Terms and Conditions that apply to TM Forum Autonomous Network Levels Assessment Validation - ANLAV Contracts

Terms and Conditions that apply to TM Forum 

Autonomous Network Levels Assessment Validation - ANLAV Contracts

Last updated 2nd June, 2025

1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. These terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”) are incorporated into and form an integral part of the agreement to which they apply (the “Contract”), and together constitute the entire agreement between you and TM Forum, a New Jersey Non Profit Corporation (“TM Forum,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) (each a "Party" and together the "Parties").

2. DEFINITIONS. The defined terms used in these Terms and Conditions are set forth in Appendix A: Definitions.

3. TERMINATION; COMPLETION TIMELINE.

3.1. Termination. Payment for all Autonomous Network Levels (“ANL”) Assessment Validation (“ANLAV”) services is required upfront and is non-refundable. If you choose to terminate the contract at any time after payment, TM Forum will not issue any refunds.

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; DELIVERABLES. The Parties' respective roles and responsibilities and the deliverables are set forth in Appendix B: ANLAV Overview.

5. TRADEMARK USE.

5.1. You hereby grant TM Forum a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use your company name and trademarks for the purpose of displaying your ANLAV result on TM Forum's website.

5.2. Provided that your use conforms with the requirements set forth in the Code of Practice and Right of Usage found at Appendix C, TM Forum grants to you a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use any certificate or badge provided by TM Forum for the purpose of promoting your ANLAV.

5.3. Neither Party will acquire any ownership rights in the other Party's marks. All goodwill from one Party's use of the other Party's marks will benefit the mark holder exclusively.

5.4. Each Party represents that its trademark graphics comply with brand guidelines and do not infringe any third-party rights.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY.

6.1. Neither Party shall disclose any Confidential Information of the disclosing Party to any third party without the disclosing Party's prior written authorization.

7. FORCE MAJEURE.

7.1. Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure is caused by a Force Majeure Event. A "Force Majeure Event" means any event beyond a party's reasonable control, including but not limited to: strikes or other industry disputes, acts of God, fire, flood, earthquake, volcanic activity, war, riots, pandemics, government actions, or other similar circumstances. If a Force Majeure Event prevents or delays the delivery of the ANLAV, then:

7.1.1. The affected party shall promptly notify the other party in writing of the Force Majeure Event and its expected duration;

7.1.2. The delivery deadline shall be automatically extended for the duration of the Force Majeure Event; and

7.1.3. If the Force Majeure Event continues for more than sixty (60) days, you may terminate this Agreement by written notice to TM Forum. Upon such termination, TM Forum shall refund you a pro-rata portion of the fees paid under this Agreement corresponding to the uncompleted Validations or services at the time of termination, and shall retain the remainder as compensation for completed services and administrative costs incurred.

8. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. 

8.1. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY'S TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FEES PAID BY YOU TO TM FORUM UNDER THIS CONTRACT.

8.2. The Validation and services are provided "AS IS" and TM Forum makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the Validation. Specifically, TM Forum does not certify that your network automation performs in practice at the ANL claimed. TM Forum expressly disclaims all warranties, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. 

9. MISCELLANEOUS.

9.1. Assignment. You may not assign this Contract or your rights and obligations without TM Forum's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

9.2. Updates. TM Forum may update these terms at any time. Any changes will only apply to contracts executed after the date the changes are posted on our website. For existing contracts, the terms that were in effect at the time of contract execution will continue to apply. You are responsible for retaining a copy of the terms that were in effect when you executed your contract.

9.3. Severability. Should a court of competent jurisdiction declare any portion of this Contract invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions of this Contract not invalidated shall govern and bind the parties and be construed as if the invalidated portions were not originally included in this Contract.

10. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Disputes will be resolved through arbitration in New Jersey under American Arbitration Association rules. The agreement is governed by New Jersey laws. Equitable relief may be sought in New Jersey courts.

APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS

 

The following definitions apply throughout these Terms and Conditions and the Conformance services:

1. ANL: The Autonomous Network Levels is a score between zero (0) and five (5) which measures the level of autonomy in a particular ANL Scenario.

2. ANL Evaluation Tool: a TM Forum tool for evaluating ANL Scenarios, published as part of the GB1059 standards.

3. ANL Scenario: the specific context for the ANL evaluation assessed and submitted for Validation, corresponding to a specific GB1059 ANL Evaluation Tool.

4. ANL Assessment: the ANL self-assessment, using the relevant ANL Evaluation Tool, that you are submitting for Validation. 

