TM Forum — How to manage Digital Transformation, Agile Business Operations & Connected Digital Ecosystems
    • Login Log-in arrow-right
    • register Register arrow-right
  • Industry Missions
    • Join the industry movement Join the industry movementTogether we're changing the future of global connectivity
    • Autonomous Networks Autonomous NetworksUnlocking the power of seamless end-to-end autonomous operations​
    • Composable IT and Ecosystems Composable IT and EcosystemsSimpler IT operations and partnering via AI-ready composable software
    • AI and Data Innovation AI and Data InnovationThe safe adoption of AI and data at scale
  • Open Digital Architecture (ODA)
    • About ODA About ODAThe architecture, blueprints and best practice our Members are building to simplify, modernize and automate their operations
    • Member assets Member assetsA library of standards, best practices and toolkits
    • How to apply ODA How to apply ODAUnderstand how ODA can work for you
    • Open APIs Open APIsFind specifications, downloadable code and more
    • Conformance ConformanceCertify your business and products with industry standards
    • ODA component directory ODA component directoryFind ODA components and the vendors who supply them
    • Canvas CanvasThe live environment for ODA components
  • Member projects
    • Collaboration projects Collaboration projectsExplore our Member-only projects where we build and develop ODA
    • Catalysts CatalystsTeam up with industry trailblazers to create ground-breaking solutions
    • Innovation Hub Innovation HubFocused innovation to address real-world challenges
  • Learn
    • Education programs Education programsUpskilling programs that transform your capabilities
    • Certification CertificationUpskilling programs that transform your capabilities
  • News and insight
    • Newsroom NewsroomLatest press releases and global media coverage
    • Industry insight Industry insightExplore reports, case studies, key features and opinion pieces
  • Events
    • All events All eventsMeet up and join in! Where the industry convenes to shape the future of connectivity
    • Innovate Americas Innovate AmericasOur annual summit for the Americas' connectivity ecosystem: September 10-11, 2025
    • DTW Ignite DTW IgniteTM Forum's annual global summit for the connectivity industry: 17-19 June, 2025
    • Innovate Asia Innovate AsiaOur annual summit for Asia's connectivity ecosystem: November 25-27, 2025
  • About
    • About TM Forum About TM ForumThe connectivity industry’s global alliance
    • Sponsorship and Exhibitors Sponsorship and ExhibitorsOpportunities to promote your organization's brand and capabilities
    • Membership MembershipAccess a world of insights, collaboration and tools to transform your business
    • Careers CareersBe part of the global industry alliance that's changing the future of global connectivity
  • Login Log-in arrow-right
  • register Register arrow-right
Back to top
About us
  • About TM Forum
  • Boards and committees
    • Board of Trustees
    • Chair’s Committee
    • Finance Committee
    • Appointments & Governance Committee
    • Composable IT & Ecosystems Mission Board
    • Autonomous Networks Mission Board
    • AI & Data Innovation Mission Board
    • Technical Advisory Committee
  • Leadership Team
  • Sustainability
  • Operating Information
  • Awards and Recognition
    • Overview
    • Excellence Awards
    • Catalyst Awards
    • Outstanding Contributors Awards
    • Distinguished Fellowship Award
    • Distinguished Engineer Award
    • John P. Reilly Award
    • Training Champions Awards
Return to Press Releases

TM Forum and World’s Largest Communications and IT Companies Take Major Leap to Ease Digital Services Delivery

Share

TM Forum’s Open Digital Steering Group expands membership to include eleven of world’s largest communications, digital and IT companies; first of many intensive collaborative meetings brings leaders together to solve digital services challenges

MORRISTOWN, NJ — April 23, 2013: As the digital-based economy continues to grow and evolve rapidly, global industry body TM Forum announced that its newly formed Open Digital Steering Group has now expanded to include 11 of the world’s largest service and solution providers, including Accenture, China Mobile Communications Corp., France Telecom-Orange, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft Corp., Oracle, Telecom Italia, Telefónica Digital, Telstra and Vodafone. The group recently hosted an intensive session in London to set in motion an aggressive plan to deliver essential tools necessary for profitable digital service delivery.

