Customers of the virtual operator Ice experienced service disruptions in 2025 after the company changed its roaming partner from Telia to Telenor. Reports from users indicated slower data speeds and dropped calls in several regions during the transition. The incident lasted for nearly two weeks before Ice confirmed stability had returned across its network.
Norway’s mobile infrastructure remains among the best globally, according to the latest national coverage reports. The country ranks high in both download speeds and network reliability, with all major operators providing extensive 4G and 5G coverage. Telenor and Telia continue to dominate the market, though smaller providers like Ice rely on agreements with these networks to serve their customers.
The switch affected around 100,000 Ice subscribers, primarily in urban areas where Telenor’s infrastructure was already strong. Ice stated the change was necessary to reduce costs and improve long-term service quality. However, the disruption highlighted how dependent virtual operators are on their host networks.
Regulators did not issue formal complaints but monitored the situation closely. The Norwegian Communications Authority emphasized the importance of clear communication during such transitions. Ice later apologized to affected users and offered compensation for the inconvenience caused during the outage period.
Despite the temporary issues, Norway’s overall mobile network performance remains strong. The 2025 incident serves as a reminder that even in a well-developed market, changes in roaming partnerships can have immediate effects on service quality for end users.
Source: itavisen.no