Ekinops Wins Decade-Long Deal to Rewire Belgium's Digital Core

PARIS, France – July 02, 2026 – In a move that underscores the high-stakes competition for Europe's digital infrastructure, French optical networking specialist Ekinops has secured a landmark 10-year framework agreement with Proximus, Belgium's leading telecom operator. The deal tasks Ekinops with supplying the core technology for a nationwide high-speed optical network, a project that will serve as the digital backbone for the entire country for the next decade and beyond.

The agreement, which finalizes a Memorandum of Understanding from March, is far more than a simple supply contract. It represents a major strategic victory for Ekinops in a market dominated by global giants, and a foundational investment by Proximus to future-proof its national network against the tidal wave of data driven by 5G, AI, and the cloud. The project, codenamed NEURON, is a critical pillar in Belgium's ambition to become a premier gigabit nation.

The Strategic Blueprint for a Gigabit Nation

At the heart of this partnership lies Proximus's sweeping network modernization strategy. The NEURON project (Next generation Enhanced Uniform Reliable Optical Network) is the transport layer of the operator's multi-billion-euro "Fiber for Belgium" investment plan, which aims to connect 95% of the nation's premises to fiber optics by 2032. NEURON will function as the country's central data highway, carrying all voice, internet, and television traffic over a newly built optical core.

The four-year deployment will be a massive undertaking, involving the complete replacement and upgrade of approximately 700 optical network nodes across Belgium. This modernization is essential to manage the exponential growth in data traffic and to provide the underlying capacity for Proximus's other strategic initiatives. The new backbone will be the engine that powers the nationwide rollout of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and the ongoing evolution of its 5G network, which already boasts advanced 5G Standalone capabilities. By building this high-capacity foundation, Proximus is not only enhancing current services but also preparing for a future where cloud computing, high-definition streaming, and artificial intelligence are table stakes for both consumers and enterprises.

A European Challenger's Landmark Victory

For Ekinops, this 10-year contract is a resounding validation of its technology and strategy. The Paris-based firm operates in a fiercely competitive optical transport market, facing off against titans like Nokia (strengthened by its acquisition of Infinera) and Ciena, which hold significant global market share. Securing a long-term partnership with a Tier-1 operator like Proximus catapults Ekinops into a more prominent position within the European landscape.

Industry analysts note that the deal also highlights a subtle but significant geopolitical undercurrent in European telecom procurement. As nations prioritize supply chain security for critical infrastructure, Ekinops has successfully positioned itself as a credible and advanced "non-Chinese alternative." This victory in Belgium provides a powerful reference case for other European operators seeking to modernize their networks with trusted regional technology.

"This agreement builds on Ekinops strengths: delivering trusted, flexible, high-capacity optical networking solutions," said Lionel Chmilewsky, CEO of Ekinops. "It highlights how our continued innovation—and the dedication and expertise of our teams serving customers worldwide—are delivering tangible results. We are extremely honored by Proximus' trust in our European technologies and our people." The long-term nature of the agreement provides Ekinops with a stable revenue stream and a platform to showcase its most advanced solutions at a national scale.

The Technology Powering the Future

Proximus's decision was ultimately driven by technological merit. The operator selected Ekinops' WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) platform for its efficiency, scalability, and forward-looking architecture. The system will deploy 800 Gbit/s (gigabits per second) optical capacity from the outset, a speed essential for handling modern data loads. Crucially, the chosen chassis is already compatible with future 1.6 T (terabits per second) rates, ensuring the network can scale without costly "rip-and-replace" upgrades as demand inevitably grows.

The network's dynamism will be enabled by a broad range of Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs), which allow Proximus to remotely and flexibly route data traffic across the country. This software-defined control is vital for optimizing network performance and ensuring resilience. Ekinops will also provide its Celestis NMS network management software, delivering a comprehensive solution that extends from the physical hardware to service-layer monitoring and diagnostics.

"We have been impressed by the Ekinops' labs and by the quality of their answers to our RFP, as well as the technical expertise demonstrated throughout the selection process," stated Geert Standaert, Network Lead and CTO of Proximus. "Beyond the simplicity and efficiency of the proposed architecture, this collaboration builds on a long-standing partnership with a trusted and reliable partner. Ekinops' expertise will play a key role in supporting our network evolution and delivering on our long-term ambitions."

Powering Belgium's Digital Economy

The impact of the NEURON project will extend far beyond the balance sheets of the two companies. This infrastructure upgrade is a direct enabler of the "Digital Belgium" agenda, a national strategy aimed at cementing the country's position as a digital leader in Europe. Belgium already ranks 6th in the EU's 2023 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), with particular strength in connectivity, and this investment is set to propel it further.

Economic studies consistently show a strong correlation between high-speed broadband availability and GDP growth. By providing a ubiquitous, high-capacity network, the NEURON backbone will foster innovation across the Belgian economy. It creates the necessary conditions for businesses to adopt advanced technologies like AI and IoT, improve productivity, and compete on a global scale. For public services, it facilitates a more efficient and accessible digital government.

For citizens, the benefits will be tangible, enabling households to simultaneously support multiple high-bandwidth activities—from remote work and education to 4K streaming and online gaming—without compromising on quality or speed. With lab and field trials beginning immediately and the first deployments scheduled for late 2026, Belgium is on a clear path to building one of Europe's most advanced and reliable digital foundations.