TeliaSonera launches new wholesale arm

Swedish telecoms powerhouse TeliaSonera officially launched its new domestic infrastructure provider TeliaSonera Skanova Access on 1 January. The wholly-owned subsidiary, formed under regulatory obligations to ensure market fairness and transparency, will sell wholesale services over copper and other networks, on the same commercial terms to rival operators and TeliaSonera’s own retail division. TeliaSonera Skanova Access reportedly employs more than 700 people and according to a press release, net revenues generated by TeliaSonera’s corresponding operations in 2007 were estimated at around SEK7 billion (USD1.1 billion). TeliaSonera also intends to set up a new independent body called the Equality Access Board (EAB), to supervise equal treatment of retail service providers and monitor the market’s confidence in Skanova Access and the company’s ability to fulfil its commitments.