KPN and Schwarz Digits launch European sovereign cloud in the Netherlands

• KPN and Schwarz Digits announce a strategic partnership.
• The joint offer provides a sovereign European cloud solution for the Dutch market.
• KPN operates the data centers in the Netherlands, while Schwarz Digits provides the underlying digital infrastructure with the cloud STACKIT.
   

Rotterdam / Neckarsulm, May 28, 2026 – Rotterdam/Neckarsulm, May 28th 2026 – KPN and Schwarz Digits, the IT and digital division of Schwarz Group, are launching a European sovereign cloud for the Dutch market, as organisations seek more control over their data. This solution offers a European sovereign cloud at scale and will be hosted in KPN’s data centers in the Netherlands. KPN is responsible for connectivity and IT services, while STACKIT, the cloud platform of  Schwarz Digits, provides the European cloud infrastructure.

European organisations increasingly seek greater control over their data and digital infrastructure, particularly in sectors where privacy, security and resilience are critical. The solution is particularly well suited for vital organisations and sectors such as government bodies, financial services, energy and healthcare. KPN is making substantial investments in this collaboration to make this sovereign European cloud accessible in the Netherlands. This fits within the investment plans shared during the Strategy Update in November last year, with the goal to support long-term growth in the business market.

European governance and open infrastructure

STACKIT provides the cloud infrastructure based on open-source software. The service operates under European jurisdiction, with data processed and stored within Europe. The model supports portability and interoperability, allowing organisations to reduce dependency on individual providers and avoid vendor lock-in. STACKIT is audited against the BSI C5 criteria catalogue, a recognized benchmark at the highest security level for cloud security and transparency.

Joost Farwerck, CEO of KPN: “In the Netherlands and Europe, there is a clear need for sovereign cloud solutions. Dutch companies and public organisations are increasingly looking for greater control over their data and a secure European cloud at scale. KPN is an important Dutch cloud supplier, which is part of our ‘Connect, Activate & Grow’ strategy, especially in the Business Market. Developing European sovereign cloud solutions requires action and the ability to bring together expertise and resources. That’s why I'm happy to announce our partnership today. Together we are taking an important step forward by combining the demands of our customers, our KPN expertise and the knowledge and scale of STACKIT.”

Bernd Wagner, CSO of Schwarz Digits: “With the strategic partnership between KPN and Schwarz Digits, we are turning the vision of digital sovereignty in Europe into a technological reality. Through our joint go-to-market strategy, we bundle the first-class connectivity and market position of KPN with the sovereign cloud stack of STACKIT to a European powerhouse. A crucial milestone is the deep integration of our services directly into KPN's Dutch data centers. Customers can purchase the entire solution directly from KPN as their trusted partner. German companies benefit massively from the new option of seamlessly using the cloud region of the Netherlands in their existing STACKIT setup. By establishing STACKIT as a European hyperscaler, we offer an independent alternative and form the backbone for a sovereign IT infrastructure that sets a new standard.”

Strategic cloud offering

The collaboration with Schwarz Digits aligns with KPN’s broader strategic cloud offering, which includes public, hybrid and private cloud solutions. Different data, applications and risk levels require different approaches. With STACKIT, KPN adds a European sovereign public cloud to its portfolio, under European ownership, governance and law. Recently, KPN co-signed the Open Cloud Alliance manifesto, which aims to make digital sovereignty more practical through clear agreements on data location, transparency on access and control, and the development of Dutch and European alternatives.

The solution "KPN Sovereign Cloud, powered by STACKIT" will be available by mid 2027.