Widespread Telia Service Disruptions Paralyze Communications and Retail in Sweden on December 9, 2025

On the evening of December 9, 2025, Telia experienced widespread IT and telecommunications service disruptions across Sweden, affecting thousands of customers and critical services. Over 4,400 customers reported difficulties with calling, texting, mobile network, and internet access, while Telia’s website was also down, intensifying public frustration.

The disturbances began around 5:30 PM, with impairments impacting not only personal communication but also public services and retail operations. In Region Stockholm, IT issues hampered communication with hospitals and transportation services, causing significant delays. Sara Ohlsson recounted a two-hour wait to book transportation for her ill mother-in-law, highlighting how vulnerable populations were adversely affected. Healthcare workers faced operational delays as contacting surgeons became impossible due to the telecommunications outage.

Retail was equally hard hit. Coop stores nationwide reported card payment failures due to Telia’s disruptions. The situation escalated at Stora Coop in Falun, which was forced to close after two hours of operating with limited cash and self-scanning options, as all payment systems failed. Store employee Niklas Olsson described the scene as chaotic, with disappointed customers abandoning shopping carts, especially impactful as it coincided with a members’ discount day.

Authorities grappled with these issues alongside the ongoing problems. The police hotline 11414 was rendered inaccessible, with an alternative number provided, while the emergency number 112 remained operational. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and regional authorities, such as Region Gävleborg, entered crisis management modes and actively monitored the situation.

Telia press chief Roija Rafii acknowledged the disruptions, confirming disturbances affecting mobile and television services, although not all users were affected uniformly. The cause remains unclear, but the company’s IT technicians are prioritizing swift resolution efforts without providing a specific timeline for restoration. The outages extended beyond Sweden, also impacting Telia customers in Norway.

This broad service interruption highlights vulnerabilities in Sweden’s digital infrastructure, disrupting daily life, healthcare, emergency communications, and commerce simultaneously. Authorities and Telia continue coordinated efforts to restore services and mitigate further impacts.