Telefónica Earns Global Distinction for Contributions to AI-Native Operations and Autonomous Network Progress
June 30, 2026
During the DTW Ignite 2026 conference held in Copenhagen, Telefónica established itself as a frontrunner in the telecommunications industry by showcasing its latest milestones in Level 4 autonomous networks. The three-day event, organized by TM Forum, served as a platform for the company to demonstrate how it is integrating artificial intelligence into the core of its operations. As the sector moves toward intelligence-driven models, the Spanish telecommunications giant was highlighted for its commitment to creating a more efficient, scalable digital gateway for private citizens and public entities alike.
The global industry body TM Forum presented Telefónica with the Catalyst Innovator: Voyager award, a prestigious honor that recognizes significant contributions to collaborative innovation. Ranking as the second-most influential contributor to the Catalyst program worldwide, the company was lauded for its role in developing unified standards and forward-thinking models for the entire telecom ecosystem. Nilmar Seccomandi, who oversees autonomous infrastructure for the group, formally accepted the accolade, which highlights the company's impact on the transition toward automated, value-oriented business structures.
Key leadership figures from the company, including Global CTIO Andrea Folgueiras, emphasized the practical challenges of migrating to fully independent network operations. During the forum, Folgueiras discussed the necessity of mastering data orchestration and service assurance to ensure that technological autonomy results in tangible benefits for consumers. The company also detailed various experimental projects, ranging from AI-driven self-healing networks and digital twins to the use of generative AI for rapid 5G network slicing. These initiatives aim to modernize traditional operations centers into environments led by intelligent agents.
Beyond technical infrastructure, Telefónica showcased how agentic AI can improve customer loyalty and field operations. Projects such as Game X and LIA FieldOps demonstrate the brand's focus on utilizing closed-loop automation to solve real-world problems in real time. By participating in international benchmarking and open architecture initiatives, the company continues to champion the large-scale deployment of secure, vendor-independent AI agents, further cementing its position as a primary architect of the future telecommunications landscape.
Read original at Telefónica Newsroom.