NEC has formally announced the end-of-life (EOL) timeline for its on-premise Unified Communications (UC) products outside of Japan. This long-term phase-out affects all on-premise NEC UC platforms and components. NEC BLUE UCaaS offerings are not part of this discontinuation and will continue where available.
New NEC on-premise systems are no longer available for purchase, and organizations currently operating these platforms are now in the support and maintenance phase of the lifecycle. Understanding what remains available, and for how long, is essential for planning, budgeting, and maintaining continuity of operations.
End of New System Sales and Add-On Hardware (EON)
NEC has completed the final phase of new system and hardware sales for its on-premise UC platforms.
- New NEC systems and hardware components are no longer available for purchase
- Final shipments of previously approved orders have been fulfilled
- No additional hardware expansion purchases can be made moving forward
Important note for SV9100 platforms:
A CP20 Processor is required for any remaining licensing increases, hardware expansion (where applicable), or continued support. Organizations with anticipated capacity needs should evaluate their current system limitations within the remaining lifecycle.
End of Add-On Sales: Software Licenses Only (EOA)
Software license add-ons remain available for NEC systems through the remainder of the lifecycle, with a final cutoff scheduled for December 31, 2030.
- After this point, no additional software licenses will be available
- SV9100 systems require a CP20 Processor for any licensing expansion
End of Add-On Sales: Software Assurance
The window to purchase Software Assurance is limited, with a final cutoff scheduled for December 31, 2025. Coverage may extend through March 31, 2030, depending on the product.
- An active Software Assurance subscription is required to receive bug fixes, security patches, and updates
- Software Assurance is also required for NEC to assist with license transfers, such as moving licenses to a replacement processor
Without an active Software Assurance plan, systems will not receive updates or security patches during the remainder of the lifecycle.
End of Technical Support (EOS)
NEC’s pre-sales and post-sales technical assistance will remain available through March 31, 2030.
After this date, NEC will no longer provide:
- Engineering support
- Configuration guidance
- Issue escalation
End of Maintenance
Regular software maintenance, including security patches, bug fixes, and updates, will continue through March 31, 2030, with one exception:
- SL2100 bug-fix support concluded on March 31, 2026
As manufacturer maintenance winds down, organizations relying on NEC platforms should expect:
- Increasingly limited availability of replacement parts
- Longer resolution times for hardware-related issues
- Greater operational risk as systems age without active updates
What This Means for Current NEC Users
The discontinuation of NEC’s on-premise UC business follows a structured timeline, and key milestones are now actively underway.
Organizations using these platforms should plan ahead of final support deadlines to avoid reactive decisions later.
Key considerations include:
- Ensuring Software Assurance is active for continued access to updates and support.
- Updating systems to the latest firmware while updates remain available.
- Assessing long-term operational risk as parts availability narrows.
A Note from Gibson Teldata
Gibson Teldata will continue supporting clients throughout this transition and will work within NEC’s timelines to maintain system reliability for as long as it is feasible and supported. While NEC is ending its on-premise UC product lifecycle, our team is committed to helping organizations understand their options, plan ahead, and minimize disruption.
If you would like assistance evaluating long-term communication strategies for your NEC environment, our team is available to help.
