In October 2025, Belgium was selected by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking to host an AI Factory Antenna. Through BE-AIFA, Belgian businesses, public authorities and research organisations will gain access to European AI infrastructure, specialised expertise, data support and training opportunities. As part of the consortium, Belnet will contribute its expertise in high-capacity connectivity.
Over the coming years, Europe will make significant investments in AI infrastructure through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. AI Factories and AI Factory Antennas will be established across the continent to strengthen Europe’s AI ecosystem.
A national gateway to Europe’s AI ecosystem
Belgium has been selected to develop an AI Factory Antenna, which will serve as the national gateway to the European network of AI Factories. The project has been allocated a budget of €10 million, jointly funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and Belgium’s federal and regional governments.
The AI Factory Antenna will act as a national hub, connecting Belgian stakeholders — including businesses, public authorities and research organisations — to AI-optimised supercomputers located elsewhere in Europe. For Belgium, this includes access to LUMI in Finland and JUPITER in Germany.
As two of the world’s most powerful AI and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructures, LUMI and JUPITER will provide Belgian organisations with access to cutting-edge computing resources for AI-driven research, development and innovation.
In addition to facilitating access to infrastructure, the AI Factory Antenna will also support users through training programmes focused on infrastructure usage and data management.
Six new AI Factories
EuroHPC has also approved six new AI Factories, to be established in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain. Each AI Factory will develop its own area of expertise and focus.
Together with the AI Factory Antennas, these new facilities will strengthen Europe’s AI landscape and accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across the continent.
Belnet’s role within the consortium
The Belgian AI Factory Antenna is being developed by a consortium of 23 partners, bringing together universities, research centres and public organisations from Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the federal level. Research centre imec is coordinating the initiative.
Within the consortium, Belnet will primarily be responsible for deploying and optimising high-capacity network connections. More specifically, Belnet will enhance connectivity between the AI Factories at LUMI and JUPITER and the Belgian AI Factory Antenna.
The AI Factory Antenna is currently in its start-up phase, with the full range of services expected to become operational by September 2026.
What does this mean for the Belnet community?
These initiatives represent an important step forward for Europe’s innovation capacity and strategic autonomy. They will provide Belgian businesses, public authorities and research organisations with access to the latest AI technologies and capabilities.
“AI Factory Antennas and AI Factories will serve as a catalyst for innovation across a wide range of domains, transcending national borders. They also provide a secure and trustworthy environment in which key European values, such as digital sovereignty, are safeguarded. We are proud to contribute to this initiative and to support the research and education of tomorrow.”
Niels Deriemaecker, Innovation Lead at Belnet
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