educloud

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Corporate release

Release date: Mon, 03/02/2025

Belgium now has its first fully sovereign cloud solution for research and education. The educloud consortium – led byDatacenter United, in partnership with whitesky.cloud and CloudCom – has been awarded a strategic framework agreement under the OCRE 2024 (Open Clouds for Research Environments) initiative.

This agreement provides Belgian research institutions, educational organizations, and government bodies access to 100% Belgian owned and operated cloud services via Belnet, Belgium’s National Research and Education Network (NREN).

A game changer for digital sovereignty

This is a turning point for Belgium’s digital independence,” says Friso Haringsma, CEO of Datacenter United. “Our selection proves that Belgian innovation can compete at the highest level while ensuring data stays under national control. We’re not just providing cloud services – we’re securing Belgium’s digital future.”

With 13 strategic locations across Belgium, Datacenter United is committed to making advanced cloud technology accessible and affordable for Belgian research institutions.

As a local, open, and connected partner in the OCRE 2024 framework, we focus on accessibility and enabling technologies at an affordable price,” adds Xavier Warnier, CCO of Datacenter United. “Our involvement in building a strong and sustainable ecosystem is part of our DNA.”

The power of educloud

The educloud consortium brings together Belgium’s leading digital infrastructure providers to offer:
  • 100% Belgian-owned and operated cloud infrastructure – your data stays in Belgium.
  • A proprietary Belgian cloud technology stack – built specifically for research and education. 
  • Belgium based support centers – native language expertise with fast response times.
  • Seamless integration with Belnet – designed for institutional needs.
  • Complete data sovereignty – meeting the highest European security and compliance standards.

Why local cloud matters

“In today’s digital world, keeping critical infrastructure within our borders isn’t just a preference – it’s a necessity,” states Friso Haringsma. “Our Belgian data centers provide the secure foundation that ensures compliance with stringent European regulations while supporting our nation’s digital independence.”

Geert Audenaert, CTO of whitesky.cloud, highlights the technical advantages: “Our private cloud solution is specifically engineered to meet the demands of research and education institutions. Its flexibility and security features make it ideal for Belnet members, helping them accelerate digital initiatives while keeping full control over their data.”

Unlike hyperscalers, educloud prioritizes personalized, Belgian-based support. Jeroen De Block, Managing Director of CloudCom, emphasizes: “What sets us apart is our local expertise. We offer dedicated support in Belgium’s national languages from professionals who understand the specific needs of our institutions. This ensures faster response times and more effective problem resolution.”

The future of Belgium’s cloud

The educloud consortium is dedicated to continuous innovation and investment in Belgium’s cloud ecosystem. This agreement ensures Belgian institutions remain at the forefront of European digital sovereignty while strengthening local technological advancement.

For more information, visit educloud.be.

About educloud

Educloud is a consortium of leading Belgian digital infrastructure providers, offering the country’s only 100% sovereign cloud solution. The alliance combines Datacenter United’s state-of-the-art facilities, whitesky.cloud’s innovative cloud technologies, and CloudCom’s comprehensive support services to deliver secure, high-performance cloud solutions tailored to Belgium’s research and education sector.

About Datacenter United

Datacenter United is a leading Tier III/IV data center operator in Belgium, providing secure, high-performance infrastructure across 13 locations in Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. They ensure reliable, scalable and compliant cloud solutions that support Belgium’s digital sovereignty.