Norway is among the world's leading information societies and widely regarded as having a highly developed mobile market. The Oslo region is a key driver and centre for research, development and business. A combination of unique expertise, strong R&D environments and advanced users with high purchasing power has made the Oslo region an excellent test market for new and innovative ICT products. Recent years have witnessed a large number of business start-ups in the  region, and several internationally renowned companies have chosen to locate here.

A history of mobile communication

The Norwegian topography naturally lends itself to mobile communication with its vast and practically impenetrable mountainous areas and plateaus –factors which have made Norway a pioneer in new communication techniques and advanced technologies. Norwegian research contribution was crucial when the world’s first automatic mobile net NMT 450 was launched in 1981, and today’s global GSM-standard was invented in Norway.

Applied ICT

The competence and interest in technological innovation related to ICT has always been significant in Norway. This has created unique opportunities for innovations in applying ICT to strong Norwegian sectors such as oil and gas, transport, maritime, marine and life science. The mobile adventure in Norway is also partly due to the spirit of creativity and innovation in content generation. Combined with low prices for mobile services, mobile phones are both accessible and appealing to almost the entire population.

Building a Wireless Future

Many promising companies are contributing to the growing mobile and wireless cluster in Oslo. Wireless Future is established as a cluster building initiative, involving most of the key players from business and R&D in Norway. The list of companies with international success are rising, such as Opera Software and the game producer Funcom.

Telenor is Norway’s largest ICT-company, with head office located at Fornebu, just outside Oslo. Telenor is emerging as one of the fastest growing providers of mobile communications services worldwide. The Telenor Group was ranked the best Mobile Telecom company in the world by the Sustainability Yearbook 2008.

Strong R&D environment

With the Department of Informatics, the University of Oslo is the largest educational institution for ICT within the region. Together with the Norwegian Computing Center and SINTEF, the Department of Informatics provides Norway with an important research environment for ICT. Other excellent R&D environments are found at Fornebu, Kjeller, Halden and Horten.