While Latam-focused Orchest is a niche player, it has some interesting automation and orchestration tools that could be applied across both networks
TIM Group’s Sparkle has signed a strategic agreement with Orchest Technologies a niche telco operating in 17 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean – which gives it decent regional scale. Under the agreement, presented in Washington during International Telecoms Week (ITW), Sparkle and Orchest will interconnect their networks “in an automated and dynamic way”.
To better understand what that last comment means, in February, Orchest joined the TM Forum and said it will integrate TM Forum’s OpenAPIs into their automated platform and implement the zero-wait concepts from TM Forum’s Autonomous Operations Framework. This will enable companies to achieve complete automation using the Orchest Automation platform while providing functionalities through standardised APIs from MEF and TM Forum.
In summary, Orchest has positioned itself as a network as a service automation platform reckoning it can enhance mutual network coverage and streamline service orchestration. Tying up with Sparkle means the two, in theory, develop seamless end-to-end service provisioning across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe through global optical and IP backbones.
Orchest Automation’s platform offers a Network Quoting Tool, Installation Tracker, Service Inventory, Business Intelligence, Tech Support Management, E-Commerce, Network Geo-Visualization, API Enablement & Management, ERP and CRM deployment, and Billing and Invoicing control.
Dynamic quoting
Its agreement with Sparkle leverages MEF LSO APIs for automated service orchestration across networks, enabling dynamic quoting, ordering, and delivery of services at scale.
“The collaboration with Orchest Technologies marks a pivotal step in our commitment to develop a truly global NaaS ecosystem,” said Sparkle chief marketing and product management Daniele Mancuso. “By seamlessly interconnecting our networks, we are enabling next-generation services, fuelled by Sparkle’s global footprint and strong innovation capabilities.”
“Joining forces with Sparkle is a significant milestone in our journey toward global automation,” said Orchest Technologies CEO Jeremy Villalobos. “Our shared commitment to delivering an automated, transparent, and customer-centric experience positions us to unlock new levels of value across regions.”
This agreement is part of a broader vision to support NaaS federations, enable real-time serviceability across partner networks. Unlike software- and cloud-focused companies like Alkira addressing this sort of space, Orchest is infrastructure-focused, helping deliver physical and virtual network services regionally in Latam, using an automated platform.
Sparkle has significant subsea and terrestrial capacity, with PoPs and landing points in key hubs like Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Chile, and Colombia. It also has a regional backbone called Pan American Network. But does not have deep local infrastructure, regulatory licences, or last-mile reach in many Latam and Caribbean markets so Orchest gives Sparkle an established regional partner – letting Sparkle extend its services without needing to build or buy local assets.
Orchest also claims to automate everything from quoting and ordering, through provisioning and service activation, to monitoring, reporting, and support. Many Latam carriers still rely on manual or semi-automated processes, especially across multiple countries. On the latter point – and one that will have piqued Sparkle’s interest – is that Orchest’s platform can manage cross-border services, which reduces operational friction for enterprise customers that need seamless regional connectivity.
