
V1.0ngmn.org CLOUD-NATIVE NEXT CHAPTER –AGENTIC AI-BASED OPERATINGMODELS by NGMN Alliance Public documents (P): © 2026 Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance e.V. All rights reserved. No part of this documentmay 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 ofthe 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 propertyrights 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. CONTENTS 04EVOLVING ROLESIN ORGANISATIONSWITH AI-BASEDOPERATING MODELS..............16 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY����������������������� 4 01INTRODUCTION���������������������������� 5 02CLOUD-NATIVEMATURITY MODELASSESSMENT����������������������������������� 6 4.1Impact of AIon Organisational Roles........................16 4.2Shifting People,Process and Technologyin AI-Based Operating Models.............16 2.1Objectives of CNMM������������������������������� 62.2Key Dimensions of CNMM���������������������� 62.3Maturity Levels����������������������������������������� 62.4Assessment Areas������������������������������������ 62.5Results of CNMM and AgenticAI adoption������������������������������������������������ 7 4.2.1 People:Shifting Roles and Mindsets...........174.2.2 Process:Redesigning OperationalWorkflows........................................174.2.3 Organisation:Organisational Impactand Change Management..............17 03AGENTIC AI-BASEDOPERATING MODELS��������������� 9 3.1Level of Cloud-Native MaturityRequired for Agentic AI-BasedOperating Models������������������������������������� 9 05CONCLUSIONS.................................18 5.1Key Success Factors................................185.2Call to Action forCSPs and Industry...................................18 3.1.1 Motivation for IntegratingGenAI in Cloud-NativeNetworks............................................93.1.2 Quick ReadinessChecks per Level................................93.1.3 Mapping to AI Adoption..................10 06LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS........19 07REFERENCES........................................20 3.2Agentic AI-Based Operating ModelMaturity Mapping to CNMM................10 08FIGURES..................................................20 3.3Tools and Framework Requiredto Enable GenAI-BasedOperating Models����������������������������������� 14 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................21 3.3.1 Foundational Components...........143.3.2 Infrastructure and Platform..........143.3.3 AI Model and DevelopmentPlatforms..........................................153.3.4 Data and Observability Tools.........15 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document defines the NGMN view on the roadmap for evolving cloud-native telecom operations byintegrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Building on the NGMN Cloud-Native Manifestoand on the Cloud-Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) assessment frameworks (CNMM), it provides practicalguidance for mobile network operators, to adopt GenAI-powered operating models, drive tangible businessoutcomes, and elevate operational maturity in people, processes, and technology. Five “AI adoption levels” aredefined, leveraging CNMM “maturity levels” as a baseline for the introduction of AI in the network operation.This document covers readiness assessment, phased adoption, tooling and frameworks, best practices,operational use cases, and organisational transformation. The content emphasises industry collaboration,responsible AI governance, skill development, and continuous optimisation to support scalable, resilient,and autonomous networks. For clarity, the terms AI, GenAI, and Agentic AI used throughout refer to the same evolving family oftechnologies — each representing increasing sophistication and autonomy. All principles, strategies, andrecommendations in this document apply broadly to advanced AI in general, including GenAI and AgenticAI systems. 01INTRODUCTION With this document, NGMN provides guidance to mobile operators for the adoption of AI to operate thenetwork, providing an adoption path with respect to their cloud-native maturity. To achieve AI proficiency,the proposed framework defines five levels of AI adoption, each mapped to the corresponding CNMMmaturity level defined by CNCF. This publication evaluates the alignment of the “NGMN Cloud-Native Manifesto” with CNCF cloud-nativeframeworks, emphasising telecom-specific adaptations across technology, processes, and ski