Norway’s largest telecom company, Telenor, is setting up a new business dedicated entirely to cloud computing under Norwegian control. The company will be called Telenor Sovereign Cloud, and its creation was announced on May 5.
The idea behind a ‘sovereign cloud’ is straightforward. Right now, most organisations that use cloud services rely on global technology giants, often referred to as hyperscalers, such as Amazon, Microsoft, or Google. These giants store and process data on servers that may be located anywhere in the world, under laws that may differ from Norwegian law.
In an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate, there are real risks for governments, hospitals, energy companies, and other organisations that handle sensitive information.
Telenor Sovereign Cloud is designed to fix that. All data processed through the platform will be stored within Norway, managed exclusively under Norwegian law, and kept entirely separate from global commercial cloud networks. The infrastructure will run out of data centres located in Norway, operated by Norwegian personnel.
Jannicke Hilland, the executive overseeing Telenor’s infrastructure operations, says the need is clear and growing across both the public and private sectors. The goal is to offer cloud services that are modern and scalable without sacrificing national control over where data sits and who can access it.
Norway’s minister of digitalisation, Karianne Tung, endorsed the initiative as consistent with the government’s broader ambition to strengthen Norway’s digital independence, describing data control as critical in today’s uncertain world.
In its initial phase, the service will target public sector bodies and large private enterprises in sectors like energy and healthcare, where data sensitivity is highest. Around 50 specialists in cloud, security, and infrastructure are expected to be hired over time, with recruitment already underway.
The pilot will involve close collaboration with selected customers before a full commercial launch, currently planned for the first half of 2027. Telenor Sovereign Cloud will operate as a standalone company within Telenor’s infrastructure business.
“The pilot phase will provide valuable insight into how the solution performs in practice – from technology and security requirements to regulatory aspects and commercial potential. These experiences will form the basis for further scaling and commercial launch,” Hilland said.