Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) is the combination of on-demand connectivity, application assurance, cybersecurity, and multi-cloud networking within a standards-based automated ecosystem. NaaS adopts a cloud-inspired operational model that delivers cloud-like flexibility, automation, and scalability to network services, while extending capabilities such as dynamic connectivity, enhanced application awareness, real-time performance visibility, advanced cybersecurity, and seamless integration across partner networks and multi-cloud, edge, and hybrid environments.
As the communication industry’s digital transformation continues to accelerate, enterprises are increasingly turning to Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) as the solution for network transformation. Modern NaaS, as defined by MEF, is uniquely positioned to address critical needs such as enhanced cybersecurity, cloud migration, and support for AI and GenAI workloads.
Enterprises are poised to benefit from multiple converging trends in the communications industry, unlocking powerful new NaaS innovations that provide greater flexibility in achieving business goals. In a sea change for the industry, the foundation is being laid for increasingly sophisticated on-demand NaaS solutions to be ordered and managed with unprecedented visibility across horizontally integrated networks worldwide.
However, the NaaS market cannot reach its full potential without better alignment of the broader community of stakeholders and elimination of confusion regarding the definition of NaaS, its principal features, and terminology.
With the potential to generate tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue within a few years, the NaaS market relies on enhanced collaboration across multiple fronts. The new generation of Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) will combine on-demand connectivity, application assurance, cybersecurity, and multi-cloud-based services across a standards-based automated ecosystem—empowering organizations achieve business goals without having to build and maintain their own infrastructure.
MEF defines the building blocks for a NaaS industry model that enables rapid innovation. The baseline begins with the MEF3.0 Global Services Framework for LSO automation APIs, standardized services, testing, training & certification, and references work from other industry bodies.
This baseline is augmented by the ability to integrate and automate a rich partner ecosystem. The model enables service providers to differentiate their offerings and gain competitive advantage to address the requirements of enterprises and small-and-midsize businesses (SMBs).
A foundational resource for service providers, cloud providers, technology suppliers, and other ecosystem participants, MEF’s newest Network-as-a-Service Blueprint emphasizes the need for collaboration across multiple fronts to maximize market opportunities
The NaaS Blueprint identifies key areas for alignment and collaboration, providing progress updates to guide companies in these efforts, including:
Unified Definition of NaaS: Establishes a clear definition of NaaS integrating on-demand connectivity, application assurance, cybersecurity, and multi-cloud networking within an automated ecosystem.
Key NaaS Features: Identifies 36 key features, including 20 essential customer-facing features highlighted in MEF’s NaaS Customer Experience White Paper.
NaaS Use Cases: Explores customer requirements and service provider solutions for four core NaaS use cases—on-demand connectivity, SD-WAN, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and multi-cloud connectivity.
NaaS Automated Ecosystem: Reports progress on the NaaS automated ecosystem built on standardized services and Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs that automate business and operational functions between ecosystem participants.
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Also see the MEF NaaS Customer Experience White Paper >
The industry’s first white paper written jointly by service providers, this insightful paper lays out what enterprises should expect from a NaaS offering.
From the MEF Edge VIEW Blog: Network-as-a-Service Blog Posts >
Global NaaS Event by MEF
10–12 November 2025 | Dallas, Texas
Where digital transformation leaders converge to accelerate secure Network-as-a-Service offerings. Don’t miss the opportunity to join us!
Here are some highlights from October 2023: