1881.no

The story of 1881.no begins long before the internet, with the advent of the telephone in Norway around 1880. Initially, switchboard operators were the gatekeepers of contact information, a system that functioned while phone networks were small and manual. This service was an essential part of the state-owned Televerket, which later became Telenor. For decades, dialing for information was a fundamental utility for Norwegians. As telephone usage grew, the directory service was formalized and eventually decentralized across the country. The first major shift came with the internet, which threatened the core business of manual directory assistance. The company adapted, launching online services and mobile apps to provide information through new digital channels. This evolution marked a transition from a simple telephone number lookup to a comprehensive information provider. In a significant strategic move in 2007, Opplysningen 1881, then still controlled by Telenor, acquired the mobile technology company Carrot Communications. This wasn't just a sale; it was a merger that brought in new expertise and major new owners, the Anders Wilhelmsen group and Kistefos, alongside Telenor, which retained a minority stake. This transaction set the stage for the company's future. Today, 1881 Group AS is a holding company owned by Kistefos, encompassing not just the core directory service but also subsidiaries in digital marketing. The original telephone service still operates, but the company's focus has expanded to a suite of digital products, including a popular mobile app with caller ID and services for business marketing, demonstrating a successful pivot from a state-run utility to a modern, privately-held digital media company.