- Talent Arena hosted the GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon, where developers tested innovative telecom solutions under real-world conditions, marking a unique moment in the industry.
- The GSMA Open Gateway DevCon 2025 gathered industry leaders to explore the creation, deployment, and monetization of network API-based services, shaping the future of telecom innovation.
4/March/2025
Talent Arena hosted the GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon, marking a significant milestone in the telecommunications industry. This challenge was the first to be tested under real-world conditions, using SIM cards from Spain’s leading telecom operators—Telefónica, Orange, and Vodafone-. By moving beyond controlled simulations, the hackathon provided developers with unprecedented access to standardised network capabilities, reshaping the landscape of telecom services.
Over an intensive 48-hour period, developers from around the world leveraged Nokia’s Network as Code platform, a developer portal, the only API aggregator platform used for this occasion. By offering the broadest range of network exposure options, paired with robust multi-tier API security, the Network as Code platform provided developers with a single API access point to telecommunications services and functionalities across multiple operator networks, including Telefonica Spain, MasOrange Spain, and Vodafone Spain. Developers had access to eight standardized network APIs to create solutions posed to revolutionise sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and entertainment. These APIs encompassed: enabled authentication and fraud prevention (SIM swap detection, number verification), location services (geofencing, real-time location retrieval), communication quality (Quality on Demand, connectivity insights), device information (reachability and roaming status), and payments and charging (carrier billing and refunds). Unlike traditional hackathons, these solutions were tested under live network conditions, offering an authentic glimpse into the future of telecom innovation.
The event culminated with teams presenting their projects to an expert panel for evaluation. The winning project, Ontime, showcased the versatility and potential of Open Gateway by allowing train passengers in Catalonia to access real-time information on delays and occupancy of trains. This real-world testing marked a turning point in the adoption of these innovative technologies, proving their ability to enhance the telecommunications services on a global scale.
GSMA Open Gateway DevCon 2025: Insights and Innovation
Running alongside the hackathon, the GSMA Open Gateway DevCon 2025 – powered by Nokia, Aduna, China Telecom and Telefonica – offered developers invaluable insights into the creation, deployment, and monetization of network API-based services. Industry leaders shared best practices, showcased real-world use cases, and explored strategies for building the next generation of network-enabled applications, providing a comprehensive view of telecom innovation’s future.
The sessions delved into key industry topics, focusing on the pivotal role of network operators in enabling new services through APIs. Experts discussed strategies to empower developers and harness the full potential of 5G, with Nokia’s keynote emphasizing the important role of developers and enterprises. Also, a session led by TikTok explored how the telecoms and media industries can collaborate more effectively on consent, identity, and verification, addressing critical challenges in the digital ecosystem. In addition, GSMA Intelligence revealed key findings from its latest developer survey, highlighting the evolving needs and expectations within the Open Gateway community.
A panel addressing early adoption challenges brought together leaders from Nokia, Elmo, Bridge Alliance, and Radisys, who shared their hands-on experiences integrating network APIs into their businesses.
The event also featured live demonstrations, such as AI-powered KYC solutions, CAMARA’s role in API development, and innovative applications like network verification for Cabify onboarding. With a closing discussion on the future of network-enabled applications, the DevCon reinforced its position as a driving force behind the evolution of telecom innovation.
Talent Arena: the platform that drives digital talent
Talent Arena’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the digital ecosystem is evident through initiatives like the GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon and DevCon. By bringing together global talent and industry pioneers, Talent Arena seeks to become the platform that drives digital talent and promotes professional growth, building the future of the European digital hub from Barcelona.
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