Swedish telco TeliaSonera plans to acquire existing fibre networks in its domestic markets as it focuses on improving network quality and capacity, according to CEO Per-Arne Blomquist.
Announcing Q2 results today, Blomquist said customer demand for…
Swedish telco TeliaSonera plans to acquire existing fibre networks in its domestic markets as it focuses on improving network quality and capacity, according to CEO Per-Arne Blomquist.
Announcing Q2 results today, Blomquist said customer demand for fibre broadband in Sweden currently exceeds its ability to deliver.
“Network quality and capacity are crucial to meet the exploding demand for data; therefore we will further invest in 4G and mobile coverage, expand within fibre and selectively target acquisitions of existing fibre networks in our home markets,” he said.
“We will significantly expand our 4G network in Sweden, targeting 92% geographic coverage in the next two years, utilising existing 2G/3G infrastructure to ensure a cost efficient roll-out.”
Blomquist said lower regulated interconnect rates continue to weigh on revenues in all its markets. However, the company’s Danish operations reported an increase in billed revenues, which he said is “particularly encouraging” as that market has been challenging for years.
Overall, cost cutting and growth in emerging markets helped offset heavy competition in the Nordic region.
In reported currency, EBITDA for Q2 2013 fell 1.2% to SEK 8.93bn (US$1.36bn), compared with SEK9.03bn (US$1.38bn) last year.
