This is ahead of its flagship event, DTW Ignite 2026, in Copenhagen next week – Airbus, Terrestar and Vodacom are named out of the 16 participants in the project
TM Forum has revealed scant details of its new Open Digital Architecture (ODA) for Satellite project. Developed by telcos for telcos, the ODA provides them with a blueprint for “shared architecture that can support automation, intelligence and governance at scale”.
Apparently the ODA for Satellite involves 16 members of the Forum, but names only Airbus, Terrestar and Vodacom. Any company that is interested in joining the project can find details here. The project’s aim is to provide standardised frameworks, operating models and governance between terrestrial and satellite technology companies (or non-terrestrial networks and NTNs as they are often called).
The idea is to standardise how systems connect and operate to facilitate multi-orbit service delivery, faster integration, better value for customers and scalable growth across the wider industry and partner ecosystem.
“With this initiative, we’re overcoming challenges and unlocking avenues for growth for satellite providers and terrestrial operators to seize the opportunity before operating models, customer ownership and value chains are defined elsewhere,” said Willie Stegmann, Executive VP, Composable IT & Ecosystems at TM Forum.
What the participants say
Dr Ryan van den Bergh, Managing Executive: Group Technology Strategy, Architecture, Spectrum & Assurance, Vodacom, added, “We have long relied on TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture to drive interoperability and agility across our networks, and we are now exploring how these principles can support collaboration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network providers.”
“Through this collaboration, we are driving efforts at the intersection of satellite communication digitalization and standardization as the ultimate catalyst for modern, resilient connectivity,” noted said Amina Boubendir, Head of Research and Standardisation at Airbus Defence and Space.
She continued, “Digitalization adds agility through software-defined networks that adapt in real time, while standardization and Open APIs reduce proprietary barriers and integration costs, paving the way for multi-orbit interoperability and seamless global mobility. Together, they transform satellite communications and their integration with terrestrial mobile networks into a more accessible extension of the telecom ecosystem, while supporting sovereignty and resilience.”
Satellite-as-a-Service is the goal?
Serge Legris, Chief Technology Officer, Terrestar Solutions, concluded, “Satellite connectivity has crossed an economic and technological threshold to become viable at scale. The ODA for Satellite project moves the industry closer to enabling a satellite-as-a-service model and supporting seamless platform‑based offerings by satellite providers and telcos. This is a critical enabler that opens new opportunities for collaboration and growth across both industries.”
