Software and Standards for Smart Networks and Services Conference & Hackfests

DAY 1, Tuesday 12 November

 09:00 - 12:00 SDG OpenSlice Tutorial/Hackfest

14:00 - 17:00 SDG TeraflowSDN Tutorial/Hackfest

17:00 - 18:30 Networking Drink

DAY 2, Wednesday 13 November

09:00 - 10:20: CONFERENCE OPENING & WELCOME
Session Chair: David Artuñedo Guillen, OCF Chair, Telefonica

09:00 - 09:10: Welcome to ETSI
Jan Ellsberger, ETSI Director-General

09:10 - 09:25: Conference Opening
Ricard Vilalta, TFS Chair, CTTC

09:25 - 09:45: Keynote Speech
Erzsébet Fitori, SNS-JU Executive Director

09:45 - 10:05: Collaborative Software and Open Source at ETSI
Silvia Almagia, ETSI

10:05 - 10:20: Presentation of Posters & Demos
Christos Tranoris, OSL Chair, University of Patras

10:20 - 11:00: Coffee Break, Posters & Demos Visit

11:00 - 12:30: SESSION 1 - ACCESS NETWORKS & SERVICES
Session Chair: Pavlos Fournogerakis, SNS JU Deputy Head of Programmes

11:00 - 11:20: OpenAirInterface Software Alliance (OSA) - Open-Source, Standard & Industry Compliant Software Assets for Next Generation Smart Networks & Services
Jerôme Härri, Eurecom

11:20 - 11:40: O-RAN and Open Source - The Problem of Copyright
David Kinsey, AT&T

11:40 12:00: 3GPP Work on Defining Network APIs and Network Capability Exposure
Abdessamad El Moatamid, Huawei

12:00 - 12:20: 5G-MAG Reference Tools - Building an Open Software Ecosystem for Multimedia Applications
Jordi Gimenez, 5G-MAG

12:20 - 12:40: Panel Discussion
With Session Speakers

12:40 - 14:00: Lunch, Posters & Demos Visit

14:00 - 15:30: SESSION 2 - TELCO CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE
Session Chair: Ricard Vilalta, TFS Chair, CTTC

14:00 - 14:20: Open Source Cloud-Native Network Control and Management with TeraFlowSDN
Håkon Lønsethagen, Telenor

14:20 - 14:40: Open Source Broadband Router Software Solutions
Livia Rosu, prpl Foundation

14:40 - 15:00: Multi Vendor Telco DevOps Transformation - A Case Study
Szilard Szell, Eficode and Artur Brutyan, Telia

15:00 - 15:30: Panel Discussion
With Session Speakers

15:30 - 16:00: Coffee Break, Posters & Demos Visit

16:00 - 17:30: SESSION 3 - MANAGEMENT, ORCHESTRATION and OPERATIONS
Session Chair: Christos Tranoris, OSL Chair, University of Patras

16:00 - 16:20: Delivering Network as a Service (NaaS) with OpenSlice
Kostis Trantzas, University of Patras

16:20 - 16:40: ETSI OSM: Scalable Cloud-Native Operation of Multi-Cloud Deployments
Francisco Javier Ramon Salguero, Telefonica, OSM Chair

16:40 - 17:00: TM Forum Autonomous Networks and Open Standards
Dmytro Gassanov, TM Forum

17:00 - 17:20: Introducing Nephio and its Approach towards Network Function Orchestration
Sagar Arora, OpenAirInterface, Nephio TSC Member

17:20 - 17:45: Panel Discussion
With Session Speakers

17:45 - 19:00: Networking Cocktail

DAY 3, Thursday 14 November

09:00 - 10:30: SESSION 4 - NETWORK EXPOSURE, APIs and PROGRAMMABILITY
Session Chair: David Artuñedo Guillen, OCF Chair, Telefonica

09:00 - 09:20: SDG OpenCAPIF - A Common Framework for API Exposure and Consumption
Dimitris Tsolkas, Fogus Innovations & Services P.C.

09:20 - 09:40: CAMARA and the Network API Exposure Ecosystem
Nathan Rader, Deutsche Telekom, CAMARA Chair

09:40 - 10:00: MEC overview and MEC Sandbox enhancements: focus on Edge Native Connector STF
Dario Sabella, xFlow Research, ETSI MEC Chair

10:00 - 10:30: Panel Discussion
With Session Speakers

10:30 - 11:00: Coffee Break, Posters & Demos Visit

11:00 - 12:30: SESSION 5 - CONCLUSIONS & NEXT STEPS
Session Chair: Ultan Mulligan, ETSI

11:00 - 11:20: The Importance of Open Networks for Europe
Alexandros Kaloxylos, 6G-IA

11:20 - 11:40: 3GPP 6G Roadmap
Issam Toufik, ETSI

11:40 - 12:00: The Unwalled Garden. Growing and Open and Healthy Networking Ecosystem
Diego Lopez, Telefonica

12:00 - 12:30: Panel Discussion
With Session Speakers & Operators

• Diego Lopez, Telefonica
• David Kinsey, AT&T
• Håkon Lønsethagen, Telenor
• Artur Brutyan, Telia
• Nathan Rader, DT
• Milan Lalovic, BT

12:30 - 12:45: Conference Closing
PC Chairs

12:45 - 14:00: Lunch, Posters & Demos Visit

14:00 - 17:00 SDG OpenCAPIF Tutorial/Hackfest  

SDG OpenSlice Tutorial/Hackfest
Delivering Network as a Service (NaaS)

Tuesday 12 November, 9:00-12:00

This very first OpenSlice Hackfest is a great opportunity for participants to get a first hands-on experience with OpenSlice. Starting with a guided step by step installation, participants will get familiar with network service design and understand the benefits of service orchestration and operation through comprehensive examples that streamline zero-touch network management. We will design and deliver flexible NaaS solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of the industry and modern research to create sophisticated orchestration processes that ensure seamless integration and management of network services.

Target Audience

Developers, Network Engineers, 5G Enthusiasts, Research Project Delegates, Students, and Open Source Contributors.

Key Focus Areas

• OpenSlice installation
  • Architecture Overview
  • Step-by-step installation guide
  •  Hands-on session with live Q&A
• Service Design for 5G Systems
  
  • Basics of 5G Core architecture and industry standards
  • Service Design using OpenSlice (based on NFV / Kubernetes)
  • Practical examples and demonstrations
• Service Orchestration and Operation
  
  • Introduction to Service Orchestration
  • Using OpenSlice for managing and operating services
• Advanced Topics
  
  • Sophisticated OpenSlice features
  • Third-party services integration

What to expect

This is a beginner friendly tutorial-style Hackfest. Find latest information, Agenda, Pre-requisites, and Hackfest Material, in the 1st OpenSlice Hackfest wiki.

About SDG OpenSlice

SDG OpenSlice is an ETSI hosted open source community developing an Operation Support System to deliver Network Slices as a Service (NSaaS). Lean more.

SDG TeraFlowSDN Tutorial/Hackfest
Network Automation

Tuesday 12 November, 14:00-17:00

This 5th TeraFlowSDN Hackfest at the SNS4SNS event, will be a beginner-friendly comprehensive hands-on tutorial dedicated to exploring the fundamental concepts, protocols, and standards needed to deploy, onboard, control, and monitor network devices like programmable routers and white boxes. This Hackfest provides participants with the opportunity to master the basics of TeraFlowSDN, enhancing their Smart Networks and Services projects through an industry-oriented, cutting-edge network automation framework. In addition, attendees will learn how to engage with the community to contribute code, new features and bug reports.

