Nokia and t3 Broadband deploy ultra-high-capacity optical network for Aureon to connect North Dakota data center to Chicago
Type: Supply Agreement · Technology: Data Center · Country: United States · Announced: 2026-06-18
Nokia and t3 Broadband executed a supply agreement to deploy an ultra-high-capacity optical transport network for Aureon, connecting a major data center development in North Dakota to the Chicago metro area. The deployment leverages Nokia's 1830 Global Express (GX) platform, Super C and L-band optical line system, and 1.2T ICE7 coherent optics to deliver transport services at a scale traditionally associated with hyperscale operators. The new route supports scaling up to 400 terabits per second (Tb/s) of transport capacity, marking Aureon's highest-capacity network connection to date. This infrastructure enables Aureon to support the rapid growth of AI, cloud, and hyperscale data center workloads for its clients across the Midwest and nationwide. The project was announced on June 18, 2026, and positions Aureon to meet escalating demand for advanced connectivity in the region.