The telecommunications sector has consistently relied upon standards established by organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). These standards have been introduced and served to delineate the protocols governing communication and interoperability among various devices, systems, and networks.
Other organizations like the TeleManagement (TM) Forum are instrumental in formulating standards for Telco software and business processes. Moreover, the telecom industry leverages cross-industry frameworks such as Software Development and IT Operations (DevOps), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) to align Information Technology (IT) services with business requirements, thereby enhancing operational efficiencies.
The introduction of new digital technologies and the evolving socio-economic imperatives, requires fresh initiatives to set or change the boundaries in business, technology, and operations. Cloud-based Telco architecture, Open Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs), and Sustainability mandates, emerge as prominent themes undergoing standardization spanning across systems, networks, individuals, and processes. These focal areas are strategically framed to set the basis of a plethora of innovative, new generation applications and use cases promising entirely novel experiences and interactions.
Telecommunication standards are established through rules and specifications typically defined by the collective input of various stakeholders, including telecom operators, regulators, HW/SW vendors, technology providers, and industry associations.
3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Program), historically focused on providing system descriptions for mobile telecommunications and broadband markets, during the last years spearheads the establishment of standards for fifth generation (5G) mobile networks.
Similarly, the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), is engaged in standardization efforts to leverage the capabilities of 5G. For example, the suite of Network APIs, which furnish insights into subscriber information, device data, location details, and network characteristics are part of this accomplishment which has been standardized by GSMA. Third-party entities, such as merchants, developers, and operators, rely on this information to develop compelling new applications.
Lastly, TM Forum, well known for establishing Business Process, Application, and Information Frameworks for Telcos through initiatives like the Telecom Operations Map (TOM), Application Framework (TAM), and Information Framework (SID), is now focused on defining the so called Open Digital Architecture (ODA). This initiative encompasses a collection of implementation concepts, principles, and best practices tailored for the next generation of IT and network components. In this frame, TM Forum collaborates with software and business development associations, including DevOps, ITIL, and the Open Group, to address various aspects of IT service delivery and evolved business architecture.
In the telecom industry, standardization touches various domains. A brief description of the areas where new standards are introduced, or the existing standards are under reconsideration, is provided below:
Network: it pertains to Network Functions, previously known as Telco Network Elements. Traditionally, network resources for both the Core and Edge/Radio Access Network were hardware-based; however, they have now transitioned into software abstraction. These software functions define a novel architecture both for operators and telecommunication software vendors. This standardized architecture, characterized by modularity and reusability, paves the way for innovative services such as Network Slicing in the context of 5G, while it particularly affects Core/Edge network setup, policy implementation, and charging mechanisms.
BOSS: Business and Operations Support Systems undergo a decomposition into reusable components to facilitate the development of cloud-native, plug-and-play information systems. These components serve as software building blocks, encapsulating logical functionality, and executing both IT and network functions. Standardization also affects Telco business processes related to the Customer and Service level, encompassing functionalities such as Product packaging, Ordering, Charging, and Billing.
Interfaces: Network and IT assets require seamless communication facilitated by a unified data model, facilitating integration. This model should be exposed and instantiated through Open APIs, providing access to information across various functional areas, whether business or network related. For example, customer profile, product specifications, and billing information are among the data made accessible across disparate systems. Additionally, location information or Quality on Demand (QoD) related parameters are made readily available to developers and enterprises, empowering the creation of innovative applications.
Operations: With the transition from physical to virtual environments, the need for an operational framework to support the hosting, design, testing, operation, and maintenance of network and IT assets, arises. Numerous organizations advocate for standardized practices and blueprints concerning Network (NetOps), IT (ITOps), and Artificial Intelligence (AIOps) Operations. A universal framework applicable to both network and IT domains is being developed. This framework is designed to bolster automation through AI-driven orchestration capabilities, facilitating seamless integration and efficiency across operations.
Sustainability: Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have been guiding organizational practices and policies for decades. However, recent environmental and socio-economic developments require a new framework embodied in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. The ESG standards framework is increasingly adopted across organizations including Telcos, influencing processes and technology implementation. Governmental bodies, in collaboration with industry associations, are actively involved in developing sustainability standards. This collective effort aims to establish a foundation where automation is leveraged to address the needs of both people and the planet, paving the way for a better future for all.
Standardization brings value and multiple benefits for an organization, either CSP or vendor, including but not limited to:
Since its inception in 1989, TM Forum has been standardizing the processes of Fulfilment, Assurance, and Billing, establishing a common framework for operators and Business and Operations Support Systems (BOSS) vendors.
In response to the evolving telco environment and the new requirements for Cloud/Virtualization, Ecosystem Management, and Artificial Intelligence, TM Forum introduced the Open Digital Framework (ODF) comprising the Open Digital Architecture (ODA) as well as other key TM Forum assets such as the Maturity Models (AI, CEM, etc.), Metrics, Data repositories including AI training data and a complete set of Transformational tool kits. ODA brings a new set of implementation guidelines, principles, and best practices tailored for the new generation of Telco IT and Network. At the core of ODA lie the ODA Components, which serve as reusable, plug-and-play software building blocks executing both IT and network functions.
ODA Components operate within a standardized cloud infrastructure known as the ODA Canvas and share their data with the Intelligence layer, enabling real-time decision-making regarding network operations. Defined in a machine-readable format, these components are designed to function autonomously, facilitating "zero-touch operations" and "zero-touch partnering" without requiring human intervention.
These components expose their functionality through Open APIs that:
ODA in action: TM Forum's ODA components and Open APIs have redefined the software lifecycle within the telecommunications industry. Operators such as BT, Axiata, Deutsche Telekom Group, and Telstra, along with numerous technology vendors, have experienced substantial benefits through the adoption and utilization of ODA. By embracing ODA, these stakeholders have eliminated the significant technical debt associated with legacy architectures and costly integration/upgrade processes. This shift to ODA allowed them to redirect focus towards growth initiatives, rapidly translating ideas from concept to revenue generation, reporting thus:
Intracom Telecom adopts and follows the standards set forth by 3GPP and TM Forum in telco products and solutions development (e.g., NGINius Charging™ suite, Cognitiva™ AI-powered applications, UiTOP IoT orchestration platform).
The company has been an active member of TM Forum for several years, sharing and contributing knowledge and expertise across various domains, including OSS/BSS, IoT, and AI. Notably, in the field of AI, Intracom Telecom has received recognition for its innovative contributions to AIOps Autonomous Service Assurance, earning an award back in 2021.
Some recent projects where Intracom Telecom contributed significantly:
The Outstanding Contributor award for 2023 has been assigned to Intracom Telecom, for their invaluable contributions in TM Forum projects.
Additionally, Intracom Telecom signed the TM Forum ODA Manifesto, endorsing TM Forum's design principles and essential standards aimed at facilitating a 'plug and play' set of technology capabilities. This commitment underscores the value placed on membership in the organization.
Intracom Telecom actively participates in TM Forum activities focused on knowledge creation and innovation, showcasing Sustainability cases in areas like Holistic Intelligence and GenAI to accelerate 5G Monetization.
Our company's team possess a range of skills and certifications, including TOGAF, DevOps, and ITIL, ensuring alignment with modern business and IT architecture development standards.
Finally, at Intracom Telecom we uphold industry standards to ensure equality, health and safety in the working environment, information security, business continuity, and adherence to environmental practices across operations.