One NZ wins TM Forum award for AI telecoms project

One NZ has won a TM Forum Catalyst Award for an artificial intelligence project in telecommunications, becoming the first New Zealand telecommunications provider to receive the award.

The project, called The Butler Did It, was developed with Vodafone, Salesforce, AWS, Personal in Argentina, Aria and Virtusa. TM Forum selected it as one of six winners from 49 international Catalyst teams involving more than 1,350 participants.

The recognition places One NZ alongside larger global communications and technology groups in a programme focused on industry challenges and emerging technologies. TM Forum's Catalyst initiative brings operators and suppliers together to test ideas and help inform industry standards.

The project examined how artificial intelligence could be used alongside connectivity services for business customers. The concept centred on digital "Butlers" that could help organisations manage network performance, track security risks, resolve service issues and improve customer experience.

The approach reflects a broader shift in the telecoms sector as operators look for new services beyond traditional connectivity. Artificial intelligence has become a major focus for carriers seeking to automate internal processes and offer more data-led services to business clients.

Neeharika Chowdhary, General Manager AI & Data Products at One NZ, collected the award on behalf of the company.

"This recognition is something we're incredibly proud of because it reflects the ambition and capability of our people on a truly global stage. Being recognised by TM Forum alongside some of the world's leading telecommunications and technology companies shows that New Zealand innovation can compete with the very best.

"At One NZ, we're focused on becoming one of the world's most AI-enabled telecommunications providers, using AI to create smarter, more proactive experiences that help customers solve real business challenges and unlock greater value from their connectivity. This award validates our commitment to building practical AI solutions that will shape the future of telecommunications and deliver better outcomes for our customers," Chowdhary said.

One NZ said several employees worked on the project with its international partners, including Sharina Nisha, Ashel Reuben, Ruan Coetzee and Willem Senekal. Their work formed part of a wider multinational effort to develop the concept presented through the Catalyst programme.

AI strategy

The award also highlights how telecoms groups are building on earlier automation projects as they adopt newer artificial intelligence tools. Many operators have already used robotic process automation and machine learning in network management and customer operations, creating a base for broader AI deployment.

At One NZ, that progression has become part of a wider technology strategy. Executives involved in the initiative said the company has been working on AI applications linked to customer service and network operations.

"We realised early on the potential of AI to transform our customer and network operations. We've been using robotic process automation and machine learning for many years, which provided a solid foundation for more advanced solutions. This award highlights our long-standing commitment to innovation and our team's contribution to the next generation of AI-enabled telecommunications services," Nisha said.

Global programme

TM Forum is a long-established industry body whose members include telecoms operators, software vendors and network suppliers. Its Catalyst awards recognise collaborative projects that address commercial and technical issues across the communications sector.

The scale of the latest competition underlines the level of international interest in AI and digital service models within telecoms. With 49 teams and more than 1,350 participants, the programme drew entries from across a sector under pressure to find new revenue sources and improve operating efficiency.

For One NZ, the result offers international recognition at a time when New Zealand companies are seeking greater visibility in global technology markets. It also marks a rare instance of a local telecommunications operator taking a leading role in a project recognised by one of the industry's main global forums.

The project's premise - that operators can combine connectivity with software-led services that anticipate problems and support business customers more directly - reflects a commercial direction being explored across the market. Whether such models translate into mainstream products remains to be seen, but the award indicates that One NZ's work has gained attention among global peers.