OPERATING
DISAGGREGATED
NETWORKS
OPERATING MODELS –
AN INTRODUCTION #0
v 1.0
ngmn.org
OPERATING
DISAGGREGATED NETWORKS:
OPERATING MODELS –
AN INTRODUCTION #0
by NGMN Alliance
Version: 1.0
Date: 18 December 2024
Document Type: Final Deliverable
Confidentiality Class: Public
Project: ODiN - Operating Disaggregated Networks
Project Lead: Carlos Fernandes, Deutsche Telekom
Lennart Olaivar, Smart
Approved by / Date: NGMN Alliance Board, 10 December 2024
For Public documents (P): © 2024 Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance e.V. All rights reserved. No part of this document
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from NGMN Alliance e.V.
The information contained in this document represents the current view held by NGMN Alliance e.V. on the issues discussed as of
the date of publication. This document is provided “as is” with no warranties whatsoever including any warranty of merchantability,
non-infringement, or fitness for any particular purpose. All liability (including liability for infringement of any property rights)
relating to the use of information in this document is disclaimed. No license, express or implied, to any intellectual property
rights are granted herein. This document is distributed for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice.
Readers should not design products based on this document.
2
ABSTRACT
This short publication provides an overview of the four Operating Models for Disaggregated Networks
identified by NGMN Alliance. Each operating model is further outlined in a separate publication.
The Operating Models are outlined to provide technical and organisational guidance only and no market
recommendation or market preference should be inferred from these publications. Other Operating Models
may be possible.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 INTRODUCTION................................ 5 03 CONCLUSIONS................................... 8
02 OPERATING MODELS...................... 6 04 REFERENCES....................................... 9
2.1. Model 1:
05 FIGURES AND TABLES.................. 10
06
Single Vendor Led................ 6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............... 11
2.2. Model 2:
Systems Integrator
(SI) Led...................................... 6
2.3. Model 3:
Operator Platform
for own use........................... 7
2.4. Model 4:
Operator Platform
commercially
offered to others................ 7
4
01 INTRODUCTION
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in operators worldwide testing and deploying
disaggregated networks which are characterised by architectures which feature separation of hardware
and software (so-called ‘vertical’ disaggregation) and more granular network functions (so-called ‘horizontal
disaggregation’).
NGMN has just released four short publications on disaggregation models with the following objectives:
1. Define models for the most relevant and widely used deployment and operating scenarios in
the industry by the operators today who are rolling out disaggregated architecture in their networks.
2. Provide short publications that will give high level guidance for CTO’s and decision makers
on what each model is, what are its advantages and disadvantages and how operators and vendors
perceive each model to be helping operators. These publications would hopefully help them decide
which model to adopt in their network, and possibly also do combinations.
Network disaggregation will often require a new operating model compared to the models operators
have adopted over the years. The most appropriate model for each operator will be influenced by many
parameters such as their organisational structure, culture, skills or risk appetite, to name a few.
5
02 OPERATING MODELS
2.1 MODEL 1: SINGLE VENDOR LED
The "Single Vendor Led" model [1], a straightforward approach whereby the operator contracts with
a single/lead vendor to deploy the disaggregated network with the lead vendor acting as Systems
Integrator (SI) and using its own products and/or those of partners to provide a complete solution.
The operator in this model has a major contract relationship with the Lead Vendor and has contracts
with other vendors (hardware, software, etc.). All operational management will be via the Lead Vendor.
OPERATOR
LEAD VENDOR
VENDOR VENDOR VENDOR
Contract relationship
1 2 3
Operational Management
Figure 1: Single Lead Vendor
2.2 MODEL 2: SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR (SI) LED
This model [2] utilises a Systems Integrator (SI) who is not the main supplier of a solution, albeit may deliver
some elements. Their main role is to implement the solution on behalf of the operator by integrating various
vendor offerings. The model fully relies on other hardware and software vendors for the supply. This is both an
advantage and a challenge: an advantage because it empowers the operator to create a solution with more choice
yet discharge the complexity to the SI without having a significant impact on the organisation; a challenge in that
the integration may become complex and perhaps take longer without a lead vendor owning the integration
effort. In this model, the operator deploying the disaggregated network has the main contract relationship with
the SI and in most instances the SI will be responsible for the operational management towards all the vendors.
OPERATOR
SYSTEMS INTERGATOR (SI)
VENDOR VENDOR VENDOR
Contract relationship
Operational Management
1 2 3
Figure 2: Systems Integrator (SI) Led
NOTE: Figure 2 shows the ‘Turnkey’ solution sub-model. Other sub-models are possible (e.g. Build-Operate-
Transfer, Consultancy, Hybrid) and can be used at different stages of a project or for different types of projects.
Please see the publication for full details.
6
2.3 MODEL 3: OPERATOR PLATFORM FOR OWN USE
This is a unique model [3] and could be an option for a selected number of operators as it requires
an investment in the organisation to develop and build the platform. However, the model is beneficial
because it gives the operator all the flexibilities possible since it has full control over the ongoing solution
roadmap.
OPERATOR PLATFORM (OWN USE)
VENDOR VENDOR VENDOR
Contract relationship 1 2 3
Operational management
Figure 3: Operator Platform for own use
2.4 MODEL 4: OPERATOR PLATFORM COMMERCIALLY OFFERED TO
OTHERS
This model [4] is very similar to model 2 and model 3 as the operator acts as a SI (to another operator
customers) but the operator is also developing its own solutions, or at least integrating hardware and
software as pre-integrated solutions that allows operator-customers to not worry about compatibility and
interoperation and facilitate a faster deployment by having proven solutions that are tested in similar networks.
