Unlocking AI-Powered RAN Optimization & Sustainability at MWC 2025
The telecommunications industry is entering a new era of transformation, where efficiency, automation, and sustainability are no longer optional—they are business imperatives. With the rapid expansion of 5G, the growing complexity of networks, and an increasing focus on reducing environmental impact, Communications Service Providers (CSPs) are facing intensified operational and financial challenges.
At MWC Barcelona 2025, Sutherland, Snowflake, and TM Forum are coming together to showcase a powerful AI-driven approach to solving some of the telecom industry’s most pressing challenges:
✔ How can CSPs reduce energy consumption while maintaining optimal network performance?
✔ Can AI-driven automation replace costly manual troubleshooting and truck rolls?
✔ What role does cloud-based data transformation play in making networks more resilient and self-sustaining?
These questions will take center stage as we unveil our latest TM Forum Catalyst project—a breakthrough in RAN energy optimization and autonomous network operations.
The Challenge: CSPs Face Unprecedented Pressure
The telecom industry is evolving faster than ever, but CSPs are struggling with three major operational challenges.
With these challenges in mind, the future of telecom depends on AI-powered automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent energy management.
The Soaring Cost of Energy
- The Radio Access Network (RAN) is the single largest energy consumer in telecom, accounting for 70% of a CSP’s total energy consumption*.
- Rising energy prices and increased network densification drive billions in operational expenses annually.
- Sustainability mandates and carbon emission reduction targets require CSPs to implement greener solutions.
*Source: GSMA Intelligence
Inefficient & Costly Network Management
- Traditional network troubleshooting relies heavily on manual intervention, leading to long downtimes and higher maintenance costs.
- Truck rolls for on-site repairs are expensive and time-consuming, significantly increasing Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), which currently averages 4-6 hours per incident.
- Without an AI-driven solution, CSPs risk longer service disruptions, customer dissatisfaction, and unnecessary operational expenses.
The Complexity of 5G & Autonomous Networks
- As 5G adoption accelerates, networks are becoming more complex, requiring advanced automation and AI for effective management.
- CSPs need data-driven solutions to predict faults before they occur and optimize networks without human intervention.
- Legacy systems aren’t equipped to handle the transition toward autonomous, self-optimizing networks.
The Solution: AI-Powered Energy Optimization & Fault Prediction
At MWC 2025, we’ll unveil our latest TM Forum Catalyst project, which leverages AI and automation to transform network operations.
AI-Driven RAN Energy Optimization
Our AI-powered energy management solution is designed to:
✔ Reduce RAN energy consumption by up to 20%, helping CSPs cut operational costs and meet sustainability targets.
✔ Use real-time analytics to dynamically adjust network power levels, optimizing energy use based on demand.
✔ Enable predictive energy management, automatically identifying inefficiencies before they impact performance.
AI-Powered Fault Prediction & Prevention
Sutherland’s advanced fault prediction platform will also be on display, showcasing how AI can:
✔ Predict & prevent network failures before they occur, minimizing service disruptions.
✔ Reduce the need for manual troubleshooting, eliminating unnecessary truck rolls and improving MTTR metrics.
✔ Increase uptime & network resilience, ensuring better service quality and customer satisfaction.
A Collaboration That Drives Transformation
This initiative brings together the best of three industry leaders:
Sutherland – Leading the Catalyst project with AI prediction models, service management orchestration (SMO) and automation expertise.
Snowflake – Powering data transformation, ETL, and cloud-based analytics.
TM Forum – Providing open standards and is the central facilitator of the TM Forum Catalyst Program.
Together, we are accelerating CSPs’ journey toward fully autonomous, AI-driven networks.
Measuring Success
As CSPs embark on the journey toward AI-powered network automation, measuring success and tracking results over time is essential.
Our phased approach ensures continuous improvements, with tangible benefits at each stage:
Short-Term (6-12 Months)
Early-stage energy savings become visible within the first 6 months, providing an immediate return on investment.
Medium-Term (12-24 Months)
By month 18, CSPs experience full-scale energy optimization, with significant enhancements in operational efficiency, customer experience, and sustainability impact.
Future Roadmap & Scalability
Once successfully implemented, this solution can be scaled beyond the RAN to optimize core and edge network layers, expanding the impact of AI-driven predictive analytics and automation across the entire network stack.
By adopting this roadmap, CSPs can accelerate their transition toward autonomous networks, ensuring sustained efficiency, cost savings, and resilience in an increasingly complex telecom landscape.
“Data is the fuel that drives intelligent automation. CSPs around the world are leveraging Snowflake’s cloud-native capabilities, to seamlessly process, analyze, and act on their critical network operations data. Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud supports an ecosystem of IOT sensors that can observe, analyze and optimize energy utilization, while reducing operational costs. This partnership with Sutherland and TM Forum is helping Operators realize the full potential of AI in building energy efficient autonomous networks.”
Sreedhar Rao
Global Telecom CTO
Snowflake
“The telecom industry’s journey toward autonomous networks requires a foundation built on open standards and industry-wide collaboration. Through the TM Forum Catalyst program, we are enabling real-world innovation that helps CSPs achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. This partnership with Sutherland and Snowflake demonstrates how AI, automation, and data intelligence can revolutionize the future of telecom operations.”
George Glass
CTO
TM Forum
“The telecommunications industry is undergoing a profound transformation toward fully autonomous networks. By leveraging AI, automation, and predictive analytics, CSPs can significantly reduce operational costs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. Our collaboration with Snowflake and TM Forum is a testament to how data-driven intelligence and open standards can accelerate the journey toward self-optimizing networks. The future of telecom is autonomous, and we are committed to helping CSPs achieve that reality.”
Jay Naillon
VP Technology Solutions
Sutherland
Experience it Firsthand at MWC 2025!
Want to see these game-changing solutions in action? Join us at MWC Barcelona (March 3-6, 2025) to get an exclusive, hands-on look at the future of telecom.
Live Demo & Expert Insights
Visit our booth for a real-time demonstration of our AI-driven RAN optimization and fault prediction platforms. Our experts will be available to discuss how AI and automation can transform your network operations.
Win a $100,000 Autonomous Network Level Assessment!
We’re offering an exclusive opportunity to win a TM Forum Autonomous Network Level Assessment & Roadmap Consultation (valued at $100K)!
📍 How to enter? Simply visit our booth or click here to register.
Exclusive Networking: Co-Hosted Happy Hour with Snowflake!
Join us for a VIP networking event, where we’ll discuss the future of AI-driven telecom over drinks and great conversations.
Why This Matters: The Future of Telecom Starts Now
As CSPs transition toward autonomous networks, the ability to predict failures, optimize energy consumption, and automate network management is no longer optional—it’s essential.
The impact of AI-driven network automation is undeniable:
- Lower operational costs through energy savings and reduced manual intervention.
- Faster, more reliable networks with predictive maintenance and fault prevention.
- A greener, more sustainable telecom industry, supporting global carbon reduction goals.
At Sutherland, Snowflake, and TM Forum, we’re committed to driving meaningful transformation in telecom—because we’re truly better together.
