As a trainee, Malin Frenning made a promise to herself: to step outside her comfort zone at least once a week. Her courage led her to a position in TeliaSonera Group Management.
President of Business Area Broadband Services
Malin Frenning is President of the Broadband Services business area and for fixed voice services at TeliaSonera. She is also a member in TeliaSonera's Group Management. Malin received an honorary doctorate at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden in November 2011.
Describe your current role
"I work together with the business area manager on TeliaSonera's broadband and fixed voice offerings. For example, how are we going to make money on these services today? Where should we go to capture new business? At the moment, my job is focused very much on securing the rollout of fiber networks in the Nordic and Baltic countries to ensure that our customers have access to high speed internet. I have tried to deliver immediate results and do the best possible job I can. The only strategy I have had is to push myself to try new things. TeliaSonera provides the scope for this. I make sure that I leave my comfort zone at least once a week to expose myself to something that gives me butterflies in my stomach."
Is the climate tough up there at the top?
"Not tough, but extremely complex. When you work in the top layer of an organization, you have to pay attention to different customer needs and deal with more target groups, which is actually inspiring at the same time. In my experience, the company is characterized by a willingness to perform together as a team. I have always felt that I have the strong support from colleagues and managers. I believe this helps you perform better and makes you want to stay in the company."
Why do you enjoy working at TeliaSonera?
"I have always liked to take on new challenges and learn new things together with skilled colleagues. I really have the chance to do this here at TeliaSonera, thanks to the rapid development of the telecom industry. I joined the group in 1993 and TeliaSonera is a completely different company today! Customers act differently, the market has changed completely, and the technology today – well, no need to comment on that. The fact that TeliaSonera is one of the most innovative telecom enterprises in the world naturally makes the company even more interesting."
Can you give us an example of TeliaSonera's innovative power?
"We were first in the world to commercially launch 4G. Here's another merit for the group: we are the fourth largest IP carrier in the world after four U.S. companies. Internationally, TeliaSonera is considered to be a global challenger that stands up for new technology."