Cellular network APIs (application programming interfaces) are interfaces that enable cellular connected applications to access a cellular operators’ core network capabilities. Currently a range of organisations are seeking to establish standardised cellular network APIs to support flexible interfaces to multiple cellular networks using the same set of APIs. The availability of standardised network APIs enables application developers to leverage network data and capabilities that would otherwise only be available through proprietary operator integrations. Initiatives to develop standardised cellular network APIs have largely been driven by the development of use cases that require authentication, network insights, and Quality of Service (QoS) to support a plethora of applications.
The motivation from the telecom industry is to innovate, develop and offer advanced and improved services to help prevent identity fraud, deliver enriched user experiences, and equally important if not more, to create new revenue opportunities to recover investments in the deployment of 5G networks.
Prior to these standardisation initiatives, mobile operators have exposed network capabilities mostly through proprietary APIs, developed using different technical specifications, interfaces, authentication mechanisms, and data models which has hindered adoption. Beyond technical challenges, the absence of common governance and commercial frameworks has further slowed the adoption of network APIs across the telecommunications ecosystem.
This report discusses what cellular network APIs are, their benefits, and the drivers and challenges for adoption of network APIs. The report provides an overview of the cellular network API ecosystem and the different types of APIs available, with a particular focus on the CAMARA APIs. It also highlights how different industry bodies and organisations are working towards standardisation, making it easier for developers and enterprises to consume network APIs for their applications. In addition, the report discusses various use cases that are being trialled and deployed to demonstrate the use of network APIs across a variety of applications. Finally, the report lists some of the major vendors that provide products and solutions within the network API ecosystem.
