Arelion Invests in Scandinavian Network for Enhanced AI Connectivity

Arelion's Ambitious Network Upgrades in Scandinavia



In a groundbreaking move, Arelion has unveiled substantial plans to enhance its network in Scandinavia, focusing on the burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence connectivity. This initiative represents a significant investment aimed at connecting hyperscale data centers across key cities, namely Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. The company aims to cater to the increasing demands of wholesale and enterprise customers who rely on robust AI and cloud applications.

The core of Arelion's upgrade strategy includes leveraging cutting-edge technological advancements such as 1.6 Tb/s Waves and scalable 400G coherent pluggable optics, implemented on Ciena's open 6500 Reconfigurable Line System. The expansion of its existing Tier-1 network is set to provide customers with enhanced bandwidth and diversity, ultimately enabling them to adopt new technologies more quickly and affordably.

Arelion, which is well-known for its existing terrestrial routes across Scandinavia, is also optimizing its connectivity by incorporating 13 subsea cables linking the Nordics and the Baltics. This proactive approach will bolster access to hyperscale data centers and additional AI campuses while completing new cable and duct construction projects that augment the existing infrastructure.

A key milestone in Arelion's journey was its early adoption of open optical networking, leading to significant achievements such as a 1,069-kilometer IP transmission with Cisco's 800G ZR+ coherent optics on the long-haul route between Stockholm and Hamburg. Additionally, in August 2024, Arelion achieved the world's first successful 1.6 Tb/s Wave data transmission using Ciena’s Wavelogic 6 Extreme technology, highlighting its commitment to innovation.

Virginie Hollebecque, Vice President and Leader of EMEA at Ciena, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating that it not only enhances network capacity but also improves energy efficiency, further solidifying Arelion’s pioneering status in the industry. The upgrade will be crucial in supporting Scandinavia's AI boom, thus facilitating continued innovation within the region.

Scandinavia is strategically positioned as a prime hub for data centers, thanks to its ample land availability, sustainable energy sources, and stable energy pricing compared to other European regions. The data center industry in Oslo alone boasts a capacity of 423 MW, with projections indicating that the Nordics may see an annual increase of 280-580 MW in installed capacity. Analysts predict that the region's data center construction market could reach a staggering $7.38 billion by 2030, growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.47 percent. Furthermore, the scope of the AI market in Scandinavia is anticipated to grow as well, with an expected CAGR of 26.24 percent, potentially reaching $19.90 billion by 2031.

Arelion plans to finalize its network enhancements by the end of the second quarter of 2025, with additional investments in Scandinavian infrastructure set for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. Johan Godal, Product Manager at Arelion, highlighted the company's long-standing commitment to evolve and meet the connectivity demands of its customers, asserting that this strategic upgrade is just the beginning of an ongoing investment plan.

By improving the network infrastructure, Arelion is enhancing customer access to its top-ranked global Internet backbone. This upgrade also expands Arelion's diverse connectivity services portfolio, which includes scalable IP Transit, Wavelengths, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), Cloud Connect, Global 40G Ethernet Virtual Circuit, and DDoS Mitigation services, catering to a wide range of service providers, content providers, and enterprises.

About Arelion


Arelion is at the forefront of solving global connectivity challenges, primarily for multinational enterprises dependent on digital infrastructure. With a presence in over 125 countries, the company boasts the world’s number one ranked IP backbone and a unique ecosystem of cloud and network service providers. Its award-winning customer experience emphasizes low latency connections to over 700 cloud, security, and content providers. In addition, Arelion provides enhanced resilience through its private Cloud Connect service, facilitating direct connections to major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Oracle cloud across North America, Europe, and Asia. For more details, visit Arelion's website and follow them on LinkedIn and X.

Topics Telecommunications)

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