Network as a Service (NaaS) explained: Benefits for IT teams

Enterprise IT teams leaned into cloud services over the last 15 years. Gartner projects that by 2025, 51% of enterprise IT spending in application and infrastructure software will shift to cloud models.

Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) helped simplify operations. Cloud platforms handled deployments and scaling. Teams saved time and focused on bigger priorities.

Networking never caught up.

Companies still piece networks together with vendor hardware and outside IT support. Internal teams manage upgrades, chase support tickets, and switch between monitoring tools that don’t talk to each other.

Network as a Service, or NaaS, takes that weight off their plate. One provider handles design, equipment, setup, and ongoing operations.

SaaS and IaaS took off fast because the pressure was immediate. Networking moved slower because the tooling wasn’t there yet.

The current state of IT

IT teams haven’t grown much in the last few decades. Team sizes stay flat while companies keep adding new hires who need support.

Each IT pro now supports more employees than ever. At the same time, fewer young people are learning networking or wireless skills.

The job keeps getting harder.

More devices connect to corporate networks. Bandwidth needs keep climbing. Helpdesk tickets pile up fast.

Old environments looked simple by comparison. A 100,000-square-foot warehouse in 2003 might have had a few PCs, some printers, and basic Wi-Fi. That same warehouse today could support thousands of endpoints.

IT teams need to manage laptops, phones, sensors, cameras, and even autonomous machines. They face more demands with less support. That’s driving a shift in how companies design, deploy, and run their networks.

Why IT teams used to choose between products or services

IT teams used to face a tradeoff. They could buy networking hardware from a product company or hire a service provider to manage the network. No single vendor offered both.

What product-centric vendors offered

Product vendors built the access points, switches, and firewalls. Their strengths included reliable hardware, strong configuration options, and built-in security.

IT teams still had to design the network, install the equipment, and manage the whole thing long-term. Vendors didn’t offer support beyond the product.

That worked when networks were simpler. IT teams had the time and tools to figure things out on their own.

Where product vendors started to fall short

Networks got more complex. Devices multiplied. Wi-Fi density increased.

Product vendors kept shipping better hardware, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 access points. But planning, deploying, and managing those networks didn’t get any easier.

Fast radios don’t help when support is slow, the UI is clunky, and configuration takes three manuals and a prayer.

How service-centric vendors filled the gap

Service providers focused on value-added support. They handled network design, deployment, management, and day-to-day tickets. MSPs, VARs, and CSPs became go-to partners for overwhelmed IT teams.

Some providers were small shops of specialists. Others scaled into full-service operations. Both helped IT teams avoid getting buried in troubleshooting.

The limits of service without product control

Service vendors worked with third-party gear. That limited their control over configuration, visibility, and reliability.

They couldn’t patch firmware, fix bugs, or ship features. Some tried building their own automation tools. A few succeeded. Most didn’t.

Coverage also became a problem. Many trusted service partners only worked locally or regionally. That left multi-site businesses scrambling to find consistent support across locations.

The old model doesn’t scale

IT teams often stitched together products and services to cover the full lifecycle.

The result: multiple vendors, scattered contracts, and inconsistent support across locations.

The mix worked when networks were simple and expectations were low. Modern environments demand more, and the patchwork approach falls short.

Network as a Service offers a new model for IT

Networks have grown more complex, and IT teams face increasing demands. Leaders have started asking, "What if there were a better model? One that combined strong hardware and great support. And what if it all came from a single vendor?"

That’s the promise of Network as a Service. The challenge is that the term means different things depending on who’s selling it.

Everyone wants to sell “NaaS,” but few deliver

Analyst Roy Chua from AvidThink puts it bluntly, "The term NaaS encapsulates a broad range of services and has many faces."

That creates a mess. One company's offering might include only network management. Another might bundle gear with installation but skip long-term support.

Some vendors claim to deliver full networks as a service, but most still rely on fragmented tools and third-party support. Others bolt a subscription on top of their existing product line and call it a service.

Most offerings fall into two categories

Plenty of companies offer value through managed networking, including those that describe their offering as a managed network as a service. But when you look closely, most fit into one of two buckets.

Group I

Vendors offer a few pieces of the puzzle, but not the full picture.

For example, a service business might resell third-party hardware. A hardware vendor might offer design help but still lack deployment expertise. Or you might find someone billing remote monitoring as “NaaS,” even if the gear and install still fall on your team.

