Telenor Group appoints three new Executive Vice Presidents

Fornebu (Oslo), 16 May, 2014. Telenor Group today announces a change to its organizational structure through the appointment of Henrik Clausen (50), Katja Christina Nordgaard (52) and Pål Wien Espen (49) as Executive Vice Presidents and new members of Group Executive Management (GEM) in Telenor Group.

(From left:) Henrik Clausen, Katja Christina Nordgaard and Pål Wien Espen.

“Telenor Group operates in an increasingly fast-paced and complex environment.  We have decided to merge the Strategy and Digital units and establishing a new Corporate Affairs unit in order to increase our ability to meet the demands from our customers and solve business challenges in our markets.  It will provide us with the flexibility and strength needed to take a leading role in the digital future,” said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor Group. “I welcome Henrik, Katja and Pål to the top management team and look forward to further strengthening our company.”

Aligning Digital initiatives with Group strategy

A new Group Strategy and Digital unit will be responsible for Telenor Group’s overall strategy, drive Telenor’s digital agenda and support the company’s operations in the digital services space. The new unit will be headed by Henrik Clausen. Clausen starts in his new position on 15 June 2014.

Henrik Clausen comes from the position of CEO of Malaysian mobile operator DiGi. Since taking the helm at DiGi in 2010, the company has continuously delivered solid results and consistently captured market share in Malaysia. The company’s growth has been fueled by increased demand for mobile data, driven by the growing popularity of content services in the mature Malaysian market. DiGi is known as an innovative industry player and frontrunner in providing mobile internet services. The company has been a pioneer in delivering Internet for All, which now is one of Telenor Group’s three strategic pillars across its 13 markets. Under Clausen’s leadership, DiGi has been able to strike a successful balance between focused market execution and an open company culture that encourages participation and passion.

Establishing a new Corporate Affairs Unit

Combining Corporate Communications, Sustainability and Government Relations into one Corporate Affairs unit enables Telenor to maximize the existing capabilities of these essential areas, and to further strengthen our communication and interaction with key stakeholders, including governments and the public. This change reflects how Telenor’s business units are currently organized. The new Corporate Affairs unit will be headed by Katja Christina Nordgaard, who will start in her new role on 4 August 2014.

Nordgaard currently holds the position as Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodia. In the years 2010 to 2013, she also served as the Norwegian Ambassador to Myanmar. She joined the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988, and has during her career held various senior positions within the Foreign Service as well as in the private sector. Katja Nordgaard has a Master in Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).

Formalizing legal affairs position in Group Executive Management

Pål Wien Espen has already been participating in Group Executive Management meetings as Telenor Group’s General Counsel and Head of Group Legal. By appointing him as Executive Vice President, Telenor Group is emphasizing the importance of Telenor Group’s legal affairs department. The appointment is effective immediately.

Pål Wien Espen joined Telenor in 1995. Before joining Telenor, he was an associate at the Norwegian Law firm BAHR, and an assistant judge in the first instance court in Lillestrøm, Norway.

Overview of the new Group Executive Management

With these appointments, Telenor Group Executive Management will consist of:

•     Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO
•     Richard Olav Aa, EVP and Chief Financial Officer
•     Sigve Brekke, EVP and Head of Asian Operations
•     Kjell Morten Johnsen, EVP and Head of European Operations
•     Hilde Tonne, EVP and Head of Group Industrial Development
•     Henrik Clausen, EVP and Head of Strategy and Digital
•     Jon Erik Haug, EVP and Head of People Development
•     Berit Svendsen, EVP and Head of Telenor Norway
•     Katja Christina Nordgaard, EVP and Head of Corporate Affairs
•     Pål Wien Espen, EVP and Head of Legal Affairs

Lars-Ake Norling appointed new DiGi CEO

Current CEO of Telenor Sweden takes over from Henrik Clausen

Shah Alam, 15 May, 2014 – DiGi.Com Bhd today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Lars-Ake Norling as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2014.

Lars-Ake Norling.

Norling (age 45) joins DiGi from the role of CEO in Telenor Sweden, and will replace current CEO Henrik Clausen who will take a new senior role in Telenor Group.

“Lars-Ake has successfully led Telenor Sweden in one of the world’s most highly advanced telecom markets. I am confident that he has the market know-how to further drive DiGi’s growth and Internet For All ambitions, and the right leadership skills to develop our strong company culture and way of work,” said Sigve Brekke, Chairman of DiGi.Com Bhd and Head of Region Asia.

