Inlandsnät

Inlandsnät, literally “inland network,” is a Swedish term used to describe inland backbone networks that connect municipalities, counties, and rural areas to the national and international telecommunications infrastructure. These networks are typically built and operated as public or semi-public infrastructure, often through municipal networks, regional authorities, or public-private partnerships, with funding from national broadband programs and EU funds. The aim is to provide high-capacity, reliable connectivity in sparsely populated inland regions where commercial providers may have limited incentives to invest.

The backbone usually consists of fiber-optic links spanning long distances between regional hubs, often supplemented by wireless links for intermediate or last-mile connectivity. Inlandsnät serves as a platform for Internet access for public institutions (schools, hospitals, local government), businesses, and residents, enabling e-government, digital health, education, and teleworking. It also contributes to resilience by diversifying routes and providing redundant capacity.

There is no single nationwide Inlandsnät in Sweden; rather, there are multiple regional and municipal initiatives that contribute to broader coverage and interoperate with the core national telecom network. Operators and authorities may share information on network topology for security and planning purposes, while users typically access services under defined terms and conditions.

Overall, Inlandsnät forms part of Sweden’s strategy to promote universal broadband access, reduce geographic and social disparities, and strengthen critical communications infrastructure for public services and communities in inland areas.