Europe
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.[14]
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 in 2017 (28.7.2017) to Hutchison Drei Austria, the third largest mobile operator in Austria.[15]
Croatia
Tele2 operated in Croatia from 2005 to 2019 and does not operate there now. In Croatia, Tele2 operated a 3G network at 42.2 Mbit/s, same as competitors but at a much wider area, nearly every area covered in standard 3G has access to this 3.75G technology. It also operated a 4G network at up to 150 Mbit/s. As of October 2015, it has 885,542 customers. In 2015 revenue was 83.72 million euros. On 1 February 2016 Tele2 Croatia started its 4G LTE network. It covers every major city and its surroundings, as well as many rural areas.[16] According to Tele2 Croatia, their 4G network covers 90% of Croatia's population, while their 3G network covers 99% of Croatia's population.[17]
In July 2019 it was sold for 220 million euros to United Group.[18] On 3 November 2020, United Group changed the name to Telemach.[19]
Denmark
In May 2007 Telenor announced that the company would be acquiring Tele2 Denmark for DKK 835 million.[20] Tele2 had been operating in Denmark since 1996.[21]
Estonia
Tele2 is operating a HSPA-enabled 3G network in the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands as well as a 2G GSM network in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in Estonia.
Tele2 commercially launched its 4G LTE network in the 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands in November 2012. The 800 MHz LTE band was added in May 2014 and 2100 MHz in July 2015. Tele2 claimed an LTE population coverage of 90% in September 2015.[22]
In 2022, Tele2 acquired spectrum in the 3410-3800 MHz frequency band as part of a license to provide 5G [SM1] services. Tele2 commenced offering 5G services in Tallinn in 2022[SM2] .[23]
France
Tele2 operated in France from 1999 to 2009 and does not operate there now.[24] Tele2 used to operate a 2G MVNO in France using Orange network for coverage and joined Virgin Mobile in 2009. They also used to operate alternative fixed line & internet services which they sold to Vivendi unit SFR for €350 million in 2007.[25]
Germany
Tele2 exited the German market in 2020 and does not operate there now. Tele2 provided fixed broadband via ADSL as well as fixed telephony. In July 2013, Tele2 launched mobile voice plans on the E-Plus (now O2 Germany) network.[26] In December 2020 the unit was sold by a Management buyout with the Trademark Tele2 for Germany.[27] The new company continues to use the old brand as "Tele2 Deutschland".
Italy
Tele2 operated in Italy from 1999 to 2007 and does not operate there now. In 2005 it began to offer ADSL in large cities including Milan and Rome in unbundling, and then quickly extended the service to numerous other areas of Italy.In 2007 it added a P2P traffic filtering function to its ADSL service.
In 2007 the company was acquired by Vodafone.[28][29] No longer being linked to Tele2, in 2010 "Tele2 Italia" changed its name into "TeleTu".[30]
Latvia
Tele2 entered the Latvian market in 2000 and operates as one of the largest nationwide Mobile Network Operator in Latvia, including 5G services in the 3.6 GHz, and 700 MHz bands.[31]
Lithuania
Tele2 operates a nationwide mobile network in Lithuania, including 5G services in the 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz bands.[32] Tele2 Lithuania is the only telecommunications operator across Europe and Americas to rocket from the last position to the market leader.[33] Tele2 ensure that all its customers can use high quality 4G network coverage across 99% of Lithuania and was named the Most Transparent Company in Lithuania according to "Transparency International Lithuania".[34] Tele2 Lithuania CEO Petras Masiulis was awarded the CEO of the Year 2017 Lithuania.[33]
Netherlands
Tele2 operated in The Netherlands from 2005 to 2019 and does not operate there now. Tele2 operated as a 2G, 3G and 4G MVNO on the mobile network of T-Mobile NL and in the fourth quarter of 2015 launched the world's first 4G-only MNO in the Netherlands with nearly 850,000 customers in addition to fixed network triple play services, serving over one million customers in total.
