Ivana Beli Oštarčević: So far, more than 100 million kuna has been invested in the modernization and upgrade of HT’s data centers

It is estimated that 1.145 trillion megabytes of data are ‘produced’ daily worldwide, and it is clear that this number will only increase, posing a significant challenge for ensuring the normal flow of data traffic, storage, and processing. Digital infrastructure is crucial, as are innovations and cloud business, so Ivana Beli Oštarčević, Director of the Development and Portfolio Management Sector for ICT Services at Hrvatski Telekom, emphasizes that by choosing cloud and infrastructure solutions in HT’s data center, users avoid large capital investments in equipping their own space. At the same time, she said, they receive comprehensive and quality solutions as well as innovative tools and services, with the highest possible security and availability.

In the last two years, data traffic in HT’s network has increased by 100 percent and is expected to grow by an additional 200 percent by the end of 2025. What do these figures indicate?

– This indicates that the anticipated explosion of data being exchanged daily has occurred, along with more intensive use of cloud-applications, which we can use anywhere and anytime. Their use not only changes the way documents, photos, or videos are shared and stored but also transforms how companies can digitize and enhance their operations.

Companies are increasingly recognizing the advantages of cloud business as it allows for flexibility, data recovery, lower capital investments, reduced maintenance costs, easy access, and a high level of security. Therefore, it is not surprising that cloud is considered the focal point of digital transformation for companies. With the increase in the use of cloud applications and data traffic, the need for storage, processing, and further distribution of data, as well as ensuring their protection, is also growing, leading to an increased demand for data centers that can facilitate all of this. This is one of the reasons why we decided last year to double and modernize the capacity of our data center on Selska Street in Zagreb, so that all users can migrate their business to the cloud. Its expansion is an integral part of the ‘World of Better Opportunities’ platform, through which Hrvatski Telekom fulfills its corporate promise to accelerate the digitalization of companies and cities as a key determinant of the success of the economy and society in the upcoming period.

How dependent are society and the economy on digital infrastructure?

– The private and public sectors are increasingly turning to cloud solutions to ensure uninterrupted and secure operations, as well as faster and more efficient communication with citizens and entrepreneurs. Digital technologies and the accompanying infrastructure have become an everyday part of our lives and are essential for communication, work, learning, entertainment, shopping, finance, access to many public services, and also represent the foundation for new innovations.

With the increase in the use of digital services, there has also been a rise in cybercrime, making the creation of resilient, secure, and reliable digital technologies and infrastructure a priority. For many years, HT Group has been offering comprehensive solutions that provide our users with maximum availability of infrastructure services while maintaining security levels in accordance with current global standards.

How must digital infrastructure adapt to these growing needs?

– First and foremost, it is essential to continuously monitor global trends in technological equipment standards and security standards to timely upgrade and modernize existing infrastructure.

The further development of technology, along with the increase in the use of digital applications and data traffic, requires continuous capital investments in infrastructure services that form the foundation for digitalization. To create the best solutions using the most modern technologies, it is equally important to continuously invest in the education of IT and telecommunications professionals.

How much does HT invest in data centers?

– Hrvatski Telekom manages five larger data centers, which have been in operation for over 15 years, making us unique in the region. Their purpose varies depending on whether they are used for internal needs or for our users. The largest one opened in Zagreb in 2014 and offers users hosting, remote monitoring, and management of ICT infrastructure, enabling significant savings in operations and secure and optimal equipment operation. Additionally, in 2015, we upgraded the data center in Varaždin, which allows for disaster recovery (an additional data center at a remote location) and the creation of solutions for maintaining business continuity for all users for whom service availability is extremely important, which I would highlight as one of the key requirements placed on data centers. Ensuring service availability is the primary intention that a quality data center must support. This can be achieved through redundant infrastructure in every technological area, such as energy, engineering, physical and cyber security, and communication. Due to natural disasters or other unwanted events, the importance of disaster recovery sites is increasingly recognized. We see this as solutions that we must be able to offer our users to reduce the risk of unavailability to theoretical probabilities. So far, we have invested more than 100 million kuna in the construction, modernization, and upgrade of data centers, and we will continue to invest as it is important for us to ensure maximum availability and maintain security levels in accordance with current global standards, thus providing top-notch service to our users. In order to build long-term relationships with users, I would emphasize that HT Group continuously invests in its employees to become reliable technology advisors.

How do you respond to user needs?

– I would highlight as a main advantage the fact that as HT Group, in collaboration with Combis, we can offer a rich and comprehensive portfolio of cloud and data center services, including infrastructure management, allowing users to fully focus on their core business. With over 400 highly qualified professionals and ICT managers for IT and telecommunications, users can be assured that after analyzing the existing infrastructure, they will receive a proposal for the best solution tailored specifically to their needs, enabling them to operate ICT services, telecommunications infrastructure, equipment, and other services seamlessly. Our experts, based on their acquired experience, can implement even the most complex ICT solutions, such as cloud migration, the application of new application solutions, and the creation of best-fit solutions regardless of whether users want to use private cloud, hybrid cloud solutions, or public cloud.

What is extremely important to you in this regard?

– It is extremely important to us that our users are satisfied and have confidence that we, as their technology partner, will ensure that their business is secure and uninterrupted. Given that the data center is a critical part of the IT infrastructure, we approach each user individually when migrating to our infrastructure services and collaboratively create best-fit solutions based on specific wishes and needs. 

*Content was created in collaboration with Hrvatski Telekom.