Published On: March 17, 2025Categories: News

Why We Launched BalticNOG and Why It’s Time to Connect the Baltic Network Community

  • BalticNOG Founding Team

The internet’s backbone relies on collaboration. Network engineers, ISPs, data center operators, and policymakers must work together to ensure security, efficiency, and innovation. Across the world, Network Operators Groups (NOGs) serve as essential platforms for this collaboration. Yet, until now, the Baltic States lacked a unified NOG. That’s why we launched BalticNOG—a dedicated space for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania’s network professionals to connect, share, and lead the region’s digital future.

Why We Needed BalticNOG

While each Baltic country has thriving tech and telecom sectors, networking professionals have operated in silos, missing opportunities to collaborate on shared challenges and opportunities.

Other regions—such as NLNOG (Netherlands), DENOG (Germany), and DKNOG (DK)—have demonstrated how strong community-driven NOGs improve operational knowledge, security, and best practices. By launching BalticNOG, we are creating a hub for regional cooperation that follows in the footsteps of these successful NOGs while addressing the specific needs of our region.

BalticNOG is not just another conference or industry event—it’s a long-term initiative to bring together Baltic network professionals and establish an example for other regions to follow.

Strengthen Regional Cooperation

The internet is inherently global, but many challenges require regional solutions. The Baltic States share common network challenges and opportunities, making it beneficial to work together rather than in isolation. Some key reasons why regional cooperation is essential include:

By working together more closely, ISPs and network operators across the Baltic region can optimize routing, improve redundancy, and reduce latency. BalticNOG will facilitate discussions on peering agreements, IXPs (Internet Exchange Points), and transit opportunities, ensuring better regional interconnectivity.

Networking does not stop at borders. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania share similar regulatory, technical, and economic environments, making cross-border cooperation essential. We aim to connect ISPs, cloud providers, telcos, and enterprises to ensure better connectivity, improved resilience, and knowledge-sharing across the region. Says Paulius Judickas, the Chairman of BalticNOG.

Build a Knowledge-Sharing Culture

Technical expertise in the Baltic region is world-class, yet there has been no structured platform for experts to exchange insights. BalticNOG aims to:
  • Host events and discussions on crucial topics such as routing security, IPv6 adoption, and peering best practices.
  • Encourage research collaboration between academia and industry.
  • Provide training and mentorship opportunities for the next generation of network engineers.
Some of the biggest challenges in internet infrastructure—such as BGP hijacking, IP leasing policies, and cyber threats—require community-driven solutions. BalticNOG will be a forum for discussing these challenges, working with global internet governance bodies like RIPE NCC.

Establish the Baltic States as Leaders in the Global Networking Community

The Baltic States have a reputation for digital innovation—from e-government in Estonia to world-class connectivity in Lithuania and Latvia. However, the region has been underrepresented in global NOG conversations. BalticNOG will change that by:
  • Building relationships with international NOGs and global networking organizations.
  • Encouraging Baltic participation in initiatives like MANRS, IETF, and RPKI adoption.
  • Hosting the BalticNOG conference as a key regional event for networking professionals.
  • Inspire Other Regions to Form Their Own NOGs
BalticNOG isn’t just about the Baltic States. Our initiative is a blueprint for other regions looking to connect fragmented networking communities. Just as NLNOG, NANOG, and other groups have driven collaboration, we aim to inspire other regions—whether in Central Europe, the Balkans, or beyond—to build similar communities.

Our First Event: BalticNOG 2025

The first BalticNOG meeting will take place on September 24-25, 2025 at AC Hotel by Marriott Vilnius. This event will:
  • Feature technical sessions, panels, and workshops.
  • Bring together top experts from ISPs, cloud providers, and network research institutions.
  • Provide networking opportunities to strengthen Baltic and European collaboration.
BalticNOG is a community-driven initiative, and we invite network professionals, ISPs, enterprises, academics, and policymakers to join us in shaping the future of the internet in the Baltic States.

By working together, we can strengthen our networks, improve security, and showcase the Baltic region as a leader in the global networking ecosystem. Let’s build a strong, collaborative, and innovative network community—one that sets an example for others to follow.

Stay tuned for more details, and see you at BalticNOG 2025! 🚀

P.S. If you want to get involved in the BalticNOG development, join our Slack!

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