In our latest CPaaSAA Talk, founding partner Rob Kurver joined forces with two industry pioneers—Mark Castleman, Managing Director of Intel’s AI Cloud, and Mark Simoncelli, CEO of Mach49—to explore the seismic shift at the crossroads of telco innovation, AI, and conversational technologies. Rob set the tone by emphasizing that the time for telcos to seriously start monetizing their network APIs is now. With massive investments in 5G and open network APIs forming the backbone of today’s communications landscape, the stage is set for what some call the “perfect storm” in our industry.
The New Telco Landscape
Mark Castleman framed the evolution of telco capabilities over the past decade by highlighting that enormous investments in 5G have not only built a robust network infrastructure but also laid the groundwork for a paradigm shift. This shift—from traditional applications to “agentic AI”—empowers consumers with intelligent agents that deliver outcomes directly, bypassing the need for a single, monolithic app.
Mark Simoncelli added that while telcos have always been reliable providers of solid, end-to-end solutions, the current environment demands a fundamental mindset shift. Instead of resting on their legacy strengths, telcos must now seize the opportunity to monetize their network APIs and become key players in the emerging conversational economy.
The Time Is Now: Monetizing Network APIs
The time for telcos to start monetizing their network APIs isn’t tomorrow—it’s now. With open networks, rich API ecosystems, and the rapid rise of AI, telcos have a golden opportunity to transform traditional models into agile revenue engines.
• Structured Approach is Critical: Rather than relying on ad hoc initiatives, telcos must develop clear, structured strategies to integrate API monetization into their business models. This means creating a balanced portfolio of small, rapid experiments alongside big bets—testing ideas directly with customers and iterating based on real-world data.
• From Telco to Techco: The discussion introduced the “from-to shift,” describing the transformation from traditional telco operations to an “experience economy.” With open gateways and APIs in place, telcos can move beyond merely delivering connectivity to enabling a host of agent-driven services that redefine customer interactions.
Big Bets, Small Bets, and a Portfolio Mindset
A key insight from the talk was that success today isn’t about placing one enormous bet—it’s about assembling a diverse portfolio of initiatives. The Marks emphasized that:
• Iteration is Key: Rapid prototyping and market testing, even if accompanied by some failures, are essential. Every experiment, whether successful or not, provides invaluable data that accelerates learning and paves the way for future successes.
• Real-World Validation: Shifting from PowerPoint pitches to real customer engagements is crucial. Telcos need to test ideas in the market, address actual customer pain points, and then scale solutions that truly work.
This portfolio approach is exactly what’s needed for telcos to capitalize on their network APIs. With a structured strategy and agile execution, telcos can transform their infrastructure investments into sustainable, recurring revenue streams.
Open Networks and the Future of APIs
The conversation also explored the transformative potential of open networks. As telcos increasingly offer open gateways and rich APIs, the industry is poised for a seismic shift—from a handful of developer-driven applications to billions of intelligent agents consuming these APIs. Imagine a future where, instead of relying on a single restaurant-finding app, a multitude of agents seamlessly orchestrate personalized, context-aware experiences across every aspect of your life.
This agentic AI economy doesn’t just promise enhanced customer experiences—it signals a monumental revenue opportunity for telcos ready to embrace this change.
Final Thoughts
The CPaaSAA Talk left us with a powerful takeaway: with the confluence of 5G, open network APIs, and the rise of agentic AI, telcos are at a pivotal moment. As Rob Kurver emphasizes, the time to monetize network APIs is now. Telcos must adopt a structured approach—leveraging their inherent strengths while rapidly iterating, validating, and scaling new ideas—to secure a leading position in the emerging conversational economy.
By shifting from traditional models to agile, API-driven revenue strategies, telcos can transform today’s technological investments into tomorrow’s breakthrough opportunities. The future belongs to those who act now, test relentlessly, and adapt quickly in this ever-evolving digital landscape.
