TeliaSonera prepares for mobile data growth in Kazakhstan

TeliaSonera has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the WiMax operations of the Kazakh company Alem Communications. The acquisition includes a WiMax network in six major cities, and, in particular, valuable frequencies in the 2.5/2.6 GHz band, which are compatible for use with WiMax and other mobile data transmission technologies.

In addition, TeliaSonera has reached an in principle agreement with Visor Group, whereby both companies would make an indirect minority investment in KazTransCom. TeliaSonera would also have the option to subsequently increase its indirect ownership in KazTransCom (subject, for example, to local legislation relating to foreign ownership). KazTransCom is a company listed on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and owns, among other businesses, a nationwide fibre optic network in Kazakhstan. TeliaSonera’s subsidiary in Kazakhstan, Kcell, has also signed a five year lease agreement for backbone capacity with KazTransCom.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to reach agreement in relation to these important transactions. They will be crucial for Kcell’s continued leadership in the rapidly growing mobile data sector and reaffirm our strategic commitment to developing mobile technologies and services in Kazakhstan.The investment in, and agreement with, KazTransCom would also secure further backbone capacity for Kcell at competitive prices for the years to come, a very important factor for future competitiveness as data volumes continue to grow rapidly,” said Tero Kivisaari, President, Business Area Eurasia, TeliaSonera.

The total value of the transactions would be USD 205 million, of which the acquisition related to Alem Communications represents USD 170 million, and the minority investment and option rights related to KazTransCom would represent USD 35 million. The transactions are subject to, among other conditions, regulatory approvals.

TeliaSonera AB discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Swedish Securities Markets Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instrument Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 7 a.m. CET on August 14, 2012.

For more information, please contact the TeliaSonera press office 46-771 77 58 30, press@teliasonera.com or visit www.teliasonera.com/newsroom.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Statements made in the press release relating to future status or circumstances, including future performance and other trend projections are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to many factors, many of which are outside the control of TeliaSonera.

TeliaSonera provides network access and telecommunication services in the Nordic and Baltic countries, the emerging markets of Eurasia, including Russia and Turkey, and in Spain. TeliaSonera helps people and companies communicate in an easy, efficient and environmentally friendly way. Our ambition is to be number one or two in all our markets, providing the best customer experience, high quality networks and cost efficient operations. TeliaSonera is also the leading European wholesale provider with a wholly-owned international carrier network. In 2011, net sales amounted to SEK 104 billion, EBITDA to SEK 36.9 billion and earnings per share to SEK 4,20. The TeliaSonera share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Read more at www.teliasonera.com

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