The Leap to the ‘Intent-Based Network’. The true brain of a TechCo beyond Automation.

This white paper addresses the limitations of traditional imperative automation (based on rigid scripts) given the complexity of modern networks (5G, Edge Computing). The document proposes the strategic leap to Intent-Based Networking (IBN), which shifts the focus from “how it is done” to “what is needed,” enabling network autonomy.

An IBN is founded on a declarative model, where the Intent Owner (business) declares a high-level objective (the “Intent”). This Intent is managed by the Intent Management Function (IMF) or Intent Handler, which translates, activates resources, and continuously verifies that the objective is met (Assurance). The IBN architecture, aligned with tmforum standards, utilizes a fractal hierarchy where business intents are decomposed into service and resource intents, ensuring that the strategy is executed on the infrastructure without manual intervention at every leap. This approach is crucial for achieving self-healing, dynamic optimisation, and decoupling the business from the underlying technology

About the Author

Xosé Ramón Sousa Vázquez, Master in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Vigo. He leads the Research and Development Department at Optare Solutions and has participated in many research activities related with digital technologies at the telco environment, transforming the processes of communication companies, optimizing their assets becoming ready for the new technologies and enabling smart digital services. He actively participates in national and European research projects related with 5G/6G, cloud and edge technologies, AI developments associated with industry use cases, integrating smart contracts, closed loop management, intent-based management and integration of telco systems and processes for better performance.

Over 30 years of telco projects related with industry best practices and standards. First contact in the company for TMForum, GSMA organizations. Creator and participant in several technical Hackathons related with the technologies 5G, Edge, AI and its integration as digital services enabler.