A survey of 400 developers across key global markets by STL Partners highlights a significant disconnect between software developers and telecom network capabilities, with 55% not associating the term "network APIs" with telecom services. The survey reveals a need for better education regarding network APIs.
The findings indicate that while developers often link network APIs to the management of broader IT networks, they are increasingly recognising the potential of telecom APIs.
Amy Cameron, research director at STL Partners and author of the survey, stated, "Operators need to strike a fine balance between showcasing new capabilities and delivering familiar services to the developer community."
She emphasised that telecom operators should position their APIs as offering functionalities similar to existing APIs, allowing developers to manage network functions and control access to resources in a previously inaccessible domain.
Despite the familiarity gap, developers are aware of initiatives like GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA but require further education to fully grasp the advantages of telecom APIs. The survey shows a clear interest in the capabilities offered by telcos, particularly in accessing network performance information. More than half (54%) of respondents deemed this feature appealing, highlighting a demand for insights into latency and jitter.
Other notable findings from the survey include:
- Half of the developers expressed interest in understanding device status on the network.
- Approximately 44% saw value in specifying and guaranteeing network performance levels over a defined period.
The survey also reveals that developers primarily acquire APIs through cloud platforms, including major hyperscalers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. This trend extends to telecom APIs, with Microsoft emerging as a leader in overall customer experience for developers.
Cameron suggests that the telecom industry should ensure developers can access APIs through familiar channels, starting with cloud platforms. She believes this strategy could help lower adoption barriers and broaden telcos' reach beyond developers focused on communication to encompass the wider enterprise productivity, IT, and Internet of Things (IoT) markets.
The STL Partners survey underscores the necessity for telecom operators to enhance their engagement with developers, bridging the knowledge gap and demonstrating the value of network APIs to foster innovation in the telecom space.
