Global telecom operators, including America Movil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Vodafone, in collaboration with Ericsson, announced a new joint venture to unify and sell network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on a global scale. They assert that Network APIs provide an easy way to access, use, and pay for network capabilities. The venture will facilitate the implementation and access to common APIs from multiple telecom service providers, extending to a broader ecosystem of developer platforms, according to the joint statement on Thursday.
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Goals and Benefits of the New Venture
The newly formed company aims to democratise access to advanced network capabilities, which have traditionally been out of reach for developers. By standardising and integrating network APIs, the venture will streamline the process for developers, enabling them to build applications that function seamlessly across different networks worldwide. Key features of the initiative include global standardisation, ecosystem integration, and an open and collaborative approach.
Impact on Various Sectors
Reportedly, these APIs will unlock advanced network capabilities and enable developers to create new use cases across various sectors, including anti-fraud verification for financial transactions and the ability to check device status, allowing streaming providers to dynamically adjust video quality.
According to the official release, the newly formed company will provide network APIs to a broad ecosystem of developer platforms, including hyperscalers (HCPs), Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers, System Integrators (SIs), and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), based on existing industry-wide CAMARA APIs (an open-source project driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation).
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Key Partnerships and Collaborations
Vonage and Google Cloud will partner with the new company, providing access to their ecosystems and partners. Additional telecom operators are encouraged to join the new company. Telecom operator Three Sweden (Hi3G Access) is reportedly already in discussions.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Airtel said: "Today marks a defining moment as the industry comes together to form a unified platform that will allow more developers and businesses to utilise our networks and explore API opportunities through open gateway principles. This move will enhance network monetisation opportunities. Airtel is delighted to partner in this initiative that will help enable the telecom sector to drive growth and innovation across the ecosystem."
Also Read: Bharti Airtel Signs GSMA Open Gateway Initiative
Mathew Oommen, President of Reliance Jio, added: "We spearheaded the transformation of both mobile and fixed home broadband by delivering affordable, high-quality broadband to everyone across India. As we rapidly adopt an AI and API-driven technology ecosystem, collaborating with global leaders, Jio is thrilled to offer a suite of innovative and transformative APIs to enterprises and developers worldwide. Together, we are not just building networks; we are laying the foundation for a smarter, more connected, and inclusive world in the AI era."
Expected Timeline and Equity Distribution
The closing of the transaction is expected in early 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Upon closing, Ericsson will hold 50 percent of the equity in the venture, while the telecom providers will collectively hold the remaining 50 percent.
