6WIND
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersMontigny-le-bretonneux, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
6WIND firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 6WIND
- Legal name
- 6WIND S.A.
- Website
- https://6wind.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
6WIND industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtualized Networking Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) (HDAFANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Branch Routing (SD-WAN/Edge Routers) (HDAFABAA), Virtualized EPC/5GC Core (vEPC/v5GC) (HDAFANAD), Cloud Networking & Virtual Networking (VPC/VNet) (HDABAFAG)
Keywords
Where 6WIND is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montigny-le-bretonneux
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
6WIND business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Perpetual): 6WIND offers perpetual software licenses for Virtual Service Router and related products. Licenses are priced per performance tier from 1G to 100G throughput. Customers purchase a one-time perpetual license along with a maintenance agreement for support and updates.
- Software Subscriptions: Subscription-based licensing model for 6WIND software including VSR, UPF, and cloud solutions. Subscriptions include software updates, support, and maintenance. Also offered as NaaS (Network as a Service) licensing model with pay-as-you-grow options.
- Maintenance and Support Services: Annual maintenance agreements for perpetual license holders providing support, software updates, and technical assistance. 6WIND also offers professional support with varying SLAs.
- Certification and Training Services: 6WIND offers a certification program (6WICE - 6WIND Intermediate Certified Engineer) with training sessions. Training consists of 5 half-day sessions plus optional exam and practice week, offered in different time zones monthly.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | VSR licenses priced by throughput performance tier (1G to 100G) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free 30-day evaluation trial available |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | NaaS (Network as a Service) pay-as-you-grow licensing model |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
6WIND product offering
Product offeringCore offering
6WIND develops and licenses high-performance, virtualized and cloud-native networking software built on its proprietary 6WNOS network operating system. Its flagship product, the Virtual Service Router (VSR) suite, includes specialized virtualized router variants (vPE, vCSR, vSecGW, vFW, vUPF, vCGNAT, vBNG, vBR, vCPE) and is sold alongside 6WINDCloud, the Host Network Accelerator (vHNA), the VSR Appliance (pre-configured on Dell PowerEdge with Intel Xeon 6), and the 6WINDGate packet-processing stack for OEMs — all deployable on bare metal, virtualized environments, containers (Kubernetes, OpenShift), and public clouds to replace proprietary hardware routers.
Product overview
6WIND offers a comprehensive virtualized networking software portfolio centered around the Virtual Service Router (VSR) product suite, which is built on the proprietary 6WNOS core technology. The VSR suite includes multiple specialized virtual router variants: vPE (Virtual Provider Edge) for IP/MPLS edge services, vCSR (Virtual Cell Site Router) for RAN traffic aggregation, vSecGW (Virtual Security Gateway) for IPsec VPN and security services, vFW (Virtual Firewall) for L3/L4 security, vUPF (User Plane Function) for 5G mobile networks, vCGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) for IPv4 exhaustion, vBNG (Broadband Network Gateway) for subscriber management, vBR (Border Router) for inter-domain routing, and vCPE for universal customer premises equipment. Complementing the VSR family are host-based routing solutions (Host Network Accelerator and Virtual Accelerator) and 6WINDCloud for cloud-native deployments. All products are deployable on bare metal, virtualized, or containerized COTS servers and are optimized to reduce energy consumption by more than 50% compared to traditional hardware routers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Virtual Service Router (VSR): High-performance, scalable virtualized software routers optimized for CSPs and enterprises.
- 6WINDGate
- 6WINDCloud
- vPE
- vBR
- vSecGW
- vFW
- vUPF
- vCGNAT
- vBNG
- vCSR
- vCPE
Products and services
- 6WIND VSR (Virtual Service Router) High-performance, scalable virtualized software router optimized for CSPs and enterprises. Based on 6WNOS and DPDK fast-path acceleration, supports routing, firewall, NAT, IPsec VPN, UPF, BNG, CPE, and security gateway functions, deployable on COTS x86 and ARM servers across bare metal, virtualized environments, containers, and cloud platforms.
- 6WINDCloud Cloud-native, disaggregated networking software solution that provides efficient and cost-effective cloud network virtualization for cloud operators, Neo AI cloud providers, and enterprises.
- Host Network Accelerator (vHNA) High-performance host-based router solution (vHNA) that delivers routing capabilities directly to Kubernetes worker nodes with low latency and high throughput, enabling advanced BGP EVPN routing, segmentation, and security with Kubernetes-native workflows.
- Virtual Accelerator Accelerator solution for virtualized environments that boosts virtual switch performance for enhanced networking capabilities.
- VSR Appliance Pre-configured hardware appliance running 6WIND VSR software on Dell PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon 6 processors, available directly through Dell and authorized partners, with throughput scaling from 40 Gbps to 1.6 Tbps.
- 6WINDGate High-performance packet processing software and networking stacks based on DPDK, including Layer 2-4 stacks and a TCP stack, embedded by OEMs and Network Builders into their products.