“At the same time, the Board of Directors wish to express our deepest thanks to Henrik for his excellent and dedicated contribution to the company. Over the past four years, Henrik has led the company through a period of consistent and solid growth, and a holistic business transformation programme that firmly establishes DiGi’s presence in the Malaysian market. He hands over a company with a clear vision, a well established strategy, and a solid foundation for future growth,” Brekke added.

Henrik Clausen.

During Norling’s tenure, Telenor Sweden has delivered robust financial results. The company has built an attractive internet proposition, with both mobile and fixed offerings, in a highly competitive marketplace. Telenor Sweden is the second largest operator in the country with 2.5 million mobile subscriptions, 0.7 million fixed broadband subscriptions, and close to 1,800 full time employees.

A seasoned telecom executive, Norling joined the broadband provider Bredbandsbolaget in 1999, were he held a number of senior positions. In 2006, he was appointed Head of Telenor Sweden’s fixed network, and a year later assumed the position of Chief Technology Officer of Telenor Sweden. Norling has served as CEO of Telenor Sweden since April 2009.

“Heading DiGi in Malaysia is an honour and an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Norling. “DiGi has a solid market presence in Malaysia, and has been one of the most consistently successful business units in Telenor Group, in one of our most advanced markets in Asia. I am truly excited and looking forward to working with my new colleagues in DiGi to drive the next phase of the company’s growth.”

Telenor Group: mobile technology reports find Malaysians among most smartphone savvy, least brand-conscious in emerging Asia

• Malaysians use mobile devices across wider range of functions than the rest of emerging Asia; prioritize function and quality over brand
• Smartphone use now at 63 percent and still soaring; 17 percent of Malaysians say that they would buy a smartphone in the next six months
• Malaysia’s mobile banking and mobile wallet continues to heat up alongside smartphone use – trial and interest on upward trend 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 2 Dec., 2013 – Insights released by the Telenor Group in Asia today – based on TNS’s annual global Mobile Life study – reveal that Malaysia is both among the most smartphone-savvy and least brand conscious markets in emerging Asia.

It also found that Malaysia is one of the least brand conscious countries in emerging Asia. Those surveyed placed phone features and functionality, such as instant Internet access, as their key why-buys, rather than brand or model of handset or the look and feel of the device. It was also revealed that Malaysians would use their smartphones across a wider range of functions and more frequently than their counterparts in other emerging Asian markets.

Drawing on 38,000 people from 43 countries, TNS’s global Mobile Life study uncovered major mobile connectivity differences in countries across emerging Asia. Those studied included representative ratios of the population from 16-60 years of age, both mobile phone owners and non-owners. In Telenor’s Asia markets, the surveyed were asked in online and face-to-face interviews to provide information and agree to a series of questions related to the role of mobile technology in their lives. In Malaysia, the sample size was 500; in Thailand, 1,000; and in India, 2,980.

“TNS undertakes the annual Mobile Life study to put a finger on the pulse of mobile usage across the world and to determine which mobile platforms and services drive consumer engagement today and which are most likely to grow in the future,” said TNS’s Joe Webb, Head of Digital, Greater China. “For global mobile providers like Telenor, it’s going to be increasingly important to stay informed of consumers’ behaviour on mobile, how mobile finance will shape the industry and the opportunities these changes and trends present.”

Smartphones surge
“Malaysia is our most mature market in Asia, and they are ready for the most advanced mobile technology and fastest connectivity available. We have seen a strong uptrend in the adoption of the internet in recent years, however there is still a lot more we can do to enable access and bring the benefits of internet to more Malaysians,” said Sigve Brekke, Executive Vice President and Head of Asia Operations, Telenor Group, and Chairman of DiGi.

According to another study, by Ericsson ConsumerLab, smartphone penetration increased from 47% in 2012 to 63% this year as mobile data demand skyrockets in the country. The need to connect to the Internet is one of the key drivers for buying a smartphone, and seventeen percent of the respondents indicated that they would buy a smartphone within the next six months.

“These latest statistics back our ongoing focus to provide the best value mobile internet bundles, and best usage experience to spur adoption,” Brekke said.

Advancing connectivity in a fast growing market
The TNS study highlights that as the technological sophistication of Malaysia’s consumers grows, Malaysians are becoming more discerning on how their content is provided.

