History

1970s

The mobile telecommunications market starts to take off. In the late 1970s Industriförvaltnings AB Kinnevik starts to invest in the telecom market.

1981

Demand for mobile telephony increases. Comvik AB launches its own analog network for mobile telephony.

1986

Tele2vision AB and Tele2 Sverige AB commence operations. Tele2 is founded by Industriförvaltnings AB Kinnevik under the name Comvik Skyport AB.

1988

Interest in mobile telephony grows and Comviq is awarded a GSM license in Sweden.

1991

The government monopoly starts to dissolve, while the Internet emerges as an interesting communications channel. Tele2 is first to offer Internet access to the Swedish market and is granted a license to conduct fixed telephony operations. Tele2 establishes the first commercial IP network in Sweden.

1992

Comviq GSM starts up its own GSM network.

1993

Tele2 launches fixed telephony in Sweden, laying the foundation for today’s Tele2. 
 


1996

Tele2 is listed on the O-list of Stockholmsbörsen. International expansion starts with Tele2’s launch of its operations in the Netherlands. 

1997

Comviq introduces the prepaid calling card. International expansion continues with the launch of our operations in Norway.

1998

The government monopolies start to break up in Europe. Tele2 expands its operations eastwards to Estonia.

1999

Launch of new operations in Lithuania.

2000

Better infrastructure and a further loosening of monopolies make 2000 an eventful year. Tele2 strengthens its market position with the acquisition of Société Européenne de Communication S.A., SEC and Baltkom GSM (Latvia). Tele2 is awarded a 3G license in Sweden.

2001

The Russian telecom market takes off and Tele2 acquires FORA Telecom which enables Tele2 to offer its own mobile telephony operations in Russia. Tele2 establishes a joint 3G company with Telia in Sweden.

2002

Jan Stenbeck, Tele2’s founder and Chairman, passes away at the age of 59.

2003

Tele2’s first GSM network in Russia is launched.

2004

Tele2 acquires Austrian telecom operator UTA and strengthens its position in the corporate segment.

2007

Tele2 is awarded licences in 20 new regions in Russia.

2010

Tele2 expands its operation into Eurasia with the acquisition of mobile operations in Kazakhstan.