Who Should Attend

• Network Operators and Service Providers to gain hands-on operational experience with TeraFlowSDN.
• Equipment Providers to learn how to integrate their solutions seamlessly with TeraFlowSDN.
• Academia and Universities aiming to utilize TeraFlowSDN as a platform for their advanced networking research.
• System Integrators to develop and expand their expertise with TeraFlowSDN.
• Research Project Members to Implement TeraFlowSDN in their research and proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Anyone interested in elevating their network automation skills with TeraFlowSDN and connecting with a community of innovators!

What to expect

This is a beginner friendly tutorial-style Hackfest. Find latest information, Agenda, Pre-requisites, and Hackfest Material in the 5th TeraFlowSDN Hackfest wiki.

About SDG TeraFlowSDN

SDG TeraFlowSDN is an ETSI hosted open source community developing a cloud native SDN Controller enabling smart connectivity services for future networks beyond 5G. Lean more.

SDG OpenCAPIF Tutorial/Hackfest
API Exposure and Consumption

Thursday 14 November, 14:00-17:00

This first OpenCAPIF Hackfest will be an interactive tutorial dedicated to exploring the fundamental concepts and standards needed to publish, discover, and consume APIs using the 3GPP Common API Framework. This Hackfest provides participants with the opportunity to master OpenCAPIF operations, enhancing their Smart Networks and Services projects with the use of a developer oriented, 3GPP API management system. Participants will experiment with registering API Invokers and API Providers, as well as publishing and consuming APIs using OpenCAPIF. Additionally, attendees will learn how to engage with the community to report issues, contribute code and request new features.

Who Should Attend

• Network Operators and Service Providers to gain hands-on experience on API management in 5G Networks.
• Equipment Providers to learn how to integrate their solutions with API Management Systems in Network Operators.
• Academia and Universities aiming to utilize OpenCAPIF as an API Framework for advanced networking research.
• System Integrators, to develop and expand their expertise with OpenCAPIF.
• Research Project Members, aimong to implement OpenCAPIF in their research and proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Anyone interested in developing their API management skills in 5G and 6G networks and connecting with a community of developers and innovators!

What to expect

This is a beginner friendly tutorial-style Hackfest. Find latest information, Agenda, Pre-requisites, and Hackfest Material in the 1st OpenCAPIF Hackfest wiki.

About SDG OpenCAPIF

SDG OpenCAPIF is an ETSI hosted open source community developing a Common API Framework, as defined by 3GPP, enabling secure and consistent network APIs exposure and consumption. Lean more.

Stand 1

Open Source for Telco-Cloud: An ETSI SDG-based solution to facilitate zero-touch, multi-slice 5G deployments across the cloud-edge continuum
Presented by Kostis Trantzas, University of Patras

The increasing demand for network services has prompted telecommunications companies (telcos) to modernize their legacy and unadaptable infrastructure and adopt modular and scalable software-defined systems running on common off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. This software-defined cloud infrastructure, known as “telco cloud”, allows telcos to swiftly deploy services, adapt to changes in the network demand and manage resources across the cloud-edge continuum. While Network Function Virtualization (NFV) marked the initial shift to cloud-based operations, telcos now seek the transition towards cloud-native infrastructure to support the potential of microservices architectures brought by 5G. The proposed demonstration illustrates a zero-touch delivery of a distributed 5G network across a cloud-edge continuum over multiple cloud providers, by integrating three open-source solutions of ETSI Software Development Groups (SDGs) - OSM, TFS, and OSL. To that extent, the demonstration involves the logical interconnection of public and private resources providing an adjustable and seamless network fabric over numerous network devices. Over this zero-touch created network substrate, the adopted open-source solution orchestrates the deployment of disaggregated cloud-native 5G resources, composing a multi-slice setup while also addressing access control on domain resources. In addition, the solution employs stratum-based, programmable P4 switches to not only carry out the routing but also perform in-band network monitoring for deep visibility into the network state. In principle, the demonstrated solution relies on widely utilized, standard interfaces and data models such as TMF APIs, IETF L2/L3 VPN Service Delivery, and ETSI SOL005 to achieve those objectives.

Demonstrating Synergies between ETSI SDG OSL and LF Sylva
Presented by Cristos Tranoris, University of Patras

OpenSlice (OSL) is an open-source software solution supported by the ETSI SDG initiative. It is capable of provisioning services and resources through orchestration procedures over TMF APIs. OSL allows service providers to efficiently manage network resources and operations through its API-driven orchestration layer. In addition, Sylva is a project under the Linux Foundation designed specifically for the telco and edge cloud ecosystem. It provides a cloud software framework tailored to telco and edge requirements, addressing the industry's technical challenges and developing a reference implementation of this framework. Sylva’s goal is to create a validation program for these implementations, ensuring that they meet the evolving demands of the telecom industry. The demo will introduce a new Sylva resource operator that OSL incorporates as an extension. This will showcase how OSL tenants can seamlessly request and manage Sylva workload clusters in a self-service manner. Moreover, the demo will highlight how Sylva’s telco-focused cloud software framework can be exposed, requested, and managed using OSL’s orchestration capabilities over TMF APIs, demonstrating how these two platforms can work together to meet the evolving technical challenges of telco and edge ecosystems. In essence, the demo will explore the use of TMF APIs for this interaction and illustrate the simplicity and efficiency with which OSL tenants can order and utilize Kubernetes clusters created and managed by Sylva.

Stand 2

Joint End-to-End Service and Resource Orchestration with Built-In Telemetry Services
Presented by Alexandros Valantasis, Ubitech

In this demonstration, the Maestro end-to-end service orchestrator developed by UBITECH gets integrated (through standard TMForum APIs) with ETSI OSL, acting as a resource-level orchestrator atop 5G-based infrastructures. In turn, ETSI OSL delegates the orchestration of 5G core network functions to ETSI OSM, demonstrating a synergy of 3 orchestrators (and 2 SDGs) with a common objective, i.e., to accommodate a vertical application. This composite orchestration stack automatically provisions and manages a predictive maintenance industrial application across 2 geo-distributed testbeds in Greece, while realizing real-time compute and 5G infrastructure telemetry as well as service-level telemetry - both illustrated through Grafana dashboards.

Multi-dimensional Trust estimation for Trust-aware Slicing and Orchestration
Presented by Jesús Angel Alonso, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

(Demo) System that estimates the Level of Trust (LoT) for E2E services considering multiple QoS and Security dimensions, including traffic attestation via Proofs-of-Transit. The estimated LoT will be dynamically updated following complementary time-driven and event-driven approaches. It will be used for multi-domain slicing and orchestration operations that will eventually enhance the Trust of services.

