DTW Ignite: New AN Level assessment service validates progress toward Level 4

TM Forum’s ANLAV service builds on the Autonomous Network Level Evaluations Tool (ANLET), which was introduced last year to help CSPs benchmark their network automation maturity and track progress toward achieving Level 4 (see graphic below) in key network scenarios including radio access network (RAN) fault management, core fault management, IP network optimization, IP network fault management, change management, network planning and energy efficiency optimization, with additional use cases in development. More than 30 CSPs have completed evaluation so far, with many aiming for Level 4 in multiple network scenarios.

Learn more about the history of ANLET in this report

General availability of the ANLAV service – piloted by China Mobile, China Telecom, AIS, IOH, TDC Net, and Telkomsel – was announced at DTW Ignite 2025 on Tuesday. Now, TM Forum members can turn their ANLET evaluation data into an independently audited, industry-validated benchmark. The idea is to drive industry confidence in moving to AN Level 4, while enabling early adopters to tout their competitive edge.

CSPs using ANLET and ANLAV are realizing quantifiable benefits:

• China Mobile – which is nearing AN Level 4 across multiple, complex domains, including IP backhaul and RAN fault management – is achieving an 80% reduction in major network faults, saving over 3,200 person-years of labor and more than 4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. “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,” said Li Huidi, Executive Vice President, China Mobile, in a statement. “This will play an increasingly vital role in fostering industrial innovation and achieving green development. We look forward to working closely with TM Forum, GSMA, 3GPP, ITU, and other international organizations to shape a smart and sustainable future for all.”
• 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.
• TDC NET, working with Ericsson, has become the first operator to be formally validated via the ANLAV assessment for RAN energy efficiency optimization, demonstrating a path to reducing opex and achieving sustainability goals.
• Telefónica Vivo has reached AN 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. “This year, we achieved our first two AN Level 4 milestones with Fractal in Brazil and NetOptimizer in Germany. This represents a significant advancement in automation, enabling Telefónica to increase network resilience and accelerate the mass adoption of 5G,” said Nilmar Seccomandi David, Director of Autonomous Network and Infrastructure for Telefónica, in a statement. “By reaching Level 4 in these use cases, based on ANLET, we are not only realizing internal cost benefits and improvements in customer experience, but also setting the foundation for a future where networks are truly self-optimizing and adaptive.”

AN Level skills path

Only certified evaluators that have completed the AN Levels skill path – which includes hands-on training with the ANLET tool – are recognized as proficient to conduct AN level assessments and submit for ANLAV validation.

To date 13 member companies have undertaken the AN levels skills path to gain certification including IBM. “Only 6 percent 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,” said Rahul Kumar, Senior Partner and Global Industry Leader for Telecommunications, IBM Consulting, in a statement “We’re thrilled to pioneer TM Forum’s ANLET certification program and provide valuable guidance and expertise to organizations that are on their journey to achieve autonomous networks.”

TM Forum is seeking to showcase industry momentum behind AN at DTW Ignite, with 25 Catalyst projects focused on autonomous networks, three Innovation Hub demonstrations showcasing real-world Level 4 use cases, the Autonomous Network Summit, and the Google-sponsored AN Level 4 Hackathon featuring teams from Telus, Telefónica, Orange and Telenor.