The industry is undergoing a radical re-structuring – one that, if successful, will extend the reach of the telco into a variety of digital commercial ecosystems. Yet, from where we sit, many are not fully connecting the dots, which jeopardizes success and certainly limits opportunity.

APIs, digital services, NaaS, “modern ASRs”, SOA, and automation via intent are all aspects of the same shift. In some cases, an enabling technology is making new services and revenues possible. In others, it is potential revenue opportunities that are demanding technology and operational shifts. Either way, we must understand the inter-relationships and the money at stake if we, as an industry, are to prosper.

This report is the first in a series that looks at APIs, the services they enable, the ecosystems they both demand and create, and the operational rethinking that is required to get there. It covers the work of Mplify (formerly MEF), TM Forum, GSMA as well as the key principles underpinning the ultimate success of an API-based strategy.