The GSMAthe association that represents the main mobile operators around the world announced launch of the Open Gateway initiative. created in cooperation with 21 Microsoft and AWS operators, is a framework aimed at offering a set of universal and open source APIS to operator networks, with the aim of enabling developers to access and use various mobile network services. These include location, identity verification and network billing.

Until now, all of this has been either very expensive or very complex, if not practically impossible, to integrate and use. The launch of Open Gateway is precisely to make it easier for developers and to encourage further development using APIs in applications such as mixed reality experiences. The GSMA Open Gateway will enable the sharing and federation of open and standardized APIs to offer interoperable access to networks.

Both AWS and Microsoft will be cloud providers that will work with operators to provide API access for developers. So far, they are the first two to do so. As for the operators that have been part of the Open Gateway initiative since the beginning, they are: America Movil, AT&T, Axiata, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, e& Group, KDDI, KT, Liberty Global, MTN, Orange , Singtel, Swisscom, STC, Telefonica, Telenor, Telstra, TIM, Verizon and Vodafone.

All have signed a memorandum of understanding and their plans include developing and working on these APIs through CAMARA, an open source project specifically developed jointly by the Linux Foundation and the GSMA. Its purpose is to help developers gain access to advanced networking features.

There are no details yet on which services we might see first under the initiative. Initially, Open Gateway will launch with API specifications for eight services: SIM replacement, quality on demand, device status, number verification, Edge Site selection and routing, number verification (SMS 2FA), operator billing or logout, and device location.

More APIs will be added to these first eight interfaces this year, and the name of some of them launched in this first wave may change. During MWC, there will be various demonstrations of how they could be used.

He The president of GSMA, as well as Telefónica, Jose María Álvarez-Palletepointed out during the inaugural Mobile World Congress that the GSMA Open Gateway «brings together telcos, industry, big tech and developers to co-create the digital future«.

Álvarez-Pallete also emphasized that this new digital age «it will require radical development and a platform that offers simplicity versus the complexity of today’s business. This platform is the GSMA Open Gateway. This project will create a new world of opportunities for the industry. It will be the catalyst for all these advanced services to develop their potential and reach critical mass. And it will create opportunities and bring value to consumers. This is the ambition of the GSMA Open Gateway. Create a common layer to expose network capabilities. Transform the entire ecosystem for the benefit of all“.

On the other hand, the chairman of Telefónica emphasized that «Telcos have come a long way in developing a global platform that connects everyone and everything. And now, through the federation of open network APIs and the application of the roaming interoperability concept, mobile operators and cloud services are truly integrating to enable a new world of opportunities. Collaboration between telecom operators and “hyperscalers” is key in this new digital ecosystem“.