Telia: Stock exchange introduction of directory business and selling cable TV
Telia continues to focus operations by preparing stock exchange introduction of directory business and selling cable TV operations Telia's Board of Directors has decided to begin preparing the introduction of Telia InfoMedia's phone book and corporate directory business on the stock exchange. Today's telecom market is served by several different operators and it is natural that directory services are owned and run impartially. The directory market is changing considerably, and to meet emerging needs, new and competitive services and products are required in Sweden and the growing international market. An introduction of this business on the stock exchange will secure the necessary capital for the development of these new services and products. Approximately 1,800 people work with Telia's phone book and corporate directory services in ten countries, of whom about 500 in Sweden. Ninety- five percent of this business is dominated by the production of printed phone books financed with advertising revenues. During the past few years Internet-based "phone books" and portals have been developed. As part of its efforts to focus Telia's operations, the board has also decided to divest Telia's cable television activities in Sweden. The decision is in line with Telia's broadband strategy. The sale of the cable TV operations was required by the EU already last year in connection with Telia's merger with Telenor (Norway). For further information journalists can contact: Tobias Lennér, Investor Relations Manager, phone + 46 8-713 66 49, +46 70 661 83 37 (mobile) or Telia's Press Office, phone +46 8 713 58 30 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/2000/03/01/20000301BIT00290/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/01/20000301BIT00290/bit0002.pdf