UAE-based operator e& International revealed on Monday it has signed an MoU with Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and Intel to achieve Level 4 autonomy in all of its mobile networks by 2030, with backing from TM Forum.
Under the MoU, the companies will work together to help e& achieve Level 4 autonomy by evaluating its current capabilities, identifying challenges, and planning the steps needed to enhance network autonomy.
All of this will also be detailed in a white paper that will outline e&'s current network capabilities and its plans for the future, which include leveraging AI to accelerate 5G rollouts in key markets, and exploring AI-driven solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
The MoU also calls for e&, Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and Intel to test real-world AI use cases that can improve customer experiences, boost efficiency, and support sustainability.
E& International’s MoU with Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and Intel comes a week after Ericsson announced separately that it had signed an MoU with the telco to explore the potential for developing AI-powered autonomous networks over the next three years.
Under TM Forum’s vision of autonomous networks, a network uses AI and other advanced technologies to manage, optimise, and repair itself with minimal human intervention. It can automatically adjust settings for optimal performance, detect and fix issues to minimise disruptions, adapt to new devices or updates, and predict maintenance needs before problems arise.
TM Forum’s AN Levels Evaluation Methodology document defines five levels of network autonomy, from Level 0 (where all dynamic tasks are done manually) to Level 5 (cognitiove self-adaptation that enables closed loop automation across multiple services and domains, including partner domains, for the entire lifecycle).
Level 4 autonomy means e&’s networks will largely run themselves, handling most operational tasks automatically, with human oversight for only the most complex or strategic situations. According to e&, this will enable it to deliver more efficient, reliable, and responsive services to its customers.
E& International CTO Sabri Yehya said the partnership with Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and Intel is a “game changer” that will enable its networks to think, adapt, and evolve in real-time.
“E&’s goal to achieving Level 4 autonomy is not just about staying competitive. It’s about leveraging the transformative power of AI to deliver frictionless, intuitive experiences for our customers as we set new industry standards for how we connect, communicate, and create,” he said.
“This is not just a technological milestone,” added TM Forum CTO George Glass in a statement. “It represents a fundamental shift towards AI-first operations that empowers telcos to unlock efficiency and growth.”
Glass also said TM Forum is “committed to supporting the global telco industry on this journey by providing the frameworks, tools, and guidance needed to build an end-to-end, AI-first operational model that will unlock new growth opportunities.”