- Virtual Host Network Accelerator (vHNA) — Tier-1 deployment Cloud-native deployment of vHNA integrated with NVIDIA BlueField DPUs and Spectro Cloud Palette for AI Factory architectures, delivering cloud-native agility without compromising throughput or security.
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy consumption reduced by more than 50% compared to hardware router deployments
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use 6WIND
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
6WIND technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration14 records
Feature9 records
6WIND partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Equinixcore6WIND virtual networking solutions are available on the Equinix Marketplace and Equinix Network Edge, enabling deployment of scalable routing, security enforcement, and high-scale IPsec VPN connectivity at global interconnection hubs.
- Spectro CloudcoreStrategic collaboration to accelerate high-performance cloud networking for Kubernetes environments at the edge and in data centers, targeting emerging AI Factory architectures. The partnership integrates NVIDIA BlueField DPUs for hardware acceleration with 6WIND's Virtual Host Network Accelerator software and Spectro Cloud's Palette management platform to deliver cloud-native agility without compromising throughput or security.
- NVIDIAcore6WIND expanded VSR deployment to support NVIDIA BlueField-3 Data Processing Units (DPUs), enabling hardware-accelerated routing and security services to run directly on the DPU. Additionally, 6WIND is delivering enhanced network solutions on NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure to boost service providers' AI adoption.
- Red Hatcore6WIND collaborated with Red Hat and Senao Networks on a cloud-native distributed User Plane Function (dUPF) demo on SmartNIC platform showcased at MWC 2026. The solution integrates 6WIND's UPF software with Red Hat OpenShift orchestration running on Senao SmartNIC hardware based on Intel Netsec Accelerator Reference Design.
- Senao NetworkscoreCollaboration with 6WIND and Red Hat to demonstrate a high-performance, cloud-native dUPF running on a Senao SmartNIC platform based on Intel Netsec Accelerator Reference Design and Red Hat OpenShift at MWC 2026.
- IntelcoreMulti-party collaboration involving Intel Netsec Accelerator Reference Design for SmartNIC platforms. 6WIND also collaborated with Intel on cloud-native dUPF demonstrations and delivers VSR Appliance on Dell PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon 6 processors. The Intel Netsec Accelerator Reference Design brings advanced compute and acceleration capabilities in a PCIe add-in-card form factor.
- Arqit Quantum Inc.coreStrategic collaboration to deliver quantum-safe encrypted VPN services for telecom service providers and enterprises. The partnership integrates Arqit's NetworkSecure quantum-safe encryption key generation technology with 6WIND's Virtual Service Router product portfolio. The joint solution enables enterprises to address both long-term quantum computing threats and immediate 'harvest now, decrypt later' attacks through an on-device quantum-safe IPsec solution delivered across universal customer premises equipment and virtualized cloud infrastructure.
- Dense Airmajor6WIND deployed virtualized security solutions with Dense Air for multi-operator 5G infrastructure, securing Dense Air's neutral host solution with cutting-edge virtualized network solutions.
- Dell Technologiescore6WIND announced its second-generation VSR Appliance built on Dell PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon 6 processors, delivering throughput scaling from 40 Gbps to 1.6 Tbps. The VSR Appliance supports NVIDIA ConnectX 6 and Intel E830 network adapters and is available directly through Dell and authorized partners.
- Telenovamajor6WIND appointed Telenova as a reseller partner to accelerate adoption of cloud-native networking solutions, expanding distribution reach in targeted markets.
- Orange Businesscore6WIND and Orange strengthened collaboration to deliver best-of-breed cloud connectivity services and security for B2B and wholesale customers, integrating 6WIND's VSR into Orange's service portfolio.
- Adtranmajor6WIND and Adtran partnered to deliver scalable vBNG (virtual Broadband Network Gateway) and vCGNAT solutions for end-to-end broadband networks, combining 6WIND's virtualized routing with Adtran's network solutions.
- EOLO SpAmajorEOLO selected 6WIND to contribute in building Europe's first 5G Standalone mmWave FWA network, deploying 6WIND's virtualized networking solutions across radio tower infrastructure.
- Wind Rivermajor6WIND Virtual Service Router (VSR) achieved Wind River Studio certification, validating interoperability for next-generation telecom cloud deployments with enhanced performance and TCO reduction.
- TrektelmajorStrategic partnership in the Americas with Trektel to expand distribution and adoption of 6WIND's virtualized networking solutions across the region.
- VMwaremajor6WIND Virtual Service Router (VSR) achieved VMware Ready for Telco Cloud certification, validating interoperability with VMware's telco cloud platform for carrier deployments.
- Parallel WirelessmajorParallel Wireless selected 6WINDGate packet processing software to boost performance for its HetNet Gateway (HNG), enabling high-performance mobile services using software for 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and 5G networks.
- MavenirmajorExtended partnership where Mavenir uses 6WINDGate TCP stack alongside DPDK-based Layer 2-4 networking stacks in its product suite for 4G, 5G, and NFV services including MRF, EPC, vRAN, and SBC products.
