FORNEBU, Norway, and NEW DELHI, India -- Telenor Group's Indian mobile operation, Uninor, today announced the launch of its mobile services in seven Indian telecom circles, making it the largest single day launch in the telecom history. On the first day of service Uninor will cover a footprint of close to 600 million people.

Uninor services were launched simultaneously in the circles Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West and Bihar (including Jharkhand), making it the widest coverage any operator has launched within India. The launch of Uninor services happens eight months after Telenor Group finalized the transaction with Unitech Group and made the first investment into Uninor on 20 March.

"It has been highly satisfying to witness today's launch of Uninor services across India. By providing quality mobile services, I strongly believe that Uninor will bring about a significant and positive impact in the daily lives of its customers in India", said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO and President of the Telenor Group. "Establishing a mobile operation of this scale in record time is truly an impressive achievement. I am confident that Uninor will keep the same high momentum going forward to become a preferred provider of mobile services to the Indian population and a significant mobile operator in the Indian market. The Telenor Group is committed to this operation, and will back Uninor with our capabilities and vast experience from other markets to support a successful entry in India"

Telenor Group (Nasdaq: TELN)