en.Wedoany.com Reported - Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) operator, nbn, supported by Ericsson, has achieved the country's first TM Forum Level 4 service assurance autonomy certification, marking a significant milestone in network automation.
This certification confirms that nbn's AI-driven system can manage its fixed wireless network, playing a key role particularly in mitigating harsh environmental conditions. The solution aims to improve broadband experiences for approximately 800,000 homes and businesses across Australia, addressing performance issues caused by atmospheric ducting. Atmospheric ducting is a weather-related phenomenon that traps electromagnetic waves in the lower atmosphere, causing signals to propagate far beyond normal range and thereby affecting fixed wireless network throughput. By autonomously managing these events through AI agents, the system delivers more resilient services to customers across wide areas of the country.
As part of nbn's throughput performance management system, this intelligent agent solution operates through a closed-loop assurance process: translating high-level service objectives into executable tasks, continuously monitoring the network, and utilizing AI for degradation prediction and root cause analysis, all without human intervention. nbn Chief Technology Officer Guy Scott stated that this solution propels nbn's fixed wireless network into a future of autonomous, intelligent real-time detection, decision-making, and action. In regional areas of Australia where infrastructure is more susceptible to severe environmental conditions, it helps maintain performance, accelerate recovery, and provide customers with a more reliable experience. He added, "We are proud and excited to be the first organization in Australia to achieve TM Forum Level 4 certification for this capability, and to demonstrate how AI, data, and automation can be applied in practical ways to deliver real network outcomes that improve communities across the country."
Ludvig Landgren, Head of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand, noted that achieving service assurance Level 4 autonomy in addressing real-world environmental challenges like atmospheric ducting proves that autonomous networks are not a future concept but are delivering tangible value to customers today. Ericsson is proud to support NBN Co's mission to connect Australia and bridge the digital divide, and believes this achievement reflects the depth of their collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring all Australians—regardless of where they live—have access to reliable, high-performance connectivity.
This capability is powered by Ericsson's AI-driven Intent-Based Operations (IBO) solution, which utilizes its Autonomous Network Operations (ANO) and is part of the Ericsson Operations Engine. The system autonomously detects atmospheric ducting conditions, simulates their potential impact on fixed wireless performance, and then executes optimization actions, including automatic fallback and rollback procedures, to maintain end-customer service quality. TM Forum's certification confirms that the system can operate independently within defined scenarios, resolving issues and optimizing performance, reducing the frequency and duration of weather-related impacts on the NBN network.
