Com Hem

Com Hem was a Swedish telecommunications and pay-TV brand that developed from the cable-television operations of the former state-owned telecommunications organization Televerket. Established in 1983 as Televerket Kabel-TV, it passed through the names Svenska Kabel-TV AB and Telia InfoMedia TeleVision AB before adopting the Com Hem name in 1999. The name was a play on the Swedish phrase “kom hem,” meaning “come home,” and became associated with the company’s residential communications services. The company’s core infrastructure was a cable network serving Swedish households and property developments. It initially focused on television distribution, introducing digital television in 1997. In 1999, Com Hem launched broadband access over its proprietary cable network. Voice-over-IP fixed telephony followed in 2004, allowing the company to offer television, internet, and telephone services as an integrated triple-play package. It described itself as Sweden’s first nationwide triple-play provider after the introduction of the telephone service. Com Hem’s consumer offer combined broadband access, fixed-line telephony, and a broad selection of television channels. By 2021, the service had carried more than 135 television channels, in addition to local and international programming that could vary by location. The company also supplied interactive and property-management services intended to help building owners manage communications, maintenance, and resident information. Its network-centric business model made apartment blocks and other multi-dwelling properties important distribution points. Ownership changed several times. In 2003, Telia sold Com Hem to EQT after European Union competition concerns associated with Telia’s merger with Sonera required a divestment. EQT later sold the company to BC Partners in 2011. Com Hem completed an initial public offering on 17 June 2014 and became a Stockholm-listed company. Kinnevik acquired approximately 18.5 percent of the shares in April 2017 and became the company’s largest shareholder at that point. Tele2 agreed to acquire Com Hem, completing the transaction in 2018. Under Tele2 ownership, the Com Hem brand continued to offer fixed broadband, television, and telephony, and it also operated mobile services as a mobile virtual network operator using Tele2 network infrastructure. In early 2020, the group introduced Penny as an online-focused companion brand for mobile and broadband services. Penny’s operations were managed by Tele2 from 2021. The brand experienced both customer-service criticism and later improvement. Svenskt Kvalitetsindex ranked Com Hem as the least-satisfied television brand in Sweden in surveys conducted in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Later measurements showed a substantial improvement, with Com Hem moving close to the top of the customer-satisfaction rankings. The company also completed a major change to its television distribution by withdrawing analogue channels from its cable network on 8 September 2020. On 27 April 2021, Tele2 discontinued use of the Com Hem brand while continuing to provide the associated services under the Tele2 name. Com Hem therefore remains historically important as a Swedish cable and triple-play provider, but it is no longer an active standalone consumer brand.

Com Hem originated in Sweden’s former state telecommunications structure. It was founded in 1983 as Televerket Kabel-TV, a cable-television operation associated with Televerket. The business was subsequently known as Svenska Kabel-TV AB and Telia InfoMedia TeleVision AB before adopting the Com Hem name in 1999. The name referred to the Swedish expression “kom hem,” or “come home,” and gave the company a consumer-facing identity distinct from the broader Telia organization. Television distribution remained the foundation of the business, but Com Hem progressively expanded into a broader fixed communications provider. Digital television was introduced in 1997, followed by broadband service over the company’s cable network in 1999. In 2004, Com Hem introduced voice-over-IP fixed telephony. These additions enabled a bundled triple-play proposition consisting of cable television, broadband internet, and fixed-line telephone service. The company’s infrastructure connected households across Sweden and was particularly significant in apartment buildings and other multi-dwelling properties. The company’s ownership history reflected changes in the Swedish and European telecommunications markets. In 2003, Telia sold Com Hem to EQT to meet European Union competition requirements connected with Telia’s merger with Sonera of Finland. EQT sold the company to BC Partners in 2011. Com Hem went public on 17 June 2014, becoming listed on the Stockholm stock exchange. In April 2017, investment company Kinnevik acquired approximately 18.5 percent of Com Hem and became its largest shareholder. Tele2 acquired Com Hem in 2018. Following the acquisition, Com Hem continued to operate as a consumer brand within the Tele2 group. Its services included cable broadband, television, fixed telephony, and mobile offerings delivered as a mobile virtual network operator over Tele2-related infrastructure. The brand also supported services for property owners, including interactive tools for communications, maintenance, and resident information. In early 2020, an online-oriented companion brand called Penny was introduced for mobile and broadband services; Tele2 managed Penny from 2021. Com Hem’s market reputation changed over time. Svenskt Kvalitetsindex customer surveys ranked it as Sweden’s least-satisfied television brand in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Later surveys indicated that customer satisfaction improved significantly, bringing the brand close to the top of the relevant rankings. The company also modernized its television distribution. On 8 September 2020, it withdrew analogue channels from its cable network, completing an important transition toward digital delivery. At its height, the service offered more than 135 television channels, with the exact lineup varying by market and property. Tele2 ultimately consolidated the consumer proposition under its own name. On 27 April 2021, it ended use of the Com Hem brand while retaining the associated services and infrastructure within Tele2. Com Hem is consequently a defunct standalone brand, although its network, products, and market history form part of Tele2’s Swedish telecommunications operations.

