BT, Orange and Iliad Pour Billions Into European AI Data Centres

Several of Europe's largest telecom groups are building out AI data-centre capacity in a push for technology sovereignty and less reliance on U.S. hyperscalers, a Financial Times analysis found in early October 2026. In the UK, BT is partnering with Nvidia and infrastructure provider Nscale to build up to 14 megawatts of AI data-centre capacity across three existing BT sites. In France, Orange is developing data centres with private-equity firm Morrison in a 3 billion euro investment expected to raise its capacity tenfold, while peer Iliad has earmarked another 3 billion euros. Deutsche Telekom is pitching its services as made for Germany, made in Germany. The operators are pairing with technology and financial partners rather than funding the build-out entirely from their own balance sheets.