According to a press release posted on the company web site, Pakistan Telenor officially opened its GSM mobile network for commercial service.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf conducted the opening in Islamabad by placing the first call through the network to Norway Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, who was on a visit to Sidney, Australia.

This is the first time that Telenor as sole owner has launched a mobile operation outside Norway.

The commercial launch of the network took place less than a year after Telenor won its license on 14 April 2004.

"We are pleased to be in operation at this early date, and plan to maintain a high tempo as we remain committed to providing coverage to 70 percent of Pakistan's population three years from now," said Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.

Telenor was one of two bidders to secure a mobile license in Pakistan in April 2004, and with these two new additions, Pakistan now counts six mobile operators.

Nokia and Siemens are cooperating on the rollout of Telenor Pakistan's network. During the initial phase, 400 base stations will provide coverage in the three largest cities: Islamabad, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Telenor holds majority stakes in Bangladesh's leading cellphone company GrameenPhone.