What is Network as a Service (NaaS)?

Let's start by defining what NaaS is and what it isn't.

Gartner defines NaaS as: "A delivery model for network functionality as a service, which includes the following capabilities:

Self-service capability
On-demand usage
Ability to scale up and down
Billed on an OPEX model
Consumption-based, via a metered metric such as ports, bandwidth or users (not based on network devices/appliances)

NaaS offerings may include elements such as network switches, routers, gateways and firewalls."

Gartner predicted that adoption of NaaS would increase from less than 1 percent of organizations in 2021 to 15 percent by 2024. While 2024 didn't see that full 15 percent adoption, interest in NaaS models has continued into 2025 and we expect it to remain an area of interest in 2026.

Where can NaaS be applied?

NaaS models can be applied in several areas of the enterprise connectivity architecture — essentially anywhere there's a network service. This includes the data center, cloud networking, wide area networks (WAN), and campus and branch office network. This report focuses on campus, branch, WAN and cloud networking NaaS solutions.

**NaaS can be applied in several areas of the enterprise connectivity architecture.**