Three Major Telecom Operators Collaborate on Network Open API... Expