Shaping Norway’s Digital Future

Annex A. Mapping Norway’s major digital policies in force

Table A.1. Norway’s digital policy landscape

Name	Description	Date	Budget	NDS linkage	Responsible entity	Dimension
Meld. St. 28 (2020-2021) Our common digital foundation – Mobile, broadband and Internet services	This report to the Storting presented the government’s broad policies on electronic communications on topics such as: mobile and broadband coverage frequency allocations security and resilience market regulation	2021-present	599 000 000 NOK/Dedicated/Annual	Co-ordinated	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nkom	Access
Optional coverage obligation discount in auction price for high-speed broadband in rural areas	In September 2021, the Nkom auctioned spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands. A discount in auction price was available to bidders that committed to providing broadband services with download capacity of at least 100 Mbps in rural areas. Altibox, Ice, Telia and Telenor all chose to accept this commitment, and will receive a total discount of up to NOK 560 million, pending on fulfillment of the coverage obligation. The buildout period is until 1 July 2015. In this manner, the assignment of the 2.6 GHz and the 3.6 GHz bands was an important step towards the government goal of making high-speed broadband available to all households and businesses in Norway.	2021- present	560 000 000 NOK/ Dedicated/Multi-year/four years to spend	None	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nkom	Access
Security and resilience scheme	The government supports increased security and resilience in electronic communications networks through an annual grant that is allocated to several purposes: Agreements with providers regarding resilience measures and equipment. A reinforced electronic communication programme, establishing at least one area in selected municipalities with reinforced electronic communication services for local crisis management, as well as for the rest of the population. This aim is achieved by securing backup power for a minimum of three days to base stations and important transmission hubs in designated areas, and in some cases also through establishing an alternative connection to base stations. From 2014 to 2023, reinforced electronic communication has been established, or is under establishment, in more than 90 municipalities spread across the country. New municipalities will be included in 2024. Measures for strengthening the resilience of electronic communication in vulnerable regions. The aim of the programme is to identify measures that will significantly increase the robustness of the electronic communication in rural areas, by preventing outages of electronic communication services and improving the way outages are managed. The measures following risk and vulnerability analyses for a specific rural area can, for example, be to increase the number of connection routes in the transport networks and strengthen security at key points in electronic communication networks. Covering costs related to implementation and operation of an emergency alert system based on cell broadcast-technology in the networks of the mobile network providers. In addition to the above-mentioned measures running over multiple years, funds from the scheme have been used over the last few years to strengthen the security for telecommunications services on the Norwegian continental shelf, through several measures to increase the security for telecommunication infrastructure that support the Norwegian oil and gas production strengthen communications to and from Svalbard improve the backup solution for communications at Svalbard support establishment of a new fibre cable from Norway to Denmark upgrade the solution for priority in the mobile providers’ networks for users that perform tasks that are critical to the society (from 2G to 4G and 5G and also including data sessions).	2006- present	188 000 000 NOK/ Dedicated/ Annual	Co-ordinated	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nkom	Access
Broadband support scheme	The government supports broadband rollout in rural areas through a state aid measure, with a yearly grant depending on Parliament’s budget decision. For 2024, NOK 400 million has been allocated to the scheme. The measure has contributed to a high coverage of fast broadband in Norway, approximately 95 percent For 100 Mbps for the country as a whole.	2018- present	400 000 000 NOK/ Dedicated/ Annual	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nkom, regional authorities	Access
Data as a resource Meld. St. 22 (2020-21). Report to the Storting (White Paper).	This report to the Storting presents the government’s policy for value creation using data as a resource. The government wants Norway to leverage the potential of data to enhance value creation, create new jobs and to improve public sector efficiency. Better use of data is important if Norway is to succeed in the transition to a more sustainable society and a greener economy. The government’s ambition is to see increased data sharing within the private sector and between the private and public sectors. Data now account for an increasing proportion of value creation in most Norwegian industries and sectors, but the private sector must become even better at using its own data and at sharing data with others. Greater access to and better use of data within the private sector can help start-ups, growth companies and established businesses develop new business models, products and services. This, in turn, can help make Norwegian business and industry more competitive, both nationally and internationally.	2021- present	300 000 000 NOK/ Repurposed/ Annual	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Innovation
Norwegian Data Centres	Strengthen the promotion of Norway as a data centre nation. Make it easier to establish data centres in Norway by publishing a guide in English for foreign actors. Facilitate sustainable development of the data centre industry in Norway.	2021-present	None	Co-ordinated	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Innovation
Sandbox for responsible artificial intelligence	The main mission for the Data Protection Authority’s regulatory sandbox is to stimulate the innovation of responsible AI. The sandbox provides free guidance to a handful of carefully selected companies, of varying types and sizes, across different sectors, in exchange for full openness about the assessments that are made.	2020-present	4 000 000 NOK/ Dedicated/ Annual	None	Datatilsynet	Innovation
The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence	The strategy should serve as a framework for both public and private entities seeking to develop and use AI. The strategy focuses on specifying what is meant by AI and on describing some areas where it will be important for Norway to exploit the opportunities offered by AI. AI is constantly evolving. For this reason, no specific time period is applied to the strategy. There will be a need to adjust and evaluate the strategy at appropriate intervals, in line with technological and social developments.	2020-present	None	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Innovation
An innovative public sector Culture, leadership and competence. Meld. St. 30 (2019-2020). White Paper to the Storting	The White Paper on Innovation in the Public Sector (2019-20) addresses important features of the development in this field, the present situation, the need for change and government policy to foster innovation in the public sector. The government’s goal is an efficient public sector that provides good services to its citizens, enjoys a high level of trust in the population and finds new solutions to societal challenges in co-operation with citizens, business and industry, research environments and civil society. To achieve this goal, the government has developed three principles to foster public sector innovation: Politicians and public authorities need to grant freedom of action and provide incentives for innovation. Leaders must develop a culture of and competence in innovation, where people have the courage to think differently and learn from mistakes and successes. Public agencies must seek new forms of collaboration.	2021-present	10 000 000 NOK/ Repurposed/ Annual	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Use, Society
Meld. St. 5 (2022 2023) Report to the Storting (White Paper) Long-term plan for research and higher education 2023–2032	The long-term plan sets objectives and priority areas with a ten-year perspective and contains more concrete goals for the efforts in the current four-year plan period. The first long-term plan for research and higher education was put forward in 2014 (Meld. St. 7 (2014-2015)). Since its introduction, the plan was revised in 2018 and 2022. Parliament adopted the current plan that will apply for 2023-32. Missions have been launched in the current long-term plan as a new instrument in Norwegian research and innovation policy. The first two missions are on sustainable food and inclusion of more children and young people in education, employment and society.	2023-32	None	Co-ordinated	Ministry of Education and Research	Innovation
Finanstilsynet’s regulatory sandbox	In the regulatory sandbox, fintech firms are given the opportunity to launch new, innovative products, technologies and services while being followed up by Finanstilsynet. Among other things, the firms will learn which permissions are required. The purpose of the sandbox is to: help innovative businesses gain increased knowledge about the relevant regulations help raise Finanstilsynet’s understanding of new technological solutions in the financial market enable technological innovation and open up for new players.	2018-present	None	None	Finanstilsynet	Innovation
National Strategy for eHealth	The national e-health strategy is the healthcare sector’s joint strategy for digitalisation and should contribute to common overall priorities and increased execution ability in the e-health sector in Norway. It should be in line with political guidelines and provide direction for the actors’ own strategies and plans in the area of digitalisation. The strategy points out a long-term direction at the same time as it should be adapted to experience and changes in circumstances. A vision has been defined that sets the overall direction for what we are going to achieve with the digitalisation work in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, it defines three overarching goals that clarify which effects digitalisation, and this strategy, will contribute to: Quality and coherence of the services A sustainable health and care sector Power to innovate.	2023-present	None	Yes	Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, The Directorate of e-health	Innovation, Society
National Cyber Security Strategy for Norway	This strategy is intended to address the challenges that will inevitably arise in conjunction with the rapid and far-reaching digitalisation of Norwegian society.	2019-present	1 600 000 000 NOK/ Repurposed/ Multi-year/four years to spend	Yes	Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Ministry of Defence	Trust
One digital public sector. Digital strategy for the public sector 2019-2025	The strategy defines the common goals and focus areas for digitalisation activities towards 2025 and will support digital transformation throughout the entire public sector. Goals/focus areas: seamless services and user-centric focus increased data sharing and value creation clear and digitalisation-friendly regulations a common ecosystem for national digital collaboration governance and co-ordination for a more seamless public sector enhanced co-operation with the public sector increased digital competence in the public sector.	2019-2025	1 000 000 000 NOK/ Repurposed/ Annual	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Use, Society
Digital throughout life. National strategy to improve digital participation and competence in the population	This strategy aims to prevent digital exclusion in Norway. A linked document, the “Action plan for increased inclusion in a digital society”, is also relevant.	2021-present	15 000 000 NOK/ Repurposed/ Annual	Yes	Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development	Use, Society, Jobs
Meld. St. 14 (2022–2023) Report to the Storting (White Paper) Overview of skills needs in Norway	The White Paper on skills needs in Norway addresses a structural shortage of labour and unmet demand for several central and critical competences, and the necessity to prioritise in education and skills policy. In the White Paper, the government presents its following priorities: (1) competence that is necessary for a highly productive and competitive business life; (2) competence that is necessary to carry out the green transition; (3) competence that is necessary to have good welfare services throughout the country and to handle the demographic development, balanced against the need for labour in other sectors of society; and (4) to qualify and mobilise more of those outside the workforce. The White Paper consists of 48 measures.	2023-present	None	None	Ministry of Education and Research	Use, Society, Jobs

Note: Norway’s National Digital Strategy “Digital Agenda for Norway” is excluded given it will be replaced by a new strategy under development. Policies developed under the auspices of the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development now fall under the responsibility of the Norwegian Ministry for Digitalisation and Public Governance.

Source: OECD 2024 Digital Economy Outlook Questionnaire and the Norwegian government.