Choosing a Data Center Location in Oslo: Urban Convenience vs. Remote Scale

“Datacenters are hard, but TYTEC makes them easy”

— longtime TYTEC customer

Introduction

Choosing the right data center location in Oslo can significantly impact both your technical operations and the experience you have when visiting your infrastructure. Oslo has emerged as a Nordic digital hub, offering everything from central urban facilities to massive remote campuses. This post will help infrastructure owners weigh the options, with a focus on two premier Økern district data centers, Bulk Infrastructure’s OS-IX and STACK Infrastructure’s Oslo campus, and why their city location can be advantageous. We will also compare their certifications and capabilities, highlight recent news, and touch on larger (more remote) data center alternatives outside the city. If you are an infrastructure owner coming from a major tech center like Frankfurt, you might appreciate not only the technical merits of an Oslo data center, but also the vibrant city life at your doorstep after hours. In all cases, local support from TYTEC AB’s technicians in Oslo can ensure your equipment is in good hands, whether you choose an urban site or a remote campus.

The Appeal of Oslo’s Økern District for Data Centers

Økern, a centrally located district in Oslo, has become a sweet spot for data center facilities that value accessibility, connectivity, and an urban atmosphere. Situated just a few kilometers from Oslo’s city center, Økern is easily reachable by public transit (including Oslo’s Metro) and only about 30 km from Oslo’s international airport (Bulk Infrastructure). This means that when you fly in to inspect your hardware or meet your colocation provider, you can get from the airport to your data center quickly, and from the data center to a downtown hotel or the lively Grünerløkka neighborhood in minutes. The area combines industrial infrastructure with city amenities. After a day in the server room, you can enjoy Oslo’s restaurants, cafes, and nightlife without a long commute. For those who prefer a city-based experience (imagine finishing up work and taking a stroll along the Akerselva river or dining in Grünerløkka), Økern’s data centers offer an ideal blend of professional and personal convenience.

Bulk Infrastructure OS-IX, Oslo’s Urban Hub of Connectivity and Reliability

Bulk OS-IX (Oslo Internet Exchange) is a flagship example of a city-based data center that does not compromise on performance. Located about 7 km from central Oslo, OS-IX is known as Norway’s most connected data center (Business Wire). In practice, this means an abundance of network options. The facility hosts more than 60 carriers and is home to multiple Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), including NIX, FIXO, Netnod, and even DE-CIX (Bulk Infrastructure). For businesses relying on hybrid cloud or needing extensive peering, OS-IX provides unparalleled connectivity that allows efficient data exchange with partners and customers.

From a capabilities and certifications standpoint, Bulk OS-IX is designed to Tier III standards (Bulk Infrastructure) and follows EN 50600 Class 3. The site offers roughly 6,900 m² of white space with fully redundant 2N power infrastructure, supported by 100 percent renewable energy (hydropower). OS-IX can deliver up to 14.4 MW of power and accommodate high-density deployments like water-cooled racks for AI and HPC workloads (Bulk Infrastructure). Bulk’s emphasis on sustainability and efficiency is evident, and the company has achieved OCP-Ready certification for OS-IX (Business Wire).

Recent developments underline OS-IX’s growing importance. Bulk announced an expansion adding three new data halls (5.5 MW extra capacity), effectively doubling OS-IX’s IT capacity from 5 MW to 10.5 MW (Bulk Infrastructure). This expansion, scheduled for early 2025, will make OS-IX the largest data center in the Oslo metropolitan area. It is a response to increased demand from both existing and new customers for sustainable, centrally located data center services.

STACK Infrastructure’s Oslo Campus (Økern), Enterprise-Grade Facility with City Convenience

Another top contender in Økern is STACK Infrastructure’s OSL01 campus, historically known as DigiPlex Oslo Ulven. STACK, having expanded into the Nordics by integrating the former DigiPlex sites, offers a global pedigree with local expertise. The campus delivers about 7.4 MW of capacity across a multi-story facility (DataCenterHawk) and benefits from 100 percent renewable energy supply (STACK Infrastructure).

What sets STACK OSL01 apart is its heritage of security and reliability. The facility was originally designed and built in 1981 for the Norwegian government as a data center and communications hub (Baxtel). This legacy means the building was constructed with resilience in mind, featuring a concrete structure over four levels and additional protection against electromagnetic pulses (EMP). Today, the site has been modernized with state-of-the-art cooling and power systems, while retaining those robust security characteristics.

