The Evolution of CPaaS, Network APIs, and AI Into One Stack
Over the past three years, CPaaSAA has charted the industry’s shift from siloed communications tools to programmable, interoperable platforms. We’ve supported the rise of CPaaS, embraced the potential of network APIs, and championed foundational standards like vCons.
Now, we enter a new phase—one where Intelligent Engagement is no longer a buzzword, but a system of systems:
🧭 From Channels to Context to Intelligence
✅ Phase 1: CPaaS
Programmable communications: voice, video, messaging
→ Enabled developers to build across channels.
✅ Phase 2: Network APIs
Opened core telco capabilities: location, QoS, SIM swap, identity
→ Added trust, reach, and network control to CPaaS.
✅ Phase 3: vCons
A common, structured format for interactions
→ Provided memory, compliance, and AI handoff across platforms.
🔜 Phase 4: AI APIs
Interfaces to agents that interpret, decide, and act
→ Bring intelligence into every conversation — not just automation.
🧠 Why AI APIs Are the Logical Next Step
AI is no longer just a backend enhancer — it’s becoming the frontline interface. But for AI to be useful in customer engagement, it needs:
- Context: History, behavior, and preferences (vCons)
- Real-time signals: Trust, location, quality (Network APIs)
- Multimodal delivery: Voice, text, video, chat (CPaaS)
AI APIs are where it all comes together — the bridge between user intent, business logic, and outcome orchestration.
📡 We’re Already Seeing the Shift
- Agentic AI is making real decisions across channels
- Telcos are launching AI marketplaces (China Mobile, Globe)
- CPaaS leaders like Infobip are embedding LLM-powered assistants into messaging and voice flows
- Silicon giants are enabling telco-grade inference at the edge
- Creo Solutions and others are implementing vCons as memory and trust layers for agents
🧱 The CPaaSAA Role: Building the Stack, Shaping the Ecosystem
To make this real, we’re not just talking—we’re building:
- CPaaS – Vendor collaboration, demos, Go-to-Market Playbooks
- Network API – Working groups, partnerships (GSMA, McKinsey, STL)
- vCons – Technical alignment, developer evangelism, agent integration
- AI APIs – Launching new initiatives at CASA25…
🚀 What Comes Next
At CASA25, we will:
- Run vCons workshops in collaboration with the vCon Foundation and joint members
- Host strategic roundtables with Infobip, Vonage, Sinch, Radisys, BT, and others
- Showcase demos where AI agents interact with real telco APIs and vCon data
- Publish the “State of Intelligent Engagement 2025”
💡 A North Star for What’s Coming
AI is changing how we connect, but APIs are how we ground it in the real world.
The next phase of CPaaS isn’t about more messages.
It’s about giving intelligent agents the tools to listen, act, and improve — with context, trust, and control built in.
This is the journey we’re on.
This is the stack for Intelligent Engagement.
And CPaaSAA is where it comes together.
My lifetime in IT and telecoms has been dedicated to innovation, building bridges and creating change. From the early days of cloud communications to working with operators on innovations and business development, and currently emphasizing APIs, CPaaS/CX and AI, my journey has been one of continuous evolution.
As founding partner at CPaaS Acceleration Alliance and The Next Cloud I'm privileged to help global telcos and techcos thrive in a fast changing world - through events, community building, strategy and global business development. I thrive on challenges and change, strategizing in cloud communications, and bringing people together for mutual success. Travel and continuous learning are my passions.
I believe the global communications industry is pivoting to prioritize customer experience and impactful solutions over mere technology and platforms, and we can tackle societal challenges by merging the strengths of corporates and innovators within new ecosystems.
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