Industry participants, including carriers, Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers, and consulting firms, discussed how open application programmable interfaces (APIs) will help reshape the telecom industry in the 5G era and explore the newest 5G-A applications at the Accelerating Open Gateway in the Era of 5G-Advanced and AI Summit held during MWC Shanghai. Dr. Philip Song, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Carrier Business Group, spoke at the summit about Huawei’s overall open API strategy and practices as well as how Open Gateway will be necessary for carriers to pursue experience-driven operations based on diverse 5G-A network capabilities in the mobile AI era.
A new era of mobile AI will begin in 2024 thanks to the commercial rollout of 5G-A and the rapid advancement of AI. Dr. Song predicts big developments for mobile terminals, content creation, and interaction styles in the near future. 5G-A networks are expected to provide diverse capabilities in response to these changes, and this diversity will inevitably force carriers to choose experience-oriented operations. 5G-A networks will be better equipped to meet this need by incorporating AI. In order to increase the intelligence of 5G-A networks and enable the provision of specialised capabilities on demand, the telecom foundation model has already been established.
Within an interoperable framework, Open Gateway defines unifying standards, billing modalities, and a single global ecosystem to enable operations driven by experience and based on a variety of network capabilities. Packages created based on user layers, service levels, and scenario segments can be made profitable by using user layers, third-party operations platforms, and carrier platforms. Open Gateway will develop into a new engine for operations focused on the 5G-A experience and encourage the emergence of new business models.
Huawei has released several open API apps in collaboration with carrier partners, and Open Gateway is rapidly evolving. The service appointment API for toC and toB mobile live-streaming is one instance of this. For live streamers, this service offers a guaranteed experience based on their specific needs. This offers carriers a chance to quicken unique operations. The New Calling API is another feature that insurance firms like. It streamlines loss assessment from two hours to just ten minutes by integrating HD video, interactive data, content sharing, and AR marking. For insurance firms, this results in significant cost reductions and revenue increases for carriers.
GSMA Open Gateway
In its capacity as GSMA Open Gateway’s channel partner, Huawei will keep funding network API R&D. Specifically, it will do this by investigating new services, quickening the development of established services like fixed wireless access (FWA), and enhancing O&M effectiveness to facilitate intelligent O&M, efficient network resource scheduling, and assured differentiated experience. Huawei will also collaborate with the CAMARA community to support international carriers in their ongoing planning and implementation of new service APIs.
Global mobile network operator interoperability is the goal of the GSMA Open Gateway, a GSM Association initiative. Through the use of standardised APIs, this programme enables developers to produce services and apps that function flawlessly on a variety of global mobile networks. The GSMA Open Gateway has the following important features:
Goals
- Interoperability: The main objective is to guarantee that apps and services may function across various networks without requiring unique integration for every mobile network operator.
- Standardisation: The project seeks to expedite the time to market for new services and streamline development by endorsing standardised APIs.
- Innovation: Promote innovation by giving developers the resources and tools they need to design fresh, cutting-edge services that take advantage of mobile network capabilities.
Important Elements
- APIs: To enable developers to access network services, the effort offers a set of standardised APIs. These APIs address things like messaging, location, identity, and billing.
- Developer Portal: A single, accessible location for tools, support, and documentation related to using the standard APIs for developers.
- Partnerships: Working together with significant MNOs and IT businesses to guarantee the standards’ widespread support and implementation.
Advantages
- For Developers: Less complicated and expensive development due to simplified access to mobile network capabilities.
- For MNOs: Potentially opening up new revenue sources due to the networks’ increased appeal to developers and service providers.
- For End Users: Improved apps and services that function flawlessly irrespective of the network provider used by the user.
Utilisation Examples
- Internet of Things (IoT): Facilitating seamless communication and operation of IoT devices across various mobile networks.
- Mobile identity: supplying safe, uniform techniques for identity verification and authentication amongst services.
- Mobile Payments: Making it simpler to integrate payment services that function with various mobile carriers.
Obstacles
- Adoption: Promoting MNOs and developers to widely use the standardised APIs.
- Security: Making certain that user data and privacy are protected by the APIs.
- Scalability: Keeping services scalable as they expand and gain traction around the world.
One important step in building a more cohesive and developer-friendly mobile ecosystem is the GSMA Open Gateway. It seeks to promote innovation and enhance the user experience throughout the mobile sector by putting a strong emphasis on standardisation and interoperability.
As he wrapped off his remarks, Dr. Song urged global industry participants to collaborate more and support the commercial use of open network capabilities. “Huawei is determined to help carriers build 5G-A networks that allow them to maximise AI to build new businesses, experiences, and a more intelligent world.”
Shanghai, China will host MWC Shanghai 2024 from June 26 to June 28. Huawei will display its most recent offerings at Hall N1 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) at booths E10 and E50.
5.5G will go on sale in 2024, although F5.5G which is identified by gigabit optical networks is currently in operation. The convergence of intelligence, cloud, and networks is expanding the range of user experiences and enabling the widespread usage of intelligent applications. HUAWEI delve into issues including maximising 5G’s performance in the 5.5G era, leveraging the potential to grow operator revenues, and accelerating the transition to an intelligent world alongside international operators, industry professionals, and opinion leaders.
