- Convergence is hot again
- APIs flew under the radar at MWC
- The MEF demo in the GSMA pavilion showcased work it did with Colt and Orange
MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA – Network APIs, which aren't getting as much attention this year have the potential to be just as transformative as AI, delivering richer applications, new business models and big new revenue streams.
If the potential of APIs is to be realized — and it seems to be on track — applications will be able to tap into network resources and network functions with the same ease and agility with which they now access compute, storage and cloud platforms and infrastructure.
The Linux Foundation's Camara Project, TM Forum Open Digital Architecture and GSMA Open Gateway are writing the software, while Ericsson-led Aduna aggregates the APIs to allow developers to access network resources from about 100 operators worldwide. Initial APIs are focused on security, providing authentication and fraud detection, with more to come.
Daniel Bar Lev, of the MEF, which has long been touting the importance of open APIs for the wireline network, spoke with us about the organization’s recent partnership with GSMA Open Gateway to enable the integration of the wireless and wireline networks.
“We partnered with GSMA to bring in the aspect of the fixed wireline support,” said Bar Lev. “You start with a wireless network, but then it has to go back to wireline somewhere.”
At MWC in one of the GSMA exhibit areas, the MEF showcased work it did with Colt and Orange. Both operators implemented MEF open standard APIs to show how a remote user can run video over a wireless network and provide quality on demand across the Colt infrastructure, explained Bar Lev.
“We've got over 160 service providers that have implemented or are implementing our APIs. Let's bring that community in, because then essentially, a player like Aduna can not only bring in and orchestrate the wireless infrastructure operators, but also the fixed wireline players.”
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