NEC transferred its overseas network equipment resale business to a consortium led by Italy's Assist Group. The NEC business operates in regions such as Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe, building systems for telecom operators and enterprises using network equipment from partner firms. The division also provides IT services for governments and local authorities such as system development for biometric authentication and smart cities. NEC said these services will be transferred alongside parts of its business in Latin America and Europe where operations are primarily centered on the resale venture. “Leveraging our deep technical expertise, NEC has contributed to the growth and problem-solving of customers in various countries through these businesses for many years," NEC CEO Takayuki Morita explained. Under the new ownership, which places long-term growth, investment, and human resource development at the center of its strategy, I am confident that these businesses will be able to provide even higher-value solutions to customers in the future." Assist Group was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, It provides technology-driven solutions, data intelligence capabilities, and strategic consulting services. The transfer, which is scheduled to finalize in fiscal year 2026, is NEC's biggest networking carve out since the sale of its wireless and transport business in 2023. The buyer in that deal was Aviat Networks, which claimed the NEC addition would make it the largest microwave backhaul specialist in the market. Comments