Reinventing Telco: Reflections from TM Forum DTW Ignite 2025

Copenhagen recently hosted TM Forum’s DTW Ignite 2025, a pivotal gathering that confirmed what many in the communications industry have been sensing- telcos are entering a new era. Terms like AI-native, open infrastructure, and autonomous operations are no longer just buzzwords, but are quickly becoming boardroom mandates. The event highlighted an important reality- we are no longer on the brink of transformation, but rather in the midst of it.

Tech Mahindra had an instrumental presence at DTW Ignite 2025, encapsulated by a miniature of the Pininfarina Battista car that captures the dual imperative of scale and speed.

This time, conversations among telco and tech experts were no longer about incremental progress or theoretical discussions but marked a decisive shift towards large-scale implementations. 

Across sessions and showcases, one message stood out to me evidently: building AI-native, open, and autonomous telcos is no longer aspirational. It is imperative.

AI Delivered Right: The Demand for Actionable Solutions and Measurable Outcomes

Our booth had a plethora of solutions at display, from autonomous operations to monetization platforms built by Comviva.

At Tech Mahindra, we view this shift not just as a technological evolution but as an inflection point. Telcos are under growing pressure to become platform-based businesses, build new revenue streams beyond connectivity, and rethink how they deliver value.

Our approach is anchored in a clear principle: AI delivered right. This means embedding intelligence across layers, from intent-driven orchestration and predictive assurance to Gen AI-powered digital channels, all through responsible and pragmatic solutions, and with a strong focus on measurable outcomes in customer experience, operational efficiency, and network resilience.

Operators are now pushing beyond proofs of concept and seeking trusted frameworks, robust data governance, and solutions that can rapidly transition from pilot to production stages. Our conversations at DTW Ignite, centered on operationalizing Gen AI, enhancing customer journeys, and scaling AI-driven service assurance, demonstrated how Tech Mahindra is delivering value with speed, integrity, and strategic foresight.

While AI has been an evident topic of discussion at the event, some other key themes shaping the next phase of communications also stood out:

Co-Innovation with the Larger Communication Ecosystem

Transformation cannot happen in silos, a spirit embodied by TM Forum itself and yet reinforced at the event. I have long believed that success in the next phase of telco evolution requires a coalition mindset that combines domain depth, next-gen technology, and ecosystem alignment.

For instance, our joint catalyst solution, AI-driven Zero-X Assurance, showcased how collaboration among ecosystem players can reduce fault resolution cycles by 40%, providing evidence of joint innovation leading to tangible business outcomes. We also explored emerging models with hyperscalar partners, such as network-as-a-service, highlighting how openness can unlock scale and speed simultaneously.

Autonomous Operations and Intent-Based Orchestration

Autonomous operations for the future telco was one of the key messages at the event, as it revolutionizes operations and builds new avenues of innovation.

A shift from basic automation to genuine autonomy requires a rethink of conventional architectures, operating models, and workforce capabilities. Operators are grappling with the task of seamlessly aligning legacy environments with modern frameworks, such as Open Digital Architecture (ODA), while simultaneously preparing their teams for AI-native operations. At Tech Mahindra, we are proud to have built one of the largest TM Forum-certified talent pools, supported by continuous investments in AI/ML capability building, which reinforces the critical importance of the human element in this journey. At its core, autonomy stems from transformation at every level—be it people, processes, or culture.

Sustainability

From once a side conversation to now a board-level imperative, sustainability is fundamental to building future-ready telcos that scale with purpose. Whether through energy-efficient AI ops, green cloud transitions, or transparent supply chains, conversations at DTW Ignite emphasized that sustainability is a KPI, impacting resilience, regulatory readiness, and customer trust.

In summary, DTW Ignite 2025 reinforced that transformation today isn’t just about speed, but about moving with intelligence, responsibility, and strategic partnerships. As AI redefines telecom value chains and open architectures see greater adoption, we, at Tech Mahindra, are committed to helping CSPs turn complexity into competitive advantage and unlock measurable impact and value.