NETSCOUT Advances AI-Driven Network Operations in TM Forum’s NeuroNOC Catalyst Project
NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. (NASDAQ: NTCT), a leader in observability, AIOps, cybersecurity, and DDoS attack protection solutions, has announced its participation in TM Forum’s NeuroNOC Catalyst project—a groundbreaking initiative showcased at DTW Ignite 2025. This event set records for the highest number of Communication Service Providers (CSPs) and countries represented, underscoring its significance as a platform for innovation in telecommunications. The NeuroNOC Catalyst project explored how AI agents, closed-loop automation, and high-fidelity network data can enable self-healing operations across telecom environments, setting a new benchmark for operational efficiency.
Developed in collaboration with global industry leaders, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Accenture, Symphonica, and Sand Technologies, and championed by prominent carriers such as BT Group, Telecom Argentina, Omantel, Turknet, Axian Telecom, and Safaricom, the NeuroNOC initiative demonstrated the transformative potential of AI and automation in fault detection and resolution within live network environments.
NETSCOUT’s Contribution: Omnis AI Insights Solution
At the heart of NETSCOUT’s contribution to the NeuroNOC project was its Omnis AI Insights Solution, which includes Omnis AI Sensor and Omnis AI Streamer. These tools provided high-fidelity telemetry from 5G Standalone Radio Access Network (SA RAN) and Packet Core, enabling effective AI-driven network operations.
The Omnis AI Sensor leverages NETSCOUT’s signature deep packet inspection (DPI)-based technology to deliver end-to-end network visibility. Meanwhile, the Omnis AI Streamer offers powerful analytics and filtering capabilities at the source through an open API-driven dataset. Together, these components enabled network operations center (NOC) engineers to identify subscriber registration issues, pinpoint root causes using a curated large language model (LLM), and execute remediation steps with minimal manual intervention.
In simulated service-impact scenarios, the solution demonstrated swift resolution of network issues, showcasing the critical role of high-quality data in driving AI-powered decision-making. For example, the project achieved an estimated 80% reduction in manual troubleshooting and up to 50% lower operational costs for CSPs. Additionally, the solution significantly reduced data tokenization requirements for AI models like AWS Bedrock by up to 80%, highlighting the potential for cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
The Importance of High-Quality Data in AI-Driven Networks
One of the key takeaways from the NeuroNOC Catalyst project is the critical importance of high-quality, curated data in enabling effective AI solutions. Without accurate and real-time data, AI models are essentially hollow frameworks incapable of delivering actionable insights or meaningful results. Data curation plays a pivotal role in ensuring better outcomes by providing the context and precision needed for AI agents to operate effectively.
“Accurate, real-time curated data is the foundation of intelligent network operations,” said Richard Fulwiler, Senior Director of Product Management at NETSCOUT and a participant in the Catalyst project. “Without high-quality packet collection across the network, it’s nearly impossible to correlate issues across multiple data streams, determine root causes, and verify and test automated fixes. While fully autonomous networks are still in their early stages, this project demonstrates the powerful potential of AI agents—armed with the right data in real-time—to support faster and more accurate resolution of network issues.”
Transformative Results and Future Implications
The NeuroNOC Catalyst project delivered promising results that underscore the transformative potential of AI in telecommunications:
- Operational Efficiency: By automating fault detection and resolution, the project reduced manual troubleshooting efforts by up to 80%, freeing NOC engineers to focus on higher-value tasks.
- Cost Savings: CSPs can achieve up to 50% lower operational costs by leveraging AI-driven automation, which minimizes human intervention and streamlines workflows.
- Data Optimization: The project demonstrated a significant reduction in data tokenization requirements for AI models, achieving up to 80% savings in data usage. This not only lowers costs but also enhances scalability and performance.
- Self-Healing Networks: The integration of AI agents and closed-loop automation paves the way for self-healing networks, where systems can autonomously detect, diagnose, and resolve issues without human intervention.
These outcomes highlight the immense value of combining high-fidelity network telemetry with advanced AI capabilities. By leveraging curated data and cutting-edge technologies, CSPs can transition from reactive to proactive—and ultimately predictive—network operations.
Collaborative Innovation for the Future of Telecom
The success of the NeuroNOC Catalyst project reflects the power of collaboration among industry leaders. By bringing together telco and tech giants, the initiative demonstrated how partnerships can drive innovation and address complex challenges in telecommunications.
For example, Amazon Web Services (AWS) contributed its expertise in scalable cloud infrastructure and AI/ML models, while Accenture brought its consulting and implementation capabilities. Similarly, Symphonica and Sand Technologies provided specialized tools and platforms to enhance the project’s scope and impact. Carrier champions like BT Group and Safaricom ensured that the solutions were grounded in real-world use cases, making them practical and impactful for CSPs globally.
This collaborative approach underscores TM Forum’s mission to define the building blocks for new operating models, foster impactful partnerships, and develop advanced software platforms. As telecom networks grow increasingly complex, initiatives like NeuroNOC will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry.
Paving the Way for Autonomous Networks
While fully autonomous networks remain a work in progress, the NeuroNOC Catalyst project provides a glimpse into their potential. By integrating high-quality data, AI-driven insights, and closed-loop automation, CSPs can move closer to realizing the vision of self-healing networks. These systems will not only reduce downtime and operational costs but also enhance customer experiences by ensuring seamless connectivity and reliability.
NETSCOUT’s participation in the project reinforces its commitment to advancing AI-driven network operations. With its Omnis AI Insights Solution, the company is empowering CSPs to harness the full potential of AI and automation, driving innovation and efficiency in an increasingly connected world.
About NETSCOUT
NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. (NASDAQ: NTCT) protects the connected world from cyberattacks and performance and availability disruptions through its unique visibility platform and solutions powered by its pioneering deep packet inspection at scale technology. NETSCOUT serves the world’s largest enterprises, service providers, and public sector organizations.
