During 2007, TeliaSonera brought the research and development (R&D) activities closer to the business and market, and strengthened its focus on business development. Because of the globalization and IP development, TeliaSonera radically increased usage of open platforms from vendors, third parties and software oriented solutions. Typically all activities are driven by market demand and together with end users and partners TeliaSonera is exploring new opportunities to get an early proof of concept and reduced time to market. The long term R&D part of the innovation process is often based on external cooperation with public funding authorities.

In 2007, TeliaSonera incurred R&D expenses of SEK 1,732 million (SEK 1,837 million in 2006).

As of December 31, 2007, TeliaSonera had approximately 580 patent "families" and approximately 2,400 patents and patent applications, none of which, individually, is material to its business.