Stand 3

O-RAN-Based 5G Testbed for Public-Private Operator Communication
Presented by Dimitrios Pliatsios, University of Western Macedonia

This demonstration is an implementation of an open radio access network (O-RAN)-based 5G testbed that is being developed in the context of the NANCY Project. NANCY has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101096456. O-RAN is an industrial standard for RANs that specifies the interconnections and interfaces among various components towards increasing network flexibility and enhancing interoperability between equipment. The testbed aims to investigate scenarios involving micro-operators, who can expand the coverage of the main operator, as well as provide additional services to the nearby end users, such as enhanced cybersecurity, offloading, etc. In more detail, the demonstrator consists of two entities, namely the main operator and the micro-operator. In both operators, the srsRAN software is used to control an Ettus Research USRP B210 and deploy it as a 5G radio head, while the Open5GS software is used to provide core network functionalities, implementing the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and User Plane Function (UPF). Additionally, the near-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) from O-RAN Software Community is used to retrieve metrics that are exposed by srsRAN over the E2 interface. Finally, an AI-based anomaly detection mechanism has been deployed in the micro-operator, which analyzes network traffic to detect threats. The anomaly detection mechanism is also enhanced with eXplainable AI (XAI) capability in order to provide additional insights into the AI-based detection process. The proposed demonstrator aims to showcase the implementation of a 5G testbed that is based on software-defined radio (SDR) technologies and open-source software, such as srsRAN (https://github.com/srsran), Open5GS (https://github.com/open5gs/open5gs), O-RAN Software Community near-RT-RIC (https://docs.o-ran-sc.org/en/cherry/projects.html#near-realtime-ran-intelligent-controller-ric).

CAPIF Integration with OAI Network Exposure Function
Presented by Giulio Carota, Eurecom

This demo will demonstrate the integration of CAPIF (Common API Framework for 3GPP Northbound APIs) with EURECOM's OAI Network Exposure Function (NEF), validated through a practical use case. EURECOM has developed a cloud-native, containerized architecture for its NEF, which integrates seamlessly with CAPIF. This CAPIF API Provider microservice embedded in the NEF fully supports the key functionalities defined by 3GPP, including the API Management Function (AMF), API Exposure Function (AEF), and the API Publishing Function (APF). The CAPIF-enabled NEF will be deployed within a 5G network, along with vertical applications (API Invokers) and the OpenCAPIF framework. During the demo: • The NEF will register with an OpenCAPIF instance and publish its APIs. • A vertical application, operating outside the PLMN trust domain, will request user location dat. It will discover and consume NEF APIs via OpenCAPIF. • Simultaneously, the network operator will use another application to retrieve logging and auditing data, facilitated by OpenCAPIF. This information will enable the operator to accurately charge the vertical for API usage, based on the volume and type of calls made. This demo will highlight the seamless interaction between CAPIF, NEF, and external application functions, showcasing the value of standardized API management and exposure in 5G networks.

Stand 4

SEAL Exposure and Operation through OpenCAPIF - A Mission Critical Approach
Presented by Iván González Muriel, Nemergent Solutions

The proposed demonstration focuses on providing means to expose and interact with Mission Critical Services (MCX) following a Service Enabler Architecture Layer (SEAL) approach through OpenCAPIF.  In a world where networking technology is evolving towards virtualization, "APIfication", and service-based networks, the SEAL architecture concept makes a perfect match with CAPIF functionality of exposing APIs, since SEAL proposes a set of common functionalities or entities and their APIs to be used by a variety of verticals. Handling the exposure of the different APIs that SEAL defines for interacting with the functionalities is a necessary step for the verticals that wish to make use of them. With CAPIF such step is possible, allowing the SEAL deployment to onboard itself as provider in CAPIF to publish the different SEAL APIs available, and also allowing a vertical to onboard itself as invoker in CAPIF in order to discover the published SEAL APIs and learn the possible endpoints and interactions available. The chosen venue is a Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) scenario with an MCX solution operated over a 5G network as its foundation. Such an approach facilitates access to MCX technology for end-users, enables interaction between different services reinforcing their synergies, and fosters multi-disciplinary MCX deployments where each vertical can interact with the most interesting APIs for its sector. The demo will show the full process of publishing and discovering SEAL APIs related to MCX (what has been called MC-SEAL) and some interaction with those APIs as a practical example of OpenCAPIF usage.

OpenSlice as an Enabler of the FIDAL Experimentation Framework
Presented by Vasileios Katopodis, Ubitech

The demonstration will focus on FIDAL’s experimentation framework with a focus on OpenSlice. It will show how OpenSlice is used as the cross-domain slice manager, how the OpenSlice service orchestrator is responsible for provisioning and delivering the network slice from the Maestro request to OpenSourceMano, and managing the slice's lifecycle.

Stand 5

NEF and OpenCAPIF: Securing Exposed B5G Network Capabilities to Third-Party Apps
Presented by Dimitris Fragkos, Demokritos

In this demonstration, we aim to showcase the integration of an Open-Source NEF solution with the OpenCAPIF framework. The Open-Source NEF is an advanced experimentation framework designed to implement NEF APIs, enabling the evaluation of available vertical applications acting as Application Functions (AFs) that consume NEF APIs. The O-NEF, built on RESTful APIs, allows seamless interaction with third-party applications, proprietary equipment, and AI/ML services. Its compliance with 3GPP standards ensures interoperability with other solutions, making it a versatile tool for diverse integration scenarios. The key highlight of this demo is NEF’s compliance to OpenCAPIF standards. By functioning as an API Provider within the CAPIF ecosystem, NEF leverages the secure access control capabilities offered by CAPIF, ensuring robust security and manageability of interactions. This integration demonstrates how the combined capabilities of NEF and OpenCAPIF can enhance the development of 5G services.

Open-CAPIF integration in IoT-Edge-Cloud Continuum Meta Operating System
Presented by Andreas Sakellaropoulos, Demokritos

The proposed demo intends to showcase the integration of OpenCAPIF with an IoT-edge-cloud Meta Operating system (MetaOS) and specifically the aerOS MetaOS. The goal is to achieve a standardized and secured MetaOS API exposure, enabling to third parties to interact with the IoT-edge-cloud continuum requesting workloads orchestration and placement, as well as IoT data discovery and reuse. OpenCAPIF standardized APIs, on the one hand it provides the interface to register aerOS MetaOS APIs and on the other hand it provides the possibility to third party applications to discover these APIs and integrate their functionalities. This simplifies access to aerOS metaOS services, including workloads smart orchestration, distributed AI processing and abstracted resource management. The key feature of integrating aerOS with OpenCAPIF is enhanced service discoverability which renders aerOS services easily discoverable and accessible. This ensures that a multitude of applications can discover and take advantage of aerOS capabilities, including scalable and efficient IoT service deployment, over diverse computing and network resources across aerOS continuum from edge to cloud.

Stand 6

Open Standards & Open Source: Transforming Streaming and Immersive Media with 5G-MAG Reference Tools
Presented by Jordi Joan Gimenez, 5G-MAG

5G-MAG is filling the gap between the development of specifications for media services and their conformance testing, validation and prototyping. The open-source 5G-MAG Reference Tools development programme makes specifications accessible and tangible for stakeholders across the world. For this event, the idea is to bring demos of our currently most advanced projects involving: 5G Media Streaming Architecture (defined by 3GPP), 5G Broadcast (3GPP) and Immersive Media experiences through Volumetric Video (MPEG).

Stand 7

Implementation of Ordered Proof of Transit (OPoT) for traffic flow path verification in the TeraflowSDN ecosystem
Presented by Javier Velázquez Martínez, Telefonica

Network connectivity in complex topologies add the risk of losing visibility and traceability of the traffic flows. Aspects such as regulatory or security policies can demand some mechanism to demonstrate this traceability of the traffic. In this demo, we showcase a novel P4 implementation deployed in the TeraflowSDN ecosystem. This P4 implementation, called Ordered Proof of Transit (OPoT), provides a solution for validating flow paths in the network. By using Shamir’s Secret Sharing Scheme, the system adds metadata to each packet in the network, updating it at each node or service the packet traverses until it reaches the final destination. This method ensures validation of the services traversed by the packet at the last crossing point, providing an additional layer of security and preventing unauthorized modifications to the flow of data traffic. Several mathematical parameters are required for each packet to execute OPoT. The TeraflowSDN controller is responsible for generating these parameters and configuring each node via its P4 framework. The demo consists of a 10-node linear topology network, virtualized with Mininet and connected to a Teraflow controller. Once both the topology and controller are deployed, Teraflow generates the mathematical parameters and configures the nodes by setting up a P4 service involving the OPoT configuration. Connectivity is then tested between two Mininet hosts at opposite ends of the network to verify the proper functionality of the system. Finally, packets are captured at various points in the network to demonstrate how nodes add and modify OPoT metadata.

Multilayer Slicing Control in IP over Optical Networks Using TeraFlow SDN
Presented by Pablo Armingol Robles, Telefonica

The demo will develop a visualization and spectrum management tool for IP-over-DWDM networks, using TAPI to adapt the optical network to IP traffic changes. It updates real-time data and optimizes spectrum allocation to enhance network performance and capacity.

Stand 8

Integrating Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with TeraFlowSDN Pdf
Presented by Alberto González Barneo, Optare Solutions

In this demo, we showcase the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology into the TeraFlowSDN controller. TeraFlowSDN is an innovative, cloud-native Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller that enables scalable, secure, and flexible network management. The integration of QKD, which provides quantum-based encryption for secure communication, ensures the highest level of security for modern network infrastructures. Through the TeraFlowSDN WebUI, we demonstrate how to configure and manage QKD nodes, services, and applications. The demo covers key components of the WebUI, including: Devices: Configuration and monitoring of QKD nodes with detailed information such as endpoints, ports, and interfaces. Links: Visualization and management of physical and virtual QKD links between nodes, showcasing how secure data paths are established. Services: Creation and management of physical and virtual services between QKD nodes, ensuring secure communication channels. Applications: Monitoring and control of internal and external QKD applications for secure key exchanges. This demo highlights the synergy between Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and quantum security technologies, contributing to the goals of SNS (Smart Networks and Services) projects, particularly in securing next-generation communication networks. By leveraging quantum encryption, this project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting secure and resilient network infrastructures. This integration positions TeraFlowSDN as a critical tool in the future of secure communication networks, enhancing both network management capabilities and security through quantum technology.

Autonomous Link-Capacity Adjustment using TeraFlowSDN Controller in a Disaggregated Optical Network Testbed
Presented by Behnam Shariati, Fraunhofer HHI

We demonstrate a closed-loop operation for the use-case of autonomous optical link-capacity adjust-ment in a partially-disaggregated testbed. Our proposal employs a state-of-the-art traffic forecaster for capacity provisioning and an instance of TeraFlowSDN Controller for (re)configuration of IP/Optical network elements, without interrupting the end-to-end service.

Stand 9

Network Resource Allocation for Gaming Using MEC API and TeraFlowSDN
Presented by Shayan Hajipour, CTTC

Leveraging TeraFlowSDN (TFS), we provide a multi-access edge computing (MEC) bandwidth management service that enables dynamic bandwidth allocation and prioritizes gaming traffic for low-latency gaming. This demonstration is in collaboration with Telefónica and xFlow Research.

Stand 10

Enabling Cloud AR/VR Gaming Services by an Open-Source and Standards-Based Network-as-a-Service Platform for Control and Management of Optical Networks
Presented by Hesam Rahimi, Huawei

This demo presents a comprehensive Standards-Based and Open-Source Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform designed to enhance the deployment and management of all-optical access and transport networks. This platform introduces cutting-edge ETSI F5G-A (Fifth Generation Fixed Network Advanced) access and transport network capabilities to enterprises, users, and application developers. Our implementation is standards-based leveraging GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, Linux Foundation’s CAMARA, ETSI ZSM and ETSI F5G ISGs. We collaborate with the ETSI ZSM and F5G ISGs, not only to improve our design by exploiting the solutions from these standards, but also to help validate the ZSM and F5G standards by conducting and examining the proof-of-concept (PoC) demonstrations of our NaaS platform. We have also integrated a number of open-source projects into our platform including ETSI OSM and ETSI TeraFlowSDN. We demonstrate our platform with a use-case of cloud-based AR/VR gaming service that requires high bandwidth and ultra-low latency. This is achieved through an end-to-end, quality-on-demand connectivity service that incorporates both access and transport network slicing. For the transport network slicing, our platform uses ETSI F5G’s fine-grain Optical Transport Network (fgOTN) technology realized by an end-to-end, Layer 3 VPN (L3VPN) service. For the access network, our solution introduces the novel aspect of automated Passive Optical Network (PON) slicing, achieving a fully end-to-end solution. We also use standard data models from IETF to define our network slices and L3VPN services. This PoC not only highlights a technological milestone but also sets the stage for the future of end-to-end quality-enabled telecommunications. By leveraging the latest ETSI standards and technologies, this collaboration exemplifies how the F5G-A architecture can support not just immersive and realistic VR gaming services but also a wide array of other highly-demanding digital services and applications.

Stand 11

MLOps and zero-touch predictive closed loops for network slice performance optimization Pdf
Presented by Giacomo Bernini, Nextworks

The proposed demo is a joint effort from Nextworks and Orange Romania, which showcases a zero-touch network and service management solution, capable to deploy virtualized closed loop functions, integrated with an MLOps framework for training and deployment of ML models in support of prediction of network slice performance degradation. The demo targets the AI-enabled and automated operation of vertical services and network slices through zero-touch closed loops, with deployment of services for regular Internet access (eMBB) and prioritized traffic (URLLC). The goal is to validate the zero-touch deployment of virtualized closed loop functions, integrated with an MLOps framework for training and deployment of ML models in support of ML-enabled analytics for prediction of network slice performance degradation (LSTM model), and ML-enabled decision for network slice congestion identification (random forest classifier). The proposed demo integrates smart network and services solutions developed in the Horizon Europe SNS project ADROIT6G. The demo setup, shown in the figure, is deployed in the Orange Romania 5G Lab in Bucharest, which implements a full 5G Standalone (SA) infrastructure, comprising 5G RAN and 5G Core aligned with 3GPP Rel.16, integrated with Edge Computing capabilities and advanced SDN and IPFABRIC elements in the associated Datacentre. The testbed is equipped with network and services monitoring capabilities, through functions for data collection of a variety of metrics, benefitting by different open software tools used for monitoring (Prometheus and Grafana) and data presenting through dashboards. The scenario includes two vertical services to be operated with full automation through AI/ML services. First, a regular eMBB service for internet access automatically deployed through a network and service management stack, with best effort network slice profile and no closed loops associated (i.e., no possibility to automatically optimize or adapt the service and slice). Second, a priority service for object detection at the edge is automatically provisioned through the ADROIT6G M&O, with a URLLC network slice profile (with QoS guarantees in terms of bandwidth and latency), a containerized object detection kubernetes application automatically deployed, and an AI-enabled closed loop (with four virtualized functions for monitoring, analysis, decision and execution) integrated with the Orange Romania testbed monitoring system, two ML models automatically trained and deployed through an MLOps framework. At runtime, in case of network congestion, the regular eMBB service performance is going to be degraded as no closed loop is available, while the priority service is automatically reconfigured by the AI-enabled closed loop through a network load prediction process. In terms of software components, several building blocks are integrated in the Orange Romania testbed. For what concerns the network and service management framework (upper part of the figure), the service orchestration and closed-loop governance components from Nextworks are deployed and integrated in the testbed, together with a resource orchestrator for the automated deployment of applications into the Orange Romania 5G Lab virtualized infrastructure. The monitoring platform collects the required network slice metrics from the Orange Romania monitoring system to make it available to the closed loop functions. For the MLOps framework, an AI/ML pipeline manager leveraging on the Prefect tool is overarched by a custom orchestrator, and it is integrated with an AI/ML catalogue based on MLFlow and an ML model storage based on minIO. Given the complexity of the scenario, the demo is planned to be showcased in the form of a video, with the addition of live access during the event to several dashboards available in the setup (at both the management and orchestration stack level and infrastructure level).

