Excellence Awards

Since 2007, TM Forum’s Excellence Awards have recognized the world’s leading companies for their innovative achievements spanning ODA implementation, network monetization and partnering, autonomous networks, AI innovation, and benefits to people and planet.

Our Awards program identifies and celebrates the fastest growing and most innovative companies in our industry, highlighting achievements realizing transformation and outstanding business growth across six themes. Entries for the 2025 awards will open on 5th November 2024.

The 2024 winners were announced during DTW24 – Ignite in June 2024.

As a neutral, non-profit organization, our awards ensure a prestigious and impartial view, celebrating the success of key industry players and delivering unrivalled industry exposure and valuable peer recognition.

Click on the tabs below for full details of how to enter and everything else you need to know or contact [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Excellence in ODA implementation

For achieving outstanding business results through the application of ODA composability for IT transformation.

Excellence in monetizing the network

For pioneering new innovations that capitalize on the composable ecosystem capabilities of ODA to deliver new diversified solutions and growing telco revenues.

Excellence in innovation for people & planet

For outstanding application of ODA, to achieve the 3 P’s of innovation, People Profit and Planet, achieving environmental, social and economic goals.

Excellence in customer experience

For prioritizing the experience of the customer in all contexts while mastering developer and customer experiences including in revenue growing ecosystem scenarios.

Excellence in autonomous networks

For leadership in realizing next generation autonomous networks achieving fully autonomous operations including self healing domains in fault and service management as well as capability planning.

Excellence in Data & AI innovation

For achieving significant business impact through innovative applications of AI and Data capabilities in the implementation of Agentic AI, LLMs and SLMs for intelligent telco operations and business growth.

Nomination Process

The online entry form will open on 5th November 2024.
Submit your nomination before 10th January 2025 in one of the six award categories.

We only accept entries via the electronic submission form, but you may optionally also upload a maximum of five PowerPoint slides including infographics and supporting materials.

Suppliers / solution providers must enter jointly with an end customer, who must be willing to be named publicly. However, internal projects (where the supplier is the same organization as the end customer) may be accepted in appropriate categories. Confirmation of the customer’s agreement to be named publicly must be provided by 10th February 2025.

You can submit multiple entries for consideration, but we will allow only one entry per company per category as Nominees. Only customer companies may be submitted more than once per category. It is in your interest to collaborate across your organization to ensure you select the best entry per category for your company.

Selection of Nominees and Finalists

High-quality entries from each of the six categories will be announced as official Nominees on 17th February 2025.

The top–scoring Nominees in each of the six categories will be declared by the judges as Finalists on 28th March 2025.

Finalists will then be encouraged to submit a short (max 5 minute) video with further details of your project; this will be optional, but videos submitted before 28th April 2025 will be included in the evaluation and will be featured on the Excellence Awards website.

Winners will be announced at DTW25 – Ignite in June 2025 and will be invited to work with TM Forum on a written case study for publication on our website.

Judging Process & Criteria

An independent panel of experts will judge the entries in each category, based on the following criteria:

Significance of the challenge addressed
Innovation
Impact
Scale
Use of ODA and contribution of learnings back to the industry

Hints and tips for a good submission

The Judges will be looking for:

Real-world deployments – not proof-of-concept studies or pilots
Real KPIs showing business benefits that can be tangibly linked to the project – no need to go overboard; loads of exaggerated and spurious benefits are less convincing than a few credible ones
Evidence that TM Forum assets were used effectively – these are TM Forum Excellence Awards so we’re looking for a solid link to TM Forum’s work programs
Something different from what everyone else has already done before – emphasize novel approaches, use of new technologies (or use of old technologies in new ways), innovative ways of working…
Potential for reuse elsewhere – what can the rest of the industry learn from the success of this project?

KEY dates

November 5 2024: Entry forms open
January 10, 2025: Deadline for all entries
February 17, 2025: Nominees announced
March 28, 2025: Finalists announced
April 28, 2025: Deadline for finalist video submission

Winners will be announced during DTW25 – Ignite in June 2025.

Entrant Checklist

We’re here to help you get your Excellence Award entries completed! Consider these tips and check off each item as you complete it to keep on top of your progress.

The basics:

Track projects throughout the year, not just at awards time
Read the process and judging criteria for the categories you’d like to enter
Read the hints and tips for a good submission here
Provide high quality .jpg and vector versions of your company logo with your entry

Logistical requirements for Finalists:

Provide name and contact details for a Senior Executive attending the event, who will accept the award on your company’s behalf, should your entry win.
Provide a public relations contact – should your entry win, this individual will be sent a photo from the Excellence Awards ceremony with the winner receiving the award, press release template, winner graphic, etc.

