Uninor changes name to Telenor, expands call drop refund plan

New Delhi: Telecom operator Uninor on Wednesday changed the brand name to Telenor, the name of its parent company, while extending call drop reimbursement offers to all calls made from its network, in a move to position itself as "the most affordable service provider" in the country.

"The brand change is a reflection of our commitment to India and our mass market consumers as we promise to offer superior value in meeting their evolving needs through affordable, easy to use and fair means. To our 3,500 employees in India, on Wednesday marks an important name change," Telenor Group Head of Asia Region Morten Karlsen Sorby said.

It has changed its tag to 'Ab life full paisa vasool' from 'Sabse Sasta'. Telenor said the company has taken a strong customer-centric approach through initiatives like compensation for call drops.

"We take responsibility for a call drop as we commit quality service to our customers. Hence, we are extending Call drop reimbursements to all calls -- local, STD and ISD. Earlier, it was being offered on local calls only," Telenor India CEO Vivek Sood said.

The Norway-based Telenor entered India through a joint venture with Unitech Wireless, which was branded as Uninor. Unitech has now completely exited from the operations and last year, the Telenor group increased its stake in the Indian entity to 100 percent.

Earlier this month, the company had changed the name of the company from Telewings Communications Services to Telenor (India) Communications.

The Telenor group has mobile operations in 13 markets in the Nordic region, Central and Eastern Europe and in Asia.

Telenor India operates in six circles -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh East and West and ranks fourth in revenue and customer market share.

"We will continue to offer the most affordable services and deliver innovative solutions like call drop reimbursement and customised product offers. The customer wants us to be fair," Sood said.