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Market Overview

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The Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) market is projected to reach USD 78.38 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 32.36% during the forecast period (2023-2028). NaaS refers to the provision of network services by third-party vendors to clients who prefer not to build their own network infrastructure. These solutions bundle networking resources, services, and applications as products that multiple customers can purchase for a defined period.

NaaS offers businesses greater flexibility and potential performance improvements in their network infrastructure. By allowing on-demand purchasing, companies can optimize costs by paying only for the specific networking services they require. Furthermore, NaaS enables companies to achieve provisioning flexibility without the need for extensive network redesign or contract renegotiation.

One of the key drivers behind the growth of the NaaS market is the increasing adoption of new data center infrastructures worldwide. The widespread use of cloud storage, the emergence of Big Data analytics, and the implementation of virtualization in data centers for workload mobility have led to improved resource utilization, enhanced availability, reduced costs, and heightened security for critical business applications. Additionally, the demand for subscription-based business models in network virtualization, cloud computing, software-defined networking (SDN), and cloud services across various industries has further contributed to market expansion.

NaaS provides a turnkey solution that includes equipment, software, orchestration, and management, offered under a fixed recurring fee. Services can be tailored to meet specific business requirements, providing enterprises with a flexible and cost-effective approach to networking. This approach allows businesses to manage the financial and operational aspects of ongoing technology upgrades more efficiently.

While NaaS offers numerous benefits, certain challenges, such as reliability concerns, may impede market growth during the forecast period. Enterprises must trust that their chosen networking infrastructure vendor will sustain their business and remain competitive. If a provider fails to meet expectations or withdraws from the market, businesses may need to replace critical infrastructure components, which could disrupt their operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for cloud-based solutions, driven by the widespread adoption of remote working models. However, industries such as retail, manufacturing, and BFSI have experienced revenue declines in 2020. As companies continue to embrace remote work practices, investments in cloud-based analytics, edge computing, and AI-powered networking technologies are expected to drive the growth of the NaaS market.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including type, application, industry vertical, and geography.

Segmentation by Type
LAN-as-a-Service
WAN-as-a-Service

Segmentation by Application
Cloud-based Services (vCPE)
Bandwidth on Demand (BoD)
Integrated Network Security-as-a-Service
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Segmentation by Industry Vertical
Healthcare
BFSI
Retail and E-commerce
IT and Telecom
Manufacturing
Transportation and Logistics
Public Sector

Segmentation by Geography
North America – United States, Canada
Europe – United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific – China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America – Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America
Middle East and Africa – Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Rest of Middle East and Africa

In 2022, the WAN-as-a-Service segment held the largest market share of 73.93% and is projected to experience the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.51% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2028.

Similarly, the IT and Telecom segment accounted for the largest market share of 29.81% in 2022. The retail and e-commerce segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 34.51% over the forecast period.

Geographically, the North American region captured the largest market share of 39.35% in 2022, while the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 35.27% during the forecast period.

The increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions can be attributed to the growing utilization of this technology and the preference of consumers towards the cloud. Cloud-based solutions allow users to access data from remote locations, leading to a surge in demand. Furthermore, businesses are recognizing the cost-saving benefits and resource efficiencies offered by moving data to the cloud instead of investing in on-premise infrastructure. This is driving the demand for cloud-based solutions among enterprises of all sizes, including large enterprises and SMEs. Over time, cloud computing and virtualization will reduce software setup costs and decrease reliance on hardware.

Thales Group reported that as of 2022, more than 60% of corporate data is stored in the cloud, compared to 30% in 2015. This trend highlights the increasing migration of resources to cloud environments for improved security, reliability, and business agility. These factors present a significant growth opportunity for vendors in the market to expand their offerings. The adoption of cloud computing by enterprises also broadens the scope for the market, with companies like Druva Inc. targeting enterprise data due to its substantial quantity, particularly unstructured data, which constitutes over 80% of the data stored in enterprise storage systems.

According to the CISCO Global Cloud Index, it is projected that 94% of all workloads and computing instances will be processed by cloud data centers by 2021, emphasizing the worldwide potential for future cloud-based deployment of contact centers. Industries such as banking are expected to increasingly adopt cloud-based services as they seek optimized infrastructure and the flexibility to construct hybrid cloud solutions using components from multiple providers. This augments the growth of the market studied.

