Opening the cloud network: click and collect
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Opening the cloud network: click and collect
The shift towards telecoms networks based on open and virtualised technologies continues to gain momentum. This was highlighted recently by Rakuten's network launch in Japan and its subsequent plan to sell network capabilities to customers across the globe. Although it is important not to conflate open and virtual networks ('virtual' does not necessarily mean open interfaces), both technologies underscore the intention of operators to reduce vendor lock-in, scale networks up and down to match demand more easily, reduce costs and accelerate service innovation. Operators have stated these aims for some time, but progress is unclear in many cases. We look closely at the Rakuten model to understand the impact it could have on the wider landscape for network transformation.
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Opening the cloud network: click and collect
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Learn moreRelated research
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Monetisation is the key objective in 2026 for telcos on APIs (as with other business lines) and their distribution partners, with the implications for go-to-market strategies being different depending on the API and buyer. It is important to quantify the commercial potential and buying likelihood of APIs across different sectors of the economy to accurately orient supply. To that end, GSMA Intelligence has developed the Open Gateway Demand Index, which aggregates a range of metrics to help understand where demand lies and the commercial opportunity for network APIs in each sector.
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