Trade group Mplify (formerly MEF) has joined the GSMA’s Open Gateway ecosystem, bringing its network-as-a-service (NaaS) framework to support API standardization.

The sign-up will see Mplify aid the Open Gateway’s effort to accelerate developer access to operator networks through a set of standardized APIs.

Mplify’s own Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs – designed to allow partners to automate business and operational interactions across their networks – will add to the Open Gateway’s Camara APIs for mobile networks, bringing two trade association efforts focused on open networks together.

“[Mplify]’s participation strengthens our shared mission to create an open, interoperable ecosystem built on common network APIs,” said Henry Calvert, head of networks at the GSMA. “Alignment across both fixed and mobile networks is essential to unlock the full potential of digital transformation for enterprises, enabling seamless connectivity, faster innovation, and consistent user experiences across all technologies and geographies.”

The GSMA launched the Open Gateway initiative back at MWC Barcelona 2023, with the view to standardizing network APIs for the telecoms industry.

The effort was augmented by the earlier creation of the Camara project, which the GSMA launched alongside the Linux Foundation in early 2022. In an interview with SDxCentral earlier this year, Deutsche Telekom’s Markus Kümmerle, who also serves on the project’s outreach committee, said Camara was focused on getting the developer community excited to work with the telecoms market.

Mplify, too, has been looking to grow and attract interest, with its June name change signaling expansion beyond its traditional base of Ethernet. At the time of the change, COO Kevin Vachon told SDxCentral the group was close to formalizing terms with the GSMA on APIs, with the new-look Mplify keen to play ball and work together with other industry groups.

“In an AI-powered world, no one wants to think about the network – they just expect it to perform,” Pascal Menezes, Mplify’s CTO, said following the group’s GSMA team-up. “By aligning with GSMA Open Gateway, we’re enabling that seamless experience across wired and wireless environments, where connectivity, automation, and assurance simply happen.”

The trade groups' next effort will see the pair demo an agentic AI-augmented network intelligence demonstration at Mplify’s Global NaaS Event (GNE) in Dallas alongside Google Cloud and Colt Technology Services.

The team came together shortly after Mplify revamped its Carrier Ethernet certification program, introducing a new AI-focused certification that enables providers to validate the reliability of their networks handling AI workloads.