Nordic telecom operator TeliaSonera on Thursday said its net profit for 2009 was nearly unchanged from the previous year and forecast modest growth for 2010.

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The company's 2009 net profit was down one percent from 2008, to 18.85 billion Swedish kronor (1.9 billion euros, 2.59 billion dollars), while its sales were up five percent to 109.16 billion kronor.

TeliaSonera said it planned to increase its sales in 2010, not taking into account currency changes and takeovers, but warned exchange rate fluctuations could affect its results in Swedish kronor.

It also wants to further its investments in emerging markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and said it was planning to bring its investments-to-sale ratio to 15 percent in 2010, compared to 12.8 percent in 2009.

"We are therefore in the fortunate position that we can increase capital expenditures for 2010 to secure our future growth," chief executive Lars Nyberg said.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, TeliaSonera's net profit fell by 13 percent to 4.9 billion kronor, while sales fell 2.0 percent to 27.41 billion.

The group said the slight fall could be explained by the effect of the rise of the Swedish krona on its foreign revenue and higher income tax.

At the end of 2009, Telenor had 147,6 million mobile phone customers.

TeliaSonera competes with slightly larger Telenor for top place among Nordic telecom service providers.