Projects & customer stories

BLC Telecom has been building fibre optic networks in Eastern Finland for a long time, enabling many residents to enjoy high-quality and fast broadband services as well as cable television solutions. Currently, fibre optic networks are being constructed in 14 municipalities across Eastern Finland. At Nestor, we take pride in the fact that our high-quality cables have been used in many of these fibre optic projects. In December 2024, we reflected on the partnership between Nestor and BLC Telecom with Jukka Pulkkinen, BLC Telecom’s Network Design Manager.

BLC Telecom is a 100% Finnish company based in Savonlinna, providing comprehensive and high-quality telecommunications and television services to individuals, businesses, and telecom operators. As a local operator, BLC Telecom is investing heavily in the development of Eastern Finland’s telecommunications infrastructure through its fibre optic network construction. With over 100 years of experience in building voice and data communication networks, BLC Telecom’s fibre optic services have been awarded the Key Flag symbol, a mark of Finnish labor.

Jukka Pulkkinen also brings extensive experience in telecommunications, having started his career in 1982. Next year marks 40 years since he began working at Savonlinnan Puhelinyhdistys, which later evolved into BLC Telecom.

Jukka Pulkkinen, BLC Telecom’s Network Design Manager 

The beginning of the partnership

The partnership between BLC Telecom and Nestor officially began in 2014 when we supplied cables for their project in Kyläniemi. Pulkkinen recalls that Nestor Cables was one of only two companies manufacturing cables in Finland at the time. From the start, the personal chemistry between teams clicked, leading to numerous successful collaborations over the past decade.

Suitable products for customer needs

From the outset, direct buried cables have been an essential product in the collaboration. Over the years, we have delivered more than 6,600 kilometers of these cables to BLC. Additionally, we have supplied various other cables for different projects, including submarine cables and indoor/outdoor cables.

A key feature valued by BLC Telecom in our cables is their ease of handling during installation. For example, our flexible flex fibre optic cables quickly proved to be easy to install, and today, a significant portion of the cables we deliver to BLC Telecom are of this flex-type design.

Along with cables, we have also supplied numerous other accessories for BLC Telecom’s fibre optic network, including fibre optic components from the NesCon product range.

Ongoing partnership 

According to Jukka Pulkkinen, the collaboration between Nestor and BLC Telecom has always been excellent. A crucial aspect of this partnership is the open line of communication, allowing issues to be addressed transparently. Pulkkinen particularly recalls Liisa Rajuvaara, who managed orders at Nestor and is now enjoying retirement. In years past, she often saved the day by ensuring that products reached worksites exactly when needed.

Nestor’s product range, including both cables and other items, has consistently met BLC Telecom’s needs. Deliveries have been made flexibly to worksites across Finland, and promised delivery times have generally been reliable—a crucial factor, especially during peak seasons. On occasion, when specific cable types have been urgently needed on-site, we’ve done our best to provide a solution.

When asked why BLC Telecom continues to choose Nestor’s products, Pulkkinen simply states: “Why change when it works?” At this stage of the partnership, both parties understand each other’s needs and personnel so well that everything runs smoothly.

Looking ahead, Pulkkinen envisions his retirement but anticipates possibly taking on some freelance projects. He fondly recalls various amusing mishaps from his career—situations that, in hindsight, bring laughter. Work doesn’t always have to be just hard labor; it should also be enjoyable.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, BLC Telecom is currently constructing fibre optic networks in 14 municipalities. As the data transmission needs of homes and businesses continue to grow, fibre optic networks are becoming increasingly important. At Nestor, we look forward to once again partnering with BLC Telecom to build more fibre optic networks for the benefit and enjoyment of residents in Eastern Finland.

 Thanks to BLC Telecom for the pictures in this post!