“This is a trend that we think both the telecommunications industry and handset makers should closely follow,” said Brekke.

The top smartphone uses include: Location-based services, entertainment and streaming content, apps and social networks. Malaysians are avid social networkers, with more than half of them logging on to their platforms of choice via mobile at least once a day.

The TNS Malaysia report found that mobile phones now form a key part of how consumers access digital services, with close to 20 percent of data used via mobile networks. Currently, most people still choose to download and stream data via household networks rather than on carrier networks.

“TNS cites that up to 80 per cent of data traffic is through WiFi, at home or in public, in Malaysia. However, we are seeing more Malaysians subscribing to data plans as they become more dependent on the internet on the go. To cater to increasing demand, service providers such as DiGi have put in a lot of effort to improve quality of service and coverage, while ensuring we continue to focus on delivering relevant and affordable services,” said Brekke.

Warming up to the “wallet” 
More than half (53 percent) of mobile users in Malaysia have conducted banking on their phones, with strong growth opportunities across all demographic segments. Only 22 percent of those Malaysians surveyed said they were not interested in mobile banking. Though most still prefer banking via PC, on-the-go tasks like receiving bank or credit card notifications, making simple fund transfers and checking balances are popular functions of mobile banking. Malaysians in their twenties are the most financially “mobile”.

In terms of usage drivers of mobile wallets, Malaysians see value in its convenience and potential. For some motivators such as convenience, speed, and not having to carry cash, Malaysians support the use of the mobile wallet by more than 10-point margins above either the developed Asia- or global averages.

The mobile wallet represents a major growth opportunity for small businesses, retailers and mobile service providers alike, says the TNS global survey. Paying for products and services via SMS, mobile phone app or by touching mobiles to in-store sensors is now common for 40 percent of Malaysians.

Purchasing mobile air time, paying bills and buying gas and fast food see the strongest growth potential.

“Particularly for young, working-aged Asians, mobile payment options show strong trial and overall interest, and we’re continuing to find new ways to serve them,” said Brekke. “Telenor has a long history of mobile finance innovation. It started in our Pakistan market with the ground-breaking Easypaisa program through our partnership with Tameer Microfinance Bank. With DiGi in Malaysia, we’ve launched mPOS (mobile Point of Sale), a new mobile credit and debit card payment system enabling fast, easy and secure payment platform leveraging on mobile connectivity.”

Additionally, mobile financial products and services will become staples for Malaysia’s large and growing community of SMEs, predicted Brekke.

In terms of mobile commerce, as consumers in Malaysia gain mobile Internet access, their engagement with mobile retail activities are increasing, announced the study. Already, Malaysia is near the top of the curve, behind only South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Norway and Sweden.

Malaysia versus Sweden
Sweden is often considered a bastion of high-tech design, progress and technology. A comparison study done by Telenor’s research arm, Telenor Research, found that compared to Sweden, Malaysians are actually more digitally communicative.

Across the range of mobile communications functions, Malaysia’s “digital frontrunners” (urban 16-35 year-olds with Internet-capable phones) out-use their Swedish counterparts in every category, with the largest difference seen in communications apps. And at least eight out of 10 Malaysians use a mobile SMS app, whereas only roughly one in 10 Swedes do, the study measured.

“Because Malaysians tend to be both price-conscious and technology adept, they choose to communicate across a range of platforms – SMS, application, social media, voice, data, 3G, WiFi, and so on,” Brekke said. “This flexibility and tendency toward leveraging the mobile Internet – even compared to their Scandinavian equivalents – is a significant development in Malaysia’s telecoms evolution. It shows us just how important a role the mobile Internet is now playing in Malaysians’ lives.”

Myanmar mobile users to get free access to Wikipedia

Myanmar given free access to the world's knowledge with Wikipedia Zero

(Fornebu, Norway, and San Francisco, California -  7 November 2013) -- Telenor Group and the Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, today announced Myanmar as the latest country to be included in their existing agreement to bring Wikipedia Zero to Telenor customers in Asia and Europe. Telenor is supporting the country's ambition of connecting its 60 million people. Through this agreement, Telenor's future subscribers in Myanmar will be able to access Wikipedia's vast knowledge base free of mobile data traffic charges when Telenor begins services in the country.

