Atea dividend policy - increased payout ratio

Due to consistent strong performance the Board of
Directors in Atea ASA has in Board meeting 20 October
2010 decided to change the dividend policy by
increasing the payout ratio from currently 10-40 per
cent of net profit to 40-60 per cent of net profit
adjusted for normalized tax.

It is the Board of Directors' objective to offer
competitive returns to its shareholders supported by
a high dividend pay out ratio.

Atea will continue to combine organic growth with
growth through acquisitions, as Atea has the
financial strength and a clear intent to continue
playing an important role in the ongoing market
consolidation.


For further information, please contact:
Claus Hougesen, CEO Atea ASA, mobile + 45 3078 1200
Rune Falstad, CFO Atea ASA, mobile +47 906 14 482


About Atea
Atea is the leading Nordic and Baltic supplier of IT
infrastructure with approximately 4800 employees.
Atea is present in 73 cities in Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Atea
delivers IT products from leading vendors and assists
its customers with specialist competencies within IT
infrastructure services. Atea has annual revenue of
approximately NOK 15 billion and is listed on Oslo
Stock Exchange. [http://www.atea.com]