What is a Network API?

Network APIs are intended to facilitate the development of apps that communicate across global data networks. They achieve this by giving app developers access to network functions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for third parties to access at scale.

In this regard, network APIs are similar to other APIs: they are tools and functions that simplify advanced capabilities so that more developers can benefit from them.

Users expect seamless experiences with their apps and mobile services. Network APIs make it possible by standardizing, abstracting, and enabling communication between and over multiple global networks. Perhaps the best way to understand it is to explain the opposite outcome: Without the advent of network APIs, app developers and other software industry players hoping to take advantage of specific network capabilities, such as quality on demand, would have to make specific provisions for every network on which they planned to offer service. That would make it impossible for all but the largest software players to provide consistent network capability. It would also greatly diminish potential revenues that individual operators could realize from API-based services.

By contrast, network APIs provide the global access and abstraction needed for developers to take advantage of network features and data on demand — a key to the programmable networks that will power the next generation of mobile-using devices. This is a class that covers everything from communications tools to vehicles and healthcare technology (and beyond).

Benefits of Network APIs

There's a reason so many developers, carriers, and businesses are keen to participate in ongoing network API endeavors like CAMARA. As API networking technology evolves, it will open doors to exciting and highly capable new experiences that keep end users coming back — and allow networks of all sorts to communicate as needed without a hitch. A mature API network includes the following benefits.

Seamless communication across heterogeneous networks

Different architectures and networks come with wildly different rules and standards. Without strong measures to prevent it, severe fragmentation is bound to occur, creating communication difficulties that make it impossible for next-generation apps and services to work at the scope and scale their creators envision. Network APIs make global portability and adoption across industries far easier without forcing companies making apps to familiarize themselves with an endless array of network technologies, regional restrictions, and even coding languages.

Greater collaboration between businesses

Following the point above, projects like CAMARA make it possible for businesses, developers, telcos, device manufacturers, independent software vendors, and cloud/mobile network providers to collaborate in ways that are not currently feasible. In a less fragmented landscape, companies that are nominal competitors can work together to build experiences, products, and services that bring new buckets of revenue to the business and a high degree of stickability to the end users driving demand.

Abstracted data with more privacy for end users

There's a fine line between providing high-quality, targeted data that app developers can work with and providing too much personal info, which can violate user privacy and may run afoul of local regulations. Data such as location and user equipment is likewise difficult to standardize across multiple networks; every operator's means of storing it and making it available differs. A well-planned API network abstracts this level of access, enabling individual app creators to take advantage of the services they need without giving them or their creations a level of access that might be problematic.

Built-in security for a new generation of applications

Of course, user privacy isn't the only concern when bringing common communication to a global collection of networks (though it is a large one). On the other end, standards and commonalities allow network operators to enforce precise security measures despite the inherent complexity of making multiple channels speak to one another. This makes important needs like user authentication and fraud prevention faster to implement, easier to manage, and generally stronger than when a fragmented approach is taken.

A gold mine of revenue for networks, app developers, and enterprises/businesses

For carriers and operators, the ability to open all-new, standardized buckets of network-based services—monetizing API calls for services developers might otherwise shy away from due to technical limitations, for instance—is enticing enough to get multiple industry leaders onboard with projects like CAMARA. For developers, the simplicity, scale, and power of the tools open doors to promising innovations and monetizable experiences globally. For businesses on their digital transformation journey, the ability to bring new, advanced solutions to market quickly also has great appeal.

That's a high-level view — let's look at some specific use cases where network APIs can shine.

Network API use cases

Network APIs are still nascent in development, and there's a lot of room for potential use cases to emerge. At a high level, however, a few notable ideas come up repeatedly. Check out the following two tables, which spotlight some key network API use cases for developers/innovators and businesses/enterprises, followed by a few takes on services being actively developed for (and used by) early adopters.

For Developers/Innovators:

For Businesses/Enterprises:

Quality on Demand (QoD)

One of the most promising early capabilities of networking APIs is Quality on Demand (QoD), which enables app developers to enhance throughput and reduce latency and jitter — without needing to understand the complexities of each mobile network. Self-driving vehicles, remote system maintenance, and even remote medical procedures like surgery could leverage this technology.

