Tele2 in talks with Access over Norwegian spectrum
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Tele2 in talks with Access over Norwegian spectrum

Norway's third-largest mobile operator Tele2 is in talks with holding company Access Industries over the acquisition of its 4G spectrum.

Tele2 lost out on mobile spectrum it needs to run its Norwegian network in December last year, while Access – owned by billionaire Len Blavatnik – won airwaves in the 800, 900 and 1800MHz bands.

Possibilities to be discussed reportedly include Access selling spectrum to Tele2 or Access buying Tele2's operation in Norway. According to sources, Access would only sell spectrum to Tele2 on condition that it also buys ice.net, a small Access-owned Norwegian mobile broadband company.

The Norwegian operator has reportedly said it could bid for spectrum in the 1.8GHz band that has not been assigned yet, however the government has not yet indicated a date for such an auction.

Tele2 has also indicated it might buy capacity on other operators' networks, although this would impact profit margins.

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