How network APIs will move operators closer to tapping 5G’s potential in 2025

0
10


If 2024 was the year network APIs gained enhanced credibility with some communication service providers (CSPs), 2025 will be the year they go mainstream and better position operators to extract value from their 5G assets and generate new revenue streams.

Boosted by initiatives like the GSMA Open Gateway and the expanded adoption of the CAMARA project, CSPs are realising the possibilities of leveraging network APIs and the use cases they are starting to generate, like anti-fraud measures and Quality on Demand (QoD) for mission-critical services. A similar recognition is starting to play out on the developer side.

For developers, the growing demand for real-time and adaptable connectivity is driving a shift in expectations, offering them opportunities like pay-per-use access to advanced features like ultra-low latency and robust security. Developers require straightforward ways to harness 5G capabilities that enable dynamic adjustments like connectivity speeds tailored to real-time conditions—all without needing to be network experts. Network application programming interfaces (APIs) bridge this gap, empowering developers to innovate while CSPs provide the intelligent, flexible, and monetisable solutions that industries like finance, healthcare, and public safety are increasingly relying on.

The evolution we have seen over the past year is setting the stage for a new wave of enterprise and consumer applications, with the promise of fundamentally reshaping the relationship between CSPs and developers in order to unlock the full potential of 5G connectivity.

Starting with the basics: Network APIs 101

A network API is no different from your typical API, which allows applications to communicate with one another. In this circumstance, one of those applications is the network.

Now you may be wondering how this is possible. Well, the cloud-native 5G networks of today are fundamentally software-based. Unlike previous networks, which depended more on hardware and were closed in nature, today’s networks are programmable through other software development tools and APIs. This means that developers can access deep functionality and data within the network effortlessly.

With the help of network APIs, networks and applications can converse and pass along information about their needs and status, which helps to optimise operations on both sides. For example, the network could alert a nearby autonomous vehicle where congestion will likely take place, allowing for immediate route changes to ensure optimal performance. On the flip slide, applications can also use data to ask the network for specialised capabilities, such as more uplink capacity or low-latency connectivity.

The role of network APIs in financial security

As digital transactions surge globally, financial institutions are constantly fighting a battle against cyber threats. Telecommunications networks, equipped with advanced network APIs, are uniquely positioned to bolster security in the financial sector. By integrating network data into financial anti-fraud systems, CSPs can enhance fraud detection and prevention at a scale and speed unattainable through traditional security protocols.

One of the key strengths of network APIs is their ability to offer real-time verification of user location and behavior. For instance, location APIs can detect if a user’s device is in a different location than expected, providing financial institutions with critical data for fraud prevention. If an individual attempts to make a transaction in one city while their device is in another, the API can flag this as suspicious, prompting additional security checks. This real-time intelligence is invaluable as fraud schemes become increasingly sophisticated.

Moreover, collaboration across industries is enhancing these anti-fraud efforts. Telecom operators possess vast amounts of data on user behaviour and device locations, which when integrated with financial transaction data, creates a more comprehensive security framework. Through partnerships and interoperable API frameworks, such as those promoted by initiatives like the GSMA Open Gateway, CSPs and financial institutions can work together to deliver more robust security solutions. These industry-wide collaborations enable CSPs to capitalise on their network intelligence, transforming it into valuable, marketable anti-fraud services.

Quality on demand: Ensuring connectivity for mission-critical applications

Beyond financial security, Quality on Demand (QoD) is another compelling application of network APIs, particularly for industries that depend on telecommunications for mission-critical operations. QoD allows CSPs to dynamically allocate network resources based on specific application requirements, ensuring optimal performance in situations where reliability, speed, and low latency are essential.

Healthcare and public safety are two sectors where QoD can have life-saving implications. In telemedicine, for example, QoD ensures that video consultations are seamless, with low latency and high bandwidth. This prevents disruptions that could jeopardise patient care.

Similarly, in public safety scenarios, QoD APIs can provide emergency responders with prioritised connectivity, allowing them to communicate effectively in congested areas during crises.

QoD applications are already in development, thanks to partnerships between CSPs and technology providers. For example, a trial is currently underway to test QoD APIs in scenarios such as remote drone operations, where consistent, high-quality connectivity is crucial. Through network slicing and real-time API-based adjustments, these projects demonstrate how CSPs can offer customised network quality for specific, high-stakes applications.

Network slicing, a key feature of 5G, allows CSPs to divide network resources into separate segments dedicated to particular use cases. By leveraging QoD APIs, CSPs can manage these network slices dynamically, tailoring resources to meet the demands of specific applications. This capability allows for unprecedented control over network quality, making it possible for CSPs to guarantee connectivity for critical operations without compromising overall network performance.

These are just a few examples of potential use cases. Network APIs can open up new innovations for industrial robots, real-time streaming of immersive video using multiple cameras, latency-sensitive applications like VR and cloud gaming, and much more.

Fostering a collaborative, network-powered ecosystem

Everyone can benefit from a network-powered ecosystem of digital innovation that is fostered by APIs. With unique network capabilities available at their fingertips, developers have the power to create innovative applications that can revolutionise the customer experience. Likewise, they can also enhance existing applications’ performance, like having high-definition video reliably transmitted from drones in any location to provide first responders’ situational awareness.

APIs offer CSPs a better ROI for their 5G infrastructure. Traditional communications services’ revenue growth can be limited by markets. As such, its critical CSPs develop new revenue streams to continue evolving. Simply charging developers for accessing the network APIs gives CSPs the ability to further monetise their networks.

As we move into 2025, network APIs are evolving from niche tools to essential catalysts that connect networks and applications to power digital transformation across industries like finance, healthcare, and QoD for mission-critical services.

(Photo by Frederik Lipfert)

See also: GSMA Open Gateway: Progress and challenges in telecoms APIs

Looking to revamp your digital transformation strategy? Learn more about Digital Transformation Week taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with IoT Tech Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, and other leading events.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: 5G, api, apis, connectivity, developers, development, mobile, network, Networks, nokia, Operators, telecoms


👇Follow more 👇
👉 bdphone.com
👉 ultraactivation.com
👉 trainingreferral.com
👉 shaplafood.com
👉 bangladeshi.help
👉 www.forexdhaka.com
👉 uncommunication.com
👉 ultra-sim.com
👉 forexdhaka.com
👉 ultrafxfund.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here