In the United States, a developed economy with a strong inclination towards advanced technology, the Network as a Service (NaaS) market benefits from the country’s implementation and acceptance of network automation and cloud-based services. Over the next five years, IT teams are likely to adopt NaaS more extensively as suppliers offer hybrid solutions integrating software, cloud intelligence, and on-premises hardware management.

The demand for enhanced network services is driven by significant growth in connected and mobile devices. The United States, being at the forefront of technology adoption, has witnessed widespread adoption of connected devices. Virtualized environments, including the cloud, software-defined networks (SDN), and virtual network functions (VNF), have facilitated on-demand infrastructure. However, with numerous network service providers (NSPs) in the country, enterprises face challenges in designing and procuring network connectivity, a manual and fragmented process that inhibits businesses seeking agile operations.

In Canada, the NaaS market is expanding due to new product launches, acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships shaping the overall market landscape in North America. The rise in cyber threats targeting IT service providers and the subsequent leakage of client information have prompted the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to guide businesses. Consequently, companies are becoming more selective in choosing their network service providers. With increased automation and deployment of connected devices, the demand for NaaS is expected to grow significantly in Canada, benefiting small businesses by allowing them to offload equipment maintenance and focus on core competencies like customer service. Given the high number of small businesses in Canada, the adoption of NaaS is likely to gain substantial traction in the future.

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Competitive Landscape

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The Network-as-a-Service Market is characterized by intense competition and is comprised of several major players. The market exhibits fragmentation due to the presence of numerous small and large companies. The leading players, which hold significant market shares, prioritize the expansion of their customer bases across different regions. These firms employ strategic collaborative initiatives to enhance their market share and profitability. Notable players in this market include AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless Inc., and Cisco System Inc., among others.

In August 2022, VMware Inc. announced substantial advancements in its security and expanding networking system. These innovations are aimed at assisting customers in embracing the cloud operating model.

In May 2022, Telstra disclosed its collaboration with Prysmian Group to construct a cutting-edge inter-capital fiber network in the market. This national fiber network project is a long-term initiative that will involve the construction of a state-of-the-art intercity dual fiber path, spanning approximately 20,000 route kilometers of new fiber-optic terrestrial cable. The project aims to enhance inter-capital capacity and provide increased connectivity for regional areas.

Key companies profiled in this report include AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., DXC Technology Company, Synnex Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc., NEC Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, GTT Communications Inc., VMware Inc., Telstra Corporation Limited, CenturyLink Inc., Meta Networks Ltd, Masergy Communications, Juniper Networks Inc., Nokia Corporation (Alcatel Lucent), Akamai Technologies, Broadcom Inc.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In March 2023, Akamai Technologies made a public announcement regarding its intention to acquire Ondat. Ondat is a provider of cloud-based storage technology and offers a Kubernetes-native platform designed for running stateful applications at scale across various locations.

In November 2022, GDS entered into a partnership agreement with DCConnect, aiming to enhance its services by utilizing Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology. By leveraging SDN, GDS aims to provide its clients with improved connectivity and network automation solutions. GDS operates a data center platform in China and Southeast Asia, characterized by innovative design, stringent technical requirements, and robust operational procedures. As part of its expansion plans in Asia, GDS is establishing multiple strategically important locations and concurrently advancing its technological capabilities hand-in-hand with DCConnect.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the duration of the study period for the Network as a Service Market?
The study period for the Network as a Service Market extends from 2018 to 2028.

What is the growth rate of the Network as a Service Market?
The Network as a Service Market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.36% over the next five years.

What is the size of the Network as a Service Market?
The Network as a Service Market is expected to reach USD 19.29 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 32.36% to reach USD 78.38 billion by 2028.

Which region exhibits the highest growth rate in the Network as a Service Market?
The Asia-Pacific region demonstrates the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the period of 2018 to 2028.

Which region has the largest market share in the Network as a Service Market?
North America holds the highest market share in 2022.

Who are the key players in the Network as a Service Market?
The major companies operating in the Network as a Service Market include AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., DXC Technology Company, Synnex Corporation, and Cisco Systems Inc.