Tele2 purchased Versatel in the Netherlands in mid-2005 which allowed it to move away from carrier select services via KPN and onto own infrastructure. The new Tele2 Netherlands offered a full suite of triple play services. On 15 July 2010, Tele2 demonstrated the first LTE network in the Netherlands on the frequencies 2600 MHz. In late 2010, Tele2 Netherlands acquired BBned from Telecom Italia.
The telecom regulator in the Netherlands, Agentschap Telecom, held a multiband auction which concluded on 14 December 2012.[35] Tele2 was awarded 2x10 MHz in the 800 MHz band which together with its previous 2.6 GHz license will enable Tele2 to cost efficiently build a high capacity LTE network with national coverage. Tele2 paid €161M for its licenses which can be considered low, compared to the €1.3bn that KPN and Vodafone paid each for their frequencies and the €900M that T-Mobile will have to pay for theirs. The considerably lower price was a result of spectrum reservation set by the government for a new mobile entrant, with favourable acquisition, Tele2 will enable lower prices for customers and increase competition on the Dutch market.
€3.8bn was raised in the auction, which is unprecedented for a country with a population of a mere 16 million. In 2015, the organisation launched a new mobile network. The scheme cost approximately $187 million and had been in development since 2014.
Norway
Tele2 exited the Norwegian market in 2015 and does not operate there now. Tele2 Norway consisted of the brands Tele2, OneCall, MyCall and Network Norway. On 7 July 2014, it was announced that Tele2 would be acquired by Telia Company. On 5 February 2015, the deal was approved by Norwegian competition authorities.
Sweden
Sweden is where Tele2 originates from and it remains one of its strongest markets serving over 2 million private customers. When the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority awarded four licenses for the 3G UMTS mobile networks in December 2001, Tele2 was among the winners. Notably Telia, the former telephony incumbent in Sweden, did not receive a license and so an agreement was established to build a 3G network shared by Tele2 and Telia using Tele2's license. SUNAB builds, owns and operates that 3G network.
A similar company, Net4Mobility, was formed in 2009 between Tele2 and Telenor Sverige for the purpose of building a joint 4G LTE network. The 4G product was officially launched on 15 November 2010 and in 2023, Tele2's 4G network today covers 99.9% of the Swedish population. As the equipment used by Net4Mobility can serve both LTE and 2G, the new network built primarily for LTE will also replace the aging 2G networks of Tele2 and Telenor, providing lower cost through shared infrastructure. In addition, it enables EDGE, a service previously not available via Tele2.
On 24 May 2020, Tele2 became the first mobile network operator in Sweden to commercially launch a 5G NR network. In Q2 2025, Tele2's 5G coverage will reach 93% of the population, of which 75% with high-performance 5G+.
On 1 December 2025, Tele2 and Telenor, through Net4Mobility, will begin shutting down the 2G network. The phase-out coincides with the ongoing decommissioning of the 3G network, freeing up spectrum for newer mobile technologies. This will enable greater capacity, improved coverage and faster speeds in 4G and 5G networks, while older phones and connected devices relying on 2G or 3G will cease to function.
United Kingdom
Tele2 operated in The United Kingdom from 2003 to 2005 and does not operate there now.[39] In 2005 Tele2 sold their UK & Ireland fixed operations to Carphone Warehouse for £8.7m.
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.[14]
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 in 2017 (28.7.2017) to Hutchison Drei Austria, the third largest mobile operator in Austria.[15]
Croatia
Tele2 operated in Croatia from 2005 to 2019 and does not operate there now. In Croatia, Tele2 operated a 3G network at 42.2 Mbit/s, same as competitors but at a much wider area, nearly every area covered in standard 3G has access to this 3.75G technology. It also operated a 4G network at up to 150 Mbit/s. As of October 2015, it has 885,542 customers. In 2015 revenue was 83.72 million euros. On 1 February 2016 Tele2 Croatia started its 4G LTE network. It covers every major city and its surroundings, as well as many rural areas.[16] According to Tele2 Croatia, their 4G network covers 90% of Croatia's population, while their 3G network covers 99% of Croatia's population.[17]
In July 2019 it was sold for 220 million euros to United Group.[18] On 3 November 2020, United Group changed the name to Telemach.[19]
Denmark
In May 2007 Telenor announced that the company would be acquiring Tele2 Denmark for DKK 835 million.[20] Tele2 had been operating in Denmark since 1996.[21]
Estonia
Tele2 is operating a HSPA-enabled 3G network in the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands as well as a 2G GSM network in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in Estonia.
