Japan – October 7, 2026 – NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President, CEO and CENO: Michio Ohno; hereinafter “NEC Networks & System Integration”) has delivered white box routers powered by “DNOS,” software from DriveNets Ltd. (Head Office: Ra’anana, Israel; CEO: Ido Susan; hereinafter “DriveNets”), to OPTAGE Inc. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; President: Masahiko Nabe; hereinafter “OPTAGE”).
In recent years, network traffic has continued to increase with the growing adoption and use of AI technologies, while service delivery models have also become increasingly diverse. As an initiative to respond flexibly to these changes, open networking is attracting attention. Open networking can reduce dependence on specific vendors while making it easier to adopt new services and technologies. It is also expected to improve interoperability by facilitating integration among different systems and services.
Against this backdrop, NEC Networks & System Integration has been promoting the proposal and delivery of white box products as part of its efforts to advance open networking.
Unlike conventional integrated products in which hardware and software are supplied by the same manufacturer, white box products allow hardware and software to be selected independently. This enables users to choose the optimal combination based on required functions, making it possible to build flexible and highly scalable networks while optimizing network economics.
The DriveNets white box routers delivered in this project use the cloud-native software design of DNOS to provide scalability that is not constrained by physical limitations, enabling rapid and flexible responses to traffic growth and configuration changes. They can also be combined with third-party products, helping reduce both operating expenses and capital expenditures. Leveraging its expertise in a wide range of network deployments, NEC Networks & System Integration supports the introduction of white box products. By supporting parallel operation with existing equipment and phased migration, and by providing consistent support from design through operations, the company helps ensure stable customer network operations.
Comment from OPTAGE Inc.
OPTAGE is advancing initiatives to open its networks and improve scalability in order to realize a network infrastructure that can flexibly accommodate future traffic growth and increasingly diverse services.
With the introduction of white box routers in the edge network domain, we are evaluating the effectiveness of an architecture that allows flexible selection of hardware and software. We also expect this approach to lead to more advanced network operations, cost optimization, and faster adoption of new technologies in the future.
NEC Networks & System Integration has supported us from pre-deployment validation through design, implementation, and technical support. Going forward, we will continue to utilize open networking technologies to realize a more flexible and sustainable network infrastructure and to provide stable communications services to our customers.
Comment from DriveNets Ltd.
DriveNets Network OS (DNOS) has been adopted by many Tier 1 communications service providers around the world and, particularly in the United States, carries large volumes of traffic for AT&T and Comcast. DNOS supports white boxes supplied by multiple vendors, including DriveNets-branded hardware. In recent years, DNOS deployments have also begun in Japan, including KDDI’s core IP backbone. We expect the deployment at OPTAGE to serve as a catalyst for further accelerating the adoption of white box routers in Japan.
NEC Networks & System Integration will continue to focus on open networking through the provision of white box products and contribute to building the infrastructure that supports technological innovation.
- DNOS is a trademark or registered trademark of DriveNets Ltd.
- All company names and product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is OPTAGE using DriveNets white box routers?
NEC Networks & System Integration has delivered white box routers powered by DriveNets Network OS (DNOS) to OPTAGE for its edge network. OPTAGE is evaluating this architecture to support open networking, improve scalability, and accommodate future traffic growth and increasingly diverse services.
What benefits do DriveNets white box routers offer?
DriveNets white box routers allow hardware and software to be selected independently, providing greater flexibility in network design. DNOS uses a cloud-native software architecture to support scaling and configuration changes. OPTAGE expects this approach to help optimize costs, improve network operations, and accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
How does NEC Networks & System Integration support OPTAGE’s deployment?
NEC Networks & System Integration has supported OPTAGE through pre-deployment validation, design, implementation, and technical support. Its approach supports parallel operation with existing equipment and phased migration, helping maintain stable network operations.
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