When Robert Karlsson joined Microsoft in 2016, Microsoft Teams had not yet launched and the term “Copilot” was mostly associated with aviation. Now, after eight successful years at Microsoft, he is making a career move to Tele2.
What do you take with you from your time at Microsoft?
“Above all, the experience of working at a company that is truly at the center of events and product development,” Robert says. He explains that he moved from Telia to Microsoft to develop telephony for Skype for Business, a project that shortly thereafter evolved into work around Teams.
“When Teams launched everything changed. It began as a simple platform for chat and collaboration but, through intense product development and competition, it has become a central part of how customers work every day.”
Four years with Microsoft Teams Room (MTR)
For the past four years Robert has focused on building Microsoft’s business around Microsoft Teams Room (MTR) across Europe.
“It’s been extremely rewarding to see MTR solutions become a core component of the UC stack (Unified Communications). These room solutions have reshaped how organizations run meetings and collaborate in hybrid settings.”
What attracted you to Tele2?
Robert says he was drawn to Tele2’s fast-moving, customer-focused organization.
“As both an operator and an integrator, Tele2 offers a breadth that a single platform provider cannot match. I’ve also missed being close to end customers, and I’m looking forward to that again.”
He emphasizes that the role at Tele2 offers the chance to contribute both strategically and operationally:
“I want to be a clear value creator and help customers digitize and transform their operations. Tele2 is uniquely positioned to deliver holistic solutions across network, telephony and collaboration tools.”
What will you do at Tele2?
Robert will work in business development as part of a team made up of both business developers and technical specialists.
“My role will include close collaboration with the sales organization, supporting customer meetings and sharing my specialist knowledge. I will also take a public-facing role to communicate Tele2’s message to customers and partners. Finally, I will help build the business by identifying trends and opportunities together with customers.”
He highlights the importance of combining platform expertise with traditional telecom experience to meet today’s demands for digital solutions. This combination is essential to provide robust, integrated offerings that support organizations through their digital transformations.
How does Tele2 compare internationally?
According to Robert, Tele2’s product portfolio is among the strongest on the market.
“Tele2 combines a solid infrastructure suitable for all types of companies with a broad portfolio of value-adding services — from classic telephony platforms to advanced UC solutions. There is huge potential, especially when integrating platforms such as Microsoft Teams as a foundation. The opportunity lies in delivering end-to-end solutions that let customers simplify operations while gaining advanced collaboration capabilities.”
Sweden and the Nordics in the telecom world
Robert points out that the Nordics are among the most mature markets in Europe.
“Customers here are curious and willing to test new solutions. Sweden has been at the forefront of innovation since the 2000s, with developments such as Nokia’s mobile systems, and during the pandemic we adapted quickly to remote work. That mindset of rapid adoption and experimentation continues to drive the region.”
Vision for the future at Tele2
In two years Robert hopes to have broadened his skill set further and helped Tele2’s customers create the best possible meeting experiences.
“I want to contribute to making room solutions a natural part of the UC offering while helping customers integrate business-specific features and workflows. It’s about delivering a comprehensive experience that no other provider can match.”