IG1445 Open API & Model Context Protocol v1.0.0

The industry is at the cusp of a systems and applications architecture shift, a shift from human-driven integration to an era of Autonomous Integration powered by AI. This ongoing paradigm change, centered on AI and Agentic systems that extend and advance service-oriented architectures, promises to deliver the “zero-touch” integration and operations long envisioned by the information and communications technology sector. In this evolving landscape, new techniques are emerging from AI-native players that challenge us to rethink how systems discover, interact, and create value. This discussion paper opens a constructive inquiry into one of the most prominent of these: Model Context Protocol (MCP).

This document serves as a catalyst for thoughtful engagement, exploring how MCP can complement and accelerate the vision of the TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) Open API Program by further simplifying composability and fostering a more dynamic, collaborative TechCo ecosystem. In the Open API Program of TM Forum, “we”, acknowledge that while MCP is a novel and still-maturing technology, its rapid adoption presents both a profound opportunity and a strategic imperative to consider. The questions raised herein are not meant to be prescriptive but rather to invite a collective effort from our members to shape its future adoption towards the AI-native service provider and TechCo.