UC Advanced - issue #19

Current Models and the Alternatives to NaaS

Without NaaS, organisations either build and run their own networks, outsource management, stick with telco/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) contracts, or set up private software-defined networks. Each option offers different trade-offs in cost, control, flexibility, and required expertise. Almost every organisation has a “network need”, so they would already be operating in some fashion with at least one or two of the networking models, based on historical investments and in-house expertise. Medium Cost / Medium Control Use an MSP For most companies using a managed network services model, it's about focusing IT resources elsewhere, scaling

High Cost / High Control Own Network (On-Premises) Major tech/cloud, banking, telco, government, and multinational

companies tend to build and manage their own network infrastructure for control, security, and performance. Smaller firms increasingly use cloud, but large organisations still rely on private management for mission-critical networks. This approach provides maximum control and customisation but comes with high upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and requires in-house expertise. Use VNI in Private Cloud/DC Companies using virtual networking in private cloud/data centers include almost all large/enterprise organisations, and some advanced mid-tier too, who operate their own modern data centers or private clouds. Virtually every company running VMware-based private cloud, OpenStack, or an enterprise data centre has adopted virtual networking technologies today. This brings some cloud/network flexibility, but requires significant upfront investment and specialised skills. This approach provides maximum control and customisation but comes with high upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and requires in-house expertise.

rapidly, and ensuring consistency or compliance across complex or distributed operations.

This reduces the burden on internal staff and can provide access to expertise,

but can still involve ownership of hardware and therefore offer less flexibility than NaaS.

Partner with a Telco Virtually every company, from micro- businesses to global enterprises, uses traditional telco/ISP solutions at some point, especially for connecting office locations, dedicated Internet or voice circuits and backup/WAN redundancy. They may also layer managed services, SD-WAN, or security solutions on top as their needs evolve. This provides reliability and service- level guarantees but may have less flexibility and slower deployment times than NaaS.

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