Proximus Selects Ekinops for Nationwide 800G Optical Backbone Upgrade

Proximus has selected Ekinops to modernize its nationwide DWDM optical backbone under its NEURON program, replacing approximately 700 optical network nodes across Belgium over the next four years. The project follows a competitive tender process and forms a key part of Proximus’s broader network strategy announced earlier this year. Laboratory testing is underway, field trials will follow, and commercial deployment is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The upgraded optical backbone will support the continued growth of cloud computing, AI workloads, streaming services, and next-generation connectivity. The network will support up to 96 wavelengths per fiber with speeds of up to 800 Gbps per wavelength, delivering more than 25 Tbps per fiber pair. Proximus said the modernization will improve transport capacity, reliability, operational efficiency, and flexibility while making more efficient use of its existing fiber infrastructure. The backbone supports all of the operator’s services, including FTTH, legacy copper access, 5G mobile networks, enterprise connectivity, wholesale services, and television distribution.

The new infrastructure also prepares the network for future security requirements through the gradual introduction of quantum-resistant encryption technologies. Sustainability also factored into the vendor selection, with Proximus citing energy efficiency and lower power consumption as important evaluation criteria. Most network upgrades will occur during overnight maintenance windows to minimize service disruption. The nationwide optical backbone will become a foundational element of Belgium’s digital infrastructure, supporting future growth in connectivity demand.

• Proximus selected Ekinops following a competitive tender process.

• Approximately 700 optical nodes across Belgium will be replaced.

• Deployment spans four years with first installations beginning in Q4 2026.

• Network supports up to 96 wavelengths per fiber.

• Maximum line rate reaches 800 Gbps per wavelength.

• Aggregate capacity exceeds 25 Tbps per fiber pair.

• Backbone carries traffic for FTTH, copper broadband, 5G, enterprise, wholesale, voice, Internet, and television services.

• Platform is designed to support AI, cloud computing, streaming, and future high-bandwidth applications.

• Modernization includes preparation for quantum-resistant encryption technologies.

“With the NEURON project, we are continuing the in-depth transformation of our network to provide our customers with ever more powerful and reliable connectivity. Modernizing our optical backbone is a key step in supporting the growth of digital services and preparing for future capacity requirements,” said Geert Standaert, Chief Technology Officer at Proximus.

🌐 Analysis: European operators continue to invest heavily in optical transport infrastructure as AI traffic, cloud interconnection, and distributed compute place increasing demands on national backbone networks. While access fiber deployments remain a priority, many incumbents are simultaneously refreshing core DWDM platforms with higher-capacity coherent optics and more automated transport architectures.

The NEURON optical backbone modernization extends beyond a routine DWDM refresh. It aligns with Proximus’ broader strategy to consolidate ownership of Belgium’s digital infrastructure and prepare for substantially higher traffic volumes generated by nationwide FTTH deployment, AI applications, cloud connectivity, and 5G services. While the Ekinops project focuses on upgrading approximately 700 backbone nodes with 800 Gbps wavelengths capable of delivering more than 25 Tbps per fiber pair, the underlying transport demand continues to increase as Proximus expands the number of fiber subscribers and wholesale customers connected to its network.

A key development is Proximus’ recent acquisition of Eurofiber’s 50.01% stake in Unifiber, giving the operator full ownership of the Wallonia FTTH joint venture. The €75 million transaction values Unifiber at an enterprise value of approximately €560 million and brings the company fully onto Proximus’ balance sheet. Unifiber has already completed the most capital-intensive phase of its rollout, deploying infrastructure to more than 300,000 living units and passing roughly 230,000 homes while installing nearly all required points of presence. The company continues toward its target of approximately 600,000 homes passed while maintaining its open-access wholesale model.

From a network architecture perspective, expanding FTTH coverage directly increases demand on the national optical backbone. Every newly connected residential or business customer ultimately relies on the DWDM core to transport traffic between regional aggregation points, Internet gateways, cloud providers, enterprise data centers, content delivery networks, and mobile core infrastructure. As wholesale utilization grows—including the planned onboarding of Orange Belgium customers on the Unifiber network, subject to regulatory approval—the aggregate traffic traversing the national transport network is expected to rise significantly.