Eidsiva Expands Its long-haul Fiber Network Between Oslo and Trondheim

According to Sondre Elvestad, Head of Partners & Wholesale at Eidsiva Digital, construction is already underway.  

On a map, the task may appear simple: connect Oslo and Trondheim with a line. In reality, that line represents hundreds of kilometers of ducts, fiber, splices, network nodes, and technical infrastructure that must operate as a single, coherent long-haul network.  

"It is easy to look at a map and see that fiber already exists between Oslo and Trondheim. However, for the most demanding customers, the question is not simply whether fiber is available. What matters is how the network is built, where it is routed, and how it integrates with the rest of the infrastructure," says Elvestad.  

The Oslo to Elverum section is already established. The network is now being extended north through Østerdalen, via Røros and Selbu, and onwards to Melhus.  

This long-haul fiber route is designed for customers with strict requirements for secure and resilient routes. The fiber is deployed underground rather than aerially and follows physically diverse routes separated from other infrastructure wherever possible. This provides greater protection against single points of failure and strengthens overall network resilience.  

A Fiber Cable Alone Does Not Create a Network 

Our long-haul fiber routes carries large volumes of data across long distances with high availability. This requires much more than the fiber cable itself.  

"Route design, ducts, fiber, splices, nodes, power supply, documentation, and operations must all be considered together. Network quality is determined by the combination of these factors. A fiber cable alone does not create a long-haul network," says Elvestad.  

Along the new route, Eidsiva is deploying multiple ducts and a 288-fiber cable while also preparing for future capacity expansion. Strategic technical sites will be established along the route to support signal amplification and long-haul transmission. Decisions regarding distance, space, power requirements, and operational considerations are critical to the overall design.  

"This infrastructure is built to serve future needs. That is why we must ensure it can evolve as demand grows."  

Quality Is Defined by the Details 

Across a route of more than 700 kilometers, seemingly minor details can have significant consequences.  

"It is not enough for the network to be robust if a single critical vulnerability remains. The entire connection must function as one integrated system."  

Physical diversity is another key consideration. Two routes may appear independent on a map while still sharing the same trench, bridge crossing, or critical infrastructure point. In such cases, a single incident could impact both connections.  

"Redundancy is not simply about having two connections. To achieve true resilience, those connections must also be physically separated. Geographic diversity is therefore a fundamental design principle."  

This principle is reflected throughout Eidsiva Digital's network architecture, which emphasizes alternative routing, ring topologies, standardized components, fewer splice points, and detailed documentation.  

Why Build New Infrastructure When Fiber Already Exists? 

While several fiber routes already connect Oslo and Trondheim, Eidsiva sees a growing demand for additional capacity and new physically diverse routes.  

"Our goal is to provide the market with a new physical route and a seamless infrastructure designed to meet the requirements of operators, hyperscalers, and data center providers."  

The new backbone is being designed to handle a wide range of operational scenarios. Fiber cables can be cut, equipment can fail, and infrastructure can be affected by extreme weather events.  

"When such events occur, we need complete visibility into where the infrastructure is located, how it has been built, and what is required to restore service. That is why we have established a robust operational model with the expertise and resources needed for rapid fault resolution."  

Part of a Larger Network Infrastructure 

The new connection is not a standalone project. Eidsiva currently operates approximately 30,000 kilometers of fiber infrastructure and has already established long-haul fiber routes between Oslo and Elverum. Around Oslo and Gjøvik, the company has also developed infrastructure that interconnects several major data center environments.  

The new northbound backbone will therefore become part of a larger ecosystem of data centers and long-haul routes.  

"The value lies not only in connecting Oslo and Trondheim. We are building on existing infrastructure to create more options and new physically diverse routes across Norway. This strengthens the country's digital foundation," concludes Elvestad.