Tata Elxsi and the GSMA have just inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the GSMA Fusion initiative, marking a strategic step toward one of the most talked-about opportunities in telecom today: network API monetization.

The collaboration is designed to help mobile operators open up new revenue streams by turning their network capabilities into enterprise-ready services — and it’s a move that couldn’t come at a better time for the industry.

Accelerating the API Economy for Telcos

Under the agreement, Tata Elxsi — a global leader in design and technology services — and the GSMA, the mobile industry’s global association, will work together to help operators monetize their networks through standardized APIs. These APIs enable enterprises across industries like automotive, healthcare, industrial IoT, and entertainment to tap directly into mobile network capabilities, from Quality on Demand (QoD) to location verification and enhanced security.

The first focus areas?

Automotive and drones — two sectors where precise, low-latency, and programmable connectivity are becoming essential. Whether it’s real-time driver monitoring, seamless in-car entertainment, or location-based fleet management, these new services depend on APIs that can guarantee consistent quality of service across borders and operators.

This collaboration includes the creation of a Global Statement of Requirements, which essentially lays out what enterprises need from network APIs and helps guide operators on how to deliver.

Why This Matters for Operators

Network monetization isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the telecom industry’s lifeline for the next decade. As connectivity becomes increasingly commoditized, operators are under pressure to find new, scalable business models beyond selling data plans.

According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global network API market is projected to grow from $1.96 billion in 2025 to $6.13 billion by 2030, fueled by 5G rollouts and enterprise digital transformation. APIs are at the heart of this shift. They allow enterprises to access programmable network features, such as slicing, latency control, or location services, without needing to rebuild or deeply integrate with each operator’s core systems.

Tata Elxsi’s role in this new API-driven ecosystem is crucial. Through its AI First Telco strategy, the company helps operators transition from pure connectivity providers to platform-based digital service enablers. In simpler terms: they help telcos build products that enterprises actually want to pay for.

Inside the Tata Elxsi – GSMA Collaboration

Through this MoU, the GSMA and Tata Elxsi aim to align global standards with real-world enterprise use cases, leveraging the GSMA Open Gateway framework and CAMARA-standardized APIs.

Tata Elxsi will integrate these APIs into its TETHER platform, allowing developers and enterprises to plug into network capabilities more easily. This means faster time-to-market for telcos, smoother integration for enterprises, and ultimately — better business outcomes for both.

In the automotive industry, Tata Elxsi’s Connected Digital Platform & Solutions will make it possible to deliver services such as:

• Enhanced driver and cabin monitoring
• QoD-powered rear-seat entertainment
• Location-based fleet management
• Identity verification (KYC) for passengers and drivers in shared mobility apps

These are not distant concepts—they’re real, revenue-generating services that operators can start piloting almost immediately.

As Rajagopalan Rajappa, CTO for Communication Technologies & Platforms at Tata Elxsi, put it:

“By enabling operators to monetize their networks through standardized APIs, we help them unlock enterprise revenue with best-in-class integration, platform services, and managed offerings.”

The GSMA’s Paresh Modi, Senior Director of GSMA Fusion, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Tata Elxsi’s deep enterprise expertise as a key factor in scaling adoption:

“Their systems integration and software innovation capabilities will be vital in accelerating mobile network API adoption and helping us unlock value across sectors — from automotive to digital entertainment.”

The Strategic Focus Areas

The MoU between Tata Elxsi and the GSMA outlines four strategic pillars:

1. Enterprise Demand Generation – Publishing a Global Statement of Requirement to drive global API adoption among operators.
2. Technical Enablement—Integrating CAMARA-certified APIs into Tata Elxsi’s TETHER platform for frictionless enterprise use.
3. Go-to-Market Acceleration—Launching joint pilot programs and awareness initiatives through GSMA platforms.
4. Commercial Models – Developing new API consumption and monetization frameworks for OEMs and operators.

These steps collectively aim to bridge the gap between telecom infrastructure and enterprise innovation—something the industry has struggled to achieve at scale until now.

The Bigger Picture: Where the Market Is Heading

Tata Elxsi isn’t the only player eyeing the API monetization space. Giants like Ericsson, Nokia, and AWS have already announced initiatives to simplify how enterprises access network APIs. Ericsson’s Vonage, for example, has been pushing for developer-friendly APIs that tap directly into 5G networks. Similarly, Nokia’s Network as Code platform and AWS Wavelength both aim to make telecom capabilities programmable and cloud-integrated.

What sets Tata Elxsi apart is its design-first and integration-driven approach. Rather than just offering a tech stack, Tata Elxsi builds turnkey, experience-led solutions that enterprises can deploy immediately. This holistic model could give it a real edge in helping telcos translate network capabilities into revenue-generating products—something many operators still struggle with.

As the industry evolves, one thing is clear: standardized APIs will be the foundation of telecom’s next growth phase. The GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, now supported by over 40 mobile operator groups globally, is effectively building a shared “language” that allows developers to create once and deploy everywhere—much like app stores did for mobile phones two decades ago.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead network API monetization

The Tata Elxsi–GSMA partnership marks a pivotal moment for the telecom industry’s long-promised transformation from connectivity to programmability. It’s a shift that mirrors broader trends across tech—from cloud computing to AI-driven automation—where open ecosystems and standardized interfaces are reshaping entire industries.

By bridging the gap between operators and enterprises, Tata Elxsi and GSMA are not just enabling new APIs; they’re setting the stage for telcos to reclaim relevance in a software-defined world.

As 5G matures and 6G looms on the horizon, the telcos that master API monetization will be the ones defining the next decade of connectivity. And if this collaboration delivers on its promise, Tata Elxsi may well be one of the companies leading that charge.