The world of communications is evolving rapidly, and at the heart of this transformation is the convergence of CPaaS, network APIs, and RCS. About a week before Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, I had the pleasure of speaking with Viktorija Radman from Infobip and Henry Calvert from GSMA to discuss the latest trends shaping the industry. From the growing importance of network APIs to the resurgence of RCS and the impact of AI, our conversation explored how telecoms and enterprises can leverage these technologies to drive innovation and improve customer engagement.
The Buzz Around MWC 2025
MWC has always been the epicenter of mobile innovation, and this year is no different. With the event just around the corner, the excitement is palpable. From the rise of AI-powered communications to new monetization opportunities through network APIs, companies are gearing up to showcase their latest advancements. As Viktorija and Henry highlighted, one of the major themes this year is the role of telcos in the CPaaS space and how they can create value beyond connectivity.
Viktorija Radman (Infobip) shared how Infobip is doubling down on partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs) to bring network APIs to life. She emphasized the importance of collaboration in unlocking new use cases for enterprises, allowing them to integrate carrier capabilities into their customer engagement strategies seamlessly.
On the other hand, Henry Calvert (GSMA) provided insights into GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, which aims to standardize network APIs across telcos globally. According to Henry, telcos have a unique opportunity to drive the adoption of network APIs at scale, but they need to move quickly to ensure relevance in an increasingly software-driven world.
Network APIs: The Gateway to Telco Innovation
A key part of our discussion revolved around network APIs, which are positioned as the next big enabler for CPaaS. Traditionally, telcos have been seen as connectivity providers, but with the advent of programmable network APIs, they now have the potential to offer enterprises direct access to core telecom capabilities such as location-based services, number verification, and quality-of-service controls.
Infobip, as a CPaaS leader, is actively working with operators to integrate these APIs into their platform, making it easier for businesses to leverage telco-grade services without complex infrastructure investments. Viktorija noted that one of the biggest hurdles remains standardization and ease of adoption, which is why initiatives like GSMA’s Open Gateway are so critical.
Henry reinforced this point, explaining that Open Gateway provides a consistent API framework across multiple operators, removing fragmentation and making it easier for developers and enterprises to integrate telco capabilities at scale. However, he also cautioned that telcos must be proactive in engaging with enterprises to ensure they are meeting real market needs rather than just launching APIs for the sake of it.
Another exciting development in this space is Aduna, the recently launched joint venture between Ericsson and multiple telcos, which has just joined CPaaSAA. Aduna is positioning itself as a key player in the network API ecosystem, aiming to drive faster adoption and monetization of APIs by providing a streamlined framework for telecom operators. Their participation in CPaaSAA reflects the growing momentum behind the industry’s shift towards programmable telco infrastructure.
The RCS Renaissance: A New Era for Messaging?
Another hot topic in our discussion was Rich Communication Services (RCS). Once dismissed as a slow-moving technology, RCS is experiencing renewed interest, especially with Google’s push for RCS adoption and Apple’s recent announcement that it will support the messaging standard in 2024.
Viktorija highlighted that RCS presents a huge opportunity for brands, as it offers richer media, better engagement rates, and verified sender capabilities—all of which are crucial in today’s mobile-first world. She explained how businesses are increasingly shifting towards rich messaging experiences, and with RCS now being integrated into CPaaS platforms like Infobip, brands can seamlessly use it alongside SMS, WhatsApp, and other messaging channels.
Henry added that interoperability and monetization remain key challenges for RCS, but with increased operator participation and industry support, the ecosystem is maturing. He believes that 2025 could be the turning point where enterprises fully embrace RCS as a core part of their customer engagement strategy.
AI and the Future of CPaaS
Of course, no discussion on the future of communications would be complete without mentioning artificial intelligence (AI). AI is playing an increasingly prominent role in CPaaS, from chatbots and voice assistants to AI-driven analytics that optimize messaging campaigns in real-time.
Viktorija noted that AI is already being used to improve customer interactions, fraud prevention, and automation in CPaaS solutions. Infobip, for example, is leveraging AI to enhance conversational AI experiences and drive personalization at scale.
Henry emphasized that telcos have a unique data advantage, which, when combined with AI and network APIs, could open up entirely new business models. Whether it’s AI-powered fraud detection or dynamic quality-of-service adjustments, AI will be instrumental in the next phase of CPaaS evolution.
The Power of Ecosystems: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
A key message throughout our discussion was the importance of industry-wide collaboration. No single company can drive this transformation alone—ecosystem players, including telcos, CPaaS providers, enterprises, and developers, all need to work together. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats, and the more we collaborate, the greater the opportunities for innovation and growth.
This spirit of collaboration will be showcased at the GSMA Open Gateway Zone in Barcelona, where industry leaders will demonstrate real-world implementations of network APIs, AI-driven solutions, and the latest in RCS technology. The Open Gateway Zone is a testament to how collective efforts are shaping the future of communication, proving that when we work together, we can build more impactful and scalable solutions for businesses and consumers alike.
Join Us at MWC 2025!
MWC 2025 is the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore new possibilities in CPaaS, network APIs, and RCS. We invite you to visit us at the GSMA Open Gateway Zone in Barcelona to see these innovations in action and discuss how we can work together to shape the future of communications. If you’re attending, let’s meet to explore potential collaborations and create new opportunities for growth. Reach out to schedule a meeting—we look forward to seeing you there!
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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