TeliaSonera AB Earnings Call Nuggets: Eurasia Growth Levels and Finnish Subscribers

TeliaSonera AB (TLSN.ST) recently reported its fourth quarter earnings and discussed the following topics in its earnings conference call.

Eurasia Growth Levels

Stefan Gauffin – Nordea: Yes. Stefan Gauffin, Nordea. Couple of questions. First, with you already stated your guidance was a bit conservative. Just looking at the trends at the moment, Eurasia improving growth from 12% to 16% this quarter and much driven by Uzbekistan and we should see that trend continue. We also see Kazakhstan improving the growth trend. So my view is that Eurasia should continue at these growth levels. We also have quite easy comparable quarters in Mobility in Q2, Q3 this year and you also stated that you have seen increased in take in fiber, so my view is that this is a truly conservative guidance. Where am I wrong?

Lars Nyberg – President and CEO: I don’t know you sound like some of my colleagues, but I feel a bit uncertain about the telecom industry. This whole shift or voice going down 10%, you have to realize voice is our biggest business by far. If that 10 becomes 15, it will have a huge impact on us and how quickly can we change the business model and capture more of the data that’s sort of the uncertainty. If would be able now this year, which I hope we will, to establish a new business model that actually flies, I will be a whole lot less concerned and maybe be more brave, but this is the best judgment that P.A. and I have and our colleagues have done. It is a bit conservative, but it has good reasons to be conservative.

Per-Arne Blomquist – EVP and CFO: If I may add. I think that we see 2013 as a transitional year. I mean there’s a lot of things that happens here with investment and fiber and new business models, et cetera and thus far I think we’re a bit cautious. But remember the first quarter last year we were accused to being too pessimistic and (indiscernible) the year as well. So we have to be a bit cautious in this environment.