Phase 1 of the EU-funded Nordic Wave project, led by GlobalConnect, is now complete. The initiative aims to strengthen the digital infrastructure in the Nordic region by upgrading existing fiber networks. The project improves and enables high-capacity communications between northern and central Europe.

The first phase, covering the distance from Stockholm to Luleå, now provides a capacity of up to 27 terabits per second using the existing fibre backbone. To put that into perspective, 27 terabits per second is equivalent to the ability to handle millions of simultaneous high-definition video calls without delay. This is a major milestone in the work to strengthen the region's connectivity and the investment for this phase amounts to €650,000 and is co-financed by The European Union Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

“By using our existing fiber infrastructure, we are making a major digital upgrade without disrupting the environment or local communities with new excavation work,” says Per Jansson Senior Vice President GlobalConnect“The improved connectivity benefits businesses, municipalities and the public sector while also supporting bilateral defense efforts in the region.”

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What is Nordic Wave? A project for growth and robust digital infrastructure

Nordic Wave is a project that aims to create a robust and high-capacity network from northern Sweden to Germany and Norway, integrated with GlobalConnects existing networks. The project supports the region's position as a hub for green energy, advanced industry and critical resources. The main objectives of the Nordic wave is:

• Driving economic growth: Improved connectivity makes northern Sweden more attractive for energy-intensive operations such as data centers and green industries.
• Strengthen resilience: A reinforced digital infrastructure creates more secure and stable communication networks for businesses and the public sector.
• Promote innovation: High-speed connections enable better collaboration between Nordic research institutions and global technology leaders.

Technology and Timeline: A Seamless Upgrade

Nordic Wave upgrades the network with DWDM technology (Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing)This technology makes it possible to increase the capacity of existing fiber connections by transmitting multiple data signals on different light wavelengths simultaneously, which provides speeds of up to 400 Gbit/s – without operational disruptions.

To put it into perspective: 400 Gbps is fast enough to flow over 100,000 ultra HD (4K) movies simultaneously or transfer all data from a laptop in less than a second.

The project is divided into three phases:

• Stockholm to Luleå (completed)
• Lulea to Narvik
• Sundsvall to Trondheim

The entire project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Phase 1: A major upgrade of the digital infrastructure

Phase 1 strengthens the connection between Stockholm and Lulea by utilizing the existing fiber infrastructure – meaning no new excavation work is needed and the environmental impact is minimized. The upgrade significantly improves the region's data traffic capacity and reliability, meeting the increasing demand for high-performance connectivity.

Co-financed by the EU

Nordic wave is co-funded by the EU's CEF Digital programme and is in line with the EU's objectives of sustainability, innovation and digital transformation. The EU funding underlines the strategic importance of this project in strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Nordics.

What's next? Expansion of the Nordic digital infrastructure

With Phase 1 completed, the focus is now on the Luleå–Narvik and Sundsvall–Trondheim routes. These expansions will further strengthen the digital infrastructure in the Nordic region, create new economic opportunities and solidify the region's position as a leader in digital innovation.

“We see it as our responsibility to future-proof the infrastructure in our region to meet the growing demand for data,” says Pär Jansson. “Nordic Wave is a crucial step in strengthening connectivity – not just for businesses and the public sector, but for society as a whole."As digitalization accelerates, we need a network that can handle increasing amounts of data securely and efficiently. This project is about building long-term resilience and ensuring that the Nordic region continues to be at the forefront of digital innovation and economic growth."