Telecommunications Leap: What Real-World Network Automation Looks Like When It Pays Off

Denmark’s TDC NET has become the first telecommunications operator to gain third-party validation for RAN energy efficiency at Autonomous Network Level 4. This milestone matters because it represents something the industry desperately needs: proof that network automation actually works when money is on the line.

For years, telcos have talked about autonomous networks that manage themselves. TDC NET, working with Ericsson, just showed the world what happens when you stop talking and start measuring. Their validation through TM Forum’s Autonomous Network Level Assessment Validation service means independent evaluators have confirmed their system can manage radio access network energy efficiency without human intervention.

The Numbers Behind the Hype

Real automation delivers measurable results, and the figures from leading operators prove it. China Mobile is approaching AN Level 4 across complex network domains including IP backhaul and RAN fault management. They’ve achieved an 80% reduction in major network faults, saved over 3,200 person-years of labour and cut more than 4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity consumption.

China Telecom has saved 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and aims to reach AN Level 4 in 40% of its high-value scenarios by year-end. Meanwhile, Telefónica Vivo has reached Level 4 in Network Creation and Planning for its Transmission Network, with efficiency gains of up to 90% in route convergence and a 60% reduction in budget approval time.

These aren’t marketing claims. They’re independently verified through TM Forum’s ANLET evaluation tool, which benchmarks network automation maturity across key scenarios including RAN fault management, core fault management, IP network optimisation and energy efficiency.

Denmark’s Validation Advantage

TDC NET’s partnership with Ericsson shows how collaboration produces results that software upgrades alone cannot deliver. The Danish operator has committed to being net-zero in its own operations by 2028 and across its entire value chain by 2030, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Their focus on energy efficiency through network automation aligns with broader sustainability initiatives including decommissioning legacy technology and investing in energy-efficient systems. The company has issued sustainability-linked bonds as part of its refinancing strategy, reflecting investor confidence in measurable environmental progress.

Bradley Mead, Head of Ericsson Managed Network Services, explains the significance: ‘Introducing and scaling autonomy in telecom networks is an essential and exciting element of our industry going forward. Making it happen involves change across all areas of a CSP and their partners, not just the technical side. Our work with TDC NET to gain verification at Level 4 Autonomy shows that with the right team in place, you can start the journey to make this important change possible.’

Nordic Operators vs Global Leaders

Nordic operators including TDC NET, Telenor and Telia are advancing network automation, though most operate below full autonomy levels. China Mobile leads globally with large-scale deployment of Level 4 autonomous networks employing AI-driven closed-loop automation and digital twins that automatically resolve about 80% of issues.

Industry analysts estimate that communications service providers embracing Level 4 autonomous networks can achieve average annual benefits of $800 million, including significant operational and capital expenditure savings through flexible, cloud-native architectures.

What Industry Leaders Actually Say

The validation process matters because it separates genuine progress from marketing presentations. Nik Willetts, CEO of TM Forum, puts it plainly: ‘We are not just imagining the future of autonomous networks, we are building it, together. The results we’re seeing today, validated by our benchmarking tools, are extraordinary: enhanced customer experiences, greater sustainability, lower costs and faster growth.’

Li Huidi, Executive Vice President of China Mobile, emphasises the operational change: ‘The core value of Autonomous Networks lies not only in enhancing the efficiency, but also in establishing a new operating framework, which is driven by AI and interconnected through data. This will play an increasingly vital role in fostering industrial growth and achieving green development.’

Only certified evaluators who have completed TM Forum’s AN Levels skills path can conduct proper assessments. Thirteen member companies have gained certification, including IBM, whose software networking expertise and consulting capabilities position them to guide organisations on their autonomous network journey.

Rahul Kumar, Senior Partner and Global Industry Leader for Telecommunications at IBM Consulting, notes the market reality: ‘Only 6% of CSPs are saying they have Level 4 autonomous networks, yet we’re on the path to see double-digit growth in this area over the next three years.’

What Executives Should Track Next

The industry momentum is building with more than 30 global CSPs having undertaken ANLET evaluations. The path forward involves proliferation of Level 4 adoption across multiple network domains, with industry blueprints providing guidance for European and Scandinavian operators planning highly autonomous network deployments.

Key milestones worth tracking include the expansion of validated use cases beyond energy efficiency into fault management, network planning and service creation. The timeline for widespread Level 4 adoption appears realistic, with several operators already showing measurable results in specific domains.

For investors and executives evaluating network automation investments, the validation aspect matters most. Independent third-party assessment through certified evaluators provides the credibility that internal claims cannot match. TDC NET’s achievement establishes a benchmark that other operators must now meet or exceed.

The reality is straightforward: operators like TDC NET, China Mobile and Telefónica Vivo show that autonomous networks, when independently validated and focused on real scenarios, deliver measurable financial returns, energy reductions and operational improvements. The technology has moved beyond buzzwords into balance sheets, offering tangible benefits for those who implement it properly.