This is the one set of standards telcos have to get right if they are going to compete against the hyperscalers selling services to enterprises
The jockeying for API monetisation supremacy is underway on the eve of DTW Ignite in Copenhagen from 17 June. The TM Forum – which has been somewhat eclipsed by the GSMA Open Gateway initiative when it comes to APIs – knows its telco roots well and has partnered said organisation to attack API interoperability head-on. The two are launching a single, unified conformance certification program for all APIs within the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, spearheaded by GSMA, CAMARA and the TM Forum.
Now, through one single process, service providers can certify conformance for TM Forum Operate APIs and CAMARA Service APIs, guaranteeing interoperability with the Open Gateway ecosystem. Until now, there has been no single means to verify that both TM Forum Operate APIs and CAMARA Service APIs conform to Open Gateway standards and across different operator implementations, adding undue complexity across the ecosystem.
With this new program, TM Forum’s Operate APIs, within the Open Gateway initiative, can be certified alongside CAMARA’s Service APIs as part of GSMA’s API testing program – designed to guarantee interoperability with Open Gateway aggregators and marketplaces. Operators can now expose capabilities to multiple marketplaces and ensure they can consistently, easily and quickly integrate and monetise them – in theory.
Telefónica has been “instrumental” in testing the certification process and will be the first operator to obtain joint certification for in-production Operate APIs. Its implementation of TMF931, Open Gateway Onboarding & Ordering API and TMF936, Open Gateway Product Catalog API, simplifies channel onboarding by enabling plug-and-play integration with partners using industry-standard APIs. At the same time, Telefónica retains full control over which third-party apps can access its resources.
Welcome Aduna
To further support the industry in providing a unified approach to API integration and standardisation, TM Forum has also announced that Aduna – the Ericsson-led global aggregator for Open Gateway – has become a member. Aduna is focused on building global marketplace for APIs within the Open Gateway framework that connect service providers to developer communities. At DTW Ignite, Aduna is demonstrating how Operate APIs can simplify, standardise and automate the onboarding of developers and ordering of service APIs via channel partners.
“We believe that this joint certification agreement reached by TM Forum and GSMA is highly beneficial for operators and the industry in general,” said Telefónica Global CTIO Andrea Folgueiras (above). “This common approach means enhanced efficiency, reduced integration costs, and the ability to deliver network services at an effective scale to our customers, allowing us to achieve the benefits expected from the Open Gateway program.”
She added: “We are pleased and proud to have collaborated with TM Forum and GSMA, jointly defining this certification process, ensuring its completeness and robustness. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to excellence and our dedication to driving the industry progress.”
TM Forum CEO Nik Willetts said the Forum’s Open API project has laid solid foundations. “Today’s unified certification program builds on that success, reducing integration friction and giving global confidence in interoperable APIs. This milestone reflects the strength of our long-standing collaboration with the GSMA and our shared commitment to building an open, vibrant API economy.”
GSMA head of network Henry Calvert said that by unifying conformance certification for all APIs within the Open Gateway framework, the two are: “further simplifying access to network capabilities, ensuring enterprise developers can create transformative services utilising the full potential of 5G networks.”
