In a major step toward transforming the telecommunications industry, some of the world’s largest telecom operators, including América Móvil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Vodafone, have announced the formation of a new global venture.
This initiative aims to streamline the use of network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), unlocking new avenues for innovation in digital services.
The newly created company will enable developers to access and utilize network capabilities from multiple telecom providers via standardized APIs, a move expected to accelerate the development of next-generation applications.
These APIs will empower developers to create solutions that can seamlessly function across networks worldwide, overcoming the challenge of integrating with different telecom operators.
Ericsson’s Strategic Vision
Ericsson will play a pivotal role in the venture, bringing its technical expertise and extensive platform capabilities. Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, emphasized the transformative potential of the venture, stating: “This initiative marks a defining moment in our industry’s evolution. By providing a global platform for developers to access advanced network capabilities, we are enabling new revenue streams and fueling innovation across sectors. Ericsson’s leadership in network technologies, combined with the strengths of our telecom partners, will drive growth and revolutionize the developer experience.”
A Unified Platform for Developers
The platform will leverage the industry-standard CAMARA APIs, supported by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation, ensuring that it remains open and accessible to developers globally. Hyperscalers, Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers, and independent software vendors (ISVs) will also have access to the platform, helping to accelerate innovation across industries.
Telecom operators involved in the venture are enthusiastic about the possibilities it presents. Daniel Hajj, CEO of América Móvil, remarked: “This new global platform will allow developers and businesses to harness the full potential of our networks, creating value-added services that will enhance the digital ecosystem. América Móvil is thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.”
Collaborating to Unlock New Opportunities
The collaboration has been widely embraced by leading telecom operators, who see it as a way to unlock new opportunities for monetization and network growth. Jeremy Legg, Chief Technology Officer at AT&T, said: “We’ve been empowering developers with API tools for years. Now, with this unified platform, we’re offering a global solution that will fuel a new era of innovation. By making advanced network features accessible, we’re enabling developers to build better user experiences that scale worldwide.”
Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti Airtel, echoed this sentiment, stating: “This venture marks a turning point for the telecom industry. By working together, we are expanding the ecosystem and creating new opportunities for developers and businesses. This unified platform will enhance network monetization and drive growth across the sector.”
New Era of Digital Services
The venture’s platform is expected to drive new use cases across industries, from improving financial transaction security with anti-fraud tools to enabling real-time video streaming adjustments based on network conditions. This will help developers create innovative solutions in sectors such as entertainment, healthcare, and finance.
Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, highlighted the potential for cross-industry collaboration: “By opening up our network capabilities to developers, we are creating a new wave of innovation. This venture is a key milestone in our strategy to monetize our networks, and we look forward to expanding this ecosystem with other telecom operators.”
Supporting innovation with strong partnerships
Global technology leaders Vonage and Google Cloud are also joining the venture, providing access to their expansive developer communities. Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, underscored the significance of this collaboration: “Google Cloud is proud to partner in this industry-defining venture. By providing access to our developer ecosystem, we are helping to drive innovation at scale and enable new digital services that will benefit businesses and consumers alike.”
Niklas Heuveldop, CEO of Vonage, added: “This collaboration removes a major barrier for developers, enabling them to fully utilize mobile network capabilities. By opening up these APIs to a global audience, we are accelerating the digital transformation of industries and creating new opportunities for developers worldwide.”
The Path Forward
The venture’s shareholders will include Ericsson and the participating telecom operators, with Ericsson holding a 50% equity stake. Regulatory approval for the venture is expected by early 2025, with plans for additional telecom operators to join in the future. Three Sweden (Hi3G Access) is already in discussions to become a partner.
Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, summarized the venture’s significance: “This platform represents a critical step forward for the telecom industry. By working together, we can unlock the power of our networks and enable developers to create the next wave of digital services. This collaboration will not only drive growth and innovation but also improve public services and create jobs around the world.”
The launch of this global platform signals a new era of collaboration and innovation in the telecom industry, enabling developers to create transformative applications that can operate across networks and regions, ultimately driving global digital progress.
