Practical Information
AC power | Cell phone | Currency | Time | News in English | Weather and Climate | Wireless NetworkAC power in Norway
Power plugs used in Norway:
To the right is a picture of the grounded power plug used in Norway. More information about power plugs can be found at Conrad H. McGregor's web page (type F grounded power plugs, and type C ungrounded power plugs are used in Norway) about world standards.
Voltage: 230 Volts
International AC outlet adapters do not convert electric current. If an appliance does not accept 220-240 volt current, serious damage can result if a step down transformer is not also used to convert the current to 110-120 volts. Step down transformers convert 220/240 volt electricity to 110/120 volts for American appliances.
Frequency: 50 Hz
In Norway the 220-240 volt electricity is generated at 50 Hz (cycles). This difference in cycles may cause the motor in a 60 Hz North American appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50 Hz. Please note that many 60Hz devices such as clocks may not function normally on 50Hz current. More information about voltage and frequency can be found at Conrad H. McGregor's web page about world standards.
Top of pageCell phone
Will your cell phone work in Norway?
A cell phone is compatible with the norwegian cell phone network if:
- It operates in the 900/1800-MHz GSM frequency bands
- Can connect to the service providers in Norway; eigther via roaming or by switching the subscriber identification module (SIM) card.
More information about cell phones in an international context can be found in the Travel Insider's article about International Cell Phone Service. The main points from the article are described below.
The cell phone network in Norway uses the GSM standard. The TDMA and CDMA US standards are not supported in Norway. GSM operates in the 900-MHz and 1800-MHz bands in Europe and Asia, and in the 1900-MHz and 850-MHz band in the United States.
GSM is the international standard in Europe, Australia, and much of Asia and Africa. In covered areas, cell-phone users can buy one phone that will work anywhere where the standard is supported. To connect to the specific service providers in these different countries, GSM users simply switch subscriber identification module (SIM) cards.
Unfortunately, the 1900-MHz and 850-MHz GSM phones used in the United States are not compatible with the international system.
Dual band, tri band, and quad band cell phones
A GSM dual band, tri band, and quad band phones will work in Norway if the cell phone operates in one of the 900/1800MHz bands. Check the Travel Insider's article for more information about dual/tri/quad band cell phones.
Top of pageCurrency
The norwegian currency is NOK (NOrwegain Kroner). Check the Yahoo! Currency Converter for updated exchange rates.
Norges Bank provides more information about the norwegian currency.
Top of pageTime
Norway is on Central European Time (CET). Usually Norway is on UTC +1 (Coordinated Universal Time), but during the conference it is still summertime in Norway, so the time difference is therefore UTC +2.
Top of pageNews in English
Aftenposten, one of the national newspapers in Oslo, publish News from Norway (in English).
Top of pageWeather and Climate
The weather and climate in Trondheim in late August and early September can vary a lot. The summer may still be lingering in Trondheim. It is wise to be prepared for the occational shower by bringing along an umbrella. The temperature in late August is usually between 10 to 20 degrees Celcius (between 50 to 68 degrees Farenheit), and the average temperature for August is 12.9 degrees Celcius (55.2 degrees Farenheit).
The current weather condtions in Trondheim, as well as a 10 day forecast, is available at The weather channel website.
Top of pageWireless Network
The wireless network will be setup on Sunday, August 27. There will be six base stations located in the conference area. The normal hotel rooms will not have access to the VLDB wireless network, only the conference area will be covered.
The ESSID of the wireless network, and how to setup a computer to access the wireless network, will be published soon.
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