![\"Nilmar](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Nilmar_Seccomandi.width-500.jpg\")
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\u201cOur success is based on a holistic approach to structuring the program,\u201d explains Seccomandi. \u201cWe include all processes we have, from planning to operations, and all domains we have: fixed network, mobile network, CORE, Telco Cloud, IP and transport”<\/p>\n
Fertile ground for agents<\/p>\n
Now Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s advances in AN have paved the way for agentic AI, which Seccomandi believes will be an essential spur for further automation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are close to AN Level 4, you are prepared to implement agents,\u201d says Seccomandi. \u201cAI agents [are] fundamental to achieving zero-touch operations. They are the translator of intents and coordinate automation across different domains … and will bridge the gap between the high-level business goal … and low-level actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, he warns that \u201cif the level of autonomy is between 1 and 2, I recommend other techniques… if you\u2019re just starting out, first understand what you want to automate, then select the most suitable technique to address the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, laying the groundwork for AN demands an architectural and orchestrational rigour that also serves agents.<\/p>\n
Telcos \u201cneed to think about the final architecture to scale agents, with all the necessary layers \u2013 such as infra, AI models, data, development, observability, security, governance,\u201d recommends Seccomandi. And although AI agent \u201cpilots are important,\u201d they should be supported be \u201ca reusable framework that can be adopted across different domains.\u201d<\/p>\n
Telef\u00f3nica is still in the process of deploying its architecture. However, it has made enough progress \u201cto start implementing many agents,\u201d says Seccomandi. These include AI agents to automate the operation, fault management and configuration of software-defined IP networks.<\/p>\n
Divide and conquer all<\/p>\n
To ensure a holistic approach to AN deployment, Telef\u00f3nica has established four workstreams, which operate in lockstep.<\/p>\n
The first focuses on network innovation; namely the building of an open, disaggregated cloud-based network architecture. At the same time, Telef\u00f3nica is phasing out legacy networks, including the group\u2019s copper network, which has already been switched off in Spain.<\/p>\n
Seccomandi calls the second workstream \u201cthe brain.\u201d Here, teams are creating a platform for automated intelligent decision-making by building a federated data architecture and an orchestration model, and modernizing operational support systems (OSS).<\/p>\n
Seccomandi describes the third workstream as \u201cthe heart,\u201d because it involves rethinking and redesigning the company\u2019s end-to-end processes lifecycle.<\/p>\n
The fourth workstream focuses on people and culture and \u201cis our most important,\u201d says Seccomandi. But it is also the most complex area in which to effect change.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur biggest challenge has been shifting the organizational mindset,\u201d he explains. \u201cThis requires redefining roles, introducing new technology, and fostering collaboration across traditional silos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Excelling at AI<\/p>\n
An important aspect of Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s strategy is integrating AI into its operations and processes. To this end the AN workstreams are supported by the company\u2019s AI Centers of Excellence (COE), which were established two years ago.<\/p>\n
The Global AI COE serves as the mothership for local AI COEs in Spain, Brazil, and Germany), which implement the global guidelines. Its responsibilities include:<\/p>\n
Setting the governance frameworkLeading innovation through research and developmentCentralizing use cases across different domains and processesStandardizing the use of architecture, tools and resources across operating companies.<\/p>\n
But although \u201cthe leadership and orchestration of the program is centralized, the responsibility of the program is decentralized,\u201d says Seccomandi, and \u201cnetwork areas are involved in the decision to automate their processes.\u201d<\/p>\n
If, for example, an operating company is implementing a digital twin, it can turn to the COE for guidance on implementing CD\/CT (continuous deployment\/continuous testing) or creating a closed loop, as well as which databases to use for radio, fault management, performance or inventory information.<\/p>\n
\u2018The best future network\u2019<\/p>\n
A fundamental aspect of Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s thinking is that the end game is creating \u201cthe best future network,\u201d says Seccomandi, which is one that optimizes data usage, improves customer experience, supports hyper personalization, and enables innovation in services and service level agreements (SLAs) \u2013 all while maximizing capex and opex efficiency.<\/p>\n
But specific goals are not dictating the paths to autonomous networking. Nor is the company seeking to hit 3.75 across every use case; instead the goal is an average.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking for new opportunities based on the network, but first we are thinking how we can increase network automation and then in parallel, how we can use this automation to provide new services for our customers,\u201d says Seccomandi.<\/p>\n
Incremental wins<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t immediate payoffs. Automation, for example, can speed up 5G site rollout. And “in Brazil, we are accelerating the deployment of 5G with autonomous use cases,\u201d notes Seccomandi.<\/p>\n
Saving money is another benefit. \u201cWhen we created a new IP network, we were reusing 47% of the fiber. It meant we had to build 53% of the fiber. With autonomous use cases and intelligence, we are reusing 20% more fiber,\u201d Seccomandi explains.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Telef\u00f3nica will continue to \u201ccollaborate across the ecosystem on standards, partnerships and shared learnings, which are key to accelerate the programs,\u201d says Seccomandi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"During Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s Capital Market Days in November, CEO Marc Murtra, gave prominence to the company\u2019s goal of achieving…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8805,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[124],"tags":[5383,2513,5382,155],"class_list":{"0":"post-8804","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-telefonica","8":"tag-artificial-intelligence-ai","9":"tag-autonomous-networks","10":"tag-autonomous-operations","11":"tag-telefonica"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8804"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8804\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}