When a CPO decides to open their network to roaming, or an eMSP wants to expand coverage, they face a fundamental architectural choice: build direct connections (Bilateral) or join a Hub (Open Network). The decision impacts legal costs, technical debt, and speed to market.
The Bilateral Model (P2P)
A bilateral agreement is a direct contract between two parties. For example, SuperCharge CPO signs a contract directly with DriveElectric eMSP. They exchange technical keys and connect their servers directly.
Pros & Cons of Bilateral
- No "middleman" fees.
- Direct control over data quality.
- Custom negotiated pricing.
- IT Nightmare: Maintaining 50+ individual API connections.
- Legal Hell: Signing and renewing 50+ separate contracts.
- Slow scaling speed.
The Open Network Model (Hub)
In the Hub model (like Open Charge Network), you sign one contract and build one technical integration with the platform. The platform then routes your data to all other connected partners.
Pros & Cons of Hubs
- Instant Scale: Access 100+ partners on day one.
- Single Invoice: Consolidated billing and clearing.
- Reduced IT maintenance costs.
- Platform transaction fees.
- Reliance on third-party uptime.
The "Spaghetti" Problem
The main argument against bilateral agreements is mathematical. The number of connections required grows exponentially (n * (n-1) / 2).
If there are 5 major networks in a country, bilateral works fine (10 connections). But in Europe alone, there are over 1,000 CPOs. Trying to connect bilaterally to everyone results in an unmanageable "spaghetti" of API keys, contract dates, and dispute resolution channels.
The Hybrid Approach
Smart players often use a hybrid strategy:
- Strategic Bilaterals: Sign direct deals with the "Big 3" partners where volume is huge, justifying the effort to save on platform fees.
- The Long Tail via Hub: Use a Hub to catch the remaining 95% of the market (smaller CPOs and eMSPs) where the administrative cost of a direct contract outweighs the margin.
Conclusion
Unless you are a massive player with a dedicated roaming department, the Hub model is the only way to scale effectively in 2026. The operational overhead of managing bilateral keys and invoices simply eats away any margin gained by avoiding platform fees.