Sophia Antipolis, France: ETSI has announced the launch of a new Technical Committee on Federated Network, Edge, Cloud and AI Technologies (TC NET). This represents a significant step towards unifying the digital infrastructure that underpins next‑generation connectivity and computing services across Europe and globally.

The new group on Federated Network, Edge, Cloud and AI Technologies will examine how to develop globally applicable Technical Specifications and Standards in support of the logical integration of computing and AI resources with connectivity technologies. Its work will facilitate the transition toward autonomous network operations, intent‑based control and continuum‑wide optimisation. Such capabilities are increasingly relevant as networks become more distributed, data‑intensive and AI‑driven.

Key responsibilities of the Technical Committee include:

• Federated continuum architecture – Defining architectural frameworks, open APIs, data models, exposure mechanisms and interoperability to enable applications and services to seamlessly consume resources across cloud, network, and device domains.
• AI and agentic operations – Developing frameworks for integrating and managing AI resources including inter-AI interactions and agent-based network operations.
• Locality‑sensitive execution environments – Standardising interfaces for trusted execution, workload isolation and lifecycle management across heterogeneous environments.
• Developer enablement and operational validation – Producing developer‑oriented artefacts, conformance guidance and supporting Proof of Concepts, interoperability events and pre‑standardisation trials.
• International harmonisation – Coordinating with global standards organisations such as 3GPP, oneM2M, ITU, ISO/IEC and relevant open‑source communities to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.

Naturally, the work done in TC NET will be complementary to the work done in 3GPP. The Technical Committee will also collaborate closely with other technical groups within ETSI, including those focused on cybersecurity, data, emergency communications, lawful interception, AI security, fibre technologies, quantum key distribution and software‑defined networking.

“The next wave of digital innovation rests on seamless integration”, said Ricard Vilalta, Convenor of the Technical Committee Networks. “TC NET is laying the foundations for a federated digital continuum that overcomes today’s fragmentation and enables AI, computing and connectivity resources to operate as one intelligent system. This common framework will be essential for distributing AI capabilities dynamically across cloud, network, edge and devices, thereby unlocking higher levels of efficiency and automation”.

TC NET will convene its first meeting on October 7-9th 2026, at ETSI in Sophia Antipolis, where members will elect officials, agree the initial work plan and begin developing the foundational specifications that will drive its activities in the years ahead.