Telenor aims to connect 45m internet users in Asia

Telenor Group today announced its internet-user projections in its six Asian markets for the rest of the year. Telenor expects to increase its mobile internet subscriber base in Asia to 45 million users by year’s end, an increase of approximately 64 per cent year over year and the company’s fastest uptake of mobile internet users to date. When these numbers are reached, roughly one-third of Telenor Group’s 160 million-person user base in Asia will be internet-enabled. Currently, fewer than 20 per cent in Telenor’s markets in Asia are active mobile data users, so this would be a marked jump and an encouraging step toward widespread internet access, Telenor says. The company’s Internet for All strategy aims to capture this significant revenue and growth potential in a region with low fixed-line penetration and declining device prices. “This brings us one step closer to realizing our Internet for All mission in Asia. Our projections may be ambitious, but we are well positioned to continue rolling out mobile internet services to all in our Asia markets over the long-term,” said Sigve Brekke, Telenor Group EVP and Head of Asia Operations, according to a statement issued by Telenor from Bangkok.