67 mobile operators have committed to GSMA Open Gateway APIs, representing approximately 75 percent of global mobile market share by connections as of December 2024, up from just over 65 percent in June 2024.
This means 14 mobile operators have joined the GSMA Open Gateway initiative in the second-half of 2024.
The geographic participation is skewed towards China and Asia, while Africa has been slower to adopt the GSMA Open Gateway APIs. The initiative focuses on enabling scalability through common APIs accessible to developers and partners, with 2025 poised for monetization and showcasing commercial deployment results, GSMA Intelligence said.
South and Southeast Asia account for 26 percent of the global API base, driven by growing momentum and new commitments from operators like Smart, Globe, and Cellcard. Increasing API partnerships in the region signal progress toward commercialization.
Developer understanding of network APIs is healthy, with 68 percent having a clear understanding globally, though this drops to around a third in China, highlighting the need for continued outreach. Security and fraud remain paramount, with 60 percent of enterprise buyers rating these as extremely important to their projects, ranking them above 5G, fiber, cloud, and edge. Developers also prioritize security, reflecting strong alignment with enterprise buyer priorities.
Security protection and fraud mitigation APIs, such as SIM Swap, One Time Password, and KYC Match, have seen the most traction, reflecting security’s status as the top investment priority for 85 percent of operators.
A new API, Scam Signal, was launched in the UK in November 2024. Consent management and personal data protection are increasingly integral to API design. Beyond security, APIs targeting location-based services, edge computing, quality on demand (QoD), and billing are also gaining traction, particularly in leveraging 5G network assets across sectors like manufacturing and energy.
A GSMA Intelligence survey conducted in mid-2024 among 1,000 developers highlighted healthy awareness of network APIs, especially in regions with prevalent 5G deployments. Usage rates varied significantly, with higher adoption in India and Latin America compared to the US and Europe. Developers prioritize simplicity, security, and a strong return on investment, favoring subscription-based API pricing while remaining open to flexible models like revenue sharing and pay-per-feature.
Channel partners are critical for API distribution, with new entrants like Bridge Alliance and JT joining established platforms such as Vonage/Ericsson, Nokia, and Infobip in H2 2024. Despite initial enthusiasm at MWC, hyperscaler involvement remains limited, possibly due to a focus on AI investments, slowing API dissemination. Accelerated engagement from hyperscalers and concrete revenue proof points will be essential for driving commercial volumes in the coming months.
Elisa
Elisa and Nokia collaborated with Elmo Cars to develop a proof of concept (PoC) for remote driving technology. The initiative involved successfully driving a car remotely through Espoo’s public streets and during the Imagine Metaverse expo in Tampere, Finland. Remote driving faces challenges like network congestion, which can degrade video quality and compromise the driver’s ability to see traffic signals and surroundings clearly, leading to delayed reactions and increased accident risk. Network performance issues also hinder real-time communication between vehicles and control centers.
Using the GSMA Open Gateway Quality on Demand (QoD) API from Nokia’s Network as Code platform, Elmo Cars achieved dynamic network adjustments to maintain consistent connectivity. This ensured high-quality video feeds even during peak traffic, enabling safer remote operations. The PoC demonstrated real-time integration and instant video quality upgrades during congestion, along with providing essential device status and network insights. The use of standardized APIs facilitates scalability across operators and countries, paving the way for broader adoption of remote driving technology.
Orange
Laude, an IT consulting firm, partnered with Orange to launch an internal development challenge utilizing CAMARA APIs for innovative use cases in law enforcement, smart tourism, and industrial facilities maintenance. A key focus was the use of Device Location and Geofencing APIs to support law enforcement in managing restraining orders. Traditional restraining orders without electronic bracelets rely on monitoring by authorities and victim reports, often facing challenges in effective enforcement due to limited collaboration and communication among involved parties.
Laude developed ViRe (Violence Restriction), an application that leverages CAMARA APIs to monitor restraining orders by utilizing network operator capabilities. ViRe ensures compliance by tracking the aggressor’s proximity to the victim and sending immediate alerts to authorities and the victim if a breach occurs. Authorities have real-time access to a monitoring system for continuous location tracking of both parties.
ViRe complements existing solutions like electronic bracelets, offering an additional layer of security. It operates seamlessly in indoor and outdoor environments using 5G capabilities and does not require specialized devices, making it compatible across smartphones, operators, and countries. Future updates will integrate AI to analyze aggressor behavior patterns, enhancing risk mitigation and prevention.
Telkomsel
Telkomsel has introduced Telco Verify, an identity solution utilizing a network API to strengthen authentication processes. This solution complements existing mechanisms like two-factor authentication and one-time passwords by explicitly linking a mobile number to an individual. For example, Telco Verify can authenticate users when registering mobile banking accounts on new devices, ensuring a seamless and secure process.
Telco Verify mitigates identity fraud risks across various digital platforms, including government logins, banking, and online purchases. In Indonesia’s high-growth, digitally driven economy — where digital banking transactions reached $3.7 billion in 2023 and QR-based payment systems like QRIS are used by 15 percent of the population — Telco Verify offers critical fraud prevention capabilities for the mobile-first digital ecosystem.
“We want to encourage more operators to participate, and a deeper set of engagement with developers and other distribution partners, as that collaboration is needed for success. It also requires visible markers of progress, including the number of operators, API usage and the extent to which usage is monetized, said Henry Calvert, Head of Networks at GSMA.
Baburajan Kizhakedath