KPN Expands Business Cloud Portfolio With European Sovereign Public Cloud in Partnership With Schwarz Digits

KPN Expands Business Cloud Portfolio With European Sovereign Public Cloud in Partnership With Schwarz Digits

(IN BRIEF) KPN and Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of Schwarz Group, are launching a European sovereign cloud solution for the Dutch market as organisations seek greater control over data, infrastructure, privacy and security. The new offering, KPN Sovereign Cloud, powered by STACKIT, will be hosted in KPN’s data centers in the Netherlands, with KPN responsible for connectivity and IT services and STACKIT providing the European cloud infrastructure. The solution is designed for organisations in sectors where data control and digital resilience are especially important, including government, finance, energy and healthcare. STACKIT’s infrastructure is based on open-source software, operates under European jurisdiction and supports portability and interoperability to reduce vendor lock-in. The partnership expands KPN’s cloud portfolio with a European sovereign public cloud under European ownership, governance and law, while also strengthening STACKIT’s position as a European hyperscaler. The solution is already available via STACKIT regions in Germany and Austria, with the Dutch version expected to launch in mid-2027 exclusively through KPN and its partners.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROTTERDAM, 28-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — KPN and Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of Schwarz Group, are joining forces to introduce a European sovereign cloud solution in the Netherlands, giving organisations greater control over their data, digital infrastructure and cloud operations.

The new offering, named KPN Sovereign Cloud, powered by STACKIT, will be hosted in KPN’s data centers in the Netherlands. Under the collaboration, KPN will provide connectivity and IT services, while STACKIT, the cloud platform of Schwarz Digits, will deliver the European cloud infrastructure.

The partnership comes as organisations across Europe place increasing emphasis on data sovereignty, digital resilience, privacy and security. Demand for sovereign cloud services is particularly strong among organisations handling sensitive or critical data, including government bodies, financial institutions, energy companies, healthcare providers and other vital sectors.

KPN is making substantial investments in the collaboration as part of its effort to make a scalable European sovereign cloud available in the Dutch market. The initiative is aligned with the company’s investment plans presented during its Strategy Update in November last year and supports KPN’s long-term growth ambitions in the business market.

STACKIT’s cloud infrastructure is based on open-source software and operates under European jurisdiction, with data processed and stored within Europe. The model is designed to support portability and interoperability, helping organisations reduce dependence on individual providers and avoid vendor lock-in. STACKIT has also been audited against the BSI C5 criteria catalogue, a recognised benchmark for cloud security and transparency at a high security level.

Joost Farwerck, CEO of KPN, said there is a clear need in both the Netherlands and Europe for sovereign cloud solutions. He noted that Dutch companies and public organisations are increasingly looking for stronger control over their data and access to secure European cloud services at scale. Farwerck said KPN’s role as an important Dutch cloud supplier fits within the company’s Connect, Activate & Grow strategy, particularly in the business market. He added that building European sovereign cloud solutions requires action, combined expertise and shared resources, and said the partnership brings together customer demand, KPN’s experience and the knowledge and scale of STACKIT.

Bernd Wagner, Chief Sales Officer of Schwarz Digits, said the strategic partnership between KPN and Schwarz Digits turns the vision of digital sovereignty in Europe into a technological reality. He said the joint go-to-market strategy combines KPN’s connectivity and market position with STACKIT’s sovereign cloud stack, creating a stronger European cloud proposition. Wagner highlighted the integration of STACKIT services into KPN’s Dutch data centers as a key milestone, allowing customers to purchase the complete solution directly from KPN as a trusted local partner.

The collaboration also strengthens opportunities for German companies already using STACKIT, which will be able to extend their existing cloud setup by using the future Netherlands cloud region. Schwarz Digits said the development of STACKIT as a European hyperscaler provides an independent alternative for organisations seeking sovereign IT infrastructure under European ownership, governance and law.

For KPN, the partnership with Schwarz Digits expands its broader cloud portfolio, which already includes public, hybrid and private cloud solutions. The company said different types of data, applications and risk levels require different cloud approaches. By adding STACKIT, KPN is introducing a European sovereign public cloud option to its portfolio, supporting customers that require European control, governance and legal certainty.

The move also follows KPN’s recent decision to co-sign the Open Cloud Alliance manifesto, which aims to make digital sovereignty more practical through clear agreements on data location, transparency around access and control, and the development of Dutch and European cloud alternatives.

KPN Sovereign Cloud, powered by STACKIT, is already available through STACKIT cloud regions in Germany and Austria. The Netherlands-based version is expected to become available in mid-2027 and will be offered exclusively through KPN and its partners.

Media Contact:

Anne van der Wel
Spokesperson
anne.vanderwel@kpn.com
+31 70 4466300

SOURCE: KPN