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Article | Cloud native

How CSPs are approaching autonomous networks

We found that only a small percentage of CSPs have not formulated an AN plan. Of those that have, just over a third are taking a pragmatic approach of automating some domains, rather than implementing a coordinated, enterprise-wide plan.

Tim McElligott
24 May 2021
How CSPs are approaching autonomous networks

How CSPs are approaching autonomous networks

This is an excerpt from our recent report Network automation using machine learning and AI. Download it now to find out more about the current state of automation in telecom networks.

From the targeted survey of communications service providers (CSPs) conducted for this report, we wanted to understand how operators are implementing autonomous networks (ANs), how they perceive their progress, and which issues are driving their strategies. We also delved into how centralized and coordinated – or otherwise – those strategies and their execution are.

The graphic below shows that only a small percentage of CSPs have not formulated an AN plan. Of those that have, just over a third are taking a pragmatic approach of automating some domains, rather than implementing a coordinated, enterprise-wide plan.
However, more than half say they have a vision of integrating automation across their organizations. A TM Forum report on the use of AI for network automation published a year ago, found that 43% of CSPs were concentrating their automation efforts simultaneously on the four key areas listed below, although not necessarily integrating them. So, it appears that CSPs are moving in the direction of a centralized, enterprise-wide effort toward AN.

  • Self-configuring, self-healing, self-optimizing and self-evolving network infrastructure

  • Zero-wait, zero-touch, zero-trouble services

  • The best possible user experience

  • Service lifecycle automation and maximum utilization


Driving the autonomous networks strategy


The top three drivers for autonomous networks are improving customer experience, delivering new services and lowering costs, with at least two-thirds of CSP respondents choosing each as very important. In the 2020 automation report CSPs were focused on faster time to revenue, proactive self-healing and supporting real-time services – we did not ask about partnering then. Several CSPs we spoke with for this report said proactive self-healing is still important, but now they are thinking about automation and other transformations less in terms of their technology improvements and more in terms of business results, which in this case is improving customer experience.

Seeing results


As noted in the introduction to this report, Windstream Communications reduced the cost of network monitoring and troubleshooting by more than 80% using automation. The company also fully automated its order-to-activation lifecycle management process and reduced overhead expenses by two-thirds.

Windstream claims to have automated 100% of its processes from subscriber registration to service activation. The programmable, autonomous network domain lets consumer and enterprise customers define, manage and prioritize their own services, such as SD-WAN, business broadband, managed security and Wi-Fi.
In the Middle East, Etisalat is focusing on automating its transport network domain. The company’s CTO, Haitham Abdulrazzak, said in November that the company’s transport network is at the heart of all autonomous networks, and by reducing manual operations and automating order-to-service processes, Etisalat was able to reduce the time it takes to introduce new services by 70% to 90%.

Download the report now for the full insight. Find out more about getting involved in TM Forum's Autonomous Networks project.