Cell Phones have become an indispensable tool in today’s modern world, enabling us to stay in contact wherever we travel – this is particularly important when traveling abroad.
Norway boasts several mobile carriers offering both prepaid and subscription plans for mobile phone service, with free roaming in Europe that will save money on international calls and texts. Please be aware that these services do not always operate across Norway so make sure to verify coverage prior to purchasing a sim card.
Before traveling to Norway, it’s possible to order a sim card online and save yourself some time and hassle. Unfortunately, sim cards do not always work immediately and may take some time until your confirmation number arrives. Also keep in mind that these services only work if you possess a fodselsnummer (D number).
Norway boasts excellent mobile network coverage; you will never experience dead spots unless deep in fjords or up mountains. Telenor is currently the market leader, followed by Telia (formerly Netcom and now myCall), Telia’s predecessor company and Telia now part of myCall. However, you should consider all of the following information if you’re making the switch.
Telenor
Telenor is Norway’s premier mobile network operator and telecom service provider, established in 1855. Their offerings span fixed and mobile telecommunications, television programming, broadband Internet services, wholesale business solutions as well as security solutions for both businesses and consumers – their corporate offices can be found in Fornebu.
Telenor has more than 165 years of experience connecting people to what matters. Their mission is to empower societies by helping people communicate, interact and share information effectively. Their products and services are supported by an industry-leading mobile network; while Telenor’s commitment to research and innovation ensures growth for years to come.
Telecommunications play an increasingly crucial role in our globalized world, and Telenor is committed to maintaining its technical and industrial heritage while protecting the environment it operates within. Therefore, Telenor employs a heritage management team dedicated to safeguarding this historical legacy in today’s digital environment.
Heritage management at the company includes safeguarding its physical infrastructure, such as towers and switch rooms, which form part of Norway’s cultural heritage and must abide by strict protection rules. This ensures that future generations may use this equipment without disruption from aging equipment.
As well as protecting its historic infrastructure, the company is working on expanding and upgrading its mobile network. Other companies (which you can read about here:
https://mobilabonnement.com/) do the same. Recently, they invested in new technology to increase capacity and performance of their network; this upgrade should bring faster speeds and greater reliability for their customers. Dual-homing will reduce outage impacts using redundant lines.
Telenor is expanding its fiber optic network alongside its traditional wireless services, currently covering 13 markets in Europe and Asia with an aim of providing its customers with high-quality broadband services that connect them rapidly, safely, and reliably to the cloud. The company currently boasts one of Europe’s fastest fiber networks allowing businesses to quickly connect to cloud storage quickly while protecting confidential information.
Telia
Telia (formerly NetCom) are Norway’s second-largest telecom company. Offering mobile phone, TV and broadband services with headquarters at Okern Portal in Oslo as well as offices in Trondheim and Bergen, Telia utilizes renewable sources like solar power, wind energy and hydrogen power generation for base stations – technology with significantly less environmental impact than conventional power plants. Telia were the exclusive provider of iPhone 3G until Apple signed a deal with Telenor in 2022.
Telia offers its Kontantkort prepaid SIM card at Telia shops (store locator) for 199 NOK with 50 NOK of credit included, giving access to 2G, 4G/LTE and 5G networks with roaming-like home capabilities included. Valid for two years it can be topped up at any Telia shop or convenience stores such as Narvesen 7-Eleven Deli de Luca & Mix stores as well as many others in Norway supported by Telia networks. It also works across Nordic countries that support Telia networks such as Narvesen 7 Eleven 7 El Eleven etc. & Mix as well.
Telia had nearly 2.4 million mobile subscribers in Norway as of 2022, offering excellent coverage across cities and rural areas alike. Their network also offers cable television and broadband internet service – not to mention that Telia also owns Eesti Telekom!
Telia can trace its roots back to 1917, when Suomen Lennatinlaitos combined with the Finnish Post and Telegraph Agency to form a state telephone monopoly. That monopoly was broken when Telia and Sonera were privatized in 1994; at that point the Swedish government maintained 46% ownership until 2006 when one of its policy goals was to reduce state ownership of commercial entities; they then sold down their stake to 37.5%.
Telia holds a dominant position in Sweden and Finland, yet faces competition from Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile in other Nordic markets. Consolidated revenue for the first half of 2023 totaled NOK 68 billion; down from NOK 70 billion the previous year; while operating profit was 8.6 billion against 10.7 billion reported during 2022.
Talkmore
Talkmore is a Norwegian mobile operator offering low-rate contracts and data bundles at competitive rates. Their plans feature free roaming within the EU, saving money when traveling across borders. Pay-as-you-go options exist such as SIM cards that can be topped up online or at convenience stores; for longer stays it may be beneficial to purchase a subscription plan rather than one with prepay plans.
As you travel around Norway, having access to reliable internet is essential. Social media, video chat and email must all work seamlessly on your phone or tablet and it would also be handy having maps available when driving on back roads. To make the most of your phone usage experience be sure to choose a provider with good coverage and low data charges for maximum effectiveness.
Talkmore mobile sim cards can be found at most major convenience stores and larger supermarkets in Norway, while Lebara prepaid top-up cards can also be found widely throughout Norway’s retail outlets – providing you with an easy and quick way to top up your phone with additional credit in denominations of 100 NOK, 200 NOK, 300 NOK, 400 NOK, 500 NOK etc.
Network Norway
Network Norway operates one of Europe’s largest contributions and distribution networks for digital terrestrial television (DTT), as well as owning a nationwide mobile data network.
The company history shows a longstanding dedication to developing cutting-edge telecommunications services and technologies, such as ARPANET terminals connected via satellite links to American networks allowing huge data transfers between universities and research establishments and was an early step toward packet data technology advancements.
Mobile communications have revolutionized business. Virtually 100% of Norwegians now have access to cellular mobile phones and wireless data communication technologies; additionally, Internet services have become an integral component of society infrastructure.
Their role is to allocate and supervise the use of radio-frequency spectrum throughout the country, ensuring an open market for new Mobile Network Operators (seen here) and resellers (MVNOs). Radio frequency resources are allocated through auctions that ensure fair competition among MNOs while at the same time permitting only certain MNOs to share geographical areas for maximum network performance.
It is not solely known for providing telecom services, however; the company also plays an essential role in energy and utility infrastructure provision. It also runs one of the country’s largest transmission networks for oil/gas pipelines/power lines as well as owns/operates an extensive fiber optic cable network.