5. ANL Assessment Validation, ANLAV or Validation: a service provided by TM Forum validating that an ANL Assessment has been carried out correctly according to the methodology detailed in the TM Forum published standard IG1252 (Autonomous Network Levels Evaluation Methodology) using the standardized GB1059 ANL Evaluation Tool, and that the Evidence provided is appropriate for the ANL score claimed. 

6. Standards Version(s): version(s) of the GB1059 ANL Evaluation Tool(s) against which the Validation(s) will be completed.

7. Evidence: proof provided to TM Forum that the ANL Scenario has been self-assessed appropriately at the ANL claimed.

APPENDIX B: ANLAV OVERVIEW

 

1. ANL Assessment Validation Overview.

TM Forum’s ANLAV service ratifies your company's self-assessment of an ANL Scenario. The Validation may result in the ANL score being adjusted, according to the Evidence provided.

 

2. Validation Service Deliverables.

Access to a TM Forum Subject Matter Expert (SME) who will carry out the Validation.

Publication of the Validation results on the TM Forum website (unless you choose to opt out in writing or by email).

 

3. Package Outline ANLAV. The following will be agreed by the Parties:

The ANL Scenario(s) that are the subject of the ANLAV.

The Standards Version(s) against which the ANLAV will be awarded. 

 

4. Evidence.

If you do not provide complete Evidence, TM Forum will not issue a Validation. It is your responsibility to provide all Evidence. If you fail to provide Evidence within 30 days no Validation will be issued and this Contract will considered null and void.

 

The ANLAV service will be considered complete once the Validation is issued.

 

All Validations are final.


Evidence and all information you disclose to TM Forum will be used solely for purposes of the ANLAV. Validations are published on the TM Forum website, but You can opt out of publications by email.

5. Changes to the ANLAV Company Name.

You may change the company name associated with the ANLAV provided that written notice is given to TM Forum 30 (thirty) days in advance of any such change. 

TM Forum will update its website to reflect the name changes to ANLAVs. Historical assessment reports will maintain and will provide full traceability in the report back to the original Validation and company name as they existed at the time of Assessment.

 

6. Roles and Responsibilities of Validation Contacts.

6.1. TM Forum Contacts. TM Forum will appoint appropriate contact points and provide information and support to your staff during the Validation process.

6.1.1. TM Forum SME. Based on the ANL Scenario, TM Forum will assign a SME available for consultation via email and scheduled calls during the period of the Validation. The SME will advise on the Validation process, assess the Evidence provided, and issue the ANLAV.

6.2. Company Contacts. Appointed individuals should have appropriate knowledge of the relevant TM Forum ANL standards and tools, including IG1252 and GB1059, and have completed the ANL Assessment.

6.2.1. Validation Coordinator. The main contact for coordinating the Validation process. Duties include agreeing on the ANL Scenario(s) to be validated, agreeing Validation timeframes, and signing off on the final Validation result.

6.2.2. Validation Contact (Technical). The main point of contact for technical information and discussions pertaining to the ANLAV.

6.2.3. Billing/Payment Information Contact. To receive invoices.

 

7. Revalidation. The Validation of the ANL Assessment against the applicable standard remains in place permanently.

 

If the standard ANL Evaluation Tool has been updated, you may choose to revalidate subject to a separate ANLAV Contract.

 


APPENDIX C: CODE OF PRACTICE AND RIGHT OF USAGE

TM Forum Autonomous Network Levels Assessment Validation (ANLAV) is awarded to network operators. 

You will be bound by the following code of practice:

  • You will not engage in any activity that may damage TM Forum’s reputation or brands.
  • You will not claim Validation prior to receiving TM Forum written notification with respect to the ANL Scenario that is being validated.
  • You will not claim any TM Forum Validation beyond the specific ANL Scenario(s) issued under this Contract, except for Validations previously obtained from TM Forum. 
  • You will not imply, either directly or by omission, that ANLAV represents a TM Forum endorsement of the assessed network’s quality.
  • You will comply with all TM Forum marketing guidelines as set out in the TM Forum Branding Guidelines regarding the use of TM Forum brands and trademarks. TM Forum reserves the right to modify and update these guidelines at its sole discretion.
  • Any public announcements that directly quote TM Forum regarding ANLAV results must receive TM Forum’s prior written approval.
  • Failure to follow the above requirements will result in immediate removal of the ANLAV status and revocation of the right to use the TM Forum Validation.
  • If TM Forum decides to remove the TM Forum Validation due to misuse, you will be notified of this decision. You will have four (4) weeks to remedy the situation. If your remedial actions are insufficient after this period, your right to use the TM Validation will be withdrawn, and your Validation results will be removed from the TM Forum website. You have the right to appeal this decision to TM Forum's executive management team. The appeal decision shall be final.