Arelion boosts Scandinavian network for AI market expansion

Arelion invests in its Scandinavian network to connect data centres and meet AI market demand in the Nordics.

  • Tuesday, 2nd September 2025 Posted 9 hours ago in by Aaron Sandhu

Arelion today announced substantial fibre investments in its extensive Scandinavian network, connecting hyperscale data centres to cater to the region’s burgeoning AI markets. By deploying new high-fibre count cables within existing ducts between Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen, Arelion seeks to fortify its leading presence in the Nordic fibre sector. These upgrades bolster long-term fibre availability, catering to the accelerating demand for AI infrastructure while reinforcing network resilience across the Nordics.

Through this investment, Arelion not only enhances its existing network but also facilitates direct connectivity into Europe, North America, and beyond. Their mesh of terrestrial routes spans Scandinavia, providing access to 13 subsea cables linking the Nordics to the Baltics.

As part of the modernisation, Arelion links hyperscale data centres through newly constructed local infrastructure, alongside augmenting fibre within current ducts. Holding significant Nordic duct capacity, the expansion will introduce high-fiber count cables between Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen.

Scandinavia’s strategic role as a data centre hub is due to its ample land, sustainable power, and consistent energy pricing. Oslo alone possesses a total data centre capacity of 423 MW, with forecasts suggesting an annual increase of 280-580 MW. The local data centre construction market is projected to reach $7.38 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 23.47 percent.

The region’s AI market is flourishing, expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.24 percent, reaching $19.90 billion by 2031. Arelion aims to finalise this network upgrade by 2026, promising further expansion into 2027.

Arelion, formerly Telia International Carrier, originally laid its Scandinavian network foundations 25 years ago. "This strategic upgrade is the first step in a series of ongoing investments," remarked Daniel Kurgan, CEO at Arelion.

With this upgrade, Arelion elevates customer connectivity, offering reliable, varied services such as scalable IP Transit, Wavelengths, Dedicated Internet Access, Cloud Connect, Global Ethernet Virtual Circuit, and DDoS Mitigation.