Hello CEO: Jonas Edén, Telenor

In May, Jonas Edén was introduced as a new member of TechSverige's board, but he is also relatively new in his role at Telenor Sweden. Just in time for the summer vacation, he can look back on an intense and inspiring first six months as CEO.

- Telenor is a company with great competence and a strong culture. We have a clear mission: to be an enabler in the lives of people and businesses. I have spent a lot of time listening and learning, both internally and externally, to understand where we are and what it takes to take the next step. What has struck me most is the commitment of all parts of the organization. I particularly remember a visit to our customer service. There, it became clear how much professionalism and heart there is in every conversation with our customers. You can feel that pride throughout the organization.

What do you think is important for leadership in the tech industry?

- For me, leadership is about being present, both in everyday life and in the big choices. I believe in listening, challenging and being clear about why we do what we do. When people understand the purpose, it becomes easier to create direction and commitment. In the tech industry, it's particularly important to be able to see both the pace of change and the consequences. We operate in an environment where innovation is fast, but where long-term thinking and trust are crucial. As a leader, you need to be able to take responsibility, not only for driving development, but also for ensuring resilience, security and inclusion along the way.

What would you say is distinctive about Telenor and its culture?

- We are a people-centric company, which is reflected both in how we work together internally and in how we think about customer relationships. Our culture is characterized by openness, consideration and a strong sense of responsibility. We know that we play an important role in society as our network must function even when everything else stops. This insight creates a drive and a clear direction in everything we do.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for Telenor right now?

- One of our biggest challenges, but also opportunities, is to continue to ensure a robust, secure and future-proof network and services in a more uncertain world. We have come a long way in our 5G roll-out and modernization of the network, but at the same time, demands for cybersecurity, availability and climate adaptation are increasing. It's not just about technology. Cooperation between businesses, the public sector and academia is also needed to ensure that Sweden remains digitally strong in the future.

Telenor is one of TechSverige's member companies. What benefits do you see with the membership?

- TechSverige plays an important role in bringing together and raising the voice of the industry. This applies not least to issues such as skills supply, digital infrastructure and regulations. For us, membership is an opportunity to contribute to a stronger tech sector that continues to create prosperity and success for Sweden. It also provides a platform for collaboration with other actors, where we can jointly push for sustainable digitization, safer systems and better conditions for innovation.