If you have any questions on the online entry system, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected].

FAQ

What’s the history of the Awards? Since 2007, TM Forum’s Awards have recognized the world’s leading companies for their innovative achievements.

What are the benefits of entering the Awards? There are a number of benefits to being acknowledged as a Nominee, Finalist or Winner of the TM Forum Excellence Awards. All qualified entries will be featured on the TM Forum Excellence Award webpage and the DTW25 – Ignite website, along with other digital channels including press releases, TM Forum newsletters and TM Forum’s news channels.

Do I need to be a member to enter the Awards? Award submissions must be made by a TM Forum member company, and our primary contacts for marketing must be with the TM Forum member. But non-member companies can be acknowledged in the award entry and will be recognized as partners in the project when we publish shortlists and winners. To confirm that your company is a TM Forum member, please see the member list.

How do I enter the Awards? Entries must be submitted via the online entry form. Each entrant will need to create a Profile. Once your Profile has been created, the Submission tab will appear at the top of the entry form homepage.

Will I be sent an acknowledgment and/or receipt for my entry? Once you have completed your entry form(s), you will receive confirmation via e-mail. Please e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions concerning your entry.

How are the Nominees per category chosen? Entries are initially assessed based on the judging criteria, and high-quality entries are declared official Nominees. Please note that a maximum of one entry per submitting company will be nominated in each category.

Can I submit multiple entries?   Multiple entries may be submitted for consideration, but we will only declare one official Nominee per category from the same submitting company, so it is in your interest to submit only your strongest entry for consideration in each category.

Does the submission need to demonstrate use of TM Forum standards? The judges will specifically look for use of TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture assets (i.e. standards and best practices developed by our collaboration projects), and/or evidence that TM Forum resources and activities such as research, Catalysts and communities were used to assist the project.

Hints and tips for a good submission? The Judges will be looking for:

Real-world deployments – not proof-of-concept studies or pilots
Real KPIs showing business benefits that can be tangibly linked to the project – no need to go overboard; loads of exaggerated and spurious benefits are less convincing than a few credible ones
Evidence that TM Forum assets were used effectively – these are TM Forum Excellence Awards so we’re looking for a solid link to TM Forum’s work programs
Something different from what everyone else has already done before – emphasize novel approaches, use of new technologies (or use of old technologies in new ways), innovative ways of working…
Potential for reuse elsewhere – what can the rest of the industry learn from the success of this project?

Will TM Forum write case studies for all the Finalists? Unlike previous years, TM Forum will not write case studies for all the Finalists for consideration by the judges in their final selection of the Winners. Instead, Finalists will be encouraged to submit a short (max 5 minute) video with further details of your project; this will be optional, but videos submitted before 28th April 2025 will give credit towards the final judging scores and will be featured on the Excellence Awards website. Winners will also be invited to work with TM Forum on case studies for publication on our website. 

Must I name the end customer for my project submission? Yes. Suppliers / solution providers must enter jointly with an end customer, who must be willing to be named publicly. Confirmation of the customer’s agreement to be named publicly must be provided by 10th February 2025, before the Nominees are announced. All parties that are named in the award submission MUST agree to be featured publicly in announcements of Nominees and Finalists and Winners.  Internal projects (where the supplier is the same organization as the end customer) may be accepted in appropriate categories.

When are the Finalists chosen? Finalists will be announced on 28th March 2025.

Who decides the winners? The finalists and winners in all categories will be decided by an impartial group of expert judges. The decision of the judges is final. No discussion will be entered into regarding the selection process or final decisions.

Who are the judges? Judges comprising senior industry executives from around the world assess the entries based on material submitted and determine the winners of each award.

How does the judging process work? Details of the judging panel meetings will not be disclosed. Information regarding the participating judges will not be released until the Award ceremony takes place during DTW25 – Ignite.

How will the awards be promoted? Award winners will be presented their award during DTW25 – Ignite. Company logos will be prominently displayed. TM Forum will issue a press release naming the winners and winners are encouraged to do the same.

When and where does the Awards Ceremony take place? The TM Forum Excellence Awards 2025 winners will be announced during DTW25 – Ignite.

What is the Entry Fee? There is no entry fee.

If I have any further questions regarding entering the Awards, who can I contact? Please contact [email protected] with any questions you may have regarding the Awards.