TeliaSonera mobile chief steps down on Uzbekistan criticism

TeliaSonera appointed Sverker Hannervall as acting president of Business Area Mobility Services. He will assume the position with immediate effect and remain in his current position as member of Group Management and head of Business Services. 

He succeeds Tero Kivisaari who will take on other duties in the Group. The company said Kivisaari’s role in TeliaSonera’s criticised investments in Uzbekistan, and the attention surrounding them, "has made it impossible for him to act with the internal and external authority necessary for the president of the largest business area of TeliaSonera". 

An independent report commissioned by the operator had earlier cleared it of any wrongdoing in Uzbekistan, but said its business practices and procedures had not lived up to the highest standards. TeliaSonera said the shortcomings "were, to a great extent, a consequence of inadequate procedures and controls", and it's now working on strengthening governance. The Uzbekistan case remains under investigation by the Swedish public prosecutor.