Shabodi & GMS Forge Alliance to Monetize Global Telecom Networks
- $300 billion: Projected value the network API market could add to the telecom industry by 2030
- 80%: Global mobile market committed to the GSMA Open Gateway initiative
- 50%: Developers interested in accessing network performance data like latency and jitter
Experts view this partnership as a critical step toward commercializing programmable networks, bridging the gap between standardized APIs and practical, scalable monetization for telecom operators and enterprises.
Shabodi and GMS Partner to Unlock Global Network API Ecosystem
TORONTO, ON – March 02, 2026 – In a significant move to accelerate the monetization of global telecommunication networks, API exposure platform Shabodi has been selected by GMS, a leader in AI-driven communications, as its core technology partner. The collaboration aims to power GMS's worldwide Network API aggregation strategy, creating a simplified, standardized bridge between the complex capabilities of mobile networks and the vast demands of enterprise developers.
This partnership signals a critical maturation point for the telecom industry, moving beyond theoretical discussions of programmable networks to the practical implementation of a global API ecosystem. GMS will leverage Shabodi’s GSMA-certified platforms to both enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to expose their network assets and aggregate those capabilities into a unified offering for enterprises on a global scale.
The New Frontier: From Connectivity to Code
The telecommunications industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. For decades, MNOs' primary revenue source was connectivity—selling data plans and call time. Today, the race is on to unlock the immense value embedded within the networks themselves. This involves exposing advanced capabilities like real-time location data, on-demand Quality of Service (QoS), and robust fraud prevention signals through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative, a framework for universal network APIs, has laid the groundwork for this revolution. With commitments from operator groups representing nearly 80% of the global mobile market, the industry has shown a unified desire to standardize. This initiative, along with the technical specifications defined by the CAMARA open-source project, aims to prevent the fragmentation that has historically hindered telco innovation. The potential prize is enormous, with analysts projecting the network API market could add up to $300 billion in value to the telecom industry by 2030.
"Unlocking telecom network value requires solving the supply and demand side challenges," said Ramesh Kaza, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Shabodi. "Together with GMS, we are building the foundation for a truly global Network API ecosystem."
This partnership directly addresses that dual challenge. It provides a clear pathway for operators to participate in the API economy while giving developers a single, coherent point of access, abstracting away the complexity of dealing with hundreds of individual carriers.
A Two-Sided Platform for a Global Marketplace
The collaboration between Shabodi and GMS is structured to address both sides of the network API marketplace: supply and demand.
On the supply side, GMS will deploy Shabodi’s NetAware Operator Platform. This GSMA-certified technology allows MNOs to securely open up valuable network functions. These include fraud-prevention tools like SIM Swap and Number Verification, which are critical for financial institutions and digital platforms, as well as dynamic controls for QoS and precise location verification. The platform ensures that this exposure is managed with strict adherence to security, user consent, and regulatory compliance.
On the demand side, GMS will utilize Shabodi’s NetAware Aggregator Platform. This technology will aggregate the newly exposed APIs from countless operators into a single, unified catalog. For enterprises and their developers, this is a game-changer. Instead of navigating a patchwork of disparate, proprietary carrier APIs, they can access a consistent set of powerful network tools that work across multiple regions and operators. This drastically reduces development friction and accelerates time-to-market for next-generation services.
"Network APIs represent a transformative opportunity for operators and enterprises alike," stated Charles Upchurch, CEO at GMS. "Shabodi's proven technology and deep expertise in network exposure enable us to rapidly onboard operators and deliver trusted network capabilities, accelerating time to market for next-generation services."
From Standardization to Commercialization
While the industry has made impressive strides in standardizing APIs, the next crucial phase is commercial adoption and monetization. The partnership between Shabodi and GMS is a direct response to this need, aiming to convert technical standards into tangible revenue and innovative applications.
The initial demand is being driven by powerful, high-value use cases. Fraud prevention remains a top priority, with businesses losing billions to account takeover and identity fraud. APIs that can instantly verify a phone number or detect a recent SIM swap provide a powerful defense, and have become one of the first commercially successful categories.
Simultaneously, demand is growing for performance-related APIs. A developer survey revealed that over half of developers are interested in accessing network performance data like latency and jitter. The ability to request enhanced QoS on-demand is crucial for applications like glitch-free video conferencing, cloud gaming, and industrial automation, turning the network itself into a programmable tool for ensuring application performance.
However, challenges remain. A significant developer education gap persists, with many still unaware that these advanced capabilities can be sourced directly from telecom networks. Furthermore, MNOs must overcome the inertia of legacy systems and a traditional, hardware-focused culture. By pairing Shabodi's specialized technology with GMS's established global reach and expertise in AI-driven communications, this alliance provides a streamlined path for operators to enter the market and for enterprises to begin leveraging these powerful new tools at scale. This collaboration is not just about technology; it is about building the commercial and operational framework necessary to make the programmable network a reality.
