GSMA yesterday revealed that three more of the world's largest operators, China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, have signed-up to the GSMA's Open Gateway, the global industry framework designed to help accelerate digital services and mobile apps.
GSMA Open Gateway is an industry-wide initiative to help developers and cloud providers collaborate with mobile operators through a framework of open network Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs), designed to provide universal access to operator networks across all continents spanning from North America to Australia, Norway to Argentina. By doing so the industry will be able to create, enhance and bring new digital services and immersive technologies to market faster and to a wider global customer base.
At a joint signing ceremony ahead of MWC Shanghai, the three operators China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom demonstrated their commitment to collaborate on the open network API framework, meaning the initiative is now supported by 29 mobile network operators, representing around 60% of mobile connections worldwide.
The global initiative, which launched with eight proofs of concept in February, has already grown to 23. The APIs developed through early adopter programmes cover everything from device location and SIM swap to combat online financial crime, through to Quality on Demand to deliver more immersive gaming experiences and enable drones to carry out data intensive missions safely.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA
Around the world, we’re gaining critical mass from east to west, north to south. China represents the largest 5G market in the world, so having China’s three largest operators committed to this initiative demonstrates its global significance and the strong business case it offers. In the same way we helped harmonise mobile voice services and enable roaming 35 years ago, I believe GSMA Open Gateway offers the potential to deliver similar levels of significant change for digital services... This is just the beginning, with operators already launching early adopter programmes, we will see more APIs in the coming year, creating new global markets, offering new services and new functionality. This will help unlock further value from 5G connectivity which will flow into the global economy and strengthen future investments, bringing transformational benefits of connectivity to all.
Gao Tongqing, EVP, China Mobile
China Mobile has been committed to opening up network capabilities and driving positive contributions to promoting the development of the digital economy. We are delighted to be part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, which will help industry partners reach different mobile networks and a wider global audience, accelerate our immersive technology offerings to the market, help us innovate on digital products and services, and continue to meet customers' aspirations for a better digital future, thereby empowering global economic development and social benefits.
Li Jun, EVP, China Telecom
Our priority is to ensure the best mobile experience for our customers, so the opportunity to participate in this leading mobile industry development is invaluable. We believe collaboration and common frameworks between mobile operators, developers and cloud providers will create new opportunities and drive forward new industries and experiences. We welcome the role that the GSMA is taking to pioneer greater interoperability in the new 5G digital economy and look forward to working with industry partners to drive success.
Liang Baojun, EVP, China Unicom
China Unicom has been paying attention to and spearheading open network capabilities. This Open Gateway initiative will play a crucial role in helping accelerate innovation in the telecoms industry and launch new opportunities for 5G and ultra-fast broadband connectivity. By creating an ecosystem in which the industry can provide federated network APIs, the initiative provides huge opportunities to accelerate new immersive communications services to the benefit of society and the global economy.
