Pranav Hotkar
Espoo, Finland - February 26, 2026 - Nokia has been selected by Telefónica to deploy networking infrastructure across a nationwide network of edge data centers in Spain, expanding the operator’s distributed cloud architecture designed to support artificial intelligence workloads and low-latency digital services.
Under a multi-year agreement, Nokia will provide connectivity for 17 new edge data-center networks, 12 of which have already been deployed, including at Telefónica’s flagship Tecno-Alcalá facility. The systems will deliver AI, B2B and telco cloud services to residential, enterprise and public-sector users while reinforcing Spain’s sovereign digital infrastructure ambitions.
The project is part of Telefónica’s broader move toward distributed edge computing, placing compute and storage closer to users to improve latency and reliability for applications such as healthcare, education, industry and government services. The infrastructure will support both AI training and inference at the edge, with Nokia connecting internal compute systems as well as linking edge nodes to external networks.
Sergio Sánchez, CTIO at Telefónica España, said the rollout aligns with the operator’s strategy to make edge cloud and AI “main cornerstones” of growth, adding that the initiative strengthens technological sovereignty while enabling a more user-centric digital ecosystem.
Nokia will act as the sole networking technology partner for the expanding edge footprint following a successful pilot deployment of three sites in 2024. The single-vendor approach is intended to simplify operations, unify architecture and improve operational efficiency across the network.
The deployment uses Nokia 7220 Interconnect Router switches and 7750 Service Router gateways to deliver high-speed, ultra-low-latency connectivity and deep automation capabilities alongside multi-cloud integration.
David Heard, President of Network Infrastructure at Nokia, said the collaboration will help build the foundation for Spain’s digital future by bringing intelligence and services closer to where businesses and consumers need them.
The rollout reflects growing telecom investment in edge infrastructure as operators prepare networks for AI-driven workloads and latency-sensitive applications across distributed environments.
