Telenor chooses re!Newed as a long-term partner

Telenor is working hard to reduce its climate impact, and the company aims for operations to be circular by the year 2030. As part of their environmental work, they have now chosen to start a collaboration with the company Renewed, which buys, repairs and sells used mobile phones. A collaboration that Telenor is very proud of.

In 2022, Telenor and Renewed started a collaboration. The collaboration aims to extend the lifespan of used mobile phones and through Telenor's program Change, customers hand in their used mobile phones in connection with the purchase of new mobile phones.

Renewed buys a large part of these mobile phones from Telenor to give them a second life. Telenor then buys some mobiles back to sell themselves, while others live on in the joint project Återvinsten, which is in operation at Renewed.

We have spoken with Viktoria Granberg Nordén, Purchasing Manager at Telenor Sweden, about why they chose to start this collaboration.

Hi Victoria! Why does Telenor invest in used mobile phones?

- "We are an operator that takes our environmental responsibility very seriously. By 2030, our business must be circular. In addition, as an operator, we have a responsibility to help our customers to become more circular as well."

With Telenor's Change program, they have a large influx of used mobile phones and with them they want to show their customers how easy and good it is to buy a used mobile phone without having to compromise on quality. Victoria continues:

- "Reusing mobile phones is very good for the environment and because we offer our customers to both hand in and buy used mobile phones, we also give the customers' old mobile phones a longer life. This means that we reduce the consumption of resources such as shipping and raw materials that new mobile phones would otherwise have contributed to."

The collaboration makes it easier for Telenor's customers

More and more customers want to make informed choices and therefore Telenor offers reused mobile phones that are sold with a subscription. With the Return, the customer is offered more used models with different brands, standards and prices. This means that there is a mobile phone to buy regardless of preferences and wishes.

The customer pays for the mobile phone directly via Klarna on Renewed's website, and if they wish to add a mobile subscription, Telenor is at hand. The collaboration simply makes it easier to make a conscious choice.

"With Renewed, we can be sure of the highest quality"

According to Viktoria, the biggest advantage of the collaboration is that Renewed matches Telenor's requirements for its mobile phones.

-"Renewed has agreements with some of Europe's biggest companies, and that they only buy in products from companies that have a direct agreement with Samsung and Apple. Many of their products are from our Change program, but because they also buy in from other players, it is important that those products are of the same high quality as ours. And with Renewed, we can be sure that the products are of the highest quality, says Viktoria."

Other advantages that Viktoria highlights are that Renewed collaborates with authorized service partners, that the products are adapted for the Nordic market and that the products naturally meet EU standards.

- "There are several other players on the market for used mobile phones, but there neither we nor our customers are as secure in their dealings as there is no account of the security checks they have undergone."

She continues:

-"In addition, the products come from, and stay in, the Swedish market. Many other used mobiles come from different countries in Europe, but with this circular model they focus on keeping the products in the local market, which in turn reduces the emissions we as a company constantly working to reduce. It's an example of circular business."

Finally, what is your best tip for living sustainably?

- "That we shouldn't make it too complicated, that everyone can do something and that little things can ultimately do a lot. Try to shop second hand, check what kind of labeling is on your clothes and your food. Start small simply, concludes Viktoria.