Driving innovation with System Integrators to help implement Open Gateway APIs

In the changing telecoms landscape, innovation and collaboration are the cornerstones of success. The Open Gateway initiative, led by the GSMA and in collaboration with leading telecoms operators, is empowering businesses by providing standardised network APIs that enable seamless integration between applications and telecoms Networks. However, the complexity of these integrations can be challenging for many enterprises.

Systems integrators (SIs) are becoming key partners in helping enterprises overcome the technical challenges of implementing standardised project Network APIs. At Telefónica Open Gateway, we are collaborating with SIs to help companies unlock the full potential of our tools, accelerate their innovation efforts and bring new digital services to market to achieve faster digital transformation and deliver innovative services to their customers. By being part of our Partner Program, systems integrators will be able to provide the technical expertise, resources and solutions that enable businesses to focus on innovation rather than the complexities of our Telco APIs.

In this article, we will explore how systems integrators play a vital role in implementing our solutions for enterprises, while driving business growth through collaboration and innovation. We will also discuss how SIs can leverage our Partner Program to unlock new revenue streams and expand their service offerings in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.   

Simplifying API Integration

Although our network APIs are easily programmable, companies may not have in-house development teams to carry out these processes. In addition, our Telco APIs allow applications to interact with telecommunications networks, which requires some knowledge to manage them effectively. System integrators provide a vital solution by taking on the technical complexity of integrating APIs. SIs act as a bridge between the company that owns the application and the telecommunications provider, ensuring a seamless integration that delivers optimal performance without compromising functionality.

 
For example, Valencia TV is working next to Deloitte on a cell-based geolocation system to resolve legal challenges related to content broadcasting in specific regions by providing a more accurate mobile user location data, using Device Location Verification API.  

Access to a Broader Ecosystem of Tools and Services 
 
System Integrators provide more than just technical expertise; they open the door to a wider ecosystem of platforms, tools, and services. By working with an SI, businesses can tap into a rich portfolio of technologies without needing to navigate the complexities of managing multiple vendor relationships. This is particularly valuable in the context of the Open Gateway initiative, where businesses may need to integrate not only Network APIs but also other cloud services, customer management platforms, and real-time data tools. SIs bring these elements together, offering their expertise and support for businesses looking to scale their digital services across different platforms. By doing so, SIs allow companies to focus on innovation and service delivery, rather than being bogged down by technical concerns. 

Accelerating Development Cycles

In today’s competitive market, reducing time-to-market for new digital services is critical. System Integrators can help businesses speed up their development cycles by providing integration solutions and leveraging their skilled teams. This reduces the time required to bring new digital apps or solutions to market significantly. For example, an enterprise looking to integrate fraud detection APIs from a telecom provider can expedite the process by working with an SI that has pre-existing knowledge of such integrations. SIs, with their experience and established frameworks, help reduce the overall development time, allowing businesses to innovate and respond to market demands faster.

Tecalis, one of Telefónica Open Gateway integrator partner, has integrated two Network APIs —Number Verification and SIM Swap— within the registration process of new users of one of its customers, Pensumo, a dynamic platform in which you get cashback for purchases in partner stores that accumulate in your Pension Plan. By using the SIM Swap API, Tecalis ensures that the phone number associated with the customer is legitimate, that it has not been tampered with and that a duplicate —very common identity fraud— has not been made, which protects both the company and the customer. The same happens for Number Verification API, which detects that the device from which the Pensumo customer registration process is being carried out, corresponds to the customer number and its identity.  

Managing Complex Integrations

The digital landscape is characterized by diverse technologies, platforms, and APIs. System Integrators are experts at managing the complex integrations that arise from connecting different systems. Whether it’s linking a legacy system to modern cloud applications or ensuring that a telecom API works smoothly with existing services, SIs have the expertise to make it happen. 

NTT Data, is helping Bradesco to develop an AI-driven financial risk analysis solution based on insights from standardized Open Gateway APIs —such as Device Location Verification, SIM Swap and Number Verification—, combined with demographic and behavioral data (User Journey, Preferences, Interactions).  

The Telefónica Open Gateway Partner Program allows companies to leverage their business by using standardized Telco APIs, enriching their services and improving the end-user experience by integrating these Network APIs into their own solutions or applications, or to enrich their consulting, integration, or development service offerings if they develop services for third parties.  
 
By participating in this program, System Integrators, as other partners, gain access to a wide range of materials and tools, such as technical resources for company's developers to understand how these Open Gateway APIs will work, as well a Sandbox environment to test the Open Gateway APIs and create new use cases, and commercial material, with additional use cases and case studies that you could implement in your own company's sector or industry or within your customers' solutions. In addition, partners will find guidance and E2E support to define the best go-to-market strategy, working directly with our Telefónica operations or indirectly through any of the Channel Partners already part of the program.  
 
We are also collaborating with System Integrators to develop innovative solutions for enterprises using Open Gateway APIs (Device Location Verification, Number Verification, SIM Swap) to address security and fraud challenges in media, insurance, and financial services, demonstrating potential business potential through innovative solutions. We showcased all of this at Telefónica Innovation Day, where we presented some of these real-world demonstration solutions that our system integrator partners are developing with Open Gateway. To keep up to date with upcoming dates, you can subscribe to the monthly newsletter. You will also discover our product news, the new technical documents we publish and the latest industry news. Don't wait any longer!