NGMN unveils operating models to accelerate adoption of disaggregated networks

The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) has today released four concise publications detailing essential operating models for disaggregated networks.  

These models aim to provide clear guidance to industry stakeholders and foster the adoption of disaggregated network architectures, which will provide mobile network operators (MNOs) with greater flexibility when managing and deploying of network infrastructure. The outlined operating models include:  

• Single Vendor Led 

• Systems Integrator (SI) Led 

• Operator Platform 

• Operator Platform commercially offered to others. 

“Disaggregation – the process of modularising, softwarising and running network functions on cloud native infrastructure – is revolutionising the telecommunications industry, said Arash Ashouriha, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board and SVP Group Technology at Deutsche Telekom. “This transition fundamentally changes how operators work internally and collaborate with the broader supplier ecosystem. With these publications, NGMN is taking the lead by offering practical, actionable guidance on the key operating models available today and helping operators navigate this shift effectively,” he added. 

“Software-based, cloud native network architectures are set to dominate the industry, empowering operators with greater flexibility and agility to manage networks, innovate new services, and address evolving customer needs,” said Bernard Bureau, Member of the NGMN Alliance Board and VP of Network and Architecture Strategy, at Chief Technology Office at TELUS. “At TELUS, we are proud to have worked with NGMN to provide deeper insights into the available options and the organisational transformations needed to fully realise the potential of disaggregated networking,” 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 networking. While the Alliance is prohibited under competition law from endorsing or recommending any specific operating model, these publications offer decision-makers a comprehensive understanding of the organisational changes required to implement each scenario. They also provide a balanced assessment of the advantages and challenges associated with each approach. The goal is to highlight the wide range of options available to the industry and the long-term considerations for adopting each model effectively. 

The publications, along with a brief overview document, are available for download here.

The publication was developed with input from across the industry, with NGMN’s membership comprising operators, vendors, and research institutions. This collaboration enables NGMN to offer strong guidance on key industry issues, driving progress on today’s most important topics, including NGMN’s Strategic Focus Topics: Mastering the Route to Disaggregation, Green Future Networks, and 6G. NGMN encourages all stakeholders across the value chain to join the Alliance in this endeavour.