CAMARA and Network APIs are changing the game for developers in telco integration

Developers working in the Telco space often find themselves entangled in a web of unique network APIs, each specific to a different telecom operator.

This patchwork of custom requests and responses turns integration into a complex puzzle, slowing development and making it nearly impossible to scale applications seamlessly across multiple networks.

But with the advent of Network APIs, these challenges are becoming a thing of the past.

CAMARA will solve API headaches

So, what exactly are Network APIs?

In essence, Network APIs serve as a gateway for developers to access and interact with Telco networks.

Vilim Duganic (Software Engineer at Infobip) notes that the unique requirements of each Telco often complicate integration, creating challenges for developers.

These APIs simplify how developers manage network connections and make use of the valuable data collected by Telco operators.

So, Network APIs enable developers to leverage data stored and collected by telecom operators, enhancing the functionality and user experience of their applications. They also improve how developers manage interactions between their applications and the network.

These APIs are developed by the Camara Project (an initiative led by the Linux Foundation in collaboration with GSMA) and, as Filip Cimermancic (Product Manager at Infobip) says, it brings together a global group of operators and other stakeholders dedicated to advancing Network APIs.

The project’s main goal is to ensure high-quality and standardized APIs across different markets. Best of all, Camara is completely open source and publicly available, promoting transparency and collaboration.

It sounds great, but let’s look at some use cases

Network APIs offer a range of powerful use cases:

1. Fraud Prevention: They help detect SIM swaps by tracking SIM card changes, and verify phone numbers to prevent fraudulent activities.
2. Enhanced Customer Verification: APIs enable secure two-factor authentication through SMS or voice and verify user identities with phone number data.
3. Improved User Experience: They support number portability, ensuring smooth transitions between telecom providers, and provide location-based services for tailored content and notifications.
4. Efficient Network Management: APIs optimize cloud and edge resource management and monitor network performance in real-time to maintain service quality.
5. Streamlined Payments: They facilitate carrier billing for easy purchases charged to phone bills and manage subscriptions, including activations and renewals.
6. Enhanced Messaging Services: APIs support Rich Communication Services (RCS) for richer messaging experiences and automate customer support with chatbots for instant assistance.

We also asked Filip and Vilim for an example of a network API in action. They pointed to the Itau Bank project, where Infobip teamed up with Vivo Brazil. By implementing the SIM Swap API, Itau Bank strengthened its fraud protection, using the API to monitor SIM card changes and thwart potentially costly SIM swap attacks.