In terms of connectivity and services, STACK’s Oslo campus is well connected to major carriers and cloud on-ramps. The proximity of OSL01 to OS-IX (about a five-minute drive) means that even if OSL01 does not host as many IXPs on-site, customers can readily peer or cross-connect to the rich network ecosystem at OS-IX or other nearby carrier hotels (Baxtel). Additionally, STACK operates other Oslo-area campuses at Rosenholm, Fetsund, and Holtskogen, which are interconnected.

Bulk OS-IX vs. STACK Oslo (Økern Campus), A Comparison

Location and accessibility. Both sites are within roughly 5–7 km of central Oslo, making them extremely accessible. OS-IX is about 7 km from the city center (and about 30 km from the airport) (Bulk Infrastructure), while STACK OSL01 is similarly close on the northeast side of downtown.

Connectivity. Bulk’s OS-IX has a clear edge in network density, billing itself as Norway’s best-connected data center (Business Wire). STACK’s OSL01 also offers carrier-neutral colocation with connectivity to major carriers, and it is close enough to tap into OS-IX exchanges if needed.

Capacity and power. Bulk OS-IX is scaling up significantly, with expansion underway to roughly 10.5 MW (Bulk Infrastructure). STACK OSL01 is slightly smaller at 7.4 MW (STACK Infrastructure). Both draw on Norway’s 100 percent renewable grid.

Certifications and compliance. Bulk OS-IX holds an EN 50600 Class 3 / Tier III design rating and is OCP-Ready (Bulk Infrastructure). STACK OSL01 inherits stringent security from its DigiPlex past, including EMP hardening (Baxtel).

Visitor experience. Because both facilities sit in a normal Oslo neighborhood, engineers can finish work and be downtown in minutes. This urban convenience is a major intangible benefit.

Beyond Økern, Larger Data Center Options Outside the City

• Bulk Infrastructure’s N01 Campus in southern Norway offers up to 1 GW of potential power capacity on a 3 km² site (Bulk Infrastructure).
• Green Mountain OSL-Enebakk is a 75,000 m² campus about 20 km outside Oslo, slated to reach 93 MW at full build-out (Baxtel).
• Other options include STACK’s OSL03 campus at Fetsund and upcoming joint-venture campuses such as Skygard (Baxtel).

The trade-off for these remote sites is a longer commute when you need to visit in person. They excel for large-scale deployments where physical visits are rare and cost per kW is critical.

Local Support Across All Oslo Locations, TYTEC AB Services

Whether you choose an Økern data center in the city or a larger campus outside Oslo, having skilled technicians available when you need them is crucial. TYTEC AB offers professional remote-hands services across all Oslo data center locations, from the urban halls of Bulk OS-IX and STACK OSL01 to the distant reaches of Enebakk or beyond. Their familiarity with local data center protocols means they can coordinate access, perform hardware replacements or upgrades, and even take delivery of shipped equipment on your behalf. Essentially, TYTEC AB can be your local operations team, letting you reap the uptime and performance benefits of your chosen Oslo data center without worrying about day-to-day technical chores.

Conclusion, Enjoy Oslo’s Advantages with the Right Data Center Choice

Oslo provides a dynamic environment for colocating your infrastructure, with options ranging from vibrant city-based data centers in Økern to high-capacity campuses on the outskirts. Bulk OS-IX and STACK’s Oslo Økern facility show why many infrastructure owners opt to stay within the city, offering first-class connectivity, reliability, and security while allowing you to enjoy the convenience of an urban location. If your needs lean toward massive scale, remote sites like Bulk N01 and Green Mountain OSL-Enebakk offer virtually unlimited room to grow. With TYTEC AB’s local services, you can deploy with confidence in any of these facilities.

Links to Mentioned Data Centers

• Bulk Infrastructure OS-IX (Oslo Internet Exchange)
• STACK Infrastructure Oslo – Økern (OSL01) Campus
• Bulk Infrastructure N01 Campus (South Norway)
• Green Mountain OSL1-Enebakk (Oslo region)

Feel free to reach out to TYTEC AB for any questions about technician services or support in Oslo’s data centers. With a local partner at your side, you can fully leverage everything Oslo has to offer for your IT infrastructure.