A single development compatible with all telco networks
Networks have become a key asset for the development of digital products and services because the experiences of today and tomorrow are increasingly dependent on connectivity.
In this idea in mind, the telecommunications industry, in its network development, is uniting behind a global initiative led by the GSMA to bring telco capabilities such as 5G connectivity, communications, web3, etc. to the cloud. Until now, each carrier has worked independently. The time has come to work hand in hand, opening up the networks so that service developers can enrich their applications through standardised and interoperable APIs. This initiative creates new opportunities in innovation for experience creators because they will now be able to make a single development compatible with all telco networks.
This means the Open Gateway project will turn networks into future-ready platforms to the benefit of the entire digital ecosystem, users and businesses alike.
What is Open Gateway?
Open Gateway is a global initiative of the GSMA and the entire telecommunications industry that aims to transform communications networks into platforms, bringing with it a new wave of innovation.
The opening up of the networks will accelerate the development and growth of new services in Fintech, Digital Identity, Anti-Fraud, Smart Mobility, Gaming, Web3, Metaverse and Communications.
Thus, hyperscalers, aggregators and service developers can offer their customers new value propositions quickly and effectively while enabling telcos to become key players in the range of new digital services.
The telco capabilities that will be available to developers will be consumable through global and standardised telco and network APIs. As they are standardised, developers will only have to produce a single element that will be compatible with all telco networks.
This way, we will be turning our networks into platforms, API-fying them.
So what is an API and what does API-fying the network mean?
API-fying comes from API. And APIs have been around for many years in computing. An API is an element that allows two different pieces of software to be connected so that they can share information with each other easily and quickly. This saves time, effort and resources for those who use them, who are the developers of services.
Our new network and telco APIs make it possible to connect applications to networks, so they can talk to each other, because they expose our telco capabilities. This means making them available to experience creators through the most common marketplaces for them: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Vonage.
These capabilities are exposed through global, standardized APIs under the framework of CAMARA, the open source project led by the Linux Foundation in collaboration with the GSMA.
Thanks to these APIs, it is possible to configure the network on demand, in a standardised and intuitive way, which allows us to enrich existing services and create new ones, improving the experience offered to users. For example, hold a work video call in HD quality, play an online game without interruptions or perform surgeries remotely.
How to test Telco APIs with Telefónica Open Gateway?
At Telefónica we have developed a set of standardised, automated, on-demand, real-time and one single line of code APIs to integrate these telco capabilities.
To start testing and develop new use cases with telco APIs, Telefónica Open Gateway has launched our Developer Hub. It is a portal where you can access our APIs catalog in advance and free of charge, test our tools and validate use cases. In addition, this developer lab offers exclusive resources (technical documentation, whitepapers, webinars…) to explore the full potential of the project. We also provide technical support during the whole process, in case you need to ask a question or solve possible incidents.
If you want to know more, join our Developer Hub!
How to boost business with Telefónica Open Gateway Partner Program
To optimize the solutions offered by companies, Telefónica Open Gateway has launched the Partner Program. Through our APIs, companies can enrich their service offerings or enhance the user experience of their customers.
Like the Developer Hub, this program also offers premium resources, such as tools and content that facilitate the implementation of APIs in partners’ businesses. Some of these are webinars to gain expertise on the initiative, commercial documentation on our tools or sectorial videos to learn about the solutions we offer to different areas. Similarly, companies can count on the support of our team of Telefónica Open Gateway professionals, so they can consult them throughout the whole process of integration and commercialization of the APIs in the business.
For more information, sign up for the Telefónica Open Gateway Partner Program!
Telefónica Open Gateway allows you to create new solutions and develop applications faster, easier and with higher quality. If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, subscribe to the newsletter and receive it monthly in your inbox.
