The telecommunications industry is at a pivotal moment. As 5G networks roll out globally, telcos are rapidly transforming their networks to be more cloud-native. In this fast-evolving landscape, the LFN’s Cloud Native Telco Initiative (CNTi) Beta Certification Program provides an invaluable opportunity for professionals and organizations to gain the cutting-edge skills and validation necessary to thrive in this new era.
What is CNTi Certification?
As network functions increasingly move from physical hardware to software-driven solutions, telcos are adopting cloud-native principles to manage their networks more efficiently and scale quickly. CNTi certification ensures that products and solutions meet the stringent requirements to operate effectively in this cloud-native environment.The goal is to “certify” that any cloud native application vendor (or end-user) is adhering to cloud native practices.
Operating under the aegis of LFNetworking, the program’s scope is to define the process around Cloud Native certification. In collaboration with the Best Practice and Test Catalog focus areas, the program works in tandem with associated use cases and best practices documentation and on the implementation and mechanics of the test catalog.
Key Areas of Focus
- Defines the requirements for certification
- Defines the various levels of certification
- Defines and maintains the process of certification
- Review the test results for vendors seeking certification
- Awards certification status to vendors who meet defined criteria
- Works with LFN marketing to attract vendor and end user participation
How to earn a CNTi Certification badge (BETA)
- Prepare
Learn about the self-certification requirements and technical prerequisites to prepare your product for certification. - Run the tests
Follow the instructions to run your tests using the CNTi Test Suite. - Submit
Prepare a Pull Request (PR) to submit your results to the CNTi Certification repo on GitHub. Complete the participation form. - Review
A reviewer will approve your PR at which point your product will be certified.
Reasons to get involved in a Beta program?
1. Position Your Product at the Forefront of a Growing Trend
The shift to cloud-native architectures is one of the most significant changes in the telecom industry today. Certifying your product through the CNTi program demonstrates that it is fully capable of operating in a modern, cloud-native telco environment. With this certification, you can ensure that your product is aligned with the latest industry trends, giving you a competitive edge as more telecom operators seek certified, cloud-native solutions.
2. Gain Early Access to Cutting-Edge Standards and Frameworks
The beta program offers an early opportunity to access the latest standards, frameworks, and best practices being developed by LF Networking. Your product will be among the first to meet the benchmarks set by the open-source community, ensuring that it is ahead of competitors in adopting cloud-native telecom solutions. By participating in the beta, you’ll also have the chance to influence and shape these frameworks, providing feedback to help refine the certification process.
3. Validate Your Product’s Cloud-Native Readiness
Certification through the CNTi program signifies that your product is not only cloud-native but also meets the high standards required by leading telecom operators. The certification process includes rigorous testing to validate that your product is optimized for cloud-native network functions (CNFs), virtualized network functions (VNFs), container orchestration, and microservices-based architectures. This is especially important as operators increasingly look for solutions that can integrate seamlessly with their cloud-native infrastructure.
4. Enhance Your Product’s Market Appeal
Achieving the CNTi certification signals to telcos and potential customers that your product has been thoroughly vetted and is capable of supporting cloud-native deployments. Telecom operators are more likely to trust products that have undergone a rigorous certification process, and many prefer certified solutions to reduce risk and ensure interoperability. This certification can open doors to new market opportunities and partnerships with leading telecom companies.
5. Gain Access to a Community of Innovators
Certifying your product through the CNTi Beta Certification Program connects you with a global community of telecom operators, solution providers, and open-source contributors. Participation in this program enables you to collaborate with industry leaders and network with peers who are shaping the future of cloud-native telecom solutions. This collaboration can lead to valuable insights and potential partnerships that will benefit your product’s development and positioning in the market.
Interested? Visit the CNTi wiki page for more details, including links to documentations and community meetings.
