Decoding the Enigma of Network as a Service (NaaS)

There's a fair bit of confusion out there about what Network as a Service (NaaS) is and how it fits into today's ever-evolving IT landscape. The confusion stems from so many different flavors and potential options when it comes to NaaS. Between cloud, premesis and telecom providers based options, things get a little muddy and the offerings differ greatly. Let's dig in on some of the options out there.

First and foremost, let's start with a definition what NaaS actually is at it's root, no matter which flavor. NaaS is a business model where networking services are provided on an as-needed basis. Rather than investing in expensive, complex and resource-heavy network infrastructure, businesses can subscribe to a NaaS provider and get their networking needs covered, be it cloud based or virtual networks, bandwidth, load balancing, or firewall services. There also are physical network appliance based options which an organization can consume as a service that can alleviate the upfront costs of hardware not to mention the on-going operating costs. The flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency provided by NaaS makes it a compelling solution for many modern businesses.

To understand NaaS better, let's break down what I would consider the three primary service options: Cloud-based, Premises-based, and Telecom-based.

1. Cloud-based NaaS (CNaaS): Cloud-based NaaS is perhaps the most commonly understood. Here, all networking infrastructure is maintained by a third-party cloud service provider. Businesses connect to these services over the internet, managing and controlling their network via a web interface or API. This service is highly scalable, as businesses can easily adjust their service level based on their current needs. Examples include services like PacketFabric, Megaport, Alkira, Prosimo and other network services.
2. Premises-based NaaS (PNaaS): In a premises-based NaaS model, the networking hardware is located on the client's site, but the management and control of the network is outsourced to a service provider. This model can offer a higher level of control and security, as the physical network infrastructure is located within the business’s own premises. However, it may not offer the same level of scalability and flexibility as cloud-based solutions. Nile, Meter and a few others have some pretty interesting models here.
3. Telecom-based NaaS (TNaaS): Telecom-based NaaS is a service offered by telecom carriers that combines both network connectivity and network services into one package. In this model, the telecom carrier maintains and manages the network services, providing businesses with connectivity options like Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), 4G/5G, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite or broadband. This model provides a one-stop shop for network services, but may not provide the same level of self-service flexibility as cloud-based NaaS as it often requires support. This approach might be preferable if one has limited internal resources. There are a few out there like Lumen but the only one you need to look more closely at is the one I work for, Nitel 😃

With the expanding hybrid work culture and the increasing need for data-driven decisions, NaaS is gaining momentum. Also changing are budgets, moving from capex to opex with the increasing economic uncertainty. With NaaS, businesses are no longer tied to one type of service, but can choose from a combination of cloud, premises, and telecom-based services to create a solution that meets their unique needs.

However, navigating this landscape can be tricky. It's not just about choosing a service that matches your current needs, but also about predicting future requirements. Cloud-based NaaS might be a perfect fit for a growing startup, offering the scalability necessary to adapt quickly to changing needs. In contrast, a well-established company with high-security needs might opt for a premises-based or telecom-based solutions, offering a greater level of control.

That said, the world of NaaS is not as daunting as it might seem. It's about understanding the needs of your business, analyzing your growth trajectory, and aligning these with the right service option. And as we all know, having the right network solution can be the crucial in today's digital business ecosystem.

In conclusion, the key to decoding the enigma of Network as a Service lies in understanding your own business needs and growth strategy, and aligning them with the appropriate service model. Whether you choose cloud, premises, or telecom-based services, remember that the objective is to build a network that enables rather than restricts your business.