OREANDA-NEWS. March 11, 2014. TeliaSonera's new operating model, where the countries will be the leading dimension, will be launched on 1 April. Valdo Kalm has been appointed to head all  TeliaSonera's operations in Estonia, including EMT and Elion, in the new organization.

The intention is to step-by-step move EMT and Elion closer together to create a country structure, with focus on customer segments, to offer the customers an even better service and the full package of telecommunications and IT services and solutions.

"Valdo is an experienced business professional with a long and solid track record from the telecoms industry. He has successfully managed EMT since 2003 and was during 200-2003 Head of Elion. I am convinced that he will do an equally good job as CEO for our total Estonian operations, says Robert Andersson, appointed Executive Vice President and Head of Region Europe, TeliaSonera.

An integration work between EMT and Elion is already ongoing since last year, as can be shown for example by the roll out of common shops throughout Estonia and joint management of large corporate customers.

"Country specific cooperation has always been successful in Estonia", Valdo Kalm noted. "Cooperation between EMT and Elion has grown increasingly closer, this step is a logical progression in our cooperation."

Arti Ots, who has successfully lead Elion since 2012, will continue to support the transition and participate actively in planning the further integration activities in Estonia. "The changes in the operating model are definitely a step forward. I will do my best to make the following steps in the integration process as smooth as possible for the employees of both companies and clearly valuable for our customer," said Arti Ots, whose future role within TeliaSonera will be announced later.

Prior to being names as the head of TeliaSonera's operations in Estonia, Valdo Kalm was and was Head of Elion during 2000-2003 and has held the position of head of EMT since 2003. Since 2007 he is also the CEO of Eesti Telekom.

The changes in the leadership of Elion and EMT are a part of larger changes in the operating model of the TeliaSonera group. The changes in the operating model do not entail changing the names of Elion and EMT nor merging the companies from April 1st.
 
TeliaSonera provides network access and telecommunication services in the Nordic and Baltic countries, the emerging markets of Eurasia, including Russia and Turkey, and in Spain. TeliaSonera helps people and companies communicate in an easy, efficient and environmentally friendly way. Our ambition is to be number one or two in all our markets, providing the best customer experience, high quality networks and cost efficient operations. TeliaSonera is also the leading European wholesale provider with a wholly-owned international carrier network. Read more at www.teliasonera.com.