and Tele2 formed Mobile Norway as an equally owned company to develop and operate mobile network infrastructure in Norway.

  M&A
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1. Network Norway