"The Wikimedia Foundation imagines a world in which every single person has free access to the sum of human knowledge. By working with Telenor, we are able to put this knowledge in the hands of the masses, helping to close the knowledge gap between developed and developing countries. Today's announcement will pave the way for Telenor to offer all the knowledge that comes with Wikipedia Zero to its customers in Myanmar," said Carolynne Schloeder, Director of Mobile Programs at the Wikimedia Foundation.

The partnership between Telenor and the Wikimedia Foundation was established in February 2012, and was founded on a shared commitment to bring Wikipedia to Telenor customers free of data charges. The initiative is part of the Wikimedia Foundation's mobile strategy, which focuses on reaching the billions of people around the world whose primary opportunity to access the Internet is via a mobile device. Following the agreement, special versions of Wikipedia for mobile phones were launched in Thailand, Malaysia and Montenegro. In addition, Telenor aims to launch Wikipedia Zero in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Serbia in 2014.

"Access to high quality telecommunications tools and affordable services plays a substantial role in developing societies. To Telenor, this partnership enables us to provide a strong support to local communities by promoting the exchange and sharing of open knowledge. Offering Wikipedia free of traffic charges also helps introduce internet to mobile users, often for the first time. I am satisfied that our cooperation with the Wikimedia Foundation will now include Myanmar," said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor Group.

On 27 June 2013 Telenor was announced as one of the successful applicants for a telecommunications license in Myanmar. Following the process described in the auction guidelines, the company is now in discussions with the Myanmar authorities regarding the final terms and conditions of the license agreement. Telenor aims to launch services in Myanmar within eight months after the final license agreement is signed.

The extension of this partnership was celebrated today in Oslo when Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, met with Jon Fredrik Baksaas and Rolv-Erik Spilling, Head of Telenor Digital to participate in an event announcing the expansion of service. Mr. Jimmy Wales was also a keynote speaker at the "Digital Winners" conference hosted today by Telenor Digital at Telenor Headquarters, where he shared his views on crowdsourcing for the common good.

Farah, Gwen Yi to represent Malaysia at the Telenor Youth Summit 2013

Both head to Norway for the Summit, which coincides with the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize event

SHAH ALAM, 1 November 2013 – DiGi Telecommunication Sdn Bhd (“DiGi”) today announced Farah Fathiah Fauzi and Wong Gwen Yi as winners of the Telenor Youth Summit 2013 competition, which called for youths aged from 18 to 25 years to submit ideas that use mobile technology to create social change for Malaysians.  Both will represent Malaysia at the first Telenor Youth Summit in Oslo from 9th to 11th December, 2013.

The Telenor Youth Summit 2013 is a global initiative by the Telenor Group, one of the world's major mobile operators. Two delegates from each of Telenor's 13 business units globally will participate in the Summit to learn, collaborate, refine and extend the impact of their mobile internet ideas towards a better future for their communities.

"We’re off to Oslo"

(L-R) Farah Fathiah, Joachim Rajaram, DiGi’s Head of Commmunications & Corporate Responsibility and Gwen Yi.

The Summit also coincides with the Nobel Peace Prize event, giving youths the opportunity to meet inspirational international leaders and opinion makers from the Nobel Peace Centre, and to participate in the event's activities. Further, the ideas emerging from the Telenor Youth Summit will be documented and presented at the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo during the Nobel Peace Prize event, and also at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2014.

Joachim Rajaram, DiGi's Head of Communications & Corporate Responsibility said the competition is inspired by Telenor Group and DiGi's ambition to enable Internet For All. "We believe mobile internet continues to be a great platform to bring change and create equal opportunities for everyone, everywhere. Through this competition, we looked for young individuals with innovative, dynamic ideas that address pressing social issues, using the power of mobile internet. The Summit presents a valuable opportunity for sharing and collaborating on these ideas, at a global level."

More than 180 entries were received, and 10 shortlisted finalists were invited to then present their ideas directly to a panel of judges comprising of executives from DiGi.
           
“The challenge for the judges was to select two candidates to represent not only DiGi but Malaysia at this Summit. Naturally, we looked for young people with a keen interest in the betterment of their community, have the passion and commitment to realise their ideas, and the ability to engage with peers from around the world in an open, collaborative platform,” explained Joachim.

“We received a number of strong ideas on a variety of issues, but what further impressed us about the winning ideas was the relevance they had to communities everywhere, and that Farah and Gwen Yi are on the verge of bringing their ideas to life. We congratulate them both, and look forward to them bringing not only their ideas, but also their dynamic energy and innovative thinking to the Summit,” he added.

