TIP at FutureNet World 2026: Inside the Journey to Autonomous Networks
- Telecom Infra Project
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Last week the Telecom Infra Project joined the global telecom community at FutureNet World 2026 in London, where automation, AI, and autonomous networks took center stage across two days of conversation with more than 1,000 senior executives from operators, vendors, and innovators shaping the next era of network operations.
TIP Executive Director Kristian Toivo moderated a panel on the path toward programmable and autonomous networks, bringing together a knowledgeable group of senior technologists from three of Europe's most advanced operators:
Mabel Pous Fenollar, Vodafone
Idir Fodil, Orange
Rudolf Strijkers, Swisscom
Over 25 focused minutes, the panel moved through three connected themes: where operators stand today, what still stands in the way of full automation, and the architectural vision for what comes next. Where operators stand today
The discussion opened with the current state of automation in transport networks, including technology readiness and early results from live deployments. The signal was clear and encouraging. Leading operators are well underway on their programmable networks journey, and they are already able to point to meaningful results in transport.
The real barriers to full automation
From there the conversation turned to what still stands in the way. Panelists looked at both the hard aspects, such as legacy systems that were never designed for programmability, and the soft aspects, including culture, skills, and organisational design. The "buy or build" question drew particularly candid reflection, with each panelist sharing how they weigh speed, control, and ecosystem leverage in their own context.
A recurring message came through strongly: start the journey early, engage the organization, and develop skills alongside the technology. Concerns about AI do not vanish on their own. They fade as teams gain hands-on confidence and see results in their own networks.
Architecture, APIs, and the path to autonomy
The final portion of the panel explored the architectural vision for full autonomy, alongside the risk management and investment that vision demands. Two themes stood out. First, open APIs are the connective tissue of a truly programmable network, and the industry's progress depends on getting them right. Second, digital twins are becoming essential for validation, giving operators a safe place to test and prove changes before they reach production.
Why this conversation matters
The story that emerged from the panel was pragmatic and optimistic. The technology is ready enough to deliver real value today. The operators furthest along are sharing what they are learning. And the industry is moving faster together than it could alone.
That is the thesis TIP has operated on for years, and it is exactly what plays out every day across our community of 1,000+ operators and partners working on programmable networks, Open RAN, transport, and the open ecosystems that make autonomous operations possible.
Thank you to Mabel, Idir, and Rudolf for a generous and thoughtful discussion, and to the FutureNet World team for hosting the industry so well.
The Telecom Infra Project is a global community of companies and organizations working together to accelerate the development and deployment of open, disaggregated, and standards-based technology solutions for telecom networks. Learn more at telecominfraproject.com.
