Swedes Get Free Upgrade to 3G TeliaSonera

Sweden's 3.6 million GSM customers will be able to have their subscriptions upgraded to 3G free of charge. All of these customers will be offered the opportunity to exchange their SIM cards to new card that can be used in both GSM/GPRS and 3G networks. On December 1, Telia will start a trial period for 500 customers and will launch the service commercially in March 2004.

"The step to third-generation mobile telephony must be a simple one. We want our customers to enjoy functions on their mobile handsets that used to be available only on a desktop computer connected to the Internet - without having to worry about the technology," says Marie Ehrling, head of TeliaSonera Sweden.

With the upgrade, Telia's customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new 3G network, which will be the most built-out in Europe by year-end, as well as today's mobile network, which has been named the best in Sweden by "Mobil" magazine for three years in a row. When the 3G network is commercially launched, its higher transmission speed will be available in some 20 locations in Sweden. To use the new services and higher transmission speed, customers will need a 3G-enabled mobile handset. On December 1, Telia will start a test period with 500 selected customers. The test will initially be conducted on a limited scale and, if possible, be expanded. In March 2004, the 3G network will be launched commercially for private individuals and enterprises.

TeliaSonera Finland will start a pre-commercial operation in their 3G network at the beginning of December. The network will first be used by selected business customers who develop mobile services of their own. The commercial use of the 3G network in Finland will start immediately when the technology needed is of the quality that Sonera's customers are used to.

The company also says that it will deploy EDGE in areas that are not slated for a 3G rollout in the near future."

Posted to the site on 18th November 2003