Telia is investing half a billion kronor to strengthen the mobile network in rural Sweden until 2030. The initiative covers large parts of the country, including Västerbotten, but it remains unclear if it will resolve issues in vulnerable areas like Ammarnäs. The work spans 16 counties and 71 municipalities.
Telia has launched a major initiative to enhance mobile network coverage in rural Sweden. The project runs until 2030 and covers at least 17,000 square kilometers. It will provide both reinforced and new coverage in areas that require it, with a total investment of half a billion kronor.
Staffan Åkesson, Telia's technical director, describes the investment as a critical societal measure: “It is a societally critical effort that strengthens and secures the connected everyday life.”
In Västerbotten, municipalities such as Sorsele, Åsele, Lycksele, Skellefteå, Vilhelmina, Vindeln, Norsjö, Storuman, Malå, and Bjurholm will be affected. Sorsele is particularly prioritized, according to William Fröding, Telia's press officer: “The investment will provide better coverage in rural areas in the various municipalities we have communicated. Sorsele municipality is one of the areas we are investing the most in within the county.”
Ammarnäs in Sorsele municipality has suffered serious outages in recent years, mainly due to damage to the fiber optic cable. In the summer of 2024, a man died because relatives could not call an ambulance due to the lack of mobile connection. However, Telia cannot confirm if new masts will be built there. “Whether new masts will be built specifically in Ammarnäs is too early to answer; placements are in the planning phase right now,” says Fröding. He adds that more masts increase coverage and capacity, but damage to the fiber cable can still cause disruptions.