HELSINKI, Finland -- Telia has today filed, in cooperation with Sonera, a merger notification with the European Commission in respect of the planned business combination between Telia and Sonera. As a result, the European Commission's Phase I review is expected to be completed by mid-July 2002 at the latest, which is in line with the previously communicated, preliminary timetable. Offering circulars, listing particulars and registration statements are being prepared in Finnish and English, to be filed with the Finnish Financial Supervision, the Stockholm Stock Exchange and in the United States with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The review process with the Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to be completed at the end of June or early July 2002, at which time the offer to Sonera's shareholders can commence. In view of the vacation period in the Nordic region the offer period is expected to end in the second half of August 2002, in order to give Sonera shareholders ample time to tender their Sonera shares. Sonera Corp. Telia AB