Operated by a single provider
Systems Integrator (SI)
Operator platform
Operator platform offered commercially to third parties.
“Disaggregation—the process of modularizing, software-enhancing, and running network functions on a cloud-native infrastructure—is revolutionizing the telecoms industry,” said Arash Ashouriha, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Council and Senior Vice President of Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “This transition fundamentally changes how operators work internally and collaborate with the broader vendor ecosystem. With these publications, NGMN is taking the lead by providing practical, actionable guidance on the key operating models available today and helping operators navigate this change effectively,” he added.
“Software-based and cloud-native network architectures are poised to dominate the industry, giving operators greater flexibility and agility to manage networks, innovate new services, and respond to evolving customer needs,” said Bernard Bureau, NGMN Alliance Council Member and Vice President of Network Strategy and Architecture at TELUS Technology Office. “At TELUS, we are proud to have worked with NGMN to provide deeper insight into the available options and the organizational transformations needed to fully realize the potential of disaggregated networks,” he added.
The publications build on NGMN’s Cloud Native Manifesto (September 2023), which outlined seven key principles for accelerating the transition to cloud-native networks. While competition law prohibits the Alliance from endorsing or recommending any specific operating model, these publications offer decision-makers a comprehensive understanding of the organizational changes required to implement each scenario. They also provide a balanced assessment of the advantages and challenges associated with each approach. The aim is to highlight the wide range of options available to the sector and the long-term considerations for adopting each model effectively.
The publications, along with a brief summary document, can be downloaded here:
Summary Document: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241218_Operating-Models-an-Introduction-0_v1.0.pdf
Single Vendor Targeted: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241218_Operating-Model-1-Single-Vendor-Led_v1.0.pdf
Systems Integrator (SI) Targeted: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241218_Operating-Model-2-Systems-Integrator-Led_v1.0.pdf
Operator Platform: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241218_Operating-Model-3-Operator-Platform-for-Own-Use_v1.0.pdf
Platform Operator model offered commercially to third parties: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241218_Operating-Model-4-Operator-Led-Platform-Commercially-Offered-to-Others_v1.0.pdf
The publication was developed with input from across the industry, and NGMN members include operators, suppliers, and research institutions. This collaboration enables NGMN to provide robust guidance on key industry issues, driving progress on today's most critical topics, including NGMN's Strategic Focus Themes: Mastering the Path to Disaggregation, Green Networks of the Future, and 6G. NGMN encourages all stakeholders across the value chain to join the Alliance in this endeavor.
