In the dynamic sphere of telecommunications, the dawn of 5G is heralding the possibility of exciting changes. One important change involves amplifying the prominence of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in the business and delivery models of Telcos. We’re not just talking a mere evolution – it holds the potential to form a full-scale revolution. Various Telco API initiatives are evolving rapidly, seeking to reinvent interactions between telcos, developers, third-party players, customers and even traditional competitors.

The Rise of APIs in 5G Telecommunications

5G network architecture, by its fundamental design, opens the door to an array of sophisticated API approaches. This carefully considered 5G API model presents an opportunity for telcos to monetise their network capabilities. Not just for 5G networks specifically, but 5G provides the playbook for more API-driven revenue / business / operations models across all network domains in future. While finding a commercial model that offers broad appeal to telcos and developers alike presents a challenge, SunVizion is providing key building blocks to its clients to experiment with in this new frontier.

SunVizion's Role in Shaping 5G API Models

Last year, Suntech affirmed its commitment to industry innovation by becoming a signatory to TM Forum's Open APIs. This strategic move is geared towards providing Communication Service Providers (CSPs) with a standardized, agile framework for service deployment. This decision is a testament to SunVizion's enduring dedication to revolutionizing the digital landscape of telecommunications and fostering industry advancement through modular approaches and strategic partnerships.

Commitment to TM Forum's Open APIs

Central to SunVizion's strategy is the objective of achieving cross-network, cross-domain, cross-operator, cross-vendor programmability. The future is all about developing APIs that cater to a range of sophistication levels, effectively addressing quality of service (QoS), resiliency, adaptability and security issues across fixed and mobile networks. In partnership, the combination of OSS vendors like SunVizion, combined with carriers and Network Equipment Providers (NEPs), now have an unrivalled opportunity to unlock a range of new network capabilities together.

And this is also where the fourth potential partner category comes in – Enterprise. APIs unlock the ability to create new offerings for carriers to take to market that extend beyond traditional telco products. These can include:

  • Location-based Services: Such as real-time navigation, geo-fencing, proximity marketing, or personalised recommendations based on a user's location.
  • Mobile Payments: Offering APIs that facilitate mobile payments, allows developers to integrate payment functionality like mobile banking, peer-to-peer payments, mobile wallets, or seamless in-app purchases.
  • Messaging and Communication: Such as chat applications, voice and video calling services, two-factor authentication, or notification systems embedded inside other solutions.
  • Programmatic Network Connectivity: That allow developers to programmatically manage and reconfigure network connectivity that supports smart home systems, remote monitoring, fleet management, IoT / sensor networks or many other solutions that rely on network connectivity.
  • Identity Verification: To build applications that require user verification services, such as online registration, age verification for age-restricted content or secure access to sensitive information.
  • Data Analytics: Enabling developers to build applications that leverage depersonalised telco data such as network performance, user behaviour, usage patterns, personalised services and insights platforms.
  • Customer Experience Enhancement: Developers can use these APIs to build their own platforms including customer service / self-service portals, or personalised / corporate experiences that integrate with telco systems.
  • What others can you envisage?

Envisioning Future API Applications

Beyond the benefits of the APIs themselves, SunVizion is championing investment in emerging technologies like intent-based, AI-driven orchestration and cloud tech to allow clients to offer simple or complex APIs as a service to their customers. SunVizion's whole OSS suite, including the inventory of physical / logical / virtual resources and service order management, can be seamlessly integrated onto any platform, from on-prem to cloud, to make API delivery more seamless.

Investing in Advanced Technologies for API Services

SunVizion remains committed to open and standardised API architectures and technologies that provide telcos with flexibility and modularity. In partnership with telcos, their customers and NEP partners, SunVizion is building the API platforms that will unlock the enormous potential of network APIs.