Strong growth for Infonet

Strong growth for Infonet Telia and Stora Enso have signed an agreement for delivery of a worldwide network for data communication, selecting Infonet Svenska AB as supplier of the global data communication service, Global Frame Relay, as well as international Internet services. "As the Swedish representative of Infonet Services Corporation USA, Infonet Svenska has access to a global network with an excellent service and customer support organization in every country where Stora Enso has operations. The local presence was an important factor in the selection process that greatly favored Infonet," explains John Eiderfors, Account Manager for Stora Enso at Infonet Svenska. Infonet Services Corporation is a global data and telecommunication company, where Telia is the largest owner with holdings of just over 20 percent. Infonet was successfully listed on the Stock Exchanges in New York and Frankfurt in December last year. "Infonet has a strong position as a powerful global player. For Telia our holdings in Infonet provide us with access to powerful services with global coverage. Ownership in Infonet Services Corporation comprises an important part of Telia's international strategy," says Morgan Ekberg, acting business area manager for Business Solutions, and Telia's representative on the Infonet Services Corporation board of directors. "For Telia's customers the benefit is obvious - we gain access to a well- developed network with its many connection points." Investments developing Infonet's distribution network are constantly in progress. Currently this involves development in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. In Europe the focus is mainly on AUCS Communication Services. With the sale of the Unisource subsidiary at the end of last year, Infonet Services Corporation took over operating responsibility for AUCS, which provides excellent support for Telia's international customers through a well-coordinated portfolio of products with high added value for international voice, data, and Internet communications. "The value of our investment in AUCS may be calculated using the value of the Infonet shares. Our holdings in Infonet amount to just over 20 percent, and are valued by the stock exchange at about SEK 18 billion," according to Morgan Ekberg. For further information journalists can contact: Inger Gunterberg, Telia, +46 8 713 62 31, +46 70 637 27 71 Telia is the leading supplier of telecom-based information services in the Nordic/Baltic region. At the same time, "seamless" pan-European and global services are being realized through powerful alliances and partnerships in Europe and around the world. Annual turnover 1999 reached 52 121 MSEK and the number of employees amounted to approx. 30 600. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/13/20000413BIT00740/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/04/13/20000413BIT00740/bit0002.pdf