The JV is designed to enable radio networks to be deployed and operated more efficiently in these areas which together make up half of Finland’s total land mass.
Named Suomen Yhteisverkko Oy, the JV will be jointly run and equally controlled – with Sonera and DNA owning 51% and 49% respectively – and is expected to improve coverage, speed and quality for customers in the area.
Sonera has networking sharing agreements in several other markets and Robert Andersson, head of TeliaSonera’s business region Europe, said that build-out in northern and eastern Finland is part of its strategy to improve the efficiency of all of its networks.
“Thanks to the cooperation with DNA we can deliver on our promise to have the best network in Finland faster,” Andersson said.
“We can accelerate the roll-out of super-fast mobile internet across all of Finland.”
Suomen Yhteisverkko Oy will build and operate a radio access network for 2G, 3G and 4G capabilities, using their own radio network equipment and renting masts and base station facilities from operators or third parties.
Antti Jokinen, previous head of networks at DNA, has been appointed CEO at of the JV, which is due to being operations in early 2015.
In March 2014, Sonera announced plans to acquire Norway-based AinaCom’s consumer operations and fixed network business.
