Composability: The New Engine Driving Telecom Agility

Composability: The Strategic Accelerator for Telecom Agility

Telecom operators are entering one of the most transformative periods in the industry’s history. Customer expectations are rising, competition is intensifying, and technologies such as 5G, IoT and edge computing are reshaping how networks and services must operate. In this environment, agility is no longer optional. Yet many communications service providers (CSPs) remain hindered by monolithic BSS/OSS stacks that slow innovation and increase operational risk.

This article explores how composable architecture is becoming the industry’s most effective response to these challenges. Designed to meet modern Google search expectations, EEAT standards and AI-Overview visibility, it offers a clear and authoritative view of how CSPs can strengthen their digital foundations.

Why Telecom Agility Is Under Pressure

Legacy BSS/OSS platforms were originally built for stable service portfolios and limited partner ecosystems. Today, CSPs must support dynamic enterprise solutions, complex regulatory environments, continuous service innovation and multi-partner digital ecosystems.

Industry research reflects this shift. Earlier TM Forum findings indicated that a substantial portion of 5G revenue growth depends on modernising BSS/OSS. More recent GSMA Intelligence analysis goes further, identifying 5G as central to enterprise digital transformation. GSMA forecasts that mobile technologies, including 5G, will generate around USD 11 trillion in economic value by 2030, with 85 percent of enterprises viewing 5G as critical to their own digital evolution.

At the same time, TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) offers a standardised blueprint for replacing legacy complexity with modular, interoperable components and certified Open APIs.

Investment trends reinforce the urgency. IDC projects that the telecom software market will expand from USD 48.7 billion in 2024 to USD 60.4 billion by 2029. With such rapid growth, operators recognise that agility is essential for competitiveness and long-term relevance.

How Composable Architecture Solves the Agility Gap

Composable BSS/OSS replaces tightly coupled, monolithic systems with modular components that can be deployed, upgraded and scaled independently. This architectural shift enables CSPs to launch and adapt services at digital speed without system-wide disruption.

Key capabilities of composable architecture

• Modular, domain-driven components that evolve independently

• API-first integration with partners, applications and network functions

• Cloud-native microservices that enable continuous scaling

• Business-configurable tools that minimise dependency on IT

• Support for coexistence with legacy platforms, avoiding disruptive replacements

This aligns directly with TM Forum ODA, which defines the building blocks and standardised interfaces required to support modern, interoperable systems.

Market momentum is strong. According to HTF Market Research, the cloud-native telecom market surpassed USD 10 billion in 2024, signalling broad industry adoption of modular, cloud-enabled architectures. Beyond technical advantages, composable systems empower business teams, reduce operational bottlenecks and accelerate innovation without the risks of full-scale transformation.

Benefits That Go Beyond Faster Launches

While speed-to-market is a major advantage, composable BSS/OSS delivers broader strategic value:

• Reduced downtime and simplified operational management

• Faster experimentation with pricing models, bundles and vertical solutions

• Seamless onboarding of partners through Open APIs

• High flexibility for multi-brand and multi-market operations

• Stronger ecosystem participation and faster monetisation of new technologies

By adopting composable models that align with ODA, operators avoid vendor lock-in and ensure future-proof interoperability across growing partner ecosystems.

Strategic Considerations for CSPs

For operators evaluating the shift toward composable BSS/OSS, the following steps help ensure a successful transformation:

1. Define clear business outcomes

Identify the required agility improvements, such as faster service delivery, new monetisation models or ecosystem expansion.

2. Adopt incremental modernisation

Transition component-by-component rather than attempting a risky rip-and-replace approach.

3. Strengthen business and IT collaboration

Empower business teams with configuration tools, while IT maintains platform stability and compliance.

4. Prioritise Open APIs and ODA alignment

Ensure compatibility with partners, enterprise solutions and evolving technology landscapes.

5. Measure success with relevant KPIs

Track improvements in time-to-market, operational efficiency, partner onboarding speed and customer experience.

Vendors such as Cerillion offer BSS/OSS solutions designed around ODA principles, API-first development and hybrid deployment models that support smooth, low-risk evolution toward composable architecture.

A Strategic Imperative for the Future of Telecom

Monolithic systems cannot keep pace with the demands of today’s telecom environment. Composable BSS/OSS provides the flexibility, scalability and speed required to deliver next-generation services and support increasingly complex enterprise and partner ecosystems.

Transformation is challenging, but failing to act risks slower growth, higher operational costs and missed revenue opportunities. For CSPs aiming to thrive in the 5G and cloud-native era, composable architecture is not simply a technical enhancement; it is a strategic necessity.