Tele2 commercially launched its 4G LTE network in the 1800 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands in November 2012. The 800 MHz LTE band was added in May 2014 and 2100 MHz in July 2015. Tele2 claimed an LTE population coverage of 90% in September 2015.[22]
In 2022, Tele2 acquired spectrum in the 3410-3800 MHz frequency band as part of a license to provide 5G [SM1] services. Tele2 commenced offering 5G services in Tallinn in 2022[SM2] .[23]
France
Tele2 operated in France from 1999 to 2009 and does not operate there now.[24] Tele2 used to operate a 2G MVNO in France using Orange network for coverage and joined Virgin Mobile in 2009. They also used to operate alternative fixed line & internet services which they sold to Vivendi unit SFR for €350 million in 2007.[25]
Germany
Tele2 exited the German market in 2020 and does not operate there now. Tele2 provided fixed broadband via ADSL as well as fixed telephony. In July 2013, Tele2 launched mobile voice plans on the E-Plus (now O2 Germany) network.[26] In December 2020 the unit was sold by a Management buyout with the Trademark Tele2 for Germany.[27] The new company continues to use the old brand as "Tele2 Deutschland".
Italy
Tele2 operated in Italy from 1999 to 2007 and does not operate there now. In 2005 it began to offer ADSL in large cities including Milan and Rome in unbundling, and then quickly extended the service to numerous other areas of Italy.In 2007 it added a P2P traffic filtering function to its ADSL service.
In 2007 the company was acquired by Vodafone.[28][29] No longer being linked to Tele2, in 2010 "Tele2 Italia" changed its name into "TeleTu".[30]
Latvia
Tele2 entered the Latvian market in 2000 and operates as one of the largest nationwide Mobile Network Operator in Latvia, including 5G services in the 3.6 GHz, and 700 MHz bands.[31]
Lithuania
Tele2 operates a nationwide mobile network in Lithuania, including 5G services in the 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz bands.[32] Tele2 Lithuania is the only telecommunications operator across Europe and Americas to rocket from the last position to the market leader.[33] Tele2 ensure that all its customers can use high quality 4G network coverage across 99% of Lithuania and was named the Most Transparent Company in Lithuania according to "Transparency International Lithuania".[34] Tele2 Lithuania CEO Petras Masiulis was awarded the CEO of the Year 2017 Lithuania.[33]
Netherlands
Tele2 operated in The Netherlands from 2005 to 2019 and does not operate there now. Tele2 operated as a 2G, 3G and 4G MVNO on the mobile network of T-Mobile NL and in the fourth quarter of 2015 launched the world's first 4G-only MNO in the Netherlands with nearly 850,000 customers in addition to fixed network triple play services, serving over one million customers in total.
Tele2 purchased Versatel in the Netherlands in mid-2005 which allowed it to move away from carrier select services via KPN and onto own infrastructure. The new Tele2 Netherlands offered a full suite of triple play services. On 15 July 2010, Tele2 demonstrated the first LTE network in the Netherlands on the frequencies 2600 MHz. In late 2010, Tele2 Netherlands acquired BBned from Telecom Italia.
The telecom regulator in the Netherlands, Agentschap Telecom, held a multiband auction which concluded on 14 December 2012.[35] Tele2 was awarded 2x10 MHz in the 800 MHz band which together with its previous 2.6 GHz license will enable Tele2 to cost efficiently build a high capacity LTE network with national coverage. Tele2 paid €161M for its licenses which can be considered low, compared to the €1.3bn that KPN and Vodafone paid each for their frequencies and the €900M that T-Mobile will have to pay for theirs. The considerably lower price was a result of spectrum reservation set by the government for a new mobile entrant, with favourable acquisition, Tele2 will enable lower prices for customers and increase competition on the Dutch market.
€3.8bn was raised in the auction, which is unprecedented for a country with a population of a mere 16 million. In 2015, the organisation launched a new mobile network. The scheme cost approximately $187 million and had been in development since 2014.