Group II

Vendors offer a subscription plan, but not a true service model. The pricing looks modern. The experience feels like the same old mess.

In both cases, the core issues remain.

IT still takes on the complexity. Teams still chase vendors for support. Nothing’s really changed.

What is “Network as a Service” at Meter?

We don’t believe software will replace IT teams or network engineers, not even with AI or machine learning. Teams should enjoy Network as a Service while still having full visibility and control.

There shouldn’t be a tradeoff between good products and good service. Both should be excellent.

Ten years ago, we started building toward that goal and shaping how we believe the network as a service market should evolve.

The full stack, designed and delivered

Meter provides hardware, software, installation, and management to help IT teams run and scale their networks. The pricing model removes large capital expenses and keeps budgeting predictable.

The model centers on customer experience. It creates direct accountability to improve every part of the system, including hardware, software, deployment, and long-term performance.

We define this as the standard for Network as a Service.

What IT teams get with Meter

What we handle for IT teams

Most IT teams already know what a strong network requires. We take on the work so they can stay focused on priorities that move the business forward.

Procure internet service

We take on ISP procurement to save time and money. Our team finds the best rate and coordinates a smooth install.

Design the network

Each site is unique. We plan for full coverage by tailoring the network to the space and its requirements. Our software helps drive this process.

Install custom hardware

We provide and install our own enterprise-grade hardware. That includes racks, switches, security appliances, and access points for however many the site needs.

Test and validate the setup

We verify performance across the entire environment to ensure the network works as expected.

Deploy core network service features

We configure and install key tools like SD-WAN, VPN, and DNS security to match business needs.

Support mobile connectivity where needed

Meter Cellular provides Mobile Network as a Service for sites that need secure LTE or 5G coverage. Locations like warehouses, parking lots, and remote facilities often require stronger, more flexible connectivity than Wi-Fi can deliver.

Maintain and self-heal

We’ve built resilient systems that respond to issues in real time. If a device fails, nearby access points automatically adjust to maintain coverage.

Deliver control and insight

Our dashboard gives IT teams real-time visibility and configuration access. Teams can monitor traffic, diagnose issues, and make changes directly.

Offer hands-on support

Our network engineers act as an extension of the customer’s team. We help troubleshoot, answer questions, and step in when needed.

Why Meter’s networking approach is different

Plenty of companies offer value through managed networking. Meter delivers a complete enterprise networking solution that blends design, hardware, software, and support.

We are network engineers building for network engineers. We aim for excellence in both products and services. The same team that builds the hardware and software is responsible for maintaining and improving it.

Our model of Network as a Service reflects that belief. We treat networks like a utility. Share the address and floor plan, and we’ll make sure everything works reliably, securely, and without unnecessary setup or third-party dependencies.

Key features of Meter’s enterprise network solution include:

• Complete integration: Meter-built access points, switches, security appliances, and power distribution units work together to create a cohesive, stress-free network management experience.

• Managed experience: Meter provides proactive user support and done-with-you network management to reduce the burden on in-house networking teams.

• Hassle-free installation: Simply provide an address and floor plan, and Meter’s team will plan, install, and maintain your network.

• Software: Use Meter’s purpose-built dashboard for deep visibility and granular control of your network, or create custom dashboards with a prompt using Meter Command.

• OpEx pricing: Instead of investing upfront in equipment, Meter charges a simple monthly subscription fee based on your square footage. When it’s time to upgrade your network, Meter provides complimentary new equipment and installation.

• Easy migration and expansion: As you grow, Meter will expand your network with new hardware or entirely relocate your network to a new location free of charge.

To learn more, schedule a demo with Meter.

Frequently asked questions

What are the use cases for network as a service?

The use cases for network as a service include Wi-Fi, ISP setup, mobile coverage, and full network management.

What is an example of Network as a Service?

An example of Network as a Service is Meter’s fixed-rate model with hardware, software, and support included.

What is the difference between SaaS and Network as a Service?

The difference between SaaS and Network as a Service is that SaaS delivers apps and NaaS delivers networks.

Is Network as a Service better than cloud storage?

Network as a Service is not better than cloud storage because they serve different purposes. NaaS manages connectivity and infrastructure. Cloud storage handles file access, backup, and data sharing.