HCLTech partners with Nokia to accelerate autonomous networks with AI-driven rApps innovation

HCL Technologies announced an expanded partnership with Nokia to accelerate the adoption of autonomous networks through AI-driven network automation and the co-innovation of RAN applications (rApps). This strategic collaboration, revealed on June 24, 2026, positions HCL Technologies to strengthen Nokia's autonomous networks portfolio with its advanced suite of rApps. These applications are designed to enable communication service providers (CSPs) to transition toward AI-native, self-optimizing network operations, addressing evolving demands across 5G and future network architectures.

As part of the agreement, four new rApps developed by HCLTech have been listed on Nokia's SMO Marketplace. This exclusive placement facilitates easy access and deployment for global operators within an open, standards-based ecosystem. The partnership also establishes a long-term co-innovation roadmap to jointly develop next-generation rApps, reinforcing the commitment to openness, intelligence, and innovation in the network automation sector.

rApps Listed on Nokia's SMO Marketplace

The rApps introduced cover critical operational aspects of network management, as detailed below:

rApp Name	Function
Anomaly Detector rApp	Monitors KPIs and signals to detect and correlate anomalies across cells and users
Energy Optimizer rApp	Scales base station resources during low-traffic periods to improve energy efficiency
mMIMO Interference Mitigation rApp	Relieves inter-cell interference to improve cell-edge performance
Traffic Balancer rApp	Analyzes network conditions to redistribute traffic and minimize congestion

Leadership Perspective

Hari Sadarahalli, Corporate Vice President and Global Head, Engineering and R&D Services at HCLTech, emphasized the importance of a strong ecosystem approach. He stated that the partnership enables the delivery of scalable, AI-driven rApps, helping operators accelerate network automation and confidently advance toward self-driving networks.

Source: https://lodr-files.dhan.co/lodr-inputs/Company/INE860A01027/72773b18c7c04768.pdf

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
-0.22%	-4.74%	-4.51%	-33.63%	-34.30%	+12.31%

HCL Technologies Ltd, Circles, and GreySkies have announced their participation in the TM Forum Catalyst Program to develop an AI-powered multi-agent framework for autonomous network operations. The collaboration, announced on June 23, 2026, aims to unify customer experience, network operations, and business processes into an intelligent, real-time operational ecosystem for Communication Service Providers (CSPs). The initiative is designed to accelerate end-to-end automation, enhance service assurance, and improve customer engagement while unlocking new monetization opportunities through AI-driven insights.

The project combines Circles' AI-native digital telco platform and customer engagement capabilities with GreySkies' AI-enabled network operations and HCLTech's AI-led automation. These capabilities are integrated through TM Forum Open APIs within an Open Digital Architecture (ODA) framework. The solution enables telecom service providers to analyze customer and network signals in real time, anticipate issues, and drive autonomous decision-making across the enterprise.

As part of the program, the companies are collaborating with leading telecom operators such as Circles.Life, KDDI, Orange, and TELUS. The integration of advanced AI capabilities with open, standards-based architectures supports the transition to self-optimizing networks. This approach is intended to improve operational efficiency, accelerate insight-to-action, and enhance customer lifetime value.

Collaboration Overview

The following table summarizes the key elements of the partnership:

Parameter:	Details
Program:	TM Forum Catalyst Program
Framework:	AI-Powered Multi-Agent Framework
Architecture:	Open Digital Architecture (ODA) via TM Forum Open APIs
Target Segment:	Communication Service Providers (CSPs)
Partner Operators:	Circles.Life, KDDI, Orange, TELUS
Showcase Event:	DTW Ignite, Copenhagen

Strategic Collaboration

The partnership brings together complementary capabilities to address the rising expectations of service providers. Sanjay Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer at Circles, emphasized the role of AI in delivering personalized and anticipatory experiences. Dr. Ibrahim Ghaleb, Chief Operating Officer at GreySkies, highlighted the importance of AI-driven observability and assurance in anticipating and resolving issues before they impact customers.

Anil Ganjoo, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Telecom, Media and Technology at HCLTech, stated that the inclusion in the TM Forum Catalyst Program reflects the company's commitment to co-innovate with the global telecom ecosystem. He noted that combining multi-agent AI capabilities with open architectures enables service providers to deliver intelligent and agile customer experiences at scale.

Project Showcase

The Catalyst projects developed through this collaboration will be showcased at TM Forum's DTW Ignite event in Copenhagen. The event will bring together industry leaders to explore collaborative innovation and the future of telecommunications transformation.