IT Center Replaces Airport In NorwayIT Center Replaces Airport In Norway

Could a former airport in Norway become the next Silicon Valley?

Norway next month will open IT Fornebu, a high-tech research and residential park located on the former site of Oslo's Fornebu International Airport. The 150-acre research park is expected to provide 20,000 jobs. The buildings on the site, including 6,000 homes, will be connected by wireless networks to provide constant Internet access to residents and workers, says John Harrison, CEO and founder of Ecutel Inc. The U.S. company is working with Hewlett-Packard to provide secure wireless access to the campus. Everyone at the IT center will be given a notebook PC and a handheld device, Harrison says.

The government is working with companies such as HP and Ecutel to build the park in an effort to foster IT development in Norway.