Telenor has announced an agreement to acquire GlobalConnect’s consumer fiber business in Norway for around $600 million (NOK 6 billion). The deal will significantly expand Telenor’s high-speed broadband footprint, providing direct access to approximately 170,000 new fiber customers and strengthening its position in Norway’s competitive fiber market.
This move aligns with Telenor’s strategy to grow its fixed broadband offering and ensure future-ready infrastructure to handle ever-increasing data demands from streaming, gaming, smart home devices, and AI-powered applications.
Building future-ready fiber infrastructure
GlobalConnect’s consumer fiber network is one of Norway’s most modern, spanning thousands of kilometers and connecting homes across multiple regions. By integrating this network into Telenor’s operations, the company will enhance service quality, reduce deployment time for new connections, and better support the country’s transition to gigabit-speed connectivity.
This acquisition is part of a wider trend across Europe, where telecom operators and infrastructure providers are investing heavily in last-mile fiber networks. Robust fiber connectivity is critical to enable next-generation data center capacity, AI workloads, and cloud services that drive economic growth and digital transformation.
AI data centers and sustainable design
In 2025, Hypertec and 5C Data Centres announced plans to build one of Europe’s largest data center roll-outs — targeting a combined capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW), with a major focus on the UK market. Developed in partnership with AI specialist Together AI, the project will deliver high-density, AI-optimized facilities supported by renewable energy and advanced cooling technologies.
The rollout includes:
• High-density AI design: Data centers tailored for machine learning and compute-heavy workloads.
• Low-carbon energy integration: Direct connections to renewable energy sources to meet sustainability targets.
• Strategic connectivity: Sites located near major fiber routes, ensuring ultra-low latency across Europe.
Sultan Qureshi’s work
Sultan Qureshi contributed to this project by working on scalable architecture and sustainable features — ensuring the infrastructure aligns with UK data regulations and can efficiently handle the rapidly growing demand for AI computing power.
A step towards Europe’s digital future
The combination of Telenor’s strengthened fiber network in Norway and large-scale, AI-focused data center investments in the UK highlights a broader shift: building integrated digital infrastructure that is fast, sustainable, and secure.
These projects will:
•Support AI innovation and data-intensive industries.
•Strengthen Europe’s position in the global digital economy.
•Deliver long-term benefits for consumers, businesses, and public services.
Together, robust fiber networks and next-generation data centers are paving the way for a connected, AI-powered future.
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