Inside TM Forum’s Catalyst Project “Living Networks – Phase III”

Key Takeaways

• Phase III adds Kubernetes‑based, cloud‑native architecture.
• AI and digital twins improve failure prediction.
• Operators aim to cut energy use and OPEX.
• Collaboration includes CSPs, hyperscalers, and research universities.
• Living Networks showcase at DTW Ignite Copenhagen June 2026.

Pulse Analysis

The telecom landscape is confronting unprecedented pressure from exploding data traffic, sustainability mandates, and ever‑more complex multi‑domain environments. TM Forum’s Catalyst program has long served as a crucible for industry‑wide innovation, and its latest “Living Networks – Phase III” iteration directly addresses these challenges. By embedding a Kubernetes‑centric, cloud‑native stack and tightening data governance, the project creates a flexible foundation where AI, digital twins, and real‑time analytics can orchestrate network functions with minimal human intervention. This shift from manual fault management to predictive, self‑healing operations is essential for operators seeking to stay competitive while curbing carbon footprints.

A standout participant, Digital Global Systems (DGS), contributes AI‑driven RF awareness and spectrum‑optimization capabilities that feed into the broader autonomous framework. Combined with contributions from major CSPs such as Orange, NTT, and MTN, the consortium demonstrates how multi‑vendor collaboration can shrink mean‑time‑to‑repair and unlock new revenue streams like Connectivity‑as‑a‑Service. The enhanced governance layer ensures that automation decisions are auditable and compliant, a critical factor for regulators and enterprise customers alike. Early results suggest measurable reductions in operational expenditure and energy consumption, aligning with carriers’ ESG commitments.

The public debut at DTW Ignite 2026 in Copenhagen will give industry leaders a tangible view of how adaptive, intelligent networks can evolve from static infrastructure into programmable platforms. This exposure is expected to accelerate adoption across the global telecom ecosystem, prompting vendors to embed similar autonomous capabilities into their product roadmaps. As operators transition toward these intelligent platforms, they will be better positioned to monetize ecosystem partnerships, deliver differentiated digital services, and meet the reliability expectations of next‑generation applications such as IoT, AR/VR, and edge computing. The collaborative model showcased by Living Networks sets a precedent for future joint‑innovation efforts, reinforcing TM Forum’s role as a catalyst for industry‑wide transformation.