The spatial web will become a major source of CSP growth through network API exposure

Commercial context

The spatial web marks the next leap in the internet’s evolution. Physical spaces, digital systems, devices, people, and AI agents connect through shared data and intelligent interactions. Phones, sensors, headsets, and autonomous vehicles all become nodes in a responsive, data-driven environment. IoT, advanced mobile networks, and spatial computing enable this web of connectivity. These technologies deliver immersive and highly personalized experiences.

For CSPs, this shift goes beyond technology. It creates a business imperative. The spatial web depends entirely on communications infrastructure. Real-time interactions, location-aware experiences, and AI decisions all rely on CSP-delivered services. This dependency makes CSPs essential to the spatial web value chain. It gives them a rare chance to reverse margin decline by monetizing advanced network features.

This project shows how CSPs can capture that opportunity. We integrate spatial web innovations with Open Gateway APIs. Standardized, programmable network services unlock new value chains across CSPs, aggregators, and developers. CSPs can manage spatial web nodes and expose intelligence like location, population density, and network state. These capabilities position them at the core of the spatial web. They can lead this next digital revolution—profitably and at scale.

The solution

The ‘Spatial web: Open Gateway to the immersive future’ Catalyst therefore aims to accelerate implementation of the spatial web. The project is exploring a network-as-application business model, where APIs and services can be monetized through new value-based pricing structures. Revenue-sharing models between CSPs, channel partners, and application developers could ensure a sustainable business approach throughout the entire value chain.

The project uses CAMARA and TM Forum APIs to enable geofencing, location retrieval, usage management and other functionalities. A decentralized spatial web standard protocol node serves as a hub for API calls and data synchronization among end users, CSPs, and aggregators. This integration facilitates seamless communication and data exchange, significantly enhancing the end user experience.

TM Forum’s Operate APIs support programmable access to operation, administration and management capabilities to facilitate the integration of CSPs with channel partners, marketplaces and other aggregator platforms. The Catalyst also draws on the GSMA Open Gateway framework of common network APIs designed to provide universal access to operator networks for developers. This phase of the Moonshot Catalyst demonstrates the full API lifecycle—creation, publication, usage, and monetization—to advance standards development and show that automation is essential for operating these services at scale.

As well as implementing Open Gateway Product Catalog API, the project is the first implementation of a proposal for the Open Gateway Product Usage Management API. These APIs enable product catalog sharing and billing processes between operators and channel partners, building key assets for monetization of the Open Gateway framework. The synchronization of CSP and channel partner catalogs will ensure up-to-date product offerings and seamless interconnectivity. Furthermore, real-time usage data collection and dashboard visualization enables accurate billing and performance monitoring.

Application

This project is aiming to demonstrate the commercial viability of standardized APIs in enhancing retail experiences. In particular, the Catalyst plans to provide retailers with new ways to engage with their customers. The solution will support personalized and targeted marketing, pattern recognition and trends development, enabling retailers to repurpose on-site shopping.

Jesús Iglesias, Head of API Program, Telefónica, one of the champions of the Catalyst, explains. “As we aim to accelerate the implementation of the spatial web, we are developing different use cases based on the Open Gateway services and new business opportunities, creating applications that make use of these TM Forum and CAMARA APIs. To address both challenges, we are proposing a journey where services will consume data from the network. So we've proposed a new web protocol to connect both sides and enable monetization for CSPs, ASPs and DSPs.”

Wider value

Supporting development of the spatial web helps to create a new ecosystem of customer experiences and opportunities for developers. The project will also highlight how TM Forum and CAMARA APIs can facilitate interoperability between service providers, developers and end users. In particular, it will demonstrate the effective use of CAMARA APIs (geofencing, population density, SIM swap, number verification, carrier billing) to enhance the user experience and operational efficiency.

For CSPs, these APIs could drive major revenue growth. "Open Gateway APIs network exposure is probably the biggest revenue opportunity for telecom markets in recent years,” says Iglesias. “STL Partners forecasts that the mobile network API revenue opportunity will reach US$34 billion by 2030.” Seamless interconnectivity through APIs will also support the deployment of AI agents for customer support, cybersecurity and service personalization. Analysts have forecast that the AI agent market will grow at an average of 46% per annum, to be worth more than US$50 billion by 2030. To learn more about the project or how you can support it, please visit the project space here.