TMF Open Digital Architecture for 5G Service Orchestration: Achieving Standards Compliance and Vertical Integration
Rafael Direito, André Perdigão, Diogo Gomes, Rui L. Aguiar · 2025
5G and Beyond 5G enable transformative capabilities for various vertical sectors. However, interoperability and legacy system components hinder Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Communication Service Providers (CSPs) from capitalizing on these opportunities. This paper proposes a frame-work fully aligned with TMF's Open Digital Architecture (ODA) principles and open APIs to support the design, orchestration, and lifecycle management of 5G resources, such as network slices, and next-generation applications. We rely on mapping GSMA Network Slice Templates to TMF services to abstract 3GPP complexity and enable multi-vendor interoperability. Additionally, the proposed framework also supports continuous monitoring and testing capabilities and offers simplified CAMARA APIs to manage the lifecycle of various resources. The framework was validated through a smart manufacturing use case, demonstrating automated 5G resources provisioning, applications deployment, and KPI validation via TMF-aligned testing. This work provides MNOs and CSPs with a blueprint to modernize their systems, accelerate service delivery, and monetize 5G use cases through a standards-driven approach.