GlobalConnect has completed a major expansion of its digital infrastructure in the northernmost parts of the Nordic region. The investment increases capacity in the region and creates several new, independent connections between cities such as Luleå, Narvik, Sundsvall, Trondheim and Helsinki, strengthening both the stability and resilience of the network.
Several new international connections have been established in the existing network by increasing the capacity of the fiber cables, while upgrading existing routes. This can be likened to creating more lanes on a highway without building new roads, allowing more data to be transported faster and with better stability.
The expansion is part of GlobalConnects long-term investment in expanding digital infrastructure, called Bifrost, which includes both upgrades of land-based networks and new submarine cables in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat.
The initiative is particularly important for northern Sweden, where industry is growing rapidly in areas such as green energy, data centers and electrification, driving an increased need for stable and high-capacity international connections.
– The digital infrastructure in the region is now being adapted to the rapidly growing demand we see across the Nordic region. Northern Norway is being strengthened as a robust and strategic hub for international data traffic, including potential future Arctic submarine cable systems such as Polar Connect, while strengthening connections southwards to major Nordic cities and further to Europe's most important digital hubs, says Per Jansson, SVP GlobalConnect Carrier.
By creating more alternative paths for data traffic, network vulnerability is reduced. If a cable is damaged or requires maintenance, traffic can be rerouted, reducing the risk of disruption for businesses, public services and residents.
– This expansion is about scaling up capacity and reliability in the network to support long-term industrial and digital development in the region for many years to come, says Jansson.
Delivery and scope
The expansion has been carried out in four stages:
• Stockholm–Luleå (capacity upgrade) – Quarter 2, 2025
• Luleå–Narvik–Alta (new route) – Quarter 4, 2025
• Sundsvall–Trondheim (new route) – Quarter 4, 2025
• Luleå–Helsinki (new route) – Quarter 4, 2025
Overall, the investments mean a clear increase in capacity and a more robust digital infrastructure in northern Sweden, Norway and Finland.
EU support for long-term infrastructure
The expansion takes place within the framework of The Nordic Wave project, co-financed by the EU through the Connecting Europe Facility and Norwegian authorities. The EU support reflects the long-term investments needed to build out cross-border digital infrastructure, especially in sparsely populated areas where stable connectivity is crucial for regional development.
Swedish
Danish
Norwegian
Finnish
English
German
Dutch