The EFTA Surveillance Authority can confirm that today, on 4 December 2012, officials from the Authority, assisted by the national competition authority, carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of Telenor ASA and Telenor Norge AS in Norway. The EFTA Surveillance Authority has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have infringed the competition rules of the EEA Agreement.

Surprise inspections are a preliminary step in investigations into suspected restrictive practices. The fact that the EFTA Surveillance Authority carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour; nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.

There is no strict deadline to complete antitrust inquiries. Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned co-operate and the exercise of the rights of defence.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Per Andreas Bjørgan
Director, Competition and State Aid
Tel. (+32)(0)2 286 18 36