How to deliver seamless network-as-a-service

Commercial context

To expand into new markets, CSPs are looking to offer enterprises flexible network-as-a-service (NaaS) products and bundles. In so doing, CSPs can better monetize their assets and potentially open up opportunities in marketplaces run by hyperscalers and other third parties. In the past, an enterprise would order a private or customized network service via a phone call to a customer manager. However, this approach is too slow and cumbersome to keep up with the pace of innovation. By abstracting the network complexities behind NaaS, CSPs can deploy applications and services efficiently using automated deployment processes. Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) and APIs can help deliver this abstraction.

The solution

The ‘Accelerating dynamic network marketplaces’ Catalyst plans to enable CSPs to easily deliver multi-point connectivity like site-to-site and site-to-cloud services tailored to customer requirements. To that end, the Catalyst is using CAMARA, TM Forum and MEF APIs to streamline the ordering and provisioning of multi-point connectivity across operators. It aims to standardize APIs for NaaS use cases. Meanwhile, it will also align with CAMARA and MEF's open architectures to simplify network capability integration. CSPs can then expose network products to third party marketplaces through a unified network service exposure layer.

The end goal is for users to be able to create and configure a site-to-cloud and site-to-cloud network service through one click in a dynamic marketplace. Behind the scenes, the CSP will then orchestrate IP VPN connections across metropolitan and backbone networks. Using APIs, the proposition can be configured to comply with service level agreements. The Catalyst is also harnessing genAI to deliver automated support interactions, thereby enhancing customer engagement. At the same time, the project is employing agentic AI for proactive network monitoring and intelligent diagnostics, improving service reliability.

Application

Once they can seamlessly integrate VPNs into marketplaces, CSPs and hyperscalers will be able to rapidly launch innovative multi-vendor services. Lead times could fall from 3–6 months to just 1–2 weeks through automated service discovery, configuration, and delivery. Users can create and configure site-to-cloud services with a single click, cutting complexity and speeding deployment. GenAI handles customer interactions, with expected OpEx reductions of up to 50%. Agentic AI manages network resources dynamically, offering a real-time, elastic view of capacity. This enables up to 10% CapEx savings through better allocation. CSPs can also unlock 20–25% new revenue by offering NaaS use cases with minimal friction.

“Our solution unlocks significant business advantages by enabling the creation and delivery of NaaS offerings to external customers, including enterprises and other operators,” explains Hakim Agung Ramadhan, Head of Product Innovation and Development at Telin, a CSP based in Indonesia and one of the Champions of the Catalyst. “This allows them to purchase on-demand, programmable network slices and services with ease. The dynamic, real-time resource allocation based on marketplace demand ensures optimal infrastructure utilization and cost efficiency. For instance, it can reduce the time it takes to launch new, differentiated services by 85%. It can also increase problem resolution 31% faster and lower operational expenses by 55%

As well as accelerating service innovation, the Catalyst anticipates its work will help to expand the ecosystem. “Our solution fosters greater network infrastructure sharing between telecommunication companies by standardizing interconnection based on SDOs (standards development organizations) like CAMARA, MEF and TMF,” adds Hakim Agung Ramadhan. “The push towards standardized NaaS offerings and open architectures encourages innovation and interoperability across different networks and providers. By aligning with the TM Forum's vision for Level 4 autonomous networks, our solution contributes to the industry's progression towards more agile, efficient, and self-managing network infrastructure, ultimately benefiting the entire ecosystem.”

The team expects multiple industries to harness enhanced network service automation. Finance, education, healthcare, the IoT, cloud services and virtual conferencing could all benefit. Through the project’s contributions to TM Forum and the Linux Foundation Networking standards, the APIs should also enjoy wider adoption across the industry.

Wider value

The Catalyst aims to simplify network service delivery and management through standardization, and a key goal is to address the challenge of achieving interoperability between CAMARA, MEF and TM Forum standards. The project “directly confronts the complexities of multi-standard environments, enabling the transition towards open and autonomous network operations," concludes Hakim Agung Ramadhan. “By exposing network capabilities through well-defined APIs and robust security measures, service providers can accelerate innovation, foster ecosystem growth, and create new revenue streams.”

The solution being developed could be widely deployed in the global telecom industry. In addition to Telin, BT, AT&T, e& and Entel Chile are championing the Catalyst. Their rationale is that interoperability and standardized APIs will make third-party integration easier and create more flexible service offerings. This will expand their market reach and improving profitability.