- Virt8ra It is the first sovereign edge cloud created in Europe with open source technology.
- The initiative, funded with 3.000 billion euros by the EU, involves 12 countries and coordinates 30 European companies.
- The system enables portability and interoperability for businesses, reducing dependence on foreign technology giants.
- It is designed to strengthen European digital sovereignty and foster an independent data economy.
The technology landscape in Europe is undergoing a momentous change thanks to the birth of Virt8ra, the first sovereign edge cloud developed entirely on European soil. This project not only promises to change the way data is managed within the continent, but also symbolises a major step towards technological independence in a sector traditionally dominated by American and Chinese companies.
Virt8ra emerges as a direct response to European dependence on international technology giants, such as Amazon, Google y Microsoft, which have so far led the cloud computing market. This new system, driven by a consortium of more than 30 companies from 12 European countries, has been designed to bring flexibility, security and sovereignty to data management in Europe.
A Sovereign Cloud with a Strategic Purpose
The Virt8ra project is funded by an IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) with the support of 3.000 millones de euros provided by the European Commission. This financing vehicle also supports other strategic technological initiatives, such as the manufacturing of chips and the green hydrogenIn the case of Virt8ra, the objective is clear: to create a sovereign digital ecosystem that allows European companies and governments to adopt cloud solutions without depending on foreign infrastructures.
Unlike traditional cloud models, where large data centers concentrated in central locations predominate, Virt8ra uses a network of small distributed centers strategically distributed by European countries. This decentralized technology, known as “proximity cloud” by its creators, guarantees lower latency in data transmission, greater security and stricter control over its location and management.
Spanish Participation and the Role of Open Source
Spanish participation in the project is especially significant. Companies such as Arsys, Mondragón Corporation and OpenNebula Systems have played a crucial role in the development and initial deployment of Virt8ra, with OpenNebula leading as overall coordinator of the project. The underlying technology is from open source, which promotes collaboration and ensures that any organization can review and adapt the platform to its needs.
In its initial version, Virt8ra is now operational in Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands. The system allows companies to manage physical and virtual resources, such as Virtual machines or Kubernetes clusters, from a single interface. In addition, it provides interoperability between different cloud points, facilitating the transfer and deployment of applications without technological barriers.
An Economic Model that Encourages Competition
Virt8ra is not only seeking technological independence, also aims to revitalize the European digital economy. This approach includes the integration of small local players into the cloud market, allowing them to compete against international hyperscalers. Companies such as shopping malls, retail chains or telecom operators will be able to benefit from Virt8ra's infrastructure to offer computing and cloud services. storage tailored, something that until now was beyond their reach.
There are already examples that reflect this trend, such as the interest of companies like El Corte Ingles o Lidl, who are investing in local data centers. This decentralized model not only reduces operating costs, but also encourages greater implementation of the technology in specific territorial areas, something that giants such as Amazon or Google cannot replicate.
Competition with Previous Models
The arrival of Virt8ra It also marks a departure from previous attempts such as Gaia-X, a project that aimed to create a European cloud but lost credibility by including foreign companies in its development. Unlike Gaia-X, Virt8ra stands as a concrete technological solution, designed to operate independently without the intermediation of external multinationals.
The official launch of this infrastructure is scheduled for March 2025, during the IPCEI General Assembly in Poland. This event will not only serve to showcase the achievements made, but also to pave the way for new functionality, such as advanced support for mobile applications. Artificial Intelligence distributed on the edge.
A Promising Future for Technological Sovereignty
Virt8ra not only strengthens Europe's technological independence, but also creates new economic opportunities. In a global context where digitalisation and artificial intelligence are key drivers of growth, having our own secure infrastructure is more important than ever. The success of this initiative could inspire other technological projects and redefine Europe's role as an innovation leader.
Virt8ra represents a paradigm shift in the way Europe approaches cloud computing, and could become a standard for future generations of digital technologies. By combining sovereignty, efficiency and collaboration, this cloud promises to put Europe on the map of the world's major technological powers.
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