First Country to Deploy Nationwide 3G Network

16th March , 2004

Europe : Sweden, recognized worldwide for its leadership in wireless technologies, will be the first country in the world to offer nationwide 3G (Third Generation Cellular Phone Network) coverage to its mobile users.

The enclosed map over Stockholm and a part of East Sweden. (Dark yellow = 3G-cover) (Brown= city)

Coinciding with Telia's national rollout beginning March 10, 2004, a variety of new 3G handsets will be available along with a host of new services for data, e-mail, mobile Internet, multi-media messages, and streaming video. With nearly one-third of 3G patents being held by Ericsson and TeliaSonera, Swedish companies continue to develop innovative mobile technologies and deploy services via their sophisticated wireless infrastructure.

"Once again Sweden is the first country in the world to deploy the latest wireless technologies, mobile devices, and infrastructure nationwide," stated Goran Eriksson, director, Los Angeles branch office -- Invest in Sweden Agency. "This will be a very exciting time to observe the evolution of new products, services, and business trends in the rapidly growing 3G market."

3G in Sweden

When TeliaSonera Sweden opened its 3G network this week, users gained access to mobile Internet at broadband speed, initially in one or more densely populated areas in 280 of Sweden's 290 municipalities. Telia GO service has been updated with a new and simpler interface, even better and faster services, improved e-mail that enables users to read several e-mail boxes as well as many new services such as news, sports and video clips from the Swedish Song Contest. Certain 3G mobile phones also feature video calling, where you can talk and see the person you are talking to in real time.

TeliaSonera Sweden's mobile network covers 99 percent of the Swedish population. TeliaSonera Sweden's 3G network currently covers 75 percent of the Swedish population and 96 percent of the municipalities. If a user is outside the 3G coverage area, ongoing calls and data connections are automatically moved to the GSM network. Combined, this makes TeliaSonera Sweden's GSM network and 3G network the strongest mobile network in Europe.

According to a survey carried out by the research company Netsurvey for Telia during January 2004 which polled 306 managers who work at companies in different parts of Sweden, 85 percent of companies in Sweden expect to use 3G services within three years. Almost one out of every three managers believes their companies will use 3G services on a daily basis already within one year.

About Invest in Sweden Agency

Invest in Sweden Agency was established by the Swedish government to help attract and facilitate foreign direct investment in Sweden -- Europe's leading IT cluster and a world leader in wireless and mobile Internet. Sweden provides a strong industrial base, sophisticated multinational customers, active utilization of information technology in both the public and private sectors, an advanced infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce.

ISA assists companies interested in locating manufacturing sites, research and development facilities, sales offices, and customer interaction centers in Sweden by providing free site selection information and other business-related services. ISA is headquartered in Stockholm, with offices in New York, London, Shanghai, and Tokyo, a branch office in Los Angeles, and representatives in major European, North American, and Asian cities.

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