API driven MEC Sandbox and Edge Native Connector Feature
Presented by Yann Garcia, FSCOM

Show case the latest advancements in the MEC Sandbox tool (V2X Predicted QoS), featuring API driven Sandbox and new Edge Native Connector feature set. The demo includes on how MEC Application and Edge Native Application consume/provide service APIs in MEC Sandbox

Joint End-to-End Service and Resource Orchestration with Built-In Telemetry Services
Presented by Alexandros Valadasis, Ubitech

In this poster/demonstration, the Maestro end-to-end service orchestrator developed by UBITECH gets integrated (through standard TMForum APIs) with ETSI OSL, acting as a resource-level orchestrator atop 5G-based infrastructures. In turn, ETSI OSL delegates the orchestration of 5G core network functions to ETSI OSM, demonstrating a synergy of 3 orchestrators (and 2 SDGs) with a common objective, i.e., to accommodate a vertical application. This composite orchestration stack automatically provisions and manages a predictive maintenance industrial application across 2 geo-distributed testbeds in Greece, while realizing real-time compute and 5G infrastructure telemetry as well as service-level telemetry - both illustrated through Grafana dashboards.

RIGOUROUS - Human-Centric Service Onboarding with OPENSLICE
Presented by Rafael Direito, Instituto de Telecomunicações de Aveiro, PT

This poster highlights the role of ETSI Openslice in the RIGOUROUS European Research Project. RIGOUROUS focuses on identifying and mitigating cybersecurity, trust, and privacy risks associated with network, devices, computing infrastructure, and next-generation services. The project’s core objective is to achieve native security orchestration for 6G infrastructure by leveraging SOAR and DevSecOps methodologies. A standout feature of RIGOUROUS is its human-centric approach to Service onboarding and management. This approach integrates various human-centric UIs and high-level system policies that enable the design of services with feedback on their security and privacy levels. This is where ETSI Openslice plays a critical role. ETSI Openslice enables the seamless onboarding of Service Descriptors, Security Definitions, and Privacy Manifests, which helps differentiate Services based on their privacy and security characteristics. Defining security characteristics and the exploration space allows for the continuous enforcement of the security requirements. Privacy quantification mechanisms, backed by predefined metrics and algorithms, provide user-friendly privacy management with intuitive controls. Through ETSI Openslice, the RIGOUROUS project has achieved a Service Catalog with continuously verified Services. These Services support the offering of various derived Products, with different working and security characteristics. Additionally, all Services and Products can be managed through LCM (Lifecycle Management) rules, simplifying the exposal of information about running Services. With ETSI Openslice, RIGOUROUS delivers a secure, user-friendly platform designed to meet the evolving needs of 6G services while upholding trust and privacy.

F5G & ZSM PoC: F5G-advanced access and transport network with autonomous service management enabling End-to-end CAMARA QoD Services for Cloud AR/VR Gaming
Presented by Lluis Gifre, CTTC, ES

This PoC aims to demonstrate a network-as-a-service platform deploying CAMARA QoD services for Cloud AR/VR gaming, relying on an F5G-Advanced network that provides end-to-end network slices with flow service classification, differentiation, monitoring/telemetry, and assurance based on closed-loop automation. It leverages ETSI SDG TFS and OSM.

Experimenting Mission-Critical and UAV Applications over an Open 5G and Edge Testbed
Presented by Christian Grasso, University of Catania,IT

The poster presents experiments with edge applications for smart 360° video encoding and UAV Digital Twins for a distributed video-surveillance scenario. The applications are orchestrated via OSM in a 5G testbed with emulated RAN and Cumucore 5G Core Network, a monitoring and an MLOps platform.

Multi-Domain Security and Trust Orchestration Leveraging TeraFlowSDN and Open Source MANO
Presented by Shayan Hajipour, CTTC, ES

This poster introduces a platform for orchestrating security and trust across multi-domain network slices with various security providers. It combines technologies like ZSM and Blockchain, using TeraFlowSDN and Open Source MANO to enable the platform to instantiate network connections and services.

ZSM-Based Automation for Dynamic Configuration and Monitoring of Packet and Optical Network Layers
Presented by Nikos Psaromanolakis, Ubitech

The sixth generation (6G) of mobile networks promises faster speeds, greater bandwidth, lower latency, and enhanced reliability, all within continuously evolving environments. To meet these demands, it is crucial to provide solutions to automate end-to-end (E2E) 6G network orchestration, ensuring dynamic network adaptations based on operators' requirements, as described by Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This poster introduces a novel approach being developed within FLEX-SCALE project, enabling automatic and dynamic (re)-configuration across both optical and packet domains, by leveraging and extending ETSI TeraFlow SDN with a new control and monitoring system architecture. The key component of this system is the automation, which offers closed loop functionality based on the Zero touch network & Service Management (ZSM) architecture and stages provided by ETSI GS ZSM 009. It operates on top of the other control and monitoring components for ensuring real-time surveillance and (re)-configuration of network entities without any human intervention. In parallel, the newly introduced KPI, telemetry, and analytics system provides flexibility and seamless integration, in a concerted way, of various metrics and advanced analytics algorithms, covering any complex demand that may arise in both packet and optical domains. Lastly, all implementations related to the introduced extensions and new components are open-sourced and already available via the ETSI TeraFlow SDN GitLab, fostering innovation, transparency, and collaboration.

OpenCAPIF Deployment and Integration in FIDAL’s Use Case on Haptic Sensing
Presented by Pelayo Torres Alonso, Telefonica

The poster will provide an overview of how OpenCAPIF was deployed within the Malaga testbed and its integration within the OWO Network Application in the context of FIDAL Use Case 1 (Internet of Senses / Haptic Sensing). OWO Network Application registers as an API Provider in OpenCAPIF and OWO APIs are consumed by API Invokers in OWO Applications.

A Service-Mesh Platform for the Mobile Network Core
Presented by Dimitris Tsolkas, Fogus, GR

In 5G Service Based Architecture, major barriers at the signaling and control plane have been identified. Currently each NF (Network Function) needs to communicate directly with other NFs, an approach that results in a rapid growth in signaling traffic. This growth is further intensified since in the beyond 5G era the number of connected UEs/devices increases rapidly, and hence, the state of more and more sessions should be maintained across several NFs of the network core. Also, each one of the NFs is currently designed as a monolithic application, where multiple descript, subcomponents coexist in a single unit. This monolithic approach binds common operations within each NF, including service registration, service discovery, service-to service authorization, service monitoring, traffic load balancing, and dynamic configuration. This binding creates a single point of failure for independent tasks, affecting the achievable resilience of each NF and consequently of a network (network slice) that is composed of NFs. Given that, towards the 6G era of communications, the current organization and implementation paradigm of the network core functionality is being revisited. Already, in 3GPP an enhanced SBA is foreseen where a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) is introduced to deliver the full capability of the SBA. The SCP is a service communication proxy used for indirect communication among NFs. Practically, the SCP acts as hub for i) fundamental processes such as the registration and discovery of a NF to the NRF (Network Repository Function), and ii) service provisioning processes among registered NFs. This approach is the so called signaling Model D in 3GPP. The recently emerged concept of indirect signaling through a SCP reshapes the SBA and brings new, yet unexplored, capabilities. The proposed poster refers to an experimentation platform that focuses on those recently emerged changes in network core, and moves one step ahead, targeting research advancements in a SCP-enabled SBA through a service mesh approach. The platform provides a cloud native implementation of the SCP functionality and facilitates the development of an AI plane within network core.

