New agreement between Arctic Race of Norway and Telenor
February 11 th 2022 - 09:54 [GMT + 1]
New investments in the millions for the mobile network in the north
(Fornebu, 11th February 2022) Arctic Race of Norway and Telenor have entered into a new three-year agreement that ensures the cycling race good mobile phone conditions for TV broadcasts, organizers and spectators, and provides residents with a lasting improvement to mobile networks after the race is over. This year there are several municipalities in Nordland and Trøndelag that can look forward to hosting.
This year, the Arctic Race of Norway will be held on the 11th – 14th August. Telenor are planning more than 100 different measures to upgrade the mobile network in the host municipalities Rana, Vefsn, Brønnøy, Namsos, Levanger and Trondheim. The upgrades and modernisation of 2G, 4G and 5G benefit the local communities even after the race is over.
"We are very proud to renew the agreement with Arctic Race of Norway, one of the largest and most important sporting events in Norway. This is a sponsorship that fits very well into Telenor's philosophy of contributing to the development of both the sport and local communities. Arctic Race means a tremendous amount to the local communities where the race is held, while at the same time it is an event that Norwegian and foreign media follow every second of," says Petter-Børre Furberg, CEO of Telenor Norway.
Development of local communities
"The Arctic Race of Norway (ARN) will, among other things, contribute to a positive development of the local communities the race moves through. In the agreement with Telenor, we ensure lasting improvements to important infrastructure that residents and local businesses can benefit from even after the bike race is over," says Knut Eirik Dybdal, General Manager of ARN.
"Since the first edition of the bike race in 2013, we have visited all the regions in Northern Norway. The agreement with Telenor is therefore something that all of Northern Norway has noticed the effect of, and we are very happy about that. This year, Trøndelag will also benefit from Telenor's upgrade work.
Head of Coverage, Bjørn Amundsen, emphasises that Arctic Race is an important part of Telenor's national efforts to connect the country with a world-class mobile network.
"Through this agreement, Telenor will ensure good mobile coverage for the public, organizers and others who need fast mobile coverage in connection with the race. And with upgrades to super-fast 5G in some places, new opportunities are opening up for private customers and the corporate market," says Amundsen.
More than 100 new measures planned
Over the past 6 -7 years, Telenor has invested close to NOK 75 million to ensure good mobile coverage and capacity in the municipalities where Arctic Race of Norway has been. This has contributed to a massive upgrade of the digital network along the routes. Parts of the upgrades had come anyway, but at a very different time. One example is Mo i Rana, which, due to Arctic Race, now gets 5G over a year ahead of the original plan.
"Up until August, Telenor will implement around 100 measures to provide better mobile coverage, increased capacity and 5G in particular, in Mo i Rana, Levanger and Trondheim. In addition, we plan to build 5G also in Vefsn, Brønnøy and Namsos," concludes Petter-Børre Furberg.