The national regulatory authorities for electronic communications in the Nordic and Baltic countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in selected areas. The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) is the contracting party for Norway.

The annual report on net neutrality from the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) concludes that, in general, the state of net neutrality in the Norwegian market seems to be relatively good. Nkom also has critical comments regarding a few conditions.

The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has conducted a market surveillance inspection of smart watches for children. None of the 18 smart watches inspected met all of the requirements for sale in Norway. The findings show that the distributors and importers of smart watches have not assessed the watches thoroughly enough before introducing them on the Norwegian market.

On 8 December 2017 the Norwegian government decided that 2 x 30 MHz in the 700 MHz band shall be made available for commercial operators. The decision is in accordance with the Norwegian Communications Authority's (Nkom) recommendation to the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the joint recommendation from the Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and Nkom that the next-generation emergency communications network should be realized within commercial networks. Nkom will now continue with preparations towards the assignment of the 700 MHz band.

Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has conducted an analysis of Telias’s zero-rating offer Music Freedom based on the European net neutrality rules. Nkom has critical comments to several factors considered, but has concluded that it does not give ground to intervene at this point in time. Furthermore, Nkom will follow closely the development of zero-rating in the Norwegian market in the future.

The Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) and the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) have joined forces to provide a set of recommendations on the decision-making processes relating to the realisation of the next-generation emergency communications network.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed Elisabeth Aarsæther as the new Director General of the National Communications Authority (Nkom). Aarsæther comes from the position of Deputy Director General of Nkom and will replace Torstein Olsen.

Net neutrality was established by law in Europe one year ago. Safeguarding of net neutrality is important for preservation of the Internet as an increasingly dominating communication channel. By the end of June, European regulators have published first release of their annual net neutrality reports.

Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has conducted an analysis of Telenor’s mobile subscription “Yng” which includes the zero-rating offer “Music Freedom”. Nkom has published a report that assesses the offer based on the European net neutrality rules

The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) has assigned spectrum in the 900 MHz band by auction. Telia Norge AS and Telenor Norge AS won the vacant spectrum and the total revenue amounts to NOK 790 236 240.