TM Forum launches Race to 2030 at DTW Ignite 2026
TM Forum concluded the largest DTW Ignite 2026 to date in Copenhagen with industry proof that the Race to 2030 is underway. Across three days, over 4,000 attendees joined TM Forum with a shared goal to reach The Future. Faster. More than 400 speakers shared insights with leaders and practitioners from network operators and ecosystem partners across 100+ countries.
TM Forum announced the Race to 2030 strategy to reflect a growing industry reality: CSPs will not reach the next level of performance through fragmented AI pilots or stand-alone automation. The goal is a truly autonomous enterprise that is built to be composable, run autonomously, and trusted by design.
The autonomous enterprise runs on cross-domain autonomous flows, proven at DTW Ignite 2026 in groundbreaking demos spanning dynamic 5G network slicing and wall-to-wall fault management. Built on the newly launched AI-Native Open Digital Architecture (ODA), these real-world use cases show how autonomous flows turn intent to action across business and network operations.
With 81% of carriers plan to achieve Level 4+ autonomy within three to five years, DTW Ignite 2026 showed momentum is building fast. The Autonomous Networks Leadership Forum spotlighted the shift from cost-cutting to revenue growth, while the AN Level Assessment Validation (ANLAV) ceremony marked industry progress with 40 certifications across 17 organizations.
In his opening keynote, TM Forum CEO, Nik Willetts, said: “You can't announce your way to autonomy. You can't watch it from the stands. You have to be in this race. But no one navigates it alone. This forum is where we make sense of it together. The race to 2030 is on!”
Watch Nik Willetts’ keynote presentation.
DTW Ignite 2026: Key highlights
- TM Forum research revealed a trust gap threatening the autonomous enterprise, with research saying while 72% of operators believe their AI is trustworthy, only 14% can produce evidence to prove it. Read the report and the news release.
- New leadership discussion paper, Making Sovereign AI Real, said value will come from the ability to govern and control AI in motion. TM Forum research showed 72% of CSPs are already investing in or exploring sovereign AI, yet only 25% are very confident in demand and 67% say the term is not yet universally understood. Read the news release.
- 19th annual TM Forum Excellence Awards celebrated telco innovation demonstrating measurable production impact across AI, autonomy and composable architectures. Read the news release.
- AI-native ODA roadmap, endorsed by TM Forum Members and launched at DTW Ignite, extended the trusted ODA to deliver an AI-native, shared foundation for the autonomous enterprise. Read the news release.
- ODA for Satellite project launched with 17 Member organizations to unlock the multi-billion-dollar space-telco connectivity opportunity by providing standardized frameworks, operating models and governance between terrestrial and satellite technology companies. Read the news release.
- Pathways for Progress launched as an industry-first career accelerator for the AI-native telco that verifies practical, executable expertise and rewards sustained industry contribution. TM Forum recognized the first 10,000 people in the program, including the first black belt achiever. Read the news release.
- A record 59 Catalyst showcase involving 1,350 talented individuals, representing more than 250 organizations, delivered proof-of-concept solutions to real-life challenges. Winners included Robodog, a Physical AI mobility solution for visually impaired people, and a zero-trust agent for enhanced security and auditability of autonomous networks. Read the news release.
- AIVA served as co-host, analyst and live event intelligence layer, making DTW Ignite 2026 the first telco event to apply agentic AI across the live conference experience. Read the media alert.
Join us as the race to 2030 continues
- Innovate Americas, October 6–7, Texas
- Innovate Asia, November 17-19, Bangkok
- DTW Ignite 2027, June 29-July 1, Copenhagen
About TM Forum
TM Forum is an alliance of over 800 organizations spanning the global connectivity ecosystem, including the world’s top ten Communication Service Providers (CSPs), top three hyperscalers and Network Equipment Providers (NEPs), vendors, consultancies and system integrators, large and small.
We provide a place for our Members to collaborate, innovate, and deliver lasting change. Together, we are building a sustainable future for the industry in connectivity and beyond.
To find out more, visit: www.tmforum.org
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Katy Branson
Head of Communications
TM Forum