Nokia and UK-based AI infrastructure company Nscale have announced a global partnership to accelerate the deployment of AI-ready data centers. This move is designed to meet soaring demand for scalable and secure computing capacity.
Under the agreement, Nokia becomes a preferred partner for networking technologies powering Nscale’s advanced data center deployments.
The deal also comes with an investment twist. Nokia will join other backers in Nscale’s ongoing Series B fundraising round. This round aims to support the build-out of vertically integrated AI infrastructure spanning compute, networking, storage, managed software, and AI services.
“This partnership combines Nokia’s expertise in IP and optical networking with Nscale’s leading infrastructure platform and enables the innovation needed for the future of AI infrastructure,” said Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia.
Nokia will supply data center switching, IP routing, and optical networking solutions across Nscale’s global build-out of AI clusters. The companies also plan to co-develop new networking stacks tailored for AI clusters and pursue joint deployment initiatives worldwide.
Josh Payne, CEO of Nscale, described the partnership as pivotal for scaling operations across Europe and beyond. “We are focused on building the next generation of AI infrastructure. Strong partnerships are central to that effort. Nokia brings proven expertise in networking technologies, and we are pleased to have them as a partner. As we expand across Europe and globally, we aim to help customers unlock the full potential of AI.” He said.
Headquartered in the UK, Nscale operates a network of owned and co-located data centers. The company positions itself as an AI-native infrastructure platform, providing fully integrated services to meet the needs of hyperscale and enterprise AI workloads.
