PLDT’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and its B2B arm PLDT Enterprise have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSMA, the organization representing mobile operators globally, to join GSMA's Open Gateway initiative.
In a statement, PLDT said GSMA's Open Gateway initiative promotes a framework of common and standardized Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) designed to create compatibility and connectivity and provide enterprise developers with universal access to mobile operator networks around the world.
To PLDT and Smart, common APIs promise to enable faster deployment of new services and safer and more secure digital experiences, as well as pave the way to a more immersive 5G experience, for Filipino business owners, enterprises, and mobile subscribers.
“Digital transformation has always been our common goal—to help businesses, individuals, and organizations, not just locally but globally,” said Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Core Business at PLDT and Smart.
He added that, “This collaboration marks a leap towards new innovation, aligning with our shared commitment to driving the success of our partners through impactful solutions.
“By joining GSMA's Open Gateway initiative, we aim to provide seamless communication, more secure transactions, efficient data handling, and an overall improved user experience for our partners and their customers.”
"We at PLDT and Smart are thrilled to join GSMA for the Open Gateway Initiative. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as we continue to innovate and enhance customer experiences within our group," said PLDT and Smart First Vice President for Network Eric Santiago.
He noted that, "Our continued drive to enhance the digital landscape of the country and fast-track the government's push for digitalization is possible with the support of industry experts and partners, like GSMA, who share our passion for innovation."
“Mobile phones are the foundation of how we connect with each other, how we connect with the world around us, how we organize our lives. Through APIs, critical functionalities which reside in the mobile network can be exposed to the world so the world can innovate,” said GSMA Asia Pacific Head Julian Gorman.
He added that, “APIs are going to enable everybody to deliver a better customer experience, to innovate and to help digital transformation. This will be a new era of collaboration across the industry, which will help our industry move forward. The Philippines is a rising star, reemerging on the world stage in telecoms innovation. We thank PLDT and Smart for joining the program.”
Through this MOU, Smart will also be able to leverage the collective expertise of more than 50 mobile operator groups, representing more than 240 MNOs and MVNOs, who are already signatories of GSMA Open Gateway and are currently collaborating with developers and cloud providers to more quickly deploy services across operator networks.
Currently, mobile network operators are testing and deploying functionalities such as number verification, SMS two-factor authentication, SIM swap, and device location, using common APIs.
This partnership with the GSMA is aligned with the PLDT Group's overall thrust to innovate in order to elevate customer experience and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly SDG No. 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.