However, while the long-term potential is immense, the path forward faces technical, regulatory, and commercial hurdles that may take years to navigate.

Net neutrality issues could emerge, especially in B2B2C use cases like gaming and social media sharing in the U.S. and other countries. Additionally, QoD APIs remain immature, and supporting services such as connectivity insights and slice-on-demand need further development to create comprehensive solutions. 

There are also considerations around evolving pricing models and customer willingness to pay, particularly with regard to committed SLAs from CSPs, which impact the near-term adoption and scaling of QoD across use cases. 

Despite these challenges, QoD remains a critical enabler of next-generation services, and its rapid evolution will shape how industries like gaming, automotive, and healthcare harness the power of real-time, high-performance connectivity.

Device identification, device location, and phone number verification 

Identifying a user's device and location is an important part of many fraud-fighting and verification measures. However, following through becomes more difficult when users check in from various global networks. Network APIs simplify the process of figuring out where a user is and what they're using, regardless of what network they happen to be on. Confirming users' phone numbers and other unique identifiers also becomes easier with standardized APIs in place.

Identity and consent management 

Consumer protections like the sweeping General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) make it more important than ever to achieve user consent, modify it as requested, and keep detailed logs of related communications. This complexity may scale over mobile data networks as with other use cases. API-backed solutions make it easy to access and keep relevant data despite the diverse technical requirements of different networks, keeping users safe and protecting a business from potential penalties.

One-Time Password (OTP) validation

Facilitating requests and offering validation for one-time passwords (OTPs) in a two-factor authentication (2FA) scheme is complex enough when the user's activity occurs over a single network. With the possibility of multiple networks, achieving a high degree of validation may be very difficult for an individual app developer. A strong API network makes it easier for developers to carry out these requests and allows operators to monetize each valid transaction that comes through appropriately.

What is a network API example?

An example of a network API is Vonage Number Verification API. This network API provides businesses with a powerful tool to confirm the authenticity of phone numbers in real-time, helping to reduce fraud and ensure the integrity of user data. 

By integrating this API, businesses can verify that phone numbers are valid, active, and assigned to the intended user before proceeding with transactions or communications. This improves customer trust, enhances security, and prevents fraudulent activities like SIM swaps or identity theft. With a seamless and efficient process, Vonage Number Verification API is an essential resource for businesses looking to secure and validate user interactions effectively.

A more advanced example is an API for 5G network slicing, such as those developed under the CAMARA project. These APIs enable developers to request specific "slices" of a mobile network tailored to their application's requirements, such as ultra-low latency for gaming or high bandwidth for streaming services. This allows app developers to optimize performance based on precise use cases.

How can a business be successful with network APIs?

To succeed with network APIs, businesses must prioritize scalability, security, and ease of use. It is critical to ensure the API can handle increasing demand as the business grows. A well-designed API should also be user-friendly, with clear documentation and developer tools that make integration seamless. Implementing strong security measures, such as authentication protocols and data encryption, helps protect user data and builds trust with customers. Comprehensive support and resources, like developer forums or detailed guides, can also improve the user experience.

Moreover, businesses should focus on creating a strong value proposition for their API, such as offering unique features or solving a specific problem in the market. A clear pricing strategy that aligns with customer needs, whether through usage-based pricing, subscriptions, or a freemium model, is essential to drive adoption and generate revenue. Businesses can foster long-term success and become leaders in their respective industries by engaging with developers, gathering feedback, and iterating on the API based on real-world use cases.

How can service providers get ready to expose network APIs? 8 steps to prepare

Service providers looking to expose network APIs should take several key steps to prepare for successful deployment:

1. Define clear use cases: Identify the specific business or technical needs that network APIs will address. These could include enhancing customer experience, enabling automation, or providing new services. Understanding the use cases will help prioritize which APIs to expose first.