Closed Loop Automation Platform for Intelligent Security Operations with TeraFlowSDN and OSM
Presented by Allen Abishek, CTTC

The poster demonstrates a Closed Loop Automation (CLA) platform that enhances network security through automated responses. It integrates components like Traffic Sniffer, AI-Inference, Attack-Detector, and Attack-Mitigator to detect and mitigate threats in real-time. The platform improves security resilience and automates operations, reducing detection and recovery times for malicious attacks in the network environment.

Closed-Loop AI/ML Orchestration: Crafting the Next-Gen of Cloud Services with NearbyOne
Presented by Michail Dalgitsis, Nearby Computing

The poster will present how NearbyOne, a leading edge-to-cloud orchestrator, includes novel zero-touch closed-loop and AI/ML capabilities to enable automated and proactive edge-to-cloud ecosystem adjustments, revolutionizing the orchestration landscape.

Implementation of a Deep Reinforcement Learning Solution for Radio Access Network Slicing in an Edge-enabled Beyond 5G Architecture
Presened by Oriol Sallent, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya

This poster presents the implementation of a Deep Reinforcement Learning solution for RAN slicing. This solution is part of the portfolio of AI methods for optimizing edge and network performance considered by the VERGE project. The implementation relies on open standardized interfaces.

prplWare: Open Source Broadband Router Software Solutions
Presented by Wouter Cloetens, prpl Foundation

The prpl Foundation fosters the development of a fully open-source carrier-grade residential router and Wi-Fi Access point software stack. Its promises are:
• hardware platform independence, in collaboration with silicon vendors,
• deployable reference implementations of technologies standardised by the IETF, IEEE, ITU, Broadband Forum, Wi-Fi Alliance, Wireless Broadband Alliance, Connectivity Standards Alliance, such as TR-181, TR-369, EasyMesh, Wi-Fi Sensing, Matter and Thread
• standards-based provisioning, orchestration and telemetry, and a platform-independent edge app ecosystem. As of 2024, it ventures from the traditional wired broadband access space into the 3GPP world, with 5G cellular support, opening the opportunity for new innovations such as Wireless-Wireline Convergence.

Appropriate Tunneling Protocol in 5G

Presented by Bilal Ghani, Telecom SudParis

Fifth-Generation (5G) system is a Service-Based Architecture (SBA) designed to provide access-neutral service availability. The advancement of new Wi-Fi generations and wireline broadband like Passive Optical Networks (PON) technologies have further increased a requirement to support untrusted non-3GPP access networks. Non-3GPP Inter-Working Function (N3IWF) was introduced in 3GPP Rel-15, for interoperability between 5G Core (5GC) and non-3GPP access technologies. It can be considered a gateway between User Equipment (UE) and 5GC. N3IWF is connected to Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) via N2 and to the User Plane Function (UPF) via N3. When a UE is connected to 5GC to access the Data Network (DN), a secure IP Security (IPSec) tunnel is established between UE and N3IWF. Beyond N3IWF, General Packet Radio Services Tunnelling Protocol for User Data (GTP-U) creates a tunnel between N3IWF and UPF. We focus on the tunneling protocol between UE and N3IWF. Segment Routing (SR) is considered a potential alternative for GTP-U as it can provide support for services such as network slicing, service function chaining (SFC), and simplifying transport. To enable a “unified fabric” end to end by eliminating various transport protocols, we compare SRv6 and IPsec between UE and N3IWF. We run free5GC in a virtual machine and a virtual router in an Access Point (AP) mode. An untrusted non-3GPP physical machine is connected to free5GC via virtual router and N3IWF. IPsec tunnel, called NWu, is created between the physical machine and N3IWF. We replace it with SRv6 between physical machine and N3IWF to make a comparison.

Silvia Almagia is Director of Software and Standards at ETSI, where she is leading a team in charge of setting up and growing collaborative software and open source initiatives in support of standardization. Before that, she was a Technical Expert in the ETSI Centre for Testing and Interoperability, responsible for the NFV Interoperability Programme and several Proof-of-Concept Frameworks (NFV, MEC, ZSM, …), among other topics. Prior to joining ETSI, Silvia worked in the design and development of software-based carrier grade solutions enabling 4G Services, Operations Support Systems and Network Management Solutions.

Sagar Arora is a Solutions Architect at OpenAirInterface Software Alliance (OSA). He engages with other organizations to solve their challenges around using OAI RAN and Core stack. He holds a Ph.D. in mobile communications from Sorbonne University, France. His thesis title was “Cloud-native Network Slice Orchestration in 5G and Beyond”. He is an active contributor and TSC member in Nephio project.

David Artuñedo Guillen, Programme Committee Chair, OCF Chair, Telefonica David Artuñedo joined Telefónica in 1998 working in ISDN services. Later, he started working in VoIP technologies and services collaborating with Telefónica de España in IMS network for FTTH customers. In 2009 he led the technical due diligence for acquiring Israeli company Jajah, and soon after the acquisition, he moved to Israel as a Liaison manager. From Israel, he participated in launching Communication services for Telefónica such as TU Me and TU Go, which currently has hundreds of thousands of customers in UK, Argentina, Perú, Colombia and Brazil. He became TU Go CTO until 2015, when he moved back to innovation. He led OnLife Networks project responsible for re-architecting Central Offices as Datacenters using SDN & NFV open source technologies. Currently, he leads Future Networks Lab team in Discovery organization doing research on network technologies and new services leveraging the network. From January 2024 he is ETSI SDG OpenCAPIF Chair.

Artur Brutyan is a Lead Network Cloud Architect, a Telecom and IT expert at Telia Company, CPS NSD Strategy & Architecture/Network Cloud Architecture team. As part of Strategy and Architecture team he is working on:
• Developing Telecom Cloud Platform Architecture and Strategy for Management, orchestration and workflow Architecture.
• Enhancing end to end processes such as Design, Deployment and Operation of Cloud Native Network Applications.
• Coaching teams on SAFe operating model within the organization.
• Facilitating leadership program for Telia Leaders across all countries.
Artur grew up in beautiful Armenian mountains and moved to Finland 11 years ago, to study Radio Network Planning and Optimization, after several years working in telecom industry in Armenia. Before joining Telia, Artur worked as Technical Instructor for Alcatel-Lucent, later Nokia, and as an Enterprise Network Architect for If insurance. He likes to learn and develop a lot, hence during 2021-2022 he finished his 3rd Masters degree, this time in business, check his LinkedIn profile to learn more about his career and education. As Artur says: “My mission is to bring people and technology together to find synergy, break silos, discover the bottlenecks and prevent them to slow down the business to accelerate in its digitization journey. In many cases, all necessary pieces are there, sometimes it takes to get my hands dirty, sometimes it takes a holistic view to find and align them together. I am very passionate to solve problems; every challenge is an opportunity, and every opportunity is a challenge”. Artur is an active person, he likes to run, cycle, hike and afterwards relax and recover in Finnish sauna (in winter times also ice swimming).

