[Problem] To provide a novel optical network which can be used as an in-vehicle optical backbone network and exhibits high capacity, low delay, low power consumption, low noise and low cost. [Solution] An optical network system, wherein: a signal processing unit 13 controls a light source 11, and generates an optical signal which includes an information portion to be read by one of the gateway units 5a, and a continuous light portion to be written thereby; a network control unit 15 generates an electrical signal which designates a gate y unit 5a and pertains to whether the information incorporated into the optical signal is to be read or written; and when designated by the electrical signal, each of the gateway units 5a transfers information to and from an electronic control unit 7, and reads information included in the corresponding optical signal or writes information in the continuous light portion, on the basis of the information included in the electrical signal about whether to read or write information.