NEURON by Proximus aims to deploy a nationwide high-speed optical network across Belgium with more than 600 locations, meeting the connectivity needs of businesses and consumers.
Ekinops will provide optical networking equipment and services based on its WDM technology, including infrastructure systems supporting 800 Gbps optical capacity and a wide range of ROADMs (reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers) for Proximus’ backbone and metro networks.
The provider will also provide its Celestis NMS network management solution, along with related software and professional services, to help Proximus build its next-generation, high-performance optical network.
After laboratory and field testing, Ekinops said that “the first network deployment is planned for the second half of 2026.”
Software & Services is increasing
Thanks to contributions from the Olfeo acquisition and other customers, Ekinops’ software and services unit recorded a 6% increase in revenue, while its ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) was $18.1 million at the end of June 2026, an increase of 7%.
Olfeo, the French provider of SSE (Secure Service Edge) cybersecurity software, contributed 1.6 million to sales in the second quarter. Chimere, the French cybersecurity start-up consolidated since April 1, 2026, made an insignificant contribution to quarterly revenue, as expected.
Ekinops said: “These sales accounted for 21% of group revenue in the first half of 2026, unchanged year-on-year.”
Connectivity and SASE networks are declining
Driven by growth in optics and software, Ekinops’ Connectivity & SASE Networks (formerly Access) solutions declined 5% sequentially, following a strong first quarter in which the segment posted 14% sequentially growth.
However, the company noted that business momentum remained particularly solid in the second quarter and the sales pipeline increased significantly.
The cybersecurity business, part of the Connectivity & SASE Networks solutions portfolio, now accounts for 6% of Ekinops’ total activity in the first half of 2026.
Set growth focus
Driven by gains in Optical Networks and Software & Services, Ekinops reported consolidated revenue of $35 million, marking the company’s highest quarterly revenue in the past three years.
The second quarter increased 6% year-over-year compared to 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 dynamics of recent quarters,” Ekinops said. “Revenue has now increased for the third consecutive quarter, increasing 15% in the fourth quarter of 2025, 8% in the first quarter of 2026 and 11% in the second quarter of 2026.”
Geographically, in Q2 2026, Ekinops recorded sustained activity in France (7% compared to Q1 2026) and North America (25% qoq), both driven primarily by optical network activity.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Ekinops reiterated its mission to “gradually return” to growth in 2026 and confirmed its ability to achieve single-digit revenue growth for the full year.
At mid-year, the company was already posting 22% sequential growth and 2% year-over-year growth.
Ekinops said several factors make the company confident of achieving its growth targets in 2026.
“Initial deployments under the Proximus framework, continued business momentum in the first half of the year across all business lines, and initial deliveries of the new DCI and SASE solutions expected by year-end should support continued year-over-year growth in the second half of 2026,” the company said.
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