What's the Story? The trouble with telco APIs

In this podcast, the Light Reading editors discuss why some telcos are convinced that network APIs will unlock new revenue streams.

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Kelsey Ziser, Phil Harveyand 2 more

November 6, 2024

At a Glance

  • Why are telcos convinced that APIs will unlock new revenue streams? (01:10)
  • GSMA's Open Gateway framework for APIs (04:28)
  • Who will emerge as the gatekeepers of API marketplaces? (20:30)

Enthusiasm for the business case for network APIs is growing, and research group Omdia forecasts a $9 billion opportunity for APIs. However, split across the global telecom market, $9 billion is but a drop in the bucket. 

On this podcast, the Light Reading editors discuss why some telcos are convinced that network APIs (application programming interfaces) will unlock new revenue streams. However, revenue projections aren't supporting the notion that APIs will be game changers in terms of return on investment, explains Iain Morris. 

Despite mixed feelings on the staying power of APIs, initiatives focused on developing more structure, standards and industry buy-in are emerging. The GSMA, for example, launched its Open Gateway initiative as a "framework of common network APIs designed to provide universal access to operator networks for developers."

"There are 63 group operators that represent 271 networks – that's coverage of about three-quarters of the global mobile connections – that have agreed that they're on board with Open Gateway and the APIs participating in it," explains Phil Harvey. 

For a lightly edited transcript, please click the caption button in the video toolbar. 

Here are a few topics we cover:

  • Why are telcos convinced that APIs will unlock new revenue streams? (01:10)

  • GSMA's Open Gateway framework for APIs (04:28)

  • Will efforts to develop standards for network APIs slow deployment of the technology? (09:18)

  • Who will emerge as the gatekeepers of API marketplaces? (20:30)

  • Some operators are concerned about investing in APIs as a "fledgling market" (25:45)

Related links: 

About the Authors

Kelsey Ziser

Senior Editor, Light Reading

Kelsey is a senior editor at Light Reading, co-host of the Light Reading podcast, and host of the "What's the story?" podcast.

Her interest in the telecom world started with a PR position at Connect2 Communications, which led to a communications role at the FREEDM Systems Center, a smart grid research lab at N.C. State University. There, she orchestrated their webinar program across college campuses and covered research projects such as the center's smart solid-state transformer.

Kelsey enjoys reading four (or 12) books at once, watching movies about space travel, crafting and (hoarding) houseplants.

Kelsey is based in Raleigh, N.C.

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

Mike Dano

Editorial Director, 5G & Mobile Strategies, Light Reading

Mike Dano is Light Reading's Editorial Director, 5G & Mobile Strategies. Mike can be reached at [email protected], @mikeddano or on LinkedIn.

Based in Denver, Mike has covered the wireless industry as a journalist for almost two decades, first at RCR Wireless News and then at FierceWireless and recalls once writing a story about the transition from black and white to color screens on cell phones.

Iain Morris

International Editor, Light Reading

Iain Morris joined Light Reading as News Editor at the start of 2015 -- and we mean, right at the start. His friends and family were still singing Auld Lang Syne as Iain started sourcing New Year's Eve UK mobile network congestion statistics. Prior to boosting Light Reading's UK-based editorial team numbers (he is based in London, south of the river), Iain was a successful freelance writer and editor who had been covering the telecoms sector for the past 15 years. His work has appeared in publications including The Economist (classy!) and The Observer, besides a variety of trade and business journals. He was previously the lead telecoms analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit, and before that worked as a features editor at Telecommunications magazine. Iain started out in telecoms as an editor at consulting and market-research company Analysys (now Analysys Mason).

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