Tele2 and Telenor in 4G network cooperation

Swedish telecom operator Tele2 has joined forces with Norway's Telenor to build a new 4G mobile network, it was announced on Tuesday.

• Sony Ericsson to close Kista development centre (19 Nov 09)
• Saab to double production in 2010 (17 Nov 09)
• Saab slapped with debt claim over worker pay (16 Nov 09)

The two companies will form a joint company to construct the network and coordinate frequencies. Construction of the network is expected to begin in 2009.

"We are now going to build the next generation of mobile networks and change the rules of the game for the Swedish mobile market," Telenor Sweden CEO Lars-Åke Norling said in a company press release.

"The former monopoly has had certain advantages in the old network. When 3G was launched a couple of years ago the power balance between the operators changed and with the construction of 4G, which is specifically designed for mobile broadband, we are taking the lead with regard to network coverage, quality and speed," Norling continued.

The co-owned firm will be called Net4Mobility and will be owned equally by Telenor and Tele2.

The launch of mobile broadband services in the new network is planned for the end of 2010, in line with the production of modems that can handle the new technology.

TeliaSonera announced in January that the company had decided to build a 4G network in Stockholm, a network that will be built by Ericsson.

The network will initially cover the Stockholm area but TeliaSonera's long-term plan is to extend the 4G network in other areas of Sweden.