Digital twins take the risk out of network operations

Commercial context

As telecom networks scale to support more devices and services, the risk of error rises. A single misstep in configuration can trigger widespread disruption. Configuration changes now cause the majority of network faults - up to 80 percent. To avoid service issues, most CSPs treat any change as a high-risk operation.

Manual reviews and monitoring remain common. These methods take time and often miss critical issues. According to the TM Forum's Network automation using machine learning and AI report, 43 percent of CSPs believe manual configuration slows their ability to deliver. With so much at stake, engineers often delay or avoid beneficial changes. The risk of failure outweighs the potential gain. At the same time, network complexity is growing. AI workloads, edge services, and dynamic routing increase the chances of conflict. CSPs need a way to assess risk before deployment - quickly and at scale.

The solution

The 'AN L4 Digital Twin ensures maximum service reliability' Catalyst introduces a digital twin that emulates IP networks in real time. It replaces manual checks with intelligent simulation. The system is built on Huawei’s iMaster NCE Network Digital Map and uses a next-generation CMOS simulation engine to deliver high-precision modelling without requiring a 1:1 lab replica.

Traditional simulators either oversimplify network behaviour or demand extensive hardware to mimic full routing states. This platform bridges the gap. It uses a lightweight design capable of simulating 6,000 network elements on a single virtual machine, dramatically reducing compute load - by a factor of 1,000 compared to simulator-based distributed computing.

Unlike legacy systems that only model static topology, this digital twin replicates dynamic routing protocols such as IGP and BGP, as well as signalling mechanisms like LDP and RSVP. It also emulates live traffic flow, allowing CSPs to observe how packets move through the network before and after configuration changes. The platform provides granular routing and traffic verification results, which help detect issues like policy misconfigurations, unreachable destinations, routing loops, and dangling ACLs.

At the heart of the platform is a 'perception–decision–execution' engine. It begins by ingesting live network data and emulating the effect of proposed changes. It then identifies potential risks, simulates traffic re-routing outcomes, and supports guided decision-making. In certain scenarios, it can even enable automatic rollout of safe configurations. Simulation tasks that previously required extensive lab environments can now be completed in under ten minutes.

The Catalyst team aligned their design with TM Forum guidance by incorporating assets such as the IP Network Fault Management Questionnaire, the Autonomous Networks Levels Evaluation, and the Autonomous Networks Framework. These resources helped ensure the solution reflects industry standards for assurance and automation maturity.

Wider application and value

China Mobile Henan has already deployed the platform on a live network. It used the digital twin to test high-risk migrations and routine changes. The system flagged several faults - such as routing anomalies and dangling ACLs - before they reached production. Engineers verified that emulation results matched real-world behavior. This gave them confidence to then scale use across the network.

The CSP has since made the digital twin part of its standard network change process. Change plans are now tested virtually before rollout. Engineers can act faster and with less risk; tasks that once took two or three days now finish in hours. It provides configuration validation up to 20 times faster than traditional lab-based methods, and operational efficiency has increased by 94 percent.

Network change faults caused by human error have dropped to zero, and the change process completes in under four hours on average. China Mobile Henan now delivers services with greater confidence and fewer delays. As Yikai Dong, Network Maintenance Manager at China Mobile Henan, explains, the platform has become a key safeguard. "With this configuration emulation technology, IP network migration adjustments have become more secure and reliable, effectively mitigating service interruptions and data loss risks caused by configuration errors."

This Catalyst sets a new standard for telecom operations. It shows how digital twins and AI can work together to make networks safer, smarter, and more efficient. With proven results in the field, the solution provides CSPs with a practical means to deploy digital twins and achieve realistic network simulation.