Finnish operators apply for more than EUR 26 million of EU funding for digital infrastructure projects

A total of approximately EUR 17.6 million in funding from the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is being sought for Finnish-led projects. In addition, approximately EUR 8.6 million in funding is being sought for Swedish-led projects that involve Finnish operators. The Ministerial Finance Committee decided in favour of the applications on 25 June 2026.

In this round of applications, there is EUR 200 million in EU funding available within the CEF Communications Programme. The call for proposals is focused on funding projects to strengthen backbone networks and submarine smart cable projects.

Funding sought for submarine cable and backbone network projects

The Finnish projects applying for funding are particularly related to submarine cable and backbone connectivity between Finland and neighbouring countries. The aim is to strengthen Finnish and European digital infrastructure, improve the reliability of telecommunications networks and increase the capacity of international connections. 

There are five Finnish-led projects:

1. Building a submarine cable connection between Finland and Estonia

Elisa Corporation is applying for EUR 1.72 million in funding. The project involves constructing a new high-capacity submarine cable connection across the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia. The project will strengthen the EU’s submarine cable connections in critical areas that are subject to security threats, disruption risks and capacity pressures.

2. Building a submarine cable connection between Finland and Sweden

Elisa Corporation is applying for EUR 1.32 million in funding. The project involves constructing a submarine cable connection across the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden. The project supports the capacity, security and resilience of critical infrastructure.

3. Development of backbone networks in Finland and the Baltic Sea region

Prior to consideration by the Ministerial Finance Committee, Lounea Net Oyj had indicated that it would apply for EUR 11.94 million in funding, but the amount applied for was subsequently changed by Lounea Net Oyj to EUR 12.32 million. The project will develop backbone networks in the Baltic Sea region and implement the first phase of a broader backbone network plan. The project responds to the need for the renewal of digital infrastructure and ensures a backbone network that is secure, provides sufficient capacity and consists of diverse routes. 

4. Building a backbone network connection between Finland and Norway

DNA Oyj is applying for EUR 475,000 in funding. The project involves constructing a new backbone connection from Oulu via Rovaniemi and Ivalo to the town of Kirkenes in Norway. The project will improve the reliability, route options and crisis resilience of digital infrastructure in Northern Finland and Northern Norway. 

5. Strengthening submarine cable connections between Finland and Sweden

DNA Oyj is applying for EUR 2.14 million in funding. The project involves the deployment of a new, physically diverse submarine cable route between Hanko and Stockholm. The existing submarine cable route will be supplemented with new cables, and some cable sections will be repaired and rerouted. 

Finnish operators involved in Swedish-led projects

EU funding is also being sought by foreign projects that involve Finnish operators or are partly placed in Finland. There are three Swedish-led projects that involve Finnish operators:

1. Building a cross-border connection between Finland and Sweden

GlobalConnect Oy is applying for EUR 8.61 million in funding. The project involves constructing a cable connection from Tampere to Härnösand on Sweden's eastern coast. The project includes both submarine and terrestrial sections that increase alternatives to existing routes.

2. Strengthening networks in the Baltic Sea region

The Finnish company Arelion Finland Oy is involved in the Swedish company Arelion Sweden Ab’s Baltic Sea backbone network project. Funding of EUR 17.50 million is sought for the project, but the Finnish company Arelion Finland Oy does not have a financial share in the project. The project involves constructing a new submarine connection between Finland and Poland, which will also connect to all of the Baltic countries and Sweden’s existing cable network.

3. Building a connection between Finland and Sweden north of Åland

The Finnish company Arelion Finland Oy is involved in the Swedish company Arelion Sweden Ab’s project to build a connection between Finland and Sweden. Funding of EUR 11.65 million is sought for the project, but the Finnish company Arelion Finland Oy does not have a financial share in the project. The project will create a cable connection between the Gävle region in Sweden and the Pori region in Finland.

In addition, three other projects applying for funding are partly placed in Finland:

• The Amber Cable System project will carry out preparatory surveys for the construction of the planned fibre optic cable network in the Baltic Sea region.
• The Bothnia Connect project will deploy a new submarine and terrestrial fibre optic cable system from southern Finland to Sweden through Åland. 
• The Sweden–Finland 2 project will supplement the previously built cable system between Helsinki and Stockholm.

The projects strengthen digital security of supply

As a rule, Finland's communication connections are highly reliable and resilient to disruptions. The projects applying for funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility aim to promote the security, reliability and capacity growth of Finnish and European digital infrastructure. Several of the projects involve the creation of new submarine cable routes or alternative backbone network connections, thereby reducing dependency on individual connections and improving network resilience.

What’s next?

The European Commission call for proposals closes on 30 June 2026. According to an indicative timeline released by the Commission, decisions on funding will be made in late 2026.

Inquiries:

Sofia Lindbäck, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 165, [email protected]
Jaakko Laamanen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 342 206, [email protected]