TM Forum, the global industry association with over 900 member companies from across the digital services ecosystem, is focused on removing roadblocks to delivering and operating all types of digital services, and supporting a vibrant open digital economy. Its expanded steering group provides executive guidance and support, including strategic direction and consultation to help shape TM Forum’s Digital Services Initiative. The steering group members also act as representatives for the initiative within their own company and the industry as a whole, encouraging broader engagement and support.

In London, TM Forum brought the group’s members and other industry leaders together for a rapid collaboration-style ‘Hot House’ meeting where 35 participants from more than 20 companies took part in intensive collaboration to solve some of the most pressing industry challenges related specifically to digital services delivery. Over two days, the group set in motion plans to deliver early versions of the following tools in time for TM Forum’s flagship conference and expo, Management World 2013 in Nice, France:

  • A digital services reference architecture to enable the standardized design of the critical architectural elements for the enablement of digital services
  • Outlines of critical Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) needed for the end to end management of key capabilities, such as identity, payment, balance checking, charging and billing and more
  • Definitions of B2B2X business models and their impact on service provider IT and operations to facilitate building rapid partnerships in the digital ecosystem, both for communications and other types of digital service providers such as cloud, content and information providers

Based on the success of the first Hot House meeting, the Forum plans to expand its use of intensive collaborative process to solve other business and operational challenges in order to expedite their delivery, ultimately producing much quicker results for TM Forum’s members and the industry at large.

“As growth of the digital economy continue to accelerate, the Forum’s Digital Services Initiative is putting a stake in the ground to solve the challenges of a vibrant, open digital ecosystem, and giving our members the tools to thrive in the digital world,” said Nik Willetts, chief strategy officer, TM Forum. “Based on the success of recent meetings, we plan to introduce a wide range of agile collaborative formats throughout the Forum’s R&D program to create a fast-paced development environment that can keep pace with the world’s largest digital services companies.”

Earlier this year TM Forum named former BT executive, Phil Dance, as chairman of the Open Digital Steering Group, responsible for guiding the group’s work, goals and output. Phil is a TM Forum Ambassador and one of its Distinguished Fellows. He is also a former member of TM Forum’s Board of Directors, and as chief information officer at BT he was a key player in the design and development of BT’s 21st Century Network.

Don’t miss TM Forum in action at Management World in May. TM Forum’s Management World conferences and expos stand apart by offering outstanding quality and insights through expert keynotes, sessions, unrivaled networking opportunities, and TM Forum’s renowned Training and Certification programs. 

For additional information or to join TM Forum, please visit the Membership section of our Website or email [email protected] and a local representative will respond.

About TM Forum

With over 900 member companies, TM Forum is the largest global trade association focused on bringing together the digital ecosystem, including communication service providers, digital service providers and enterprises with the goal of enabling an open digital world. The Forum delivers a wealth of knowledge and practical tools, including unique research, best practices and standards. Our members collaborate to rapidly solve business issues in critical areas, such as business process optimization, big data analytics, cloud management, customer experience management and security.

The Forum has four key roles—to Inform, Innovate, Accelerate and Optimize—and provides a neutral and open platform for collaboration between service providers, enterprises and their suppliers to overcome the barriers to an open digital economy.

Global TM Forum Media Contact
Elizabeth Coyne
Senior Director Marketing, Corporate Communications and PR
+1 973 641 3247
[email protected]

About us
  • About TM Forum
  • Boards and committees
    • Board of Trustees
    • Chair’s Committee
    • Finance Committee
    • Appointments & Governance Committee
    • Composable IT & Ecosystems Mission Board
    • Autonomous Networks Mission Board
    • AI & Data Innovation Mission Board
    • Technical Advisory Committee
  • Leadership Team
  • Sustainability
  • Operating Information
  • Awards and Recognition
    • Overview
    • Excellence Awards
    • Catalyst Awards
    • Outstanding Contributors Awards
    • Distinguished Fellowship Award
    • Distinguished Engineer Award
    • John P. Reilly Award
    • Training Champions Awards
TM Forum — How to manage Digital Transformation, Agile Business Operations & Connected Digital Ecosystems

Explore TMForum

  • About the Forum
  • Careers with TM Forum
  • News & Insights
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website T&Cs and Cookies
  • Help & FAQ
  • Contact

Contact us

  • General Inquiries: [email protected]
  • Member Services: [email protected]
  • Interested in Joining? [email protected]
  • Press Inquiries: [email protected]

©2025 TM Forum