• 2021

  Brand retired by Tele2

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Tele2 discontinued the Com Hem name on 27 April and continued the services under the Tele2 brand.

• 2020

  Analogue television withdrawn

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Analogue cable channels were withdrawn on 8 September.

• 2018

  Tele2 acquisition completed

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Tele2 acquired Com Hem and incorporated the company into its telecommunications group.

• 2017

  Kinnevik takes a major stake

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Kinnevik acquired approximately 18.5 percent of the shares and became Com Hem’s largest shareholder.

• 2014

  Initial public offering

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Com Hem completed its IPO on 17 June and became listed on the Stockholm stock exchange.

• 2011

  BC Partners acquires Com Hem

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  BC Partners acquired the company from EQT.

• 2004

  Triple-play service completed

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  The launch of voice-over-IP fixed telephony enabled the company to offer television, broadband, and telephone services together.

• 2003

  Sold by Telia to EQT

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Telia divested Com Hem to EQT in connection with European Union competition requirements following the Telia–Sonera merger.

• 1999

  Com Hem name adopted

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  The business adopted the Com Hem name after operating under several earlier corporate names.

• 1999

  Cable broadband launched

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Broadband access was launched using Com Hem’s proprietary cable infrastructure.

• 1997

  Digital television introduced

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  Com Hem began offering digital television over its cable network.

• 1983

  Established as Televerket Kabel-TV

  [1]Com Hemen.wikipedia.org

  The cable-television operation was founded within the former state-owned Televerket telecommunications organization.

Mass-market Swedish residential communications provider built around cable-network broadband, television, and bundled triple-play services.

• Broadband internet · 1999

  Cable broadband

  Com Hem provided residential broadband access over its proprietary cable network. The service was available to households connected to the Com Hem cable network and formed one of the principal components of the company’s triple-play proposition. Its fixed infrastructure also supported broadband offerings for multi-dwelling buildings and property owners.

• Pay television · 1997

  Digital television

  Digital television was introduced in 1997 and became a central part of Com Hem’s residential service portfolio. The platform offered a wide selection of Swedish, international, specialist, and local channels, with more than 135 channels available in 2021 according to the referenced material. Analogue channels were withdrawn from the network in September 2020.

• Voice communications · 2004

  Fixed-line telephony

  Com Hem introduced voice-over-IP fixed telephony in 2004. The service used the company’s fixed communications infrastructure and completed its offering of television, broadband, and telephone services in a nationwide triple-play package.

• Mobile telecommunications

  Mobile services

  Com Hem also operated mobile services as a mobile virtual network operator. These services used Tele2-related network infrastructure, including infrastructure associated with 2G GSM, 3G UMTS, and 4G LTE networks. The mobile proposition complemented the brand’s fixed broadband and television products.

• Property technology and building services

  Property communication services

  In addition to household services, Com Hem supplied interactive tools for property owners. These services supported building communication, administration, maintenance, and information exchange with residents, extending the company’s role beyond consumer connectivity.

• 2021

  Retirement of the Com Hem brandStrategy

  Background

  After acquiring Com Hem, Tele2 pursued greater brand consolidation across its Swedish consumer communications business.

  Action taken

  Tele2 discontinued use of the Com Hem name on 27 April 2021 and continued providing the services under the Tele2 brand.

  Aftermath

  Com Hem ceased to exist as an active standalone consumer brand, although its services and infrastructure continued within Tele2.

  Source

• 2020

  Analogue-to-digital television transitionGeneration change

  Background

  The company’s cable network was transitioning from legacy analogue television distribution to digital delivery.

  Action taken

  Com Hem withdrew analogue channels from its cable network on 8 September 2020.

  Aftermath

  Television distribution continued through digital services and channel packages.

  Source

• 2018

  Tele2 acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Com Hem was a major Swedish cable, broadband, and pay-TV operator with complementary fixed and mobile communications activities.

  Action taken

  Tele2 acquired Com Hem and brought it into the Tele2 group.

  Aftermath

  The Com Hem services continued within Tele2, while the group later consolidated the consumer branding under Tele2.

  Source

• 2003

  Divestment to EQTM&A

  Background

  Telia’s merger with Sonera created European Union competition concerns that required the sale of Com Hem.

  Action taken

  Telia sold Com Hem to investment firm EQT.

  Aftermath

  Com Hem became an independently owned cable and broadband operator before later ownership changes.

  Source

1. 1Com Hemen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Com Hem official websitecomhem.se