reTHINK · Project

Breaking Communication Silos So Apps Can Talk to Each Other Freely

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Imagine you use WhatsApp but your colleague only uses Signal — you can't message each other. Now multiply that across every chat app, video tool, and IoT device in your company. The reTHINK project built an open, web-based layer that lets different communication apps connect to each other directly, peer-to-peer, without locking you into one provider. Think of it like a universal translator for digital communication services, so your data, contacts, and conversations aren't trapped inside one company's walls.

By the numbers

consortium partners across telecom, SME, university, and research sectors

countries involved (DE, ES, FR, PT)

global telecom operators in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

implementation phases with working source code

60%

industry ratio among consortium partners

The business problem

What needed solving

Today's communication tools trap users inside walled gardens — your WhatsApp contacts can't reach your Slack, your IoT sensors can't talk to devices from other vendors, and telecom operators can't offer services beyond their own network footprint. This fragmentation costs businesses time, creates vendor lock-in, and blocks the kind of seamless cross-platform communication that modern operations demand.

The solution

What was built

The project built a web-centric peer-to-peer service architecture with working software components called Hyperties, delivered across 2 implementation phases with full source code and documentation. They also produced specialized network service demonstrators with performance benchmarks, totaling 22 deliverables including 3 demo packages.

Audience

Who needs this

Telecom operators looking to compete with OTT messaging appsUnified communications vendors needing cross-platform interoperabilityIoT platform companies dealing with device-to-device communication barriersEnterprise IT departments managing fragmented communication toolsCloud service providers offering CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service)

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Telecommunications

enterprise

Target: Telecom operators and MVNOs

If you are a telecom operator losing customers to free messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram — this project developed a web-centric peer-to-peer architecture called Hyperties that lets you offer interoperable communication services without building proprietary infrastructure. With 3 global telecom operators already in the consortium, the technology was designed for real operator environments and tested across 2 implementation phases.

Enterprise Software

mid-size

Target: Unified communications platform vendors

If you are a UC platform vendor struggling with fragmented communication tools across your clients' organizations — this project built open-source service components that enable dynamic trusted connections between distributed applications. The 22 deliverables include working source code and specialized network service demonstrators that could be integrated into existing enterprise communication stacks.

IoT and Smart Industry

any

Target: IoT platform providers and system integrators

If you are an IoT platform company dealing with device interoperability problems — this project developed a decentralized architecture supporting M2M and IoT use cases with end-to-end network quality commitments. The technology enables devices from different manufacturers to establish trusted peer-to-peer connections, delivered as SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS, with benchmarked network service implementations.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this technology?

The project produced open-source code across 2 implementation phases with full documentation. Based on available project data, no licensing fees are indicated for the core architecture. Integration costs would depend on your existing infrastructure and the scale of deployment.

Can this work at industrial scale across multiple markets?

The architecture was designed specifically for global-scale deployment — the objective explicitly addresses the problem that telecom operators cannot provide services outside their owned networks. With 3 global telecom operators testing the technology across 4 countries (DE, ES, FR, PT), the design targets cross-border, multi-operator environments.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The project produced source code deliverables across 2 phases with associated documentation. As an EU-funded Research and Innovation Action (RIA), results are typically available under open or negotiable licensing terms. Contact the coordinator Eurescom for specific IP arrangements.

How mature is this technology — is it ready to deploy?

The project delivered working demonstrators and benchmarked specialized network services. Two phases of source code implementation (Hyperties) were completed with documentation, indicating a tested prototype. Based on available project data, further engineering would be needed for production deployment.

Does this integrate with existing telecom or IT infrastructure?

The architecture is explicitly web-centric and supports delivery as SaaS, PaaS, or IaaS, which means it is designed to layer on top of existing infrastructure rather than replace it. The peer-to-peer approach reduces dependency on centralized servers and proprietary network functions.

What standards or regulations does this address?

The project tackles the interoperability gap in communication services — the 'walled garden' problem where users cannot communicate across different platforms. Based on available project data, it aligns with EU digital market goals for open communication standards and data portability.

Who built this and can they provide technical support?

The consortium includes 10 partners: 3 global telecom operators, 2 SMEs, 2 universities, and 2 research institutes, coordinated by Eurescom (Germany). This mix of operators, academia, and SMEs means both research depth and practical telecom expertise are available for follow-up engagement.

Consortium

Who built it

The reTHINK consortium is strongly industry-oriented with a 60% industry ratio — 6 out of 10 partners come from the private sector, including 3 global telecom operators and 2 SMEs. This is significant because the technology was built by the companies that would actually use it, not just by academics theorizing about it. The 2 universities and 2 research institutes provided the scientific backbone, while the operators ensured real-world relevance. Coordinated by Eurescom, a well-known European telecom research coordination body based in Germany, the consortium spans 4 countries (DE, ES, FR, PT) covering major European telecom markets.

EURESCOM-EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC STUDIES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS GMBHCoordinator · DE
ORANGE SAparticipant · FR
ALTICE LABS SAparticipant · PT
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLINparticipant · DE
INSTITUT MINES-TELECOMparticipant · FR
INESC ID - INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIADE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES, INVESTIGACAO E DESENVOLVIMENTO EM LISBOAparticipant · PT
QUOBIS NETWORKS SLparticipant · ES
DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AGparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Eurescom GmbH (Germany) — European telecom research institute, reachable through their corporate website

Order a report on this consortium See EURESCOM-EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC STUDIES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS GMBH profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how reTHINK's interoperable communication architecture could solve your platform lock-in challenges? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the project team and help evaluate fit for your use case.

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