Analysys Mason joins Telenor in Norwegian data center venture
Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor announced a new joint venture with collaboration from a trio of companies. The focus will be to build three new data centers in Oslo that will offer top level security while also boasting efficient, sustainable electricity usage.
The new company – for which a name was not yet publicly shared – will be created as a collaboration between Telenor, Norwegian energy company Hafslund, private equity firm HitecVision, and TMT (technology, media, and telecom) consultancy firm Analysys Mason. Telenor, Hafslund, and HitecVision are to each take a 31.7% stake in the project, while Analysys Mason is set to have a 5% stake.
The new company’s goal is to provide three new colocation data centers with a maximum capacity of 40 MW that will be used to supply public and private servers, as well as other hardware.
The data centers, which will begin development at the end of 2023, will feature the latest in top level security and efficient energy consumption to meet the needs of various tenants.
"Data centers are, in many ways, the digital heart of any business. This is where the data flows to and from, which involves high quality, security, and energy efficiency requirements. Together with Hafslund and partners, we will now establish Norway's most secure commercial data center operator, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions,” said Sigve Brekke, CEO of Telenor.
The state-of-the-art centers will provide an ideal location for businesses to house their servers and critical IT infrastructure while avoiding huge electricity consumption and cybersecurity risks. Among the sustainable design elements in the new data centers is an innovative function for reusing excess heat.
"Backed by Norwegian-managed capital, this partnership will help resolve a significant issue in an increasingly digital society. Norwegian security authorities have requested the establishment of data centers and cloud services for sensitive information, functions, and infrastructure of importance to national security interests in Norway,” said Brekke.
“By creating this company, we are facilitating that sensitive data across sectors is stored and delivered safely on Norwegian soil."
As organizations continue to face the formidable threat of increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks, a culture of vigilance and top security measures should be a main priority. The importance of cybersecurity has grown in recent years as remote working became commonplace following the Covid-19 pandemic, opening new vulnerabilities for businesses.