Telenor operational in more than 100 cities : CEO
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABADOne of the six cellular phoneoperators in the country - Telenor - is now operational in more than 100 cities and highways as a result of the fastest network expansion in the industry.
The announcement was made as Telenor shared its third quarter results with the media at a press briefing here on Thursday.
An even more aggressive roll out plan will see the company reaching more than 200 destinations by the end of the year, said Chief Executive Officer of the company, Tore Johnsen. Emphasizing the quality of Telenor's tremendous expansion, Tore Johnsen said it is not just the pace of expansion but also the quality that matters to us.
Mr. Johnsen said Telenor was focused at creating meaningful and exciting new campaigns with tremendous value for customers.
He also shared that Telenor's recent offer - 2nd minute low price concept - was a GSM industry first and made it easier for the prepaid customer to have longer, more meaningful conversations. The CEO revealed the soon-to-be launched offer of international prepaid roaming, another industry first, to respond to consumer needs.
Speaking positively about Telenor's prospects in the local market and the customer response, he said "we are on the path of fast growth. We want to be the preferred operator for the Pakistani customer and are ensuring that we deliver the most reliable connectivity, the most valuable innovations, transparency in billing, and the highest quality of customer services." He said the subscribers are company's top priority and assured reliable and quality service. Telenor aims at delighting its subscribers at every step, he added.
Answering a question, the CEO said, our extensive International Roaming Network covers over 125 destinations which he claimed themost comprehensive worldwide coverage offered by a mobile operator in Pakistan
Tore Johnsen said Telenor has announced an emergency relief package for the victims of the recent earthquake that has left thousands dead in its wake.
He said this is the time for the corporate sector to come together and help save lives and rebuild communities that have been devastated. Telenor had pledged a sum of Rs. 65 million to go to the Red Cross and President's Earthquake Relief Fund. "We would contribute by all means possible," he added.
Telenor had opened its network in advance in several affected cities and is currently providing free emergency communications services to the National Crisis Management Center.
Telenor has also set up phone booths at emergency sites in Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Islamabad and is offering free communication facilities to the affected families. The company is also providing free SIMS and services to the Ministry of Interior's National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) in order to ensure connectivity for emergency communications. On the occasion, Telenor ASA's financial results were also declared displaying strong performance all around.
Compared to the third quarter of 2004, Telenor group's revenues in the third quarter of 2005 increased by 13 per cent. Directors for Finance, Marketing and Communications were also present.