Keeping in Touch in Norway

You should have no trouble keeping in touch with family and friends back home after you arrive in Norway. The internet is fast and dependable, and there are several mobile phone options, while English media is also plentiful.

Internet in Norway

The internet in Norway ranks among the world’s best, with top-notch reliability and speed. You can get online just about everywhere, and many hotels, cafés and restaurants in the cities have WiFi for their customers. Internet connectivity reaches even the most rural areas in Norway.

Norway offers high fixed broadband speeds, and mobile 5G networks deliver even faster service. The country was ranked 14th globally for mobile speeds in 2025, with 5G coverage reaching 99 percent of the population.

Nearly 97 percent of households have access to at least 100 Mbps internet, with the government aiming for universal coverage by the end of 2025. The biggest telecom provider is the state-owned Telenor, which leads the market in speed. Other major providers include Telia and Ice.

Most Norwegians have broadband internet at home, so internet cafés are rare. If you need to use the internet but don’t own a laptop, your local library offers free access.

Useful links

• Telenor: Mobile and Internet Provider
• Telia: Mobile and Internet Provider

Mobile phones in Norway

Mobile phones in Norway are practically universally owned, and texting is a common form of communication. Landlines are becoming scarce in private homes, but are still used by most businesses. The main provider is Telenor, which owns the core infrastructure.

For a long-term stay in Norway, you’ll need a Norwegian identity number to apply for a phone contract. You will have an identification number assigned once your residency permit is approved.

For short-term stays, grab a kontantkort (pay-as-you-go SIM card), which doesn’t require a Norwegian identification number. When you arrive, you can check if your phone works in Norway. If so, buy a new SIM card with a Norwegian number from mobile phone shops, electronics shops like Elkjøp or Power, and some supermarkets and newsagents. Remember to bring your passport or ID when purchasing, as registration is mandatory.

Mycall offers SIM cards without requiring a D-number (temporary identification number), which helps new arrivals get connected quickly.

eSIM technology is now widely available through providers like Telenor, offering a digital alternative to physical SIM cards for compatible devices, including phones and smartwatches.

Useful links

• Mycall: Prepaid SIM Cards Without D-Number

Television in Norway

Television in Norway offers a window into the Norwegian psyche, culture, and language. Norway has four national television stations (NRK1, NRK2, NRK3 and NRK Super). Private companies such as TV2 and TVNorge, plus cable channels, let you watch your favourite shows from back home.

NRK is state owned and administrated by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs. The traditional TV licence fee in Norway has been replaced with an individual income-based tax, with the maximum individual contribution significantly lower than the previous household fee.

Many people subscribe to cable television services, with prices rising based on the number of channels in their package. You can also rent newly released movies through your cable provider.

Streaming services now dominate the Norwegian media scene, accounting for roughly 70 percent of all network traffic in the country.

Useful links

• NRK: Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation

English media in Norway

English media in Norway is abundant and easily accessible. Television shows and movies are frequently broadcast in English, numerous websites offer English versions, and local libraries maintain English book sections.

While Norwegian channels naturally feature local content, many television channels air both Norwegian and American or British programming. All shows include subtitles regardless of the language, and most television channels in Norway broadcast in English.

International news channels such as BBC World, CNN, Sky News, and Al Jazeera are available through subscription services. Norwegian documentaries and series produced by NRK and other local companies have gained recognition on the international stage, with several winning awards at major festivals.

Postal services in Norway

Postal services in Norway offer a trusted way to ship packages to your family. The Norwegian postal service (Posten Norge) delivers consistently, with international packages typically arriving within five to 10 business days.

For international letters to neighbouring countries like Denmark, Posten Norge aims for delivery within five working days, although actual times may vary.

Posten Norge has transformed its service in recent years, now offering more than 2,600 collection points throughout the country. This includes self-service parcel lockers called pakkeboks that you can access through the Posten app on your phone. This setup gives you flexibility in how and when you collect packages, with most users picking up their items within 24 hours of delivery.

Useful links

• Posten Norge: Norwegian Postal Service