Jan Ellsberger, Director-General, ETSI
Jan Ellsberger is a globally recognised leader in the ICT industry with more than 30 years of experience with research and innovation, industry ecosystem development, standardisation, policy development & regulation, and strategy development in the telecommunications and automotive industries. From 2000-2012 he was leading Ericsson’s global standardisation operations. He has also served in leading positions in several industry associations such as 3GPP, 5GAA, ERTICO and the Horizon Europe CCAM Association.

Abdessamad El Moatamid is a mobile networks engineer with almost 10 years experience and a mobile networks standardization expert in 3GPP (and other bodies) for more than 5 years and in particular the rapporteur of several 3GPP work item defining 3GPP Northbound and Application Layer APIs. Abdessamad currently works as a delegate to 3GPP CT3 Working Group for Huawei, and previously worked for Orange Labs & Networks occupying various project management roles on the evolution of mobile networks and standardization.

Since October 2023 Erzsébet Fitori has been the Executive Director of the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking with a mission to foster Europe’s technology sovereignty in 6G and boost 5G deployment in Europe. Previously, she was responsible for Vodafone Group’s engagement with the EU institutions and stakeholders, heading Vodafone’s Brussels Office and as Board Director in industry organizations. Before joining Vodafone in 2020, Erzsébet was Director General of the FTTH Council Europe, the pan-European trade association representing over 160 technology innovators, network operators, and investors across the fibre value chain. As chief executive, she focused on transforming it into a growing organization, increasing its membership base, revenues, and engagement with key decision-makers. She joined the FTTH Council from the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA), where she represented 100+ challenger telecoms network operators. As Director of ECTA, she oversaw its public policy, regulatory, and PR activities and led ECTA’s engagement with the EU institutions, national regulators, and governments. Before joining ECTA, she was Head of Regulatory Affairs at Telenor Hungary in Budapest. In her early career, Erzsébet was an Assistant Professor in the department of European law and private international law at the University of Miskolc, Hungary.

Pavlos Fournogerakis is Deputy Head of Programmes in Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU). His responsibilities include coordination of SNS/Horizon Europe programme implementation and project portfolio, 6G research strategy and work programme definition as well as policy feedback activities in the area of connectivity. From 2012 to 2022 he held various positions in the CONNECT Directorate General of the European Commission and in the Research Executive Agency, where he was involved in the implementation of the 5G Public Private Partnership and cybersecurity programmes, research and policy development in the areas of 5G and future communication networks, IoT and network security. Prior to joining the European Commission, he has occupied several telecom engineering and project management positions in the Greek public sector, industry and academia. He holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).

Dmytro Gassanov is a seasoned architect specializing in Autonomous Networks, ODA, GenAI, and Cloud Native transformation projects at TM Forum. He has over 20 years of experience in the telecom and IT industries, holding various roles. Prior to joining TM Forum, Dmytro worked as an architect in the NEC/Netcracker CTO office, where he was responsible for technology strategy and the development of service and domain orchestration products. Additionally, he has authored numerous contributions to ETSI, MEF, OASIS, IOWN, and other standards development organizations, focusing on orchestration and integration aspects.

Dr. Jordi J. Giménez serves as Head of Technology at the 5G-MAG Media Action Group, an industry association driving collaboration between the media and connectivity industries on open standards and solutions powered by the Internet, 5G/6G, and global APIs. In his previous roles as research engineer and project manager he has been involved in the standardization of media delivery technologies and networks (3GPP, DVB, ATSC). In particular on PHY layer algorithms (BICM, OFDM, channel/noise estimation, Interleaving, etc) and network planning for terrestrial broadcast systems such as DVB-T2, DVB-NGH or ATSC 3.0. With the advent of streaming and on-line delivery, his expertise moved into the domain of LTE/5G (3GPP) and multimedia protocols and systems. He has been involved in several European projects and large-scale pilots and trials. He is co-author of several patents, journal and conference papers, and book chapters.

Jérôme Härri received a M.Sc. degree and a Dr. ès sc. (PhD) degree in telecommunication from the Swiss Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne. He is currently Professor at the Communication Systems Department, EURECOM, Sophia Antipolis, France, where he leads the Connected Automated Transport System (CATS) team. His research is related to Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Network Systems for Connected Cooperative Automated Mobility (CCAM). He is a Board Member of the OpenAirInterface Software Alliance (OSA).

Alexandros Kaloxylos (B.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.) has 30 years of experience working on more than 30 research projects and managing multi-disciplinary teams of varying sizes. He led the Radio Access Network team of Huawei ERC in Munich, working on 5G network solutions, for three years. Since 2019, he has been serving as the executive director of 6G-IA (a not-for-profit organization of 365 members https://6g-ia.eu/), leading the activities for the 6G roadmap in Europe for the private side. He has also been actively co-leading efforts on 6G among various regions (e.g., EU-US TTC on 6G roadmap) and serving as a TPC at global events (5G Global event). For two years (2019 – 2021), he has been the Technology Board chair of the 5G Public Private Partnership, coordinating the synergies among 90 EU-funded projects. He is also a full Professor at the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, University of Peloponnese. He has served as an editorial board member in various journals and conferences (e.g., IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials for nine years), organized various events at conferences, and has given several keynote speeches. He has published over 140 papers in international journals, conferences, and book chapters and received over 3800 citations. He is also an inventor of more than 20 filed patents for topics related to 5G networks, 10 of which are fully granted.

David Kinsey, started his career as a software developer focusing on wireless communications network management. Currently, he co-chairs Working Group 10 (OAM) in the O-RAN. He also co-chairs the OSC with its several open-source projects which show specific aspects of the overall O-RAN Architecture.

Milan Lalovic has more than 28 years of work experience in BT and telecom industry in UK and USA. He has specialised in Wireless Technologies RAN Design and has extensive experience in 5G Mobile Core Research team in BT, leading research work in Edge Cloud Computing, Network Convergence and Future Private Networks. He recently joined International Standards Team withing BT Network Strategy and Research, focusing in the domain of Cloud and Automation. Milan is a holder of CEng IET, MSc in Telecommunications from University College of London, and BEng (Hons) in EEE from South Bank University of London.

Mr. Håkon Lønsethagen is a Senior Research Scientist and Director EU Research engagement at Telenor Group CTO, Research and Innovation. Since 1990 he has been working with telecom network and service management, orchestration, and control, including distributed systems frameworks and architectures. Over the last years his activities have addressed inter-provider network services and business models, Internet evolution, SDN, NFV and 5G/B5G technologies and ecosystems. This includes curiosity to discover and analyse dependencies between technical architecture, business architecture and multi-provider ecosystem platforms. He is currently a member of the Leader Group of ETSI TeraFlowSDN Software Development Group, the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G-IA) Governing Board, and the Steering Board of Networld Europe ETP.

