Ericsson Advocates Open APIs at D-15
At a gathering at D-15 Labs in Santa Clara yesterday, Ericsson called on tech leaders to embrace open APIs as the key to 5G innovation. The event brought companies such as Google, Meta, AT&T, and Verizon.
APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, make it easier for different systems to communicate
“Programmable networks are a key step in advancing 5G technology,” said Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Ericsson Business Area Networks.
Vonage CEO Niklas Heuveldop, who heads Ericsson's Global Communications Platform, noted that developers are increasingly interested in the intersection of AI, augmented reality, edge computing, and 5G.
“The job for us at Vonage, as well as other parties, is to make this very easy for developers,” he said.
APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, make it easier for different systems to communicate with each other. In telecom, standardized APIs let developers create apps that work across multiple networks without extra customization, saving time and cost. This is especially useful for 5G, where apps need to work smoothly across global networks for a consistent user experience.
At the partner and analyst day at D15, Ericsson promoted its open API and programmable network portfolio, pointing to an agreement signed in September 2023 with operators such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Vodafone.
The event also highlighted Ericsson’s alignment with the GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative—a global push to create standardized APIs that streamline development across networks, with support from operators like Singtel and Telefónica.
However, some companies, including Nokia, are still opting to develop independent API solutions, highlighting a split in the industry over whether a unified or individual approach will best meet the needs of developers and businesses.