20-year-old law student Farah submitted an idea for a mobile platform focusing on addressing the discrimination and marginalisation of women. “Women often internalise their struggles and often do not know who to turn to for support and guidance. My idea is to create a safe avenue for these women of all ages and walks of life to connect, share their experiences, and obtain guidance and support from experts and from each other. I believe the empowerment of women in the home and in the workplace is a highly relevant issue in many parts of the world, and mobile internet can be a powerful tool in making a difference,” Farah shared.

Gwen Yi, 19, a pre-University student, proposed an app to enable the sharing of innovative learning tools and tips among teachers. “Teachers are constantly on the search for new and interesting ways of making learning relevant and engaging, and many turn to the internet for inspiration. I was inspired to create a mobile app that provides educators with a social network to exchange ideas and insights on enriching the learning experience, leveraging the viral power and appeal of social media,” said Gwen.

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/tys_malaysia.

Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas Elected Chairman of GSMA

(Bangkok, 28 October 2013) Telenor Group today announces the GSMA’s election of Telenor President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas to serve as GSMA Chairman for the remainder of the current Board term through December 2014. The GSMA represents nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators. Baksaas replaces Franco Bernabé.

As GSMA Chairman Jon Fredrik Baksaas will be overseeing the strategic direction of the organization, which in addition to nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators also represent 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.

“I look forward to working closely with the rest of the Board, the GSMA team and our entire membership to advance important industry issues. It is truly inspiring to work in an industry that has such a profound and increasing impact on the people and societies we serve. Connecting even more of the world’s population to the mobile Internet is a top priority, and to address this, the GSMA will continue to focus on the future evolution of our networks, the adoption of secure and interoperable new services and advocate for the needs of our industry to governments and regulators,” said Baksaas.

“We are at a critical juncture in the development of the mobile communications industry, as we see an ever-increasing number of people, devices and things becoming connected by mobile,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA. “I am looking forward to working with Jon Fredrik and the entire GSMA Board to develop global and regional programmes that will drive future growth and investment in mobile services, and deliver the social and economic benefits that mobile can provide to men and women around the world.”

Jon Fredrik Baksaas (59) is a Norwegian citizen and has worked in the telecom industry for 25 years. He has been President and CEO of Telenor Group since June 2002. Baksaas is currently a board member of VimpelCom Ltd, Svenska Handelsbanken AB, GSMA and the Advisory Council of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Mr. Baksaas holds a Master of Science degree from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration and has additional qualifications from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.

DiGi invites ideas for Telenor Youth Summit 2013 competition

Two youths to represent Malaysia and share ideas at the global summit in Oslo

Shah Alam, 3 October 2013 – DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi) today launched a competition calling youths aged 18 to 25 to submit ideas that use mobile technology to create social and economic change for Malaysians. Two lucky winners from this competition will represent Malaysia at the first Telenor Youth Summit, held in Oslo, Norway from December 9-11, 2013.

The Telenor Youth Summit 2013 is a global initiative by the Telenor Group, one of the world’s major mobile operators. Two delegates from each of Telenor’s 13 business units globally, including DiGi, will gather to participate in the Summit to learn, collaborate, refine and extend the impact of their mobile internet ideas towards a better future for their countries.

The Summit also coincides with the Nobel Peace Prize event, giving youths the opportunity to engage with industry experts and Nobel laureates as well as participate in the event’s activities. Furthermore, the ideas emerging from the Summit will be documented and presented at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, during the Nobel Peace Prize event and at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in early 2014.

Joachim Rajaram, DiGi’s Head of Communications & Corporate Responsibility said the competition is aligned to DiGi’s ambition to enable Internet For All.

“We believe mobile internet continues to be a great platform to bring change, fuel growth and create equal opportunities for everyone. Through this competition, we are looking to our future leaders – our youth – who are well-versed with mobile technology for their dynamic ideas to address pressing social issues. The Summit presents a valuable opportunity for them to do this at a global level.”

The competition is open to youths who have the passion to bring change to society, and have an innovative way of using mobile internet to stimulate this change. To stand a chance to win the all-expense paid trip to participate in the Summit, youths only need to submit their ideas via DiGi’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/digi before October 20, 2013.

A select 10 finalists will be called for an interview with DiGi before the winners are selected and announced at the end of October 2013.

To submit your idea or get more information, please visit www.facebook.com/digi.