Research Report: Telia Global Network Services
Corporate Overview
Telia Company, founded in 1853 as Kungl. Telegrafverket in Sweden, provides global telecommunications services. Its mission is to deliver exceptional network infrastructure, empowering businesses in a connected world. The company evolved through mergers and privatization without traditional venture capital backing. Telia focuses on Nordic and Baltic markets while maintaining a global presence. Its strategy leverages regional strength in Northern Europe. Telia Carrier division (now Arelion) offers global network services. The company is recognized in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global.
Strengths
Telia's network coverage and reliability receive high praise, especially in Europe. A Fortune 500 CTO reported "99.999% uptime across our critical operations." The company's integrated security framework and cloud connectivity options are well-regarded. Its Network-as-a-Service platform enables real-time resource adaptation. A Financial Services CTO stated: "Telia's network reliability and latency performance is exceptional - critical for our trading operations." Telia's global network includes over 70,000 km of optical fiber and 1,700 MPLS endpoints. The company serves customers in 125+ countries. Telia's AS1299 network is ranked as the world's best-connected Internet backbone.
Weaknesses
Customers report long support wait times, particularly outside core markets. A Trustpilot review noted: "I was on hold for one hour and fifteen minutes before talking to a customer service rep." Billing issues and service cancellation difficulties are recurring complaints. Response times for modifications in emerging markets can be slow. An APAC Regional Director observed: "Response times in Southeast Asia can lag significantly behind US service levels - sometimes by days." Some users find Telia's service portal interfaces and billing systems complex. Pricing in certain regions, especially Asia-Pacific, is reported as less competitive than local providers. Contract flexibility and customization options for specific regional requirements are sometimes limited.
Bottom Line
Telia is a strong choice for global network services, particularly for organizations with significant European operations. Financial stability and consistent service quality make it reliable, especially in Nordic and Baltic regions. Key strengths include network reliability, integrated security, and cloud solutions. Areas for improvement include service responsiveness in emerging markets and billing system transparency. Executives should carefully evaluate Telia's capabilities in regions outside Europe if global coverage is critical. The company's continued investment in next-generation technologies like 5G and IoT positions it well for future enterprise needs.
Key Issue: Who would be interested in Telia ?
1) Organizations with significant operations in Nordic and Baltic regions should prioritize Telia.
2) Enterprises requiring high network reliability and low latency, especially in Europe.
3) Companies seeking integrated security and cloud connectivity solutions.
4) Businesses looking for flexible Network-as-a-Service options.
5) Those valuing a provider with a strong global backbone (AS1299).
6) Firms needing a balance of regional expertise and global reach.