Part of LF Networking, a Linux Foundation project (candidate)
LF Networking Candidate . Launched 2026

Closed-loop autonomous networks, open by design.

OpenAN is an open, vendor-neutral framework for end-to-end autonomous networks. It accelerates cross-layer, cross-domain integration of telecom-specific agents and enables multi-agent collaboration so global operators can deploy AN with efficient orchestration and interaction.

Kickoff contributors: China Mobile . Huawei . More partners joining
3
Seed Components
L5
Target Autonomy Level
4
A2A-T Extensions
Apache 2.0
Open Source License

An open foundation for autonomous telecom networks.

OpenAN brings the operators, vendors, and innovators of the telecom industry together around shared standards, shared skills, and a shared roadmap toward Autonomous Networks Level 5.

01 / E2E Closed Loop

Multi-agent collaboration across every layer.

Accelerate cross-layer and cross-domain integration and deployment of telecom-specific agents. OpenAN enables multi-agent collaboration so global operators benefit from efficient orchestration and interaction across the AN stack.

See the architecture →
02 / Vendor Neutral

Built on industry-shared standards.

Grounded in industry standards (SPG, A2A-T, intent API), OpenAN promotes vendor-neutral, scenario-based skills, components, knowledge, and practices. A collaboration ecosystem across the whole telecom industry collectively enhances AN capability.

Join the community →
03 / Future Evolution

Toward Autonomous Networks Level 5.

OpenAN aims to be the de facto standard for autonomous network operation in telecom, and to explore integration and collaboration for the next generation of intelligent systems aimed at AN L5.

View the roadmap →
Project Scope

A multi-agent collaboration framework for OSS, EMS, and the network layer.

OpenAN sits between the service layer (OSS copilots, optimization and fault agents) and the network layer (RAN, fixed access, IP, core). The A2A-T SDK extends Google's A2A protocol with telecom-grade primitives so agents in either layer can register, discover, negotiate, and act safely on the network.

3 Open source components
4 A2A-T extensions
2 Transport protocols
Explore the components
SERVICE LAYER OSS copilots . optimization . fault agents ORCHESTRATION workflows . canvas . refinement REGISTRY agent cards . skills . retrieval A2A-T SDK task-t . sub-pub-t . negotiation-t . authorization-t TELECOM SKILLS & COMPONENT LIBRARY rag . memory . runtime engine NETWORK LAYER ran . fixed access . ip . core intelligent network infrastructure OPENAN SCOPE

Three components,
open sourced together.

In June 2026 at DTW-Copenhagen, OpenAN open sources its three seed components. From September to December, scenario-based solution packages are released through joint innovation with operators.

01 / SDK

A2A-T SDK

A telecom-grade extension of the A2A protocol, designed for deterministic, network-scenario-compliant cross-layer agent collaboration. Supports JSON-RPC and HTTP+REST.

JSON-RPC HTTP+REST Apache 2.0
02 / Discovery

Registry Center

The "agent labor market" — a yellow-pages service that finds and manages agent addresses, registers skills, handles health management, and uses LLM-aided retrieval to map intents to the right agent.

Agent Cards Skill Registry RAG Retrieval
03 / Workflow

Orchestration Center

A hub that orchestrates agents into reliable, reusable workflows via a workflow canvas, condition editor, property manager, and a workflow market — bridging manual design and autonomous programming.

Workflow Canvas Autonomous Programming Knowledge & RAG

Telecom-grade primitives on top
of the A2A protocol.

A2A is the foundation for inter-agent communication. For telecom, A2A-T adds four extensions so agents can describe tasks precisely, share network events efficiently, negotiate around ambiguity, and act on the network only with explicit authorization.

Task-T Schema

A structured task schema that defines a deterministic prompt for each task, eliminating the ambiguity of free-form requests between agents.

Sub-Pub-T Eventing

Network event subscription and publication. Optimized for the data/event reporting patterns that telecom O&M relies on at scale.

Negotiation-T Control

Controllable, structured negotiation between agents to resolve ambiguity and confirm feasibility before action is taken.

Authorization-T Security

Dynamic security: agent card and skill limitations plus explicit authorization before any agent makes network-changing operations.

Agent Cards Base

A2A base fields — name, description, URL, provider, version, capabilities, authentication, default input modes, and skills — fully reused by A2A-T.

Transport Protocol

JSON-RPC for fixed-format, one-way messages; HTTP+REST for stateful, long-lived connections over URL-addressable resources.

Home broadband
complaint handling.

When a customer calls in with "no internet for two days" or "YouTube is slow", OpenAN orchestrates the right agents end-to-end — billing, CDN, RAN, and vendor-specific fault agents — and hands off to a human expert only when needed.

