After exceeding its initial 2025 target of reaching 1 million individuals through various digital skills building initiatives by the end of 2022, Telia set a new, more ambitious target of reaching 2.2 million people between 2021 and 2026. The primary focus is on building digital skills among seniors, children, immigrants, women and small companies. So far, Telia’s digital inclusion initiatives have reached around 1.4 million individuals in the Nordic and Baltic countries.

As societies digitalize, risks and opportunities linked to digital skills are increasing. Those who are excluded risk being left behind when services such as health care, banking and education are digitalized, and as other social arenas continue to move online. By contrast, those who are digitally included can make the most of new opportunities.

Technology enables seniors to be socially active and access vital online services, such as those related to banking and health. However, technology can be challenging. During 2023, the “Safely online” initiative –the result of a partnership between Telia and OP Financial Group in Finland – encouraged nearly 6,000 seniors to embrace the online world. An impact assessment revealed that participants were able to enhance their everyday digital safety skills, for example by learning how to recognize phishing attempts and safely use digital services.

Immigrants in Telia’s markets face barriers that could prevent them from being included in society. To help them overcome some of these barriers, Telia launched the “Digital in Sweden” initiative together with municipalities around the country. During 2023, Telia and its partners organized 15 events and inspired over 300 new arrivals to use important digital community services. More than 80% of the participants who took part in a subsequent evaluation said they wanted to try more digital services after participating in one of the events, and most also thought that their level of knowledge had increased.

Telia remains committed to connecting everyone to the most trusted, reliable and efficient modern networks. Ensuring that everyone has access to reliable connectivity and the right digital skills is the key to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital world.

To learn more about this and related topics, see Telia’s 2023 Annual and Sustainability Report and read about the company’s approach to digital inclusion.