The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has unveiled its Open Gateway standard at this year’s MWC conference in Barcelona.

The multi-stakeholder initiative provides a framework of common network APIs which are designed to provide universal access to operator networks for developers. The intent of the standard APIs is to help open the capabilities of telecoms technology.

José María Álvarez-Pallete, chief executive officer of Telefónica and chairman of the GSMA, said that the new global initiative would help industries including finance, big tech and telecoms to “create the digital future together”.

Álvarez-Pallete went on to explain that the evolution would touch sectors including automation, remote surgery, interactive games, emergency management, holographic communications and virtual worlds.

He concluded that these applications would present the “the ultimate network challenge” and highlight that “without telcos, there is no digital future”.

The news comes days after the GSMA praised the European Commission's recently launched consultation on gigabit connectivity. John Giusti, chief regulatory officer at the GSMA, said: "It is right that the Commission is focusing on the realities of today’s digital economy in considering ways to expand future innovation and investment within the European Union, for the benefit of its citizens and businesses.

"Action is imperative. Without a fresh approach, Europe runs the risk of failing to deliver on its agreed Digital Decade targets, to the detriment of European citizens and the continent’s global competitiveness."

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