The power of AT&T’s network is now in the hands of thousands of developers, offering them a range of production and experimental network APIs. This enables them to explore the benefits and test the technical performance of these APIs at scale. AT&T is working with API platform hosting providers and hyperscalers to bring these capabilities to the market.
During the recent Digital Transformation World (DTW) event, a compelling discussion took place between two notable figures: Stephanie Ormston, AVP, Digital Services Integration, AT&T, and Anshul Bhatt, Chief Product Officer at Rakuten Symphony’s OSS Business Unit. The conversation, moderated by Abe Nejad, Publisher of The Network Media Group, focused on the transformative power of network APIs and their potential to revolutionize the telecom landscape by bridging the gap between network operators and application developers.
Watch the full interview here
Application developers are attuned to customer needs and problems, allowing them to effectively tailor their applications to address those pain points successfully. However, they have traditionally lacked the insights and tools to optimize network conditions for their applications. Network APIs change this by allowing developers to customize and enhance application performance based on real-time network data to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
The conversation emphasized the importance of making network APIs accessible to a broader audience of developers. Drawing a parallel between network APIs and platforms like Netflix and YouTube that democratized content creation, it explored how AT&T's efforts to open up network capabilities allow developers from diverse backgrounds to innovate and deploy their solutions at scale. This approach is leading to innovations that we haven't seen for long in the industry.
"Network APIs have become the bridge between our knowledge as network operators and the ability for application developers to best serve their customers."
"Our approach separates products from the platform, with all products running on a common platform that is part of Rakuten but operate as a different business unit.”
The session also underscored the significance of collaboration across different sectors and markets. One of the highlights was the explosive interest in AT&T's Network API Accelerator program, which has seen over 100 developers exploring various use cases. This program aims to build proofs of value that demonstrate the practical benefits of network APIs in diverse industries, from video optimization to healthcare.
As the telecom industry continues to evolve, the role of network APIs in driving innovation and improving customer experiences cannot be overstated. These APIs are unlocking new possibilities for application developers and network operators alike, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. Rakuten Symphony is collaborating with leading businesses like AT&T on several such initiatives. Reach out to us to learn more about the growing relevance of network APIs and to explore innovative solutions.
