Norwegian power and communications company Lyse said it and the energy company EB are cooperating to build Norway's largest fibre company. Lyse will own 71 percent of the joint venture and EB the rest. Their fibre networks in Ostfold, Grenland, Buskerud and Oslo will be brought together into one organisation, which will build and operate fibre networks and use them to deliver Altibox services. At its inception, the new organisation will have 82,000 customers, revenue in 2013 is projected to exceed NOK 800 million, and it is expected to make a profit in its first year. The goal is for joint growth of at least 15,000 homes over the year, as well as new business customers.
Chairwoman Toril Nag said demand for fibre in Norway's most densely population region is high, and further growth and market consolidation are expected. Customers are unlikely to notice the changes. The new company will be based in Drammen and will be led by Anne Berit Rorlien, currently general manager of EB Kontakt. Initially, the joint venture will be a holding company with five subsidiaries. They will be Viken Fibernett, which recently merged with Ostfold Fibernett; EB Kontakt; EB Fibernett; Skagerak Fiber; and BOF. The aim is to merge them into one company eventually.
Buskerud county council-owned company Vardar Drammen municipal council each own 50 percent of EB. Lyse is owned by sixteen municipal councils in Rogaland.
