Sweden. Tele2 AB

The loan has been provided for extending the coverage and capacity of Tele2’s 4G mobile networks in Sweden and the Netherlands during 2015–2018. The loan will be divided into EUR 80 million for the Swedish subproject and EUR 50 million for the Dutch subproject.

In its traditional home market of Sweden, Tele2 is looking to expand its geographical 4G coverage to 90% of the country’s surface, and to increase its existing capacity to enable faster mobile, tablet and laptop broadband service.

At the end of 2015, Tele2 launched its own 4G operations in the Netherlands where it started as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator almost ten years ago. The expansion of Tele2’s 4G network service is expected to contribute to a diversification of the Dutch market.

The main applications of 4G communication technology are improved mobile web access, IP telephony, gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing and cloud computing.

Tele2 AB is one of Europe’s fastest-growing telecom operators and has about 16 million customers in nine countries. The company offers mobile services, fixed broadband and telephony, data network services, content services and global M2M/IoT solutions. Tele2 was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

The investments are aimed at improving efficiency, reducing operating costs and increasing market shares. Sweden and the Netherlands represent two of Tele2’s largest markets. With approximately 4 million customers, Sweden accounts for 48% of the company’s total net sales. The Dutch operations account for 22% and are becoming increasingly important. The project will help to strengthen Tele2’s market position in the Netherlands, and to develop the national telecommunication infrastructure and services. Tele2 expects to reach a significant market share in the Netherlands going forward.

The project is not expected to have any significant impact on the environment.