OPERATOR
LEAD VENDOR
VENDOR VENDOR VENDOR
Contract relationship 1 2 3
Operational management
Figure 4: Operator Platform commercially offered to others
7
03 CONCLUSIONS
During development of the four models, there are key items identified that are present:
Vendor
All models are dependent on the support and products (HW/SW) of vendors - however this does not preclude
operators developing their own custom SW tools as part of the overall disaggregated networks solution.
Systems Integration
In each model, there is always system integration, which is the heart of disaggregation.
Role Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Model 4
Operator x x x x
Vendor (HW/SW) x x x x
Systems
x x x x
Integrator (SI)
Operator (as
x
platform vendor)
Table 1: Operating Models and Roles
From an operator perspective each model attempts to simplify solution management and Systems integration
except for Model 3 ‘Operator Platform for own use’. Model 4 ‘Operator Platform offered to others’ puts the
burden of SI to the operator platform vendor. All models encourage multi-vendor deployment, which is
consistent to the essence of disaggregation.
Metric
(Operator Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Model 4
perspective)
Solution
Simplified Simplified Complex Simplified
Management
Single PoC
Solution (Operations) /
Single PoC N/A / Internal Single PoC
Management Multiple PoC
(contracts)
Integration Simplified Simplified Complex Simplified
Multi-vendor Yes Yes Yes Yes
DISCLAIMER: NGMN does not recommend one model v another but leaves this to each operator to decide.
Table 2: Comparison of Models
8
04 REFERENCES
[1] NGMN Alliance, "Mastering the Route to Disaggregation: Operating Model #1: Single Vendor Led," NGMN
Alliance, 10 Dec 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241216_Operating-
Model-1-Single-Vendor-Led_v1.0.pdf. [Accessed 10 Dec 2024].
[2] NGMN Alliance, "Mastering the Route to Disaggregation Operating Model #2: Systems Integrator Led"
NGMN Alliance, 10 Dec 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/uploads/241216_
Operating-Model-2-Systems-Integrator-Led_v1.0.pdf. [Accessed 10 Dec 2024].
[3] NGMN Alliance, "Mastering The Route to Disaggregation Operating Model #3: Operator Platform
For Own Use" NGMN Alliance, 10 Dec 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ngmn.org/wp-content/
uploads/241216_Operating-Model-3-Operator-Platform-for-Own-Use_v1.0.pdf. [Accessed 10 Dec 2024].
[4] NGMN Alliance, "Mastering the Route to Disaggregation Operating Model #4: Operator Led Platform
Commercially Offered to Others" NGMN Alliance, 10 Dec 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ngmn.
org/wp-content/uploads/241216_Operating-Model-4-Operator-Led-Platform-Commercially-Offered-
to-Others_v1.0.pdf. [Accessed 10 Dec 2024].
9
05 FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1: Table 1:
Single Lead Vendor.................................................... 6 Operating Models and Roles.................................. 8
Figure 2: Table 2:
Systems Integrator (SI) Led .................................... 6 Comparison of Models ............................................ 8
Figure 3:
Operator Platform for own use ............................ 7
Figure 4:
Operator Platform
commercially offered to others ............................ 7
10
06 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Accenture, Faraz Naim
Accenture, Khalid Hanif
Accenture, Wissam Haddad
BT, Jason Budloo
BT, Kevin Holley
BT, Milan Lalovic
China Mobile, Jian Xu
China Mobile, Huang Yixuan
Chunghwa Telecom, Ming-Yen Wu
Chunghwa Telecom, Yuan-Mao Hung
Dell, Frederic Thepot
Dell, Michael Behan
Deutsche Telekom, Carlos Fernandes
Fraunhofer, Fabian Eichhorn
Fraunhofer, Varun Gowtham
HPE, Andreas Volk
Juniper, Andreas Meisinger
Liberty Global, Viraj Abhayawardhana
Singtel, Timothy Hui Chee Kin
Smart, Lennart Olaivar
Telus, Sana Tariq
TIM, Fabrizio Moggio
Turkcell, Afrim Berisa
Turkcell, Erdal Harput
11
NEXT VISION
The vision of NGMN is to provide impactful industry
GENERATION
guidance to achieve innovative, sustainable and
affordable mobile telecommunication services for
the end user with a particular focus on Mastering the
MOBILE
Route to Disaggregation, Green Future Networks
and 6G, whilst continuing to support 5G’s full
implementation.
NETWORKS
ALLIANCE
MISSION
The mission of NGMN is:
NGMN is a forum established in 2006 by world- • To evaluate and drive technology evolution towards
leading Mobile Network Operators. NGMN is a the three Strategic Focus Topics:
global operator-led alliance comprising nearly 70
• Mastering to the Route to Disaggregation:
companies and organizations, including operators,
vendors and academia. Leading in the development of open, disaggregated,
virtualised and cloud native solutions with a focus
Its objective is to ensure that next generation on the E2E Operating Model
network infrastructure, service platforms, and
devices meet the requirements of operators and • Green Future Networks:
address the demands and expectations of end
Developing sustainable and environmentally
users.
conscious solutions
• 6G:
Anticipating the emergence of 6G by highlighting
key technological trends and societal requirements,
as well as outlining use cases, requirements, and
design considerations to address them.
• To define precise functional and non-functional
requirements for the next generation of mobile
networks
• To provide guidance to equipment developers,
standardisation bodies, and collaborative partners,
leading to the implementation of a cost-effective
network evolution
• To serve as a platform for information exchange
within the industry, addressing urgent concerns,
sharing experiences, and learning from technological
challenges
• To identify and eliminate obstacles hindering the
successful implementation of appealing mobile
services.
© 2024 Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance e.V. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means without prior written permission from NGMN Alliance e.V.
