Blog
Amir Turalić
Chief Product Officer
DTW Ignite 2026 brought together telecom leaders, technology providers, and industry experts to discuss the next phase of digital transformation. While AI, automation, composability, and ecosystem-driven services dominated the agenda, the discussions increasingly focused on how these technologies can deliver real impact within complex telecom environments. Here are our five key takeaways from this year's event.
1. AI moves into day-to-day telecom operations
AI was present across almost every discussion at DTW Ignite 2026, but the focus has shifted from AI as a standalone capability toward how it can be integrated into real operational environments.
The public agenda and TM Forum messaging centered around AI-native operations, trustworthy AI, agentic AI, autonomous flows, and AI embedded into live telecom systems. ZIRA’s own observations from the event reflected the same shift: AI is becoming part of how systems are built, connected, and operated.
The industry is moving beyond AI experimentation. Operators want to understand where AI fits within BSS and OSS environments, how it accesses and uses data, how it is governed, and how it improves practical processes such as quoting, routing, billing, assurance, settlement, forecasting, and partner operations.
The focus is now on making AI work reliably at scale.
2. The execution gap is now the main industry problem
TM Forum’s 2026 theme, The Future. Faster., focused on turning transformation ambitions into practical implementation through AI & Data, Autonomous Networks, and Composable IT & Ecosystems.
Omdia also highlighted the need for the industry to demonstrate measurable value from AI investments, moving beyond pilots and experimentation toward solutions that create real business impact.
Operators already understand the strategic direction: AI, automation, cloud, composability, and ecosystem-based models. The challenge is applying these capabilities within complex environments shaped by legacy systems, fragmented platforms, and operational dependencies.
Implementation has become the key challenge.
3. Composable architecture becomes the commercial language of transformation
TM Forum launched AI-native ODA extensions at DTW Ignite 2026, further positioning ODA as a foundation for autonomous telecom operations. The updated roadmap focuses on moving from isolated AI initiatives toward scalable autonomous flows supported by governed AI execution layers, Open APIs, component-based architecture, ODA Canvas control points, and reusable patterns.
Composable architecture is becoming more than an architectural approach. It is increasingly influencing business decisions and technology investments.
For operators, the key questions are practical: Can new capabilities be integrated faster? Can existing systems be modernized gradually? Can transformation happen without creating more complexity? Can AI run safely across multiple systems?
These are the questions shaping the next generation of telecom platforms.
4. Wholesale, partner ecosystems, and BSS are becoming more connected
Discussions around BSS evolution and wholesale platforms highlighted a move toward more connected and interdependent ecosystems, where flexibility and integration are becoming increasingly important.
ZIRA contributed to this conversation through the TM Forum Catalyst project Wholesale Broadband as a Service: The Future of Service Assurance – Phase III, alongside major operators including AT&T, BT Group, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Glasfaser, Lyse, and CityFibre.
Wholesale is expanding beyond traditional areas such as interconnect, rating, routing, and settlement. It is moving toward broader ecosystem orchestration, including wholesale broadband, fiber access, partner assurance, SLA-backed services, marketplaces, and multi-party service delivery.
This evolution requires systems that can support greater collaboration, automation, and flexibility across the entire service chain.
5. Satellite-telco convergence is becoming a real BSS opportunity
TM Forum launched the ODA for Satellite project around DTW Ignite 2026, focusing on frameworks, operating models, and governance between terrestrial and satellite providers.
As satellite connectivity becomes increasingly integrated into telecom services, new operational and commercial requirements emerge. Supporting multi-orbit service delivery, satellite-as-a-service models, and broader connectivity ecosystems requires capabilities across product management, partner agreements, ordering, wholesale settlement, SLA management, customer ownership, revenue sharing, and service assurance.
Satellite is becoming part of the broader telecom ecosystem, creating new opportunities and challenges for BSS platforms.
Bringing transformation into real telecom environments
DTW Ignite 2026 confirmed that the industry is moving toward practical implementation. AI, automation, composable architecture, and ecosystem-driven services are becoming part of everyday telecom transformation.
The next challenge is making these technologies work within real environments where operators must manage legacy dependencies, complex partnerships, governance requirements, and commercial expectations.
For telecom technology providers, the ability to support this transition will be key to helping operators turn transformation goals into scalable, operational solutions.
