#Finland #atNorth #Helsinki #Nokia #Cloud Services

Nokia and atNorth's Strategic Collaboration in Finland

In a significant step toward improving cloud services in Finland, Nokia has announced its partnership with atNorth, a top Nordic provider specializing in colocation and high-performance computing. This collaboration aims to bolster Nokia's cloud infrastructure with an expansive multi-megawatt deployment at atNorth's new FIN02 data center located in Helsinki. The contract is set to span 12 years, with options for extensions totaling over 10 megawatts, indicating a long-term commitment between the two tech giants.

Nokia is renowned as a global leader in the telecommunications and networking sector, proudly headquartered in Finland. The country's favorable climate and a strong commitment to renewable energy supply have allowed Nokia to harness these resources, leading to greater sustainability in its operations. Earlier this year, the company was recognized as the most sustainable telecommunications firm worldwide, highlighting its ongoing efforts to maintain an environmentally friendly approach.

The relationship between Nokia and atNorth is not brand new; it has evolved over time through atNorth's effective use of Nokia's data center switches that power its high-performance computing as a service (HPCaaS) platform, which caters to clients operating from data centers across Iceland and Sweden. As the data center industry continues to evolve, Nokia recognized the need for a partner that could meet its high-density infrastructure demands while maintaining a focus on sustainability. Specifically, Nokia required infrastructure capable of supporting workloads exceeding 130 kilowatts per rack, characterized by rapid deployment capabilities and future scalability.

Located in the Greater Helsinki area, the FIN02 data center has been designed with sustainability at its core. The facility utilizes renewable energy, features advanced power solutions, and incorporates liquid cooling capabilities to handle the substantial demands associated with high-performance workloads. It boasts a modular design that is fully scalable and capable of supporting a wide range of demanding applications.

One notable development is atNorth's collaboration with Kesko Corporation, which allows for innovative waste heat recycling systems. This system effectively channels excess heat from the data center to warm a nearby retail store, greatly minimizing the carbon output associated with the facility’s operations.

"With atNorth, we found a partner that could fulfill our complex technical requirements without compromising our sustainability goals," stated Marika Mentula, Nokia's Vice President for Network Infrastructure North Europe. This partnership is not just about enhancing cloud infrastructure; it represents a shared commitment to implementing high-performance computing solutions that benefit not only the organizations involved but also the broader environment.

Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, remarked on the escalating demand for sustainable data center solutions. "As the industry continues to capture more attention and grow at an unprecedented pace, businesses increasingly seek comprehensive solutions that encompass sustainability, security, and scalability," he stated. His sentiments underline the importance of their longstanding partnership with Nokia, rooted in mutual sustainability commitments and the shared ambition of delivering reliable, top-tier data management and processing solutions.

This exciting collaboration unfolds against a backdrop of atNorth’s continued expansion, which includes recent announcements regarding its partnerships geared towards heat reuse and the construction of additional metro sites near Helsinki. The firm also has plans for a massive new site being developed in Kouvola, anticipated to open by the close of 2025.

About atNorth

atNorth has made a name for itself as a leading provider of data center services in the Nordic region, specializing in scalable and economical colocation and heavyweight computing services. Following its acquisition of Gompute in 2023, the company has been able to deliver a compelling stack of offerings tailored for artificial intelligence and other high-performance demands. Every atNorth site is designed with renewable energy principles in mind and embraces innovative solutions to support circular economy concepts.

Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, atNorth operates eight data centers strategically distributed across the Nordics, with further expansions planned for Denmark and Sweden. The firm remains dedicated to providing businesses with flexible and efficient infrastructure solutions, enabling advanced workloads and fostering sustainability throughout their operations.

About Nokia

Nokia stands at the forefront of global technology, creating systems that enable seamless connectivity across the globe. Through a commitment to innovation and reliability, Nokia delivers secure, sustainable networks and groundbreaking technological advancements. As a prominent entity in the mobile, fixed, and cloud networking landscapes, Nokia also leverages its extensive intellectual property and legacy of research led by the esteemed Nokia Bell Labs, marking a century of innovation excellence.

With unwavering dedication to integrating truly open architectures, Nokia partners with enterprises worldwide to create transformative digital services and applications that meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses alike.