- Intelcore6WIND maintains an ongoing technology partnership with Intel, leveraging Intel Xeon processors, Intel Xeon 6, Intel Xeon D, Intel Netsec Accelerator Reference Design, and Intel processors for vCSR (Virtual Cell Site Router) optimizations. 6WIND was awarded GOLD in the Intel Network Builders Winners' Circle Award.
- Tomorrow Street (Vodafone and Technoport joint venture)majorArqit Quantum was selected for the Tomorrow Street Scaleup Partner portfolio (a Vodafone and Technoport joint venture). 6WIND is mentioned as a technology partner in this ecosystem.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
6WIND competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Juniper Networks: Juniper's vMX virtual router and Contrail networking (now Apstra/Mist) compete directly with 6WIND VSR for service-provider edge, BNG, and cloud deployments. Juniper is mentioned in 6WIND data as an interoperability partner, confirming overlap in vPE/BGP workloads.
- Cisco Systems: Cisco is the dominant incumbent in service-provider and enterprise routing with IOS-XR and CSR 1000v virtualized routers that compete directly with 6WIND's VSR across CSP, enterprise SD-WAN, and 5G use cases. Cisco is also an existing investor in 6WIND via Cisco Investments.
- Nokia: Nokia's CloudBand, SR Linux, and 5G core/UPF portfolio directly overlap with 6WIND's vUPF and service-provider NFV offerings. Nokia targets the same Tier-1 telco customers as 6WIND with cloud-native networking software.
- ADTRAN: ADTRAN partners with 6WIND for vBNG/vCGNAT solutions but also competes in adjacent broadband access and routing markets. Both target service-provider BNG/uplink refresh cycles with software-driven alternatives to legacy routing hardware.
Direct peers
- Versa Networks: Versa is a direct competitor offering virtualized SD-WAN and secure access service edge (SASE) routers targeting service providers and enterprises. Both companies position around software-defined, multi-tenant routing on COTS infrastructure, including vPE-class functions.
- IP Infusion: IP Infusion offers OcNOS and DanOS disaggregated network operating systems that run on white-box hardware — a directly comparable go-to-market to 6WIND's VSR targeting Tier-1 service providers replacing legacy hardware routers.
- Aviatrix: Aviatrix delivers cloud network virtualisation for AWS/Azure/GCP multi-cloud environments, comparable to 6WIND's 6WINDCloud and cloud-native vRouter positioning for hyperscaler and neo-cloud customers.
Emerging players
- Volta Networks: Volta Networks builds cloud-native virtual routing and switch fabrics that compete with 6WIND VSR for Tier-1/2 CSP vBNG and vPE deployments, focused on fully programmable, elastic cloud-scale networking.
- Mavenir: Mavenir is both a partner (uses 6WINDGate TCP stack) and an adjacent player in cloud-native 5G core/EPC, vRAN and UPF — the same 5G workloads 6WIND's vUPF targets. Their collaboration rather than pure competition reflects co-existence in MNOs.
- RtBrick: RtBrick provides a disaggregated routing stack for BNG and edge routing on white-box hardware — overlapping directly with 6WIND's vBNG and vBR products for Tier-1 telco broadband infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
6WIND social profiles
Digital presence6WIND compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
6WIND financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
6WIND leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
6WIND funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
6WIND M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 6WIND
What does 6WIND do?
6WIND develops and licenses high-performance, virtualized and cloud-native networking software built on its proprietary 6WNOS network operating system. Its flagship product, the Virtual Service Router (VSR) suite, includes specialized virtualized router variants (vPE, vCSR, vSecGW, vFW, vUPF, vCGNAT, vBNG, vBR, vCPE) and is sold alongside 6WINDCloud, the Host Network Accelerator (vHNA), the VSR Appliance (pre-configured on Dell PowerEdge with Intel Xeon 6), and the 6WINDGate packet-processing stack for OEMs — all deployable on bare metal, virtualized environments, containers (Kubernetes, OpenShift), and public clouds to replace proprietary hardware routers.
Is 6WIND a public or private company?
6WIND is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was 6WIND founded?
6WIND was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 6WIND based?
6WIND is headquartered in Montigny-le-bretonneux, France, in the Europe region.
How does 6WIND make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Perpetual) is the primary driver. The others are software Subscriptions, maintenance and Support Services and certification and Training Services.
Who are 6WIND's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Juniper Networks, Cisco Systems, Nokia and ADTRAN. Direct peers are Versa Networks, IP Infusion and Aviatrix. Emerging players are Volta Networks, Mavenir and RtBrick.
Does 6WIND have an API?
No public API is recorded for 6WIND.
What industry is 6WIND in?
6WIND's product category is Virtualized Networking Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFANAA, Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), with a secondary code of HDAFABAA, Enterprise Branch Routing (SD-WAN/Edge Routers). Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 3576.