Workflow

From call center to NOC, with humans in the loop.

The Home Broadband Complaint Handling Agent recalls a workflow from the Orchestration Center, retrieves the matching agents from the Registry Center, and coordinates them over A2A-T.

Different complaints trigger different workflows: a billing issue invokes the customer-care and billing agents; a CDN issue invokes customer-care, the CDN agent, and a vendor FAN agent.

  1. Intent capture — Call center receives the customer complaint and forwards intent to the Complaint Handling Agent.
  2. Workflow recall — The Orchestration Center selects the workflow that matches the complaint type.
  3. Agent retrieval — The Registry Center returns matching agent cards (customer care, billing, CDN, vendor FAN, etc.).
  4. Multi-agent execution — Agents collaborate over A2A-T to diagnose and resolve the issue.
  5. Expert handoff — When the workflow cannot resolve the case, the NOC expert is brought in with full context.

From kickoff to commercial verification.

OpenAN launched at MWC-Barcelona in March 2026 and open sourced its seed code, donating to LF Networking in June 2026 at DTW-Copenhagen. Commercial verification is planned through 2027.

2026.03 . MWC Barcelona

Kickoff (Launch)

China Mobile and Huawei announce OpenAN; development and verification begin in earnest.

2026.06 . DTW Copenhagen

Seed Code & LFN Donation

A2A-T SDK, Registry Center, and Orchestration Center are open sourced and donated to LF Networking.

2026.12 . TM Forum IHPP

Launch Innovations

Scenario solution packages and more contributors join; OpenAN is positioned as an Innovation Hub Pioneer Project.

2027

Commercial Verification

Startup member review, ongoing maintenance, and commercial verification of OpenAN deployments by operators.

Built in the open,
by operators and vendors.

OpenAN is being built by China Mobile and Huawei at kickoff, with more partners joining through 2026. Whether you operate a network, build network equipment, or research autonomous systems — there is a seat for you.

From zero to first
contribution.

OpenAN is a candidate LFN project. The seed code is being imported into the project-openan GitHub organization. The fastest way to get started is to read the charter, watch the repos, and join the community on Zulip.

01

Read the Charter

Start with the OpenAN Technical Charter to understand governance, scope, and how contributions are accepted.

OpenAN Charter.md
02

Watch the Repos

The three seed components will land in the project-openan GitHub organization as the import completes.

github.com/project-openan/a2a-t-sdk
github.com/project-openan/registry-center
github.com/project-openan/orchestration-center
03

Join Zulip

Real-time discussion happens on the LF Zulip. Subscribe to the community, support, and TSC channels.

#lfn-openan-discussion
#lfn-openan-support
#lfn-openan-tsc
04

CLA

Contributions will be accepted under Apache 2.0 once the LFN-managed CLA is in place.

Coming soon

Technical Steering
Committee.

OpenAN governance follows the LF Networking model: a Leadership Committee for project-level decisions and a Technical Steering Committee for technical direction. Disputes are resolved by majority vote.

Project Roles. Leadership Chair and Vice-Chair, Leadership Voting Members, TSC Chair and Vice-Chair, TSC Voting Members, committers, maintainers, and contributors.

How roles are filled. Defined in GOVERNING.md and CONTRIBUTING.md. Removal is by TSC or Leadership vote.

Dispute resolution. Decisions are typically reached by majority vote. The TSC is the top-level technical decision-making body and the body to which the LFN TAC looks for interfaces.

Charter evolution. Governance evolves through changes to the Charter, approved by the Leadership Committee.

/ TSC Members

YY
Yijun Yu
Huawei · Chair
ZL
Zhiyi Luo
China Mobile · Co-Chair
BB
Bastien Bourgeois
Orange
BT
Boonchoung Tansuthepverawongse
AIS
EP
Eduardo M Panciera Molanes
Telecom Argentina
UK
Ullas Krishnan
Infosys
XS
Xiaobin Shi
ZTE
ZS
Zhiqi Shi
AsiaInfo

/ LF Networking Staff

AJ
Arpit Joshipura
The Linux Foundation · Executive Director, LF Networking
CC
Casey Cain
The Linux Foundation · Sr. Technical Community Architect
JL
Jill Lovato
The Linux Foundation · Director, Marketing Communications
SS
Sunny Schatz
The Linux Foundation · Marketing Communications Manager

/ Project Assets

📜
Technical Charter
Apache 2.0
📂
Repos
github.com/project-openan
CLA
Coming soon

The future of telecom is autonomous and open.

Subscribe to OpenAN updates, release announcements, community meeting notes, and how-to-contribute posts. Or jump straight to the code and the Zulip channels.

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