A historic alliance has emerged in the global telecommunications sector, aiming to infuse networks with fresh digital business models. About twenty operators—from around the world—will collaborate to reshape how networks are operated, pursuing a coordinated approach that highlights new pathways to profitability. Among the participants in the European market are major players like Telefonica, Orange, and Vodafone, all rallying to redefine network value through digital services.
Led by the GSMA, the promoter behind Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, telecoms from Europe, the Americas, and Asia are championing the shift toward turning fiber networks into distinctive digital service platforms for corporate customers. This collaboration seeks to redefine the telecoms role within the digital ecosystem, moving beyond simple voice and data transport. Operators aim to layer on on-demand services and generate new revenue streams through digitalisation, transforming networks from mere communication links into platforms for multiple digital ventures.
The initial objective is to pave the way for these digital services while enabling other technology groups to contribute to their creation. The 21 global carriers signing the agreement are coalescing to standardize digital applications that developers can use across networks. Importantly, developers will not need to tailor applications for each operator; a single application type will work across all networks involved.
The initiative is named Open Gateway, a term chosen to reflect easy access and openness. GSMA backs this global standard for APIs (application programming interfaces) that will be adopted by all networks. APIs enable different software components to communicate through agreed protocols. In the context of Open Gateway, APIs will allow tasks such as retrieving network information or configuring services for specific needs—ranging from cybersecurity and location services to billing and monetization strategies.
Early testing has already begun for eight universal network APIs, with plans to expand the suite in the near term. Participating companies include major telecom operators and technology groups across the globe, among them Telefónica, Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, América Móvil, AT&T, Axiata, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, e& Group, KDDI, KT, Liberty Global, MTN, Singtel, Swisscom, STC, Telenor, Telstra, TIM, and Verizon. These collaborations are accelerating the creation of a common digital framework designed to accelerate innovation while reducing integration friction for developers and businesses alike.
Industry leaders emphasize the strategic value of a shared global platform. A representative from Telefónica notes that the rollout connects a broad network of operators and technology firms, enabling a unified, scalable foundation for the digital services era. The goal is to ensure that interoperability across networks becomes a practical and reliable standard, enabling cloud providers and telecom operators to work together more effectively. The vision is to unlock new avenues for growth and consumer value by making advanced digital services more accessible and easier to deploy across markets. This marks a pivotal evolution in how telecoms design, deliver, and monetize services in a connected world. [Source: GSMA Open Gateway initiative and related press materials]
Industry observers recall the historical moment when mobile voice harmonization and roaming started with a multinational effort in 1987. Today, the Open Gateway initiative aspires to generate a comparable impact for digital services. By applying carrier interconnection concepts to the API landscape, developers can leverage the same collaborative framework to support identity verification, cybersecurity, or efficient billing. The outcome could be an integrated, world-spanning model that makes digital service delivery more seamless and reliable for customers and businesses alike. This shift represents a fundamental change in how services are designed and delivered across carriers and cloud providers. [Attribution: GSMA and participating operators]