The MWC sends its shadow ahead: How Open Gateways and Network APIs Are Shaping the Future of Telco Innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, connectivity has evolved beyond the simple transmission of voice and data. It has become a key element in transforming telecommunications networks into dynamic, programmable platforms. At the heart of this transformation is the Open Gateway Initiative, a pioneering project that enables operators and developers to unlock a new era of network capabilities through standardized APIs.

The Open Gateway Approach: Redefining Telco Capabilities

Telecommunications networks have traditionally been built as closed systems, focusing on ensuring reliable voice and data transmission. However, the emergence of programmable networks, enabled by initiatives such as Open Gateway, has introduced a new paradigm. This innovative model utilizes a set of standardized APIs, allowing the operators to expose network functions in a secure, scalable, and interoperable manner.

The Open Gateway initiative is designed to:

• Democratize Access: Offering a developer-ready environment enables many companies and innovators to explore and integrate telco capabilities.
• Enhance Interoperability: Standardized APIs ensure that various systems can work seamlessly together, reducing the complexity of integrating multiple network services.
• Accelerate Innovation: With easier access to network functionalities, developers can rapidly prototype and deploy solutions that address real-world challenges.

These capabilities are encapsulated in a framework developed under the common umbrella of CAMARA, an open-source project backed by the Linux Foundation and TM Forum. This collaborative approach ensures that the underlying network infrastructure remains flexible, secure, and ready to support new technologies as the digital ecosystem evolves.

A Collaborative Environment: The Multi-Telco Innovation Lab

At the core of the Open Gateway vision is the Multi-Telco Innovation Lab, a collaborative hub where telco operators, research centers, and innovative tech companies converge to test and develop next-generation applications. This lab is a proving ground for new ideas, where standardized network APIs are integrated, refined, and optimized for real-world applications.

A notable lab achievement is the successful integration of APIs such as Device Location Verification, Quality on Demand, Number Verification, and Know Your Customer. These APIs enhance traditional networks’ functionality and create new opportunities for developing applications responding to pressing social needs.

ViRe: MasOrange, Telefónica, Vodafone Group, and i2CAT present their first Open Gateway use case at MWC Barcelona

The Spanish company LAUDE was selected as the partner to develop this use case. The ViRe application, a new example developed within the Multi-Telco Innovation Lab, illustrates the power and potential of the Open Gateway approach. ViRe is designed to enhance safety for individuals protected by restraining orders by leveraging a suite of standardized APIs.

Using real-time data and AI-powered algorithms, ViRe monitors the proximity of potentially dangerous individuals and sends immediate alerts to users, law enforcement, and trusted contacts. While ViRe is tailored to address specific safety concerns, it also serves as a proof-of-concept for what is possible when advanced network capabilities are made accessible to developers.

This application exemplifies the broader impact of the Open Gateway initiative. By transforming telco networks into programmable platforms, operators can support diverse, innovative solutions that extend far beyond traditional connectivity.

For attendees at MWC Barcelona 2025, the live demonstration of ViRe will provide an opportunity to explore the future of digital safety. The use case will be presented daily at the GSMA stand (Hall 4, booth 4F30) from March 3 to 6, 2025, allowing industry professionals, developers, and the general public to observe how advanced telco capabilities can be integrated into practical solutions.

The Broader Impact: Shaping the Future of Digital Ecosystems

The Open Gateway approach has far-reaching implications for the digital ecosystem. Programmable networks enable telco operators to offer services that are more agile, efficient, and responsive to the needs of modern society. Key areas of impact include:

• Smart Cities: Enhanced network APIs can integrate urban services—such as traffic management, public safety, and utilities—into a unified, intelligent system.
• Healthcare: Programmable networks facilitate the development of telemedicine applications that offer real-time diagnostics and remote monitoring, enhancing patient outcomes.
• Public Safety: As ViRe demonstrates, network APIs can be harnessed to build applications that protect vulnerable populations and enhance community safety.
• Enterprise Solutions: Businesses can utilize standardized APIs to develop solutions that enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement.

The Open Gateway initiative drives a paradigm shift by opening telco networks to a broader range of applications. As a result, operators are no longer viewed exclusively as service providers; they are also regarded as innovators and partners in the digital transformation journey.

Embracing a New Era of Connectivity

The Open Gateway initiative and the Multi-Telco Innovation Lab are at the forefront of efforts to transform telecommunications networks. By providing network functionalities through standardized APIs, telco operators create a foundation for a more interconnected, efficient, and adaptable future. This change is reflected in applications like ViRe, which supports personal safety, and in solutions that enhance urban efficiency and healthcare outcomes. As connectivity evolves, the approach promoted by Open Gateway will play an essential role in shaping our digital future. By embracing these new methods, operators, developers, and innovators can collaborate to develop solutions that address current needs while preparing for future challenges.