Norway
Tele2 exited the Norwegian market in 2015 and does not operate there now. Tele2 Norway consisted of the brands Tele2, OneCall, MyCall and Network Norway. On 7 July 2014, it was announced that Tele2 would be acquired by Telia Company. On 5 February 2015, the deal was approved by Norwegian competition authorities.
Sweden
Sweden is where Tele2 originates from and it remains one of its strongest markets serving over 2 million private customers. When the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority awarded four licenses for the 3G UMTS mobile networks in December 2001, Tele2 was among the winners. Notably Telia, the former telephony incumbent in Sweden, did not receive a license and so an agreement was established to build a 3G network shared by Tele2 and Telia using Tele2's license. SUNAB builds, owns and operates that 3G network.
A similar company, Net4Mobility, was formed in 2009 between Tele2 and Telenor Sverige for the purpose of building a joint 4G LTE network. The 4G product was officially launched on 15 November 2010 and in 2023, Tele2's 4G network today covers 99.9% of the Swedish population. As the equipment used by Net4Mobility can serve both LTE and 2G, the new network built primarily for LTE will also replace the aging 2G networks of Tele2 and Telenor, providing lower cost through shared infrastructure. In addition, it enables EDGE, a service previously not available via Tele2.
On 24 May 2020, Tele2 became the first mobile network operator in Sweden to commercially launch a 5G NR network. In Q2 2025, Tele2's 5G coverage will reach 93% of the population, of which 75% with high-performance 5G+.
On 1 December 2025, Tele2 and Telenor, through Net4Mobility, will begin shutting down the 2G network. The phase-out coincides with the ongoing decommissioning of the 3G network, freeing up spectrum for newer mobile technologies. This will enable greater capacity, improved coverage and faster speeds in 4G and 5G networks, while older phones and connected devices relying on 2G or 3G will cease to function.
United Kingdom
Tele2 operated in The United Kingdom from 2003 to 2005 and does not operate there now.[39] In 2005 Tele2 sold their UK & Ireland fixed operations to Carphone Warehouse for £8.7m.
Russia and CIS
Kazakhstan
Tele2 operated in Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2018 and does not operate there now.[40]
51% of Mobile Telecom-Service LLP was purchased by Tele2 in early 2010 to serve as a base for the company's mobile services in Kazakhstan. Tele2 has an option to buy the remaining 49% of Mobile Telecom-Service LLP within 5 years after the contract was closed. Tele2 is the smallest of three mobile operators in Kazakhstan with about 4.3 million customers. In December 2018 Tele2 ended operations, leaving Beeline to be the only government-independent carrier.
Russia
Tele2 operated in Russia from 2001 to 2013 and does not operate there now. Tele2 started the operations in the Russian Federation by acquiring 12 regional mobile operators from its sister company Millicom in 2001, years later in 2013 Tele2 sold their Russian operations to the bank VTB for US$2–4 billion plus $1.15 billion in net debt.[41]
Since February 2020, Rostelecom acquired 100% share by purchasing 50% share from VTB group.
Kazakhstan
Tele2 operated in Kazakhstan from 2005 to 2018 and does not operate there now.[40]
51% of Mobile Telecom-Service LLP was purchased by Tele2 in early 2010 to serve as a base for the company's mobile services in Kazakhstan. Tele2 has an option to buy the remaining 49% of Mobile Telecom-Service LLP within 5 years after the contract was closed. Tele2 is the smallest of three mobile operators in Kazakhstan with about 4.3 million customers. In December 2018 Tele2 ended operations, leaving Beeline to be the only government-independent carrier.
Russia
Tele2 operated in Russia from 2001 to 2013 and does not operate there now. Tele2 started the operations in the Russian Federation by acquiring 12 regional mobile operators from its sister company Millicom in 2001, years later in 2013 Tele2 sold their Russian operations to the bank VTB for US$2–4 billion plus $1.15 billion in net debt.[41]
Since February 2020, Rostelecom acquired 100% share by purchasing 50% share from VTB group.
in September 4, 2024, "Tele2 Russia" rebranded and changed its name to "t2".[42][43]