Dr Diego R. Lopez joined Telefonica in 2011 as a Senior Technology Expert, and he is currently in charge of the Technology Exploration activities within the GCTIO Unit. Before joining Telefónica he spent some years in the academic sector, dedicated to research on network services, and was appointed member of the High-Level Expert Group on Scientific Data Infrastructures by the European Commission. Diego is currently focused on applied research in network infrastructures, with a special emphasis on data-driven management, new architectures, security, and quantum communications. Diego is an ETSI Fellow and chairs the ETSI ISG ZSM. More can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr2lopez/

Mr. Ultan Mulligan is Chief Services Officer at ETSI, responsible for ETSI’s External Relations, software and Open Source groups, testing and interoperability, preparation and publication of standards, and new tools and working methods. Previously Director of ETSI’s Centre for Testing and Interoperability, he led the team supporting ETSI technical committees on test specifications, PlugtestsTM interoperability events and use of formal specification methods. There, he oversaw the introduction of Software Development Groups at ETSI. Prior to that he held the positions of Director of Innovation and Director of Communications at ETSI and was also vice-chairman of the Marketing and Communications committee in the oneM2M Partnership Project – a collaboration on IoT standards between ETSI and 7 other ICT standards bodies across the globe. He was also responsible for Strategy and New Initiatives, establishing the first Industry Specification Groups at ETSI. Besides ETSI, he has participated in many standards bodies iincluding oneM2M, 3GPP, ITU-T, CEN, and groups such as Bluetooth SIG and Parlay. Mr Mulligan has a B. Eng. from Dublin City University and an Executive MBA from the ESCP-EAP in Paris.

Nathan Rader, Deutsche Telekom, CAMARA Chair 

As passionate ambassador of standardization and revolutionary technologies, Livia Rosu has spent the last decade as HomeGrid Forum President & Board Director, prpl Foundation Marketing Co-Chair and World Communications Awards Judge, supporting the acceleration of the broadband programs and operators' deployments of Value-Added Services. She has been instrumental in unlocking ITU-T G.hn technology high connectivity potential for the wider broadband industry and has worked tirelessly to foster industry-wide collaboration for many market segments and applications. Rosu has been recognized by the broadband industry for leading the call for service providers to unite forces and deliver end-to-end broadband connectivity to an ever-increasing portion of the world’s population. She stimulated the global effort committed to compliance and interoperability, accelerating the deployment of high-quality broadband services worldwide. There is also a high level of synergy between her role in standardization organizations and her role at MaxLinear, where she is driving forward the development strategy with system vendors, service providers and alliances focused on connected devices developments. Through her tireless contributions to key standardization organizations like the Broadband Forum (BBF), the PRPL Foundation and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), she is the enabler of fruitful collaboration between hundreds of high-tech companies. At prpl Foundation Livia Rosu represents and supports a diverse community of Service Providers, OEMs, Silicon Vendors, ISVs, and open-source developers committed to open-source software and open APIs to build standardized, carrier-grade CPE. Holding a Master in Computer Science and a Master in Business Administration, Livia has proven track record as public keynote speaker and strategy roundtables moderator at industry conferences worldwide.

Dario Sabella works with xFlow Research Inc. as Vice President, Technology and Standards, leading the team’s involvement in ETSI, both on standardization and open-source activities, and guiding the strategy to expand in other areas, also for features evolution and prioritization in the company. Previously, he was with Intel Corporation as Senior Manager Standards and Research, driving new technologies and edge cloud innovation for advanced systems, involved in ecosystem engagement and coordinating internal alignment on edge computing across standards and industry groups. In 2021 has been elected as Chairman of ETSI MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing), an international stand body with 180+ members and participants from industry, research and government agencies. From 2020 he served as Innovation Manager of the 6G flagship EU project Hexa-X. From 2019 he was vice-chairman, previously Lead of Industry Groups, and from 2015 vice-chair of IEG WG. Since 2017 he is also delegate of 5GAA (5G Automotive Association). Before 2017 he worked in TIM (Telecom Italia group), as responsible in various research, experimental and operational activities on OFDMA technologies (WiMAX, LTE, 5G). Author of several publications (80+) and patents (50+) in the field of communications, energy efficiency and edge computing, Dario is IEEE senior member and has also organized several international workshops and conferences. Dario served multiple times as expert and advisor to the European Commission for EU projects, is Senior Associated Editor of IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, and also member of the Editorial Board of MIT Technology Review Italia.

Szilard Szell is a Senior Consultant of DevOps Practice for Telco Business at Eficode. Szilard has proven track record in large scale Telco DevOps Transformation Programs as a Test Coach with focus on Quality Assistance. He has experience as an assessor, trainer, facilitator and coach in the Test Automation and Testing Process improvement area. As a SAFe 6.0 SPC He is running successful training and coaching sessions for larger companies. As a conference speaker Szilard is ready to share his view and knowledge with Testing Fellows, that is based on 23 years of industry experience and multitude of certificates held. To give back to the Testing Community, Szilard is active in ISTQB. He is also an active member of HUSTEF, UCAAT and TheDevOps Conferences Programme Committee, and in 2021 He was part if the PC of EuroSTAR Something more on: https://www.eficode.com/szilard-szell

Dr. Issam Toufik is the CTO of ETSI and Head of the 3GPP Mobile Competence Centre (MCC). He has more than 20 years of experience in the mobile communications sector, 14 of which are within the ETSI and 3GPP. He was active for more than a decade in the 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) groups. As CTO of ETSI, he is responsible for all the operational aspects of ETSI’s standards development activities. He is also responsible for the operations of the 3GPP Project Co-ordination Group and heads 3GPPs’ Mobile Competence Centre (MCC) which is an international team of 22 experts that provides comprehensive support to the Project.

Christos Tranoris, Programme Committee Chair, OSL Chair, University of Patras
Christos Tranoris is a Senior Researcher at the Electrical Engineering department of the University of Patras, and he is chairing the OSL ETSI SDG Group. He has significant experience in the development of programmable infrastructures and operation support tools and is a core contributor of OpenSlice.

Kostis Trantzas is a Researcher at the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, University of Patras, Greece. He has participated in numerous EU projects in the field of next-generation networks, assuming various roles. Currently, he serves as the Technical Steering Committee Chair of ETSI SDG OpenSlice.

Dr. Dimitris Tsolkas holds a Ph.D degree from the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Greece. The last decade he has been supporting research and teaching activities at the Department. He currently leads research and development activities in Fogus Innovations & Services P.C, SME, Greece. He is active in SNS-JU community (e.g., by co-chairing the activities in the SoftNet WG) as well as in the ETSI SDG OCF (serving as vice-chair). His research publication record counts more than 60 articles in high quality journals, books, and conferences. His research interests include resource and service management for Mobile and IoT communication systems. Recently, the emphasis has been on architectural designs and performance analysis towards defining the beyond-5G networks.

Ricard Vilalta, Programme Committee Chair, TFS Chair, CTTC
Ricard Vilalta is currently a Research Director in the Packet Optical Networks and Services Research Unit at CTTC. He holds the position of Chair of ETSI TeraFlowSDN and is actively involved in various standardization bodies, including ETSI (NFV, ZSM, MEC) and IETF (CCAMP, TEAS). His research spans optical network virtualization, SDN, NFV, and 6G technologies. He is a leading contributor to ETSI Open Source MANO (OSM) and ETSI OpenSlice (OSL) projects. Ricard has been involved in several significant international and European Union-funded projects, including 5GPPP andSNS initiatives like TeraFlow, 5GTANGO and Hexa-X-II. His leadership role includes coordinating work packages in these projects and organizing conferences, such as ETSI’s SNS4SNS in 2024. He continues to publish extensively, contributing over 50 journal and conference papers across various domains related to 5G/6G technologies, IoT, SDN, and cloud/fog computing.

Event venue:

ETSI Headquarters
650 Route des Lucioles
06921 Sophia Antipolis
FRANCE

Tel: +33 4 92 94 42 00

Travel & Accomodation

Details of how to get to ETSI, local transport and hotels

The Conference presentations in Pdf format are available here.

An online playlist has been created, featuring all the presentations in video format hereafter.