- Arelion plans to enhance its fibre infrastructure between Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen by adding high-fibre count cables.
- The upgrade will support the growing demand for AI infrastructure in Scandinavia and enhance network resilience.
What happened: Arelion to upgrade Scandinavian fibre network to support AI growth
On September 2, 2025, Arelion unveiled significant investments to upgrade its fibre infrastructure across Scandinavia. The upgrade, designed to meet the rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services, will involve the installation of high-fibre count cables within existing ducts between Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen. This move strengthens Arelion’s position in the Nordic fibre market and expands its existing network, which connects 13 subsea cables linking the Nordics and Baltics.
The project will also improve access to hyperscale data centres and offer additional last-mile connectivity infrastructure. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the upgrade is expected to support the region’s growing AI market, which is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.24%, reaching $19.9 billion by 2031. Arelion’s CEO, Daniel Kurgan, highlighted the company’s forward-thinking strategy, noting that their infrastructure was built 25 years ago with future demand in mind.
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Why it’s important
This fibre upgrade is crucial for both Arelion and the Nordic tech landscape. The region’s AI and data centre sectors are growing rapidly. The upgrade will ensure that businesses have reliable, scalable connectivity. Scandinavia offers abundant land, sustainable power, and competitive pricing, making it an attractive data centre hub. In Oslo alone, the data centre industry has a total capacity of 423 MW, with expected annual growth between 280-580 MW.
Arelion’s fibre expansion also provides better access to its global internet backbone. This backbone offers key services like scalable IP transit, DDoS mitigation, and cloud connections. With AI infrastructure demand surging, Arelion is positioning itself to lead in the market. The upgrade will help businesses connect to the region’s AI superhighway.
This network expansion will continue into 2027, with more investments planned to meet rising AI demand in the region. The move highlights Arelion’s long-term commitment to infrastructure that supports the evolving needs of the tech sector.
