Building Utrecht’s digital backbone with Network as a Service

The city of Utrecht embarked on modernizing its IT infrastructure to keep pace with a growing range of digital services, from public security systems to smart city applications. Utrecht needed a network that was secure, scalable, and capable of supporting the city’s future needs.

As a public authority managing sensitive data and vital services, Utrecht needed a solution that combined high performance, reliability, and easy management while keeping costs under control.

Axians implemented a Network as a Service (NaaS) model, giving Utrecht access to a fully managed, software-defined network without the costs and complexity of ownership.

Built on Cisco’s software-defined networking (SDN) technology and complemented by F5 and Infoblox solutions, the new infrastructure connects all city locations, ensuring fast, secure, and flexible access to data and applications.

The network design follows the same architectural principles used for the NATO conference in The Hague. Having successfully passed the rigorous penetration tests for that event, this proven design demonstrates a very high level of security and resilience.

The city’s digital infrastructure also supports critical urban operations such as traffic management, energy optimization, and environmental monitoring, enabling data-driven decision-making across departments. In addition to administrative applications, the network connects public services like waste management, water distribution, and emergency response systems, ensuring efficient coordination and rapid communication. Through integrated platforms, the municipality can manage mobility flows, monitor air quality, and improve public safety, creating a smarter and more responsive urban ecosystem.

Beyond these critical operations, the network also plays a key role in the daily experiences of Utrecht’s residents. It supports the reliable operation of narrowcasting screens in the town hall, provides stable Wi-Fi connectivity in sports halls and public swimming pools, and ensures uninterrupted access for civilians visiting the municipality for services such as applying for new passports. This highlights the importance of a network that not only enables urban management but also directly impacts and supports the citizens who rely on these services every day.

Axians also established clear operational processes, aligning its own service management teams with Utrecht’s IT departments to ensure smooth collaboration.

Since 2020, Axians has been managing Utrecht’s entire network infrastructure as a service. This includes the city’s connectivity between multiple sites, managed data center housing, and support for its ongoing transition to cloud-based services. In the years Axians has been delivering Network as a Service for the municipality of Utrecht, there have been no major incidents, confirming the reliability and stability of the network.

“With Network as a Service, Utrecht has a platform that grows with them,” says Marcel. “They can introduce new digital services quickly and securely, and we make sure the network is always ready.”