Proximus’ NEURON aims to deploy a nationwide high-speed optical network across Belgium, comprising more than 600 sites, designed to meet the connectivity needs of both enterprises and consumers.
Ekinops will provide optical network equipment and services based on its WDM technology, including infrastructure systems supporting 800 Gbps optical capacity and a broad range of ROADMs (reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers) for Proximus’ backbone and metro networks.
The vendor will also provide its network management solution, Celestis NMS, together with associated software and professional services, to support Proximus in building its next-generation, high-performance optical network.
Following laboratory and field trials, Ekinops said the “first network deployment is scheduled for the second half of 2026.”
Software & Services increases
With contributions from its Olfeo acquisition and other customers, Ekinops’ Software and Services unit reported revenue rose 6%, while ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) was $18.1 million at the end of June 2026, up 7%.
Olfeo, the French provider of SSE (Secure Service Edge) cybersecurity software, contributed 1.6m to second-quarter revenue. Chimere, the French cybersecurity start-up consolidated since April 1, 2026, made a non-material contribution to quarterly revenue, as expected.
Ekinops said, “These sales accounted for 21% of Group revenue in the first half of 2026, unchanged from a year earlier.”
Connectivity & SASE networks decline
Amidst growth in optical and software, Ekinops’ Connectivity & SASE Networks (formerly Access) solutions dipped 5% sequentially, following a strong first quarter, when the segment recorded sequential growth of 14%.
However, the company noted that business momentum remained particularly solid in the second quarter, with a notable increase in the sales pipeline.
The Cybersecurity business line, included within the Connectivity & SASE Networks solutions portfolio, now accounts for 6% of Ekinops' total activity in the first half of 2026.
Setting growth focus
Driven by gains in optical networks and Software & Services, Ekinops reported consolidated revenue of $35 million, reflecting the company’s highest quarterly revenue in the past three years.
Second quarter rose 6% year-over-year compared with the second quarter of 2025.
In the first half of 2026, Ekinops’ consolidated revenue was $66.3 million, up 2%
“This strong performance confirms the positive business momentum seen over recent quarters,” Ekinops said. “Revenue has now increased for three consecutive quarters, rising by 15% in the fourth quarter of 2025, 8% in the first quarter of 2026, and 11% in the second quarter of 2026.”
Geographically, Ekinops recorded sustained activity in France in Q2 2026 (7% sequential vs. the first quarter of 2026) and in North America (25% sequentially), both mainly driven by Optical Networks activity.
Looking towards the rest of the year, Ekinops reaffirmed its mission to “progressively” return to growth in 2026 and confirms its ability to deliver single-digit revenue growth for the full year.
At mid-year, the company is already posting 22% sequential growth and 2% year-over-year growth.
Ekinops said that various factors give it confidence that it will meet its growth targets in 2026.
“The first deployments under the Proximus framework agreement, the sustained business momentum in H1 across all business lines, and the first deliveries of the new DCI and SASE solutions expected at year-end should support continued year-over-year growth in the second half of 2026,” the company said.
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