Telia and Ice Merge Norway Mobile Networks to Cut Costs

Telia Norway and Lyse-owned operator Ice plan to pool their mobile radio access networks into a new 50:50 joint venture, aiming to reduce costs and extend coverage, particularly in rural areas. The new company will own and run all of both operators’ radio equipment and base stations, and then sell network capacity back to Telia and Ice.

The partners expect the arrangement, which is scheduled to start operating in Q2 2026, to deliver clear savings in operating and capital spending for Telia while making better use of shared infrastructure. Both companies will keep their own spectrum licences and core networks and will continue to compete for customers. The move comes in a market where Telenor is the largest operator, ahead of Telia Norway and Ice.