NaaS Network as a Service: Is It Right for Your Business?

NaaS (Network-as-a-Service) turns network infrastructure into a cloud service consumed through a subscription, like AWS or M365. HPE Aruba NaaS, Cisco Plus, Juniper Networks-as-a-Service, Meter: a rapidly growing market. NaaS 2026 guide: providers, models, benefits, and limitations.

NaaS definition

Delivery of the network (switches, APs, firewalls, SD-WAN) as a managed service with usage-based or monthly subscription billing, including everything (hardware + software + maintenance + upgrades).

NaaS models

Pay-per-use

• Billing per active port, connected user, or GB transferred
• Maximum flexibility
• Example: HPE Aruba NaaS, Meter

Fixed subscription

• All-inclusive monthly subscription
• More predictable than pay-per-use
• Example: Cisco Plus, NetApp Keystone

Managed NaaS

• NaaS + a fully managed operations team
• 24×7 SOC + strict SLA
• Example: Orange Business, SFR Business, NTT

Providers in 2026

HPE Aruba NaaS

• Consumption model: managed Aruba switches + APs + SD-WAN
• Pricing: ~€150-400/user/year depending on tier
• Included: automatic hardware refreshes, support, and licenses
• Target market: mid-sized and large enterprises

Cisco Plus

• Multi-product Cisco subscription (Meraki + Catalyst)
• Lifecycle management
• Pricing: based on scope

Juniper AI-Driven Enterprise NaaS

• Managed Mist + EX + Apstra
• Built-in focus on AIOps

Meter

• US full-stack NaaS startup
• Hardware + software + fiber installation
• All-inclusive pricing: $15-30/user/month
• Target market: SMBs and mid-sized enterprises without an internal IT team

French telecom operators

• Orange Business: managed SD-WAN + security
• SFR Business: Connect & Secure
• Bouygues Telecom Entreprises: cloud BSS
• Hub One: Groupe ADP, multi-tenant
• Plans: €50-500/user/month depending on scope

Benefits of NaaS

• OPEX vs CAPEX: preferable for startups and SMBs
• No hardware refreshes to manage
• Scale up or down as needed
• No internal training required
• Contractual SLA
• Continuous innovation (automatic upgrades)

Limitations of NaaS

• Long-term TCO: often 30-50% higher than ownership over 5-7 years
• Vendor lock-in
• Limited customization
• Data: who controls it? What about sovereignty?
• An SLA is not an actual guarantee (credits <10% of the bill)

When to choose NaaS

• Startup with uncertain growth
• Multi-site retail business without local IT staff
• Business focused on its core operations
• Preference for an OPEX budget
• Temporary requirements: construction site, trade show, or event

When to prefer ownership

• Mature, well-equipped IT team
• CAPEX budget that can be depreciated over 5+ years
• Granular customization required
• Long term (>7 years)
• Data sovereignty is essential

Order from OPTINOC

NaaS consulting: evaluation against ownership and contract negotiations. Partnerships with HPE Aruba NaaS and Cisco Plus. An optimized-TCO alternative with OPTINOC managed services.