2. Ensure network programmability: Service providers must invest in network infrastructure for programmability and flexibility. This may involve transitioning to software-defined networks (SDNs) or network function virtualization (NFV), facilitating better control and management of network resources via APIs.

3. Develop strong security protocols: Since network APIs will interact with critical infrastructure, it's essential to implement robust security measures. This includes secure authentication, encryption, and regular security audits to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.

4. Provide developer-friendly documentation: Make APIs easy for developers to use by offering comprehensive documentation, including API references, guides, code samples, and best practices. Clear, well-organized documentation can reduce development time and improve adoption rates.

5. Focus on scalability: Ensure the network APIs can handle growing traffic as demand increases. The infrastructure should scale efficiently, both in terms of performance and resources, to meet the needs of developers and users.

6. Test and validate the APIs: Before exposing the APIs to external users, thoroughly test them for performance, reliability, and scalability. Continuous testing and monitoring will ensure the APIs function as intended and help prevent issues post-deployment.

7. Adopt industry standards and interoperability: To ensure that your APIs are compatible with other systems, adhere to industry standards, and ensure interoperability with a wide range of devices and platforms.

8. Monitor and provide support: Once the network APIs are live, continuously monitor their performance and offer technical support to developers. This can include providing troubleshooting resources, responding to feedback, and rolling out updates or improvements as needed.

By following these steps, service providers can be well-prepared to expose network APIs and deliver value to developers, businesses, and customers.

How to monetize network APIs: 8 strategies for 2025

Monetizing network APIs can be a lucrative opportunity for service providers, generating revenue while providing value to developers and businesses. Here are some strategies to monetize network APIs:

1. Usage-based pricing: Charge based on the volume of API usage, such as the number of calls or data usage. This model is commonly used for services like cloud storage or data transfer, allowing customers to pay for exactly what they use. The pricing can be tiered, with higher volumes of usage offering discounts.

2. Subscription plans: Offer different subscription levels based on access to features, usage limits, or priority support. For example, a basic plan may include limited API calls, while premium plans can provide additional features like higher throughput, better performance, or access to more sophisticated APIs.

3. Freemium model: Provide free access to a basic version of the API with limited functionality or a low number of API calls, then offer paid versions with additional capabilities. This model encourages developers to try the service, and if they see the value, they can upgrade to a paid tier for more features.

4. Revenue sharing: If your API integrates with third-party platforms or services (e.g., mobile apps, content delivery networks, or cloud services), you can negotiate revenue-sharing agreements with partners. This could involve taking a percentage of customers' revenue using your API in conjunction with those services.

5. Data monetization: Network APIs often generate valuable data insights. By offering APIs that give businesses access to network analytics, usage statistics, or market data, you can monetize the information by selling it to interested parties, such as marketers, business intelligence companies, or research firms.

6. Premium support services: In addition to offering the API, you can monetize premium support services such as consulting, custom integration assistance, or access to a dedicated support team. This can appeal to larger enterprises that need specialized help with implementation.

7. API marketplaces: List your network APIs on API marketplaces like RapidAPI or AWS Marketplace, where businesses and developers can discover and purchase access to your APIs. Marketplaces help increase visibility and attract a broader audience of potential customers.

8. Partner ecosystem: Create partnerships with other companies in your ecosystem to bundle your network APIs with complementary products or services. For instance, telecom operators could bundle network API access with other enterprise solutions, making the API part of a larger offering.

By applying these monetization strategies, service providers can create sustainable revenue streams while enabling developers and businesses to access the tools they need to innovate and grow.

Expect much more from network APIs

These high-level concepts are driving groundbreaking innovations on the ground. For developers, early versions of network API technology are already enabling remarkable applications across worldwide connectivity, such as remote computer maintenance and extended reality (XR)-assisted surgeries.

The past decade has seen tremendous growth in mobile technology. With the introduction of advanced mobile hardware, there is an increasing need for access solutions that offer high network programmability while remaining easy for developers to use. While initiatives like CAMARA are still in their early stages, their influence is already significant, and their potential for transforming the industry is truly exciting.

Discover how network APIs can revolutionize your business. 

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