Join In

Open to all Members

Following a hugely successful initial pilot phase of the Innovation Hub, we are now delighted to extend an invitation to all Members to join.

Companies can join one of the existing projects, working on the ODA Accelerator, the TM Forum AIVA (AI virtual assistant), developing ASync APIs, or working on a solution for combatting telecoms fraud.

Alternatively, submit a proposal for a new project, in one of three possible project categories: Core. Adjacent and Transformational.

Delve into the details below.

What's involved

What types of projects are in the Innovation Hub?

There are 3 types of project:

Core project: This is a project that relates to one of our core three missions (Composable IT and Ecosystems, Autonomous Network Operations, Data & AI Innovation) and will benefit the wider industry i.e. ODA Canvas, ODA-in-a-Box, AN Level 4 scenarios. This looks at current problems that need to be addressed.

Adjacent project: This is a project that looks at emerging solutions that involves tailoring or extending existing programs or addressing the evolving needs of the market. This may also look at providing solutions to adjacent markets, i.e. smart farming, green networks.

Transformational project: This is a project that transforms how a company operates, addresses emergent needs of users and may radically transform product offerings. It also addresses cutting edge technologies, i.e., quantum computing, Edge, GenAI.

What are the requirements for organizations?

Organizations joining an Innovation Hub project must:

Sign a Master Service Agreement (MSA) or Statement of Work (SOW) / Project contract specific to the project
Provide relevant staff to actively collaborate with other team members and TM Forum personnel
Ensure only employed representatives participate and contribute to the project work
Promote the project through the organization's marketing channels
Send appropriate support for live showcase events or workshops
Ensure that all team members are treated equally, with equal say in strategy, development, and decision-making.

What are the requirements for project team members?

Project team members must:

Be employed by an officially contracted project member organization
Consistently attend project meetings and calls
Contribute to technical duties such as definition, design, implementation, and testing
Meet program marketing and operational deadlines and deliverables
Support and attend showcase events (virtual or live)

What type of contract or agreement is needed to join a project?

Participation in an Innovation Hub project is confirmed at the organization level. All participating organizations must sign an agreement, which includes:

Master Service Agreement (MSA): A signed MSA applies to any future Innovation Hub projects. TM Forum encourages members to sign an MSA, even if not currently participating in a project.
Statement of Work (SOW): SOWs are issued when a member has a signed MSA. An SOW outlines the specific project, event details, and applicable fees.
Project Contract: In cases where the MSA/SOW is not applicable, standard project contracts will be used, containing specific project and event details.
Invoices: Invoices are sent when the project team moves into Active status.

What are the benefits of joining an Innovation Hub project?

The benefits of joining an Innovation Hub project include: Innovation Benefits:

Work with the industry’s top talent to create the most innovative solutions, increase your market share, reduce costs and benefit from the “force multiplier” effect
Produce enterprise-grade interoperable and deployable assets
Innovate at 6x the speed of your own development teams
Enjoy exclusive access to the latest Innovation Hub version of ODA assets to future-proof your development
Project management and technical support from TM Forum
Access to work in the physical Innovation Hub locations
Dedicated cloud development environment
Free to attend face-to-face project workshops

Marketing Benefits:

Your company logo on the TM Forum Innovation Hub website
Contribute to Innovation Hub webinars and articles published on TM Forum Inform channel
Interactive Innovation Hub space on tmforum.org
Self-promotion Marketing toolkit
Inclusion in Exclusive Your Forum Member newsletter for all new Innovation Hub Members
Social Media welcome to all new Innovation Hub Members

Member Benefits:

Team Members of an Innovation Hub get free access to self-paced online training
20% company-wide self-paced online training discount for Members of an Innovation Hub
15% discount on Innovation Hub topic-related research project which aligns to the project
10% discount on Catalyst projects relating to an Innovation Hub project

Events Benefits:

Branded showcase stand in the Innovation Hub area
Innovation Hub project presentation and pitch
Lead generation from event stand badge scans
Onsite TM Forum support
Network with Senior Executive attendees
Two free ALL ACCESS Event passes per project
25% registration discount for additional passes

What are the roles of Innovation Hub participants?

Innovation Hub members typically assume two types of roles: Project Sponsors (CSPs/Vertical Industry Leaders):

Potential users or buyers of the solution.
Define the challenge and validate its commercial relevance.
Contribute to the solution’s requirements and guide its development.
Provide feedback and business sponsorship to the team.
Minimum 2 Sponsors per project. CSPs/Vertical industries

Project Participants (Solution Providers):

Develop the solution and deliver a proof-of-concept demo.
Contribute back to the industry.
Minimum of 2 participants per project – Participation fees apply

Pricing

Pricing is for Core Projects only: Select the appropriate band for your company size on the pricing table to see the indicative fees. Reach out to your engagement manager for more details.

Prices shown are per quarter.

Pricing for Adjacent projects and Transformational projects is available on application.

If your company is not a Member of TM Forum, please select the Non-member option to see the indicative fees for our company size.

In addition to the pricing outlined, Members are required to commit at least two full-time resources for the entire project duration.

Member

Non Member

$3,245

The pricing here is a guide based upon your company size. The final cost will be calculated for your contract

The process

Step 1: Selecting

Review the current projects and select which one you would like to join or propose a new idea.

Step 2: Joining or proposal review

Each joining request or proposal you submit will be reviewed by TM Forum and the project board to make sure your company and/or proposal meets our standards of innovation and aligns with the Innovation Hub goals. You will receive feedback and will have a chance to resubmit if desired, in cases where your proposal or joining request is not approved.

Step 3: Matchmaking

During Matchmaking we will onboard you with the existing team or if you have submitted a new project, we will work with you to attract additional participants.

Step 4: Active

Active Membership of an Innovation Hub means contracts have been returned and you have met all the requirements to join the Innovation Hub.

Join a project

You can request to join an existing project
There are currently 4 projects:

ODA Accelerator: This project is accelerating the creation of modular, componentized cloud-native software to replace traditional BSS and OSS in line with the ODA principles and policies by creating the Reference Implementation(s) of the ODA Canvas, and associated services, on which ODA Components will run.
GenAI/LLM: This project is developing TM Forum AIVA: a GenAI/LLM conversational search-solution capability simplifying and improving how members and visitors find relevant material digitally, with the creation of an architecture blueprint that outlines how GenAI technology can be seamlessly integrated into the Telco landscape (addressing challenges related to security, privacy, accuracy, performance, and scalability).
New Services: This project is working on developing services, tools, capabilities and a framework to manage fraudulent connectivity in a standardized way and exploring the possibility of creating a Routing Verification Service, in order to build real trust between service providers and their customers.
ASync API: The goal of this project is to create a unified, fully automated, and developer-friendly API Factory, to ensure seamless synchronization, standardization, and modernization of TM Forum’s Open API and Async APIs creation process, tooling, and architecture.

Submit a proposal for a new project

You can submit a proposal for a new project
Do you have an idea for an emerging solution that needs a dedicated, multi-company, talented team to commit full-time to accelerate progress and quickly deliver real results? An Innovation Hub project could be the perfect solution.
We will send you a submission form template and we will be in touch to help you draft your proposal for review.