Telenor launches 5G broadband TV

5G broadband is a relatively new thing, which in a cabin environment, for example, practically gives you “regular” access to the Internet over the 5G network. Telenor is now announcing that it is launching a television service alongside 5G broadband, through its T-We service.

T-We is a traditional Telenor TV product, which usually includes a wired connection at home. So the new product was launched as a separate product alongside the 5G wireless broadband product, as an additional subscription.

In terms of price, we’re talking about the same price for the add-on product (359 NOK per month), but the monthly rates vary based on the speed of the broadband you’re buying:

• 500 Mbps: 1249 kr + 359 kr
• 300 Mbps: 999 kroner + 359 kr
• 200 Mbps: 849 kr + 359 kr
• 100 Mbps: 749 kr + 359 kr

In addition, you have to pay 99 kroner per month to rent the T-We set-top box. During the campaign period, you get both broadband and TV at a six-month package price, eg 899 kr per month for lowest speed and TV, plus 99 kr per month for set-top box rental. With a 12-month hookup, you get an antenna and installation for 999 kroner.

It should also be noted that Telenor wireless broadband comes with a maximum of 2000 GB per month, after which the speed drops to 5 Mbit / s.

If you have a TV from Telenor with wireless broadband, then the data consumption of the TV signal is included in 2000 GB, and the conditions state that you will be able to experience that the quality of the TV signal will also decrease if you access the «quota». This may be especially true if others are using the internet while watching TV, normal 720p streaming usually requires about 3 Mbit/s.

In other words: Telenor’s TV service does not receive any special treatment compared to other TV services offered over the Internet, for example Strim.

Online service Strim, for example, costs NOK 349 per month for the “Mye” package, which includes HBO Max, Viaplay Film & Series, Paramount +, TV 2 Play Film, series (with ads), Nordisk Film +, plus 12 A channel outside the NRK channels.

The basic Telenor package for TV includes almost the same channels with small differences, after which you get 100 “points” that you can use to choose your content. Here, for example, HBO Max costs 60 points and Paramount + 35 points, so just with those two points you practically fill the quota, and individual channels generally cost one, two or three points each.

Thus Strim appears to be the best value for money, but Telenor in return has a larger selection of channels and content available outside of a basic subscription.

Telia also offers a combination of wireless broadband and TV, a 100Mbit/s set and TV subscription costs 1098 NOK per month, ten times less than what Telenor should have for itself – but in Telia a set-top box is included, which is an important difference. However, they also throttle the speed after 2000 GB.

Telia also offers a standard package of channels, as well as 50 points for choosing content for them. Here, HBO Max costs 40 points, for example, and individual channels one or two points. Installing the antenna at Telia also costs 1,999 kroner, a thousand kroner more than what Telenor will receive now.

If you already have Telenor wireless broadband, your 5G coverage will automatically activate when Telenor expands into your area.

Currently, it is mainly the most populous areas with 5G coverage. Telenor says they will reach coverage of about 50 per cent of Norway’s population by the end of 2022.

In any case, Telenor says it will continue to expand, and that 5G coverage “by 2024 will be as wide” as 4G coverage today.

Finally, it’s also worth noting that Telenor and T-We have been in fairly severe weather last year, with more than a week of downtime for many customers. Ultimately, the telecom giant compensated customers for the downtime and promised fines and improvements.