Cisco and Telenor Elevate Collaboration to Champion Inclusivity and Sustainability

The two companies have collaborated on various initiatives including enhancing connected experiences for Telenor customers with improved 5G, cloud, data analysis, IoT, Open vRAN, Smart Building and security solutions.

SAN JOSE, CA - March 14, 2024 - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and the Telenor Group today announced a significant expansion of their relationship, marked by the evolution of their Joint Purpose Agreement (JPA) for the sixth consecutive year, to connect the unconnected to the services and opportunities they need.

This announcement underscores the success of the longstanding relationship and significantly advances the companies’ shared strategic priorities to drive positive impact across the markets they serve.

Advancing Digital Literacy and Sustainability Initiatives

With common ESG values, Cisco and Telenor seek to inspire other players in the industry to join forces in combating the social and environmental challenges facing future generations. As part of their extended collaboration, the companies will continue to co-invest in digital skills and cyber security awareness for younger generations and small to medium size companies in the emerging markets where they operate. The companies will also evaluate opportunities to engage and elevate green digital skills in strategic markets. Cisco and Telenor are also embarking on a joint initiative dedicated to environmental sustainability, with the goal of leveraging technology to enhance power efficiency and reduce carbon footprint, in line with their respective sustainability goals.

Growing with Services Beyond Connectivity

The expanded collaboration will further the companies’ shared focus on providing secure access and connectivity services. Cisco and Telenor will continue their dedicated efforts to introduce security offerings that are easily consumable and available to the mass-market to ensure everyone - consumer or business - has access to secure and reliable connectivity. The companies will collaborate on solutions to accelerate widespread adoption of security products, as well as raise further awareness on the importance of security. 

The Cisco and Telenor expanded relationship will enable accelerated and simplified cloud connectivity management tailored to the needs and preferences of enterprises. The companies will integrate their solutions in Telenor’s cloud management platform with the ambition to tailor it to the needs of customers.

Developing Solutions for Critical Industries

Cisco and Telenor also announced their collaboration will develop and enhance integrations and functionality in communication networks, to offer managed services for defense and public safety. With some of the toughest requirements globally, the project will leverage the latest technologies and best practices to develop reliable and highly secure solutions that are “always-on”, beyond what is available today.

“We are proud to continue our successful partnership with Cisco, founded on shared goals and impactful achievements,” Sigve Brekke, President and CEO, Telenor. “Embarking on the next phase of our journey, we are accelerating innovation to unlock new possibilities. By combining our strengths, we will deliver impactful solutions, from fostering wider digital inclusion to innovating for critical customer segments.”

"Cisco and Telenor's relationship is founded in shared values and a relentless commitment to helping our mutual customers drive their digital agendas while having a lasting impact in the communities we serve," said Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO, Cisco. "Extending the relationship will strengthen our joint efforts around inclusivity, sustainability, public safety, and connecting the unconnected."

To support these new initiatives, the companies have each appointed senior level executives within the areas of sustainability, product development, and cyber security. The initiatives will be led by Jonathan Davidson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Networking and Amol Phadke, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Telenor.

About the JPA

In 2018, Cisco and Telenor Group initiated a cooperative relationship to support digital transformation and have since collaborated on enhancing connected experiences for Telenor customers with improved 5G, cloud, data analysis, IoT, Open vRAN, Smart Building and security solutions, through several iterations of the JPA.

Many of the products and features described herein remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The delivery timeline of these products and features is subject to change at the sole discretion of Cisco, and Cisco will have no liability for delay in the delivery or failure to deliver any of the products or features set forth in this document.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

About Telenor

Telenor Group is a leading telecommunications company across the Nordics and Asia with 158 million subscribers and annual sales of around USD 9.9 billion (2022). We are committed to responsible business conduct and driven by the ambition of empowering societies. Connectivity has been Telenor’s domain for more than 165 years, and our purpose is to connect our customers to what matters most. Telenor is listed at Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker TEL. For more information, visit www.telenor.com.