TELENOR of Norway is interested in establishing presence in the country, and wants to become the third-biggest telecommunications company in the Philippines.

The Norwegian firm has over 135 million subscribers registered worldwide.

Einar Bore, director of Telenor’s business development unit in Asia, said they are now doing exploratory studies in the Philippines, which they see as “a very interesting market.”

Nothing is yet concrete yet at this point, Bore said Wednesday and that Telenor’s mode of entry into a particular country is either through greenfield projects or acquisition of considerable stake in local firms.

Should Telenor decide on a project similar to what it did in Pakistan, its possible investment in the Philippines would be in the vicinity of $1 billion, Bore added.

On behalf of Telenor, Bore gave a presentation Wednesday during the Norway Invest forum at The Peninsula Manila.

Norwegian Ambassador to Manila Stale Torstein Risa said Telenor’s would need a local partner to comply with the 60-40 ownership rule for the industry, and that due diligence could run for a year.

Risa said he is glad that Telenor is taking a second look at the Philippines since he believes that there is enough room for the company in the country.

“I’m sure this market is ready for the entry of a third-major player. The future is great for a third player in the Philippines,” Risa said.

The local industry is dominated by telecommunication giants Smart and Globe. Bore said Telenor helped transform Digi in Malaysia from a small player to its current lofty billing with a 28-percent market share.

Telenor is now focused on Asia’s emerging markets, Bore added.

Telenor’s has over 50 million subscribers in Asia.

TELENOR of Norway is interested in establishing presence in the country, and wants to become the third-biggest telecommunications company in the Philippines.

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