Tele2 AB is a provider of mobile and fixed connectivity, telephony, data network services, TV, streaming and global Internet of Things services, amongst others, to consumers and enterprises. It is headquartered in Kista Science City, Stockholm, Sweden. It is a major mobile network operator in Sweden, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Tele2 started as a telecommunications company in Sweden in 1993 by the company Investment AB Kinnevik. It previously operated in many other markets, but the company has since divested its licenses, sold to other operators or to management buy-outs in those markets.
History
Tele2 started in 1981 as a mobile phone provider called Comvik as an alternative mobile phone operator to the state-owned company Televerket (today known as Telia Company). The cable television provider Kabelvision AB started in 1986. Comvik later changed its name to become Comviq when the company got a GSM license in 1988 and started operating in 1992.
In 1991, Sweden's first commercial ISP was started with the Swedish IP Network (Swipnet (sv), AS1257) by Investment AB Kinnevik, later renamed as Tele2, and in 1993 with telephone liberalization in Sweden, Tele2 started to offer international calls.
The three companies Comviq, Kabelvision, and Tele2 came together as the Tele2 brand on fixed-line services and Comviq on mobile services in Sweden in 1997. The Swipnet branding was phased out in 2014. International growth came in the form of acquisitions in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and France.
In June 2016 Tele2 acquired the B2B services provider TDC Sweden AB from Danish TDC Group.
In November 2018, Tele2 was merged with telecom operator Com Hem, which delivered, among other things, TV, broadband and telephony. At the beginning of 2020, the streaming service Comhem Play+ was launched available to those who are not a customer at Com Hem and changed name to Tele2 Play in January 2022. The same week, the new digital operator Penny was also launched.
Divestments
Tele2's operates in Sweden and the Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania only. Focusing on own infrastructure-based operations which provide higher growth options and possibly better margins for the future. One area of notable success has been the growth of the mobile Internet broadband connectivity.
Tele2 has terminated operations, activities, and holdings in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
In 2007 the company sold its holdings in Belgium to Dutch operator KPN, in France to SFR and activities in Spain and Italy to Vodafone Italy, in Portugal to Clix and in Switzerland to TDC Sunrise. In March 2008 Tele2 divested its Austrian MVNO operations to Telekom Austria, although retaining its fixed line and internet services until the latter two services were sold to Hutchison 3 in 2017. In June 2008 Tele2 sold its Liechtenstein and Luxembourg holdings to Belgian operator Belgacom. The same month Tele2 sold its Polish operations to Netia.
Tele2 reportedly attempted to sell its German unit as well in 2007, eventually the sale came through a management buyout in 2020. The newly formed company trades as STROTH Telecom GmbH.
In 2005 they sold their UK & Ireland fixed operations to Carphone Warehouse for £8.7m. They also pulled out of the Finnish market stating problems with the competitive and regulatory environment after the Finnish government had previously cancelled their 3G licence, due to not completing a network in time.
The company terminated operations in Russia in 2013.
In 2021 the company sold its stake in T-Mobile Netherlands.
Operations
Austria
Tele2 operated in Austria from 1999 to 2007 and does not operate there now. The Tele2 operations started as an alternative fixed-line telephone operator. ADSL internet services were introduced in 2003. One Year later, Tele2 Austria bought UTA Telekom AG, a former competitor, and became the largest provider for alternative telecommunication service in Austria. In addition to fixed-line services, Tele2 Austria used their infrastructure for carrier services. In the first quarter of 2013, Tele2 Austria had an EBITDA of 38,2 million euros, a rise of 6 percent.
In a brief press statement on 11 November 2014, the Sweden-based telecoms group has confirmed that it plans to re-enter the Austrian mobile sector in the second half of 2015.