TM Forum launches ODA for Satellite project to target $60B space-telco market

TM Forum unveiled a new Open Digital Architecture for Satellite project ahead of DTW Ignite 2026 in Copenhagen, aiming to make satellite and terrestrial networks easier to integrate. The effort is designed to speed multi-orbit service delivery and help capture a projected $60 billion opportunity across IoT, direct-to-device and underserved markets. Why it matters: - Satellite-enabled services are projected to become a $60 billion market opportunity over the next decade. - The project targets a longstanding integration gap between satellite and telecom systems that has slowed innovation, increased costs and limited service delivery. - Standardized frameworks and governance could make it easier for satellite providers and telcos to launch shared services at scale. What happened: - TM Forum unveiled details of the Open Digital Architecture for Satellite project ahead of DTW Ignite 2026 in Copenhagen on June 23-25. - The project extends TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture into satellite-terrestrial operations. - The initiative includes 16 member organizations, including Airbus, Terrestar Solutions and Vodacom. The details: - The $60 billion opportunity spans satellite-enabled IoT, direct-to-device services and expanded access to underserved markets. - TM Forum said progress has been held back by fragmented operating models, incompatible billing, specialist devices and slow, costly integrations. - Open Digital Architecture is designed to support automation, intelligence and governance at scale. - ODA for Satellite adds standardized frameworks, operating models and governance between terrestrial and satellite technology companies. - The project is intended to support seamless multi-orbit service delivery, faster integration, enhanced customer value and scalable growth across the wider ecosystem. - TM Forum said the project marks a new maturity in its ODA evolution and a call to action for the telco industry. - The collaboration shows ODA moving beyond cloud-native transformation into intelligent, automated and partner-led service delivery across domains. - The project will be demonstrated in the Composable IT and Ecosystems Summit at DTW Ignite 2026, where attendees can see live demonstrations, meet the team and review the framework. - TM Forum described ODA for Satellite as an AI-ready architecture for a converged satellite-telco market. - The “SATCOM with an Edge” phase III project continues to bridge terrestrial service providers and satellite operators for unified, digital-first connectivity services. Between the lines: - The effort is about more than technical interoperability. It is also a push to shape future operating models, customer ownership and value chains before they harden around proprietary systems. - The push for open APIs and standardization suggests the industry is trying to lower switching costs and make multi-orbit services easier to commercialize. - Support from major telcos and satellite players signals that convergence is moving from concept toward shared industry infrastructure. What’s next: - TM Forum will showcase the project at DTW Ignite 2026 in Copenhagen from June 23-25. - Participating organizations are expected to use the framework to explore collaboration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network providers. - The broader goal is to enable satellite-as-a-service and platform-based offerings that can support new growth across both industries. The bottom line: - TM Forum is trying to turn satellite-telco convergence from a fragmented opportunity into a standardized, scalable market model.