Digital inclusion

Telia Company is committed to connecting everyone to the most trusted, reliable and efficient modern networks. Securing that everyone has access to reliable connectivity and the right digital skills are key to make sure that no one is left behind. Our work within this area focuses on contributing to equality and inclusion, to make sure that societies in the Nordics and Baltics capture the full potential of digitalization.

Digitalization is currently transforming societies – bringing both new opportunities and risks. Those who are digitally included can make the most of new opportunities, while those who are not risk being left behind when services such as healthcare and banking are digitalized and education and many social arenas are moving online.

At Telia Company we contribute to reducing inequalities by bridging the digital divide. We aim to reach one million people by 2025 through various digital inclusion initiatives and products. We estimate that in 2020 we reached over 100,000 individuals in various target groups, primarily children, parents and seniors.

 Examples of our digital inclusion initiatives include:

  • Launched in 2018, the “Mer digital” initiative has so far helped nearly 10,000 senior citizens in over 30 municipalities in Sweden and Norway increase their digital skills and confidence. As the initiative was put on hold during 2020, Telia Sweden launched the “Bli digital” initiative to help SMEs lagging in digital skills. Through the initiative, local small businesses are provided training, free of charge, on how to use cloud services, remote meetings, move to e-invoicing and other ways of integrating digital solutions in everyday work.
  • In Lithuania, Telia’s initiative “Augu Internete” (Growing up on the internet) has been running for five years. To date, workshops on topics like internet safety have been attended by 90,000 school children.
  • During the pandemic, Telia Finland has supported around 1,000 SMEs with resources such as free access to an e-commerce platform, including training, to help them digitalize their businesses.
  • Telia Estonia launched a 10-part TV program to teach digital skills to seniors. During 2020, the program had over 100,000 viewers.

 

Digital Inclusion Benchmark 

To encourage greater action towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the World Benchmarking Alliance has benchmarked 150 digital technology companies globally on their actions to strengthen digital inclusion. In the Digital Inclusion Benchmark report released in December 2021,Telia Company ranked 11 out of 150 and fourth among all the European-headquartered companies.

The benchmark assesses technology companies’ efforts in improving access to technology, enhancing digital skills, fostering trustworthy use, and innovating openly and ethically. Telia Company came out strong in areas such as cybersecurity and support for children’s safety online. The report also highlights initiatives like More Digital, a program created by Telia to reduce digital exclusion among the elderly. The inclusion benchmark also highlights Telia’s initiatives and collaborations to encourage and mentor girls and women to take up tech careers in an industry that is still heavily dominated by men.