Joint application can give fewer 3G masts and lower investments

Joint application can give fewer 3G masts and lower investments TeliaSonera, Tele2, 3, and Vodafone are today lodging a joint application to PTS, the National Post and Telecom Agency for altered licence terms for 3G construction. "It is now a matter of creating realistic expectations for future construction," state the operators in their application. The operators intend to meet the requirement to cover 8,860,000 people in Sweden, but want two changes in the licence conditions from PTS: - Lower signal strength. Testing and experience shows that the strength of the so-called pilot signal can be reduced without restricting 3G use. A reduction would mean fewer 3G masts and thus benefit such things as the environment and the cultural landscape. - An amended timetable. The terms regarding speed of construction should be a coverage of at least 7,000,000 people by 31 December 2004, 8,000,000 people by 31 December 2005, 8,500,000 people by the 31 December 2006 and 8,860,000 people by the 31 December 2007. Thus, the pace of construction is still very high. To safeguard the rapid construction required for all 3G licence holders to be able to meet the timetable, the operators will be introducing closer collaboration on masts in Norrland. "These changes are sound from a community perspective and improve the 3G market for end customers and other interested parties," state TeliaSonera, Tele2, 3 and Vodafone in their joint application. If the licence terms are altered in accordance with the application, the result will be fewer 3G masts and thus fewer building permits, leasing and tenancy agreements, and lower costs. It will also lead to a better environment and more time to reduce the concern that there is over electromagnetic fields. The current terms from PTS stipulate that construction should have been complete by 31 December 2003. All 3G operators have already stated that these requirements cannot be met. Despite that, there is currently no other country that has implemented such a comprehensive expansion of the 3G net as Sweden. Tele2 is Europe's leading and profitable alternative telecom operator. With our unique values, we provide cheap and simple telecom for all Europeans every day. We have over 24 million customers in 24 countries. We offer products and services in fixed and mobile telephony, Internet access, data networks, cable TV and content services. Our main competitors are the former government monopolies. Tele2 was founded in 1993 by Jan Stenbeck and has been listed on Stockholmsbörsen since 1996. The share has also been listed on Nasdaq since 1997. In 2003 we had net sales of SEK 36,911 million and reported a profit of SEK 5,710 million (EBITDA). Tele2 always strives to offer the market's best prices. CONTACTS Lars-Johan Jarnheimer Telephone: + 46 8 562 640 00 President and CEO, Tele2 AB Håkan Zadler Telephone: + 46 8 562 640 00 CFO, Tele2 AB Dwayne Taylor Telephone: + 44 20 7321 5038 Lena Glader Telephone: + 46 8 562 000 45 Investor enquiries Visit us at our homepage: http://www.Tele2.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/06/28/20040628BIT20840/wkr0001.pdf