UPDATE: Tele2 denies expiration of brand deal with Sweden in Sep

(Adds comments, background in last 3 paragraphs)

MOSCOW, Mar 9 (PRIME) -- Russian mobile operator T2 RTK Holding, working under the Tele2 brand, has denied media reports that the right to use the brand name expires in September under the contract, an operator representative told PRIME on Thursday.

“The Russian mobile operator refutes the information published by daily Vedomosti on March 9. The company continues to use the brand under the current contract, which does not expire in September 2023. The exploitation of the Tele2 trademark beyond the period stipulated in the agreement with the Swedish partner is excluded,” the representative said.

Vedomosti reported quoting a source that T2 RTK Holding’s right to use the Tele2 brand ends in September under the deal with Sweden’s Tele2 AB.

The mobile operator said the Tele2 brand is used legally, and the contract for the brand is valid. “The company is taking no steps to get ready for a rebranding. The information from unnamed sources about the expiration of the contract in September 2023 is a fake,” the representative said.

Tele2 continues to work regularly, including all marketing activities.

Once a division of Tele AB, the operator was acquired by VTB Bank in March 2013 with the right to the brand for 10 years. In 2020, Tele2 was fully consolidated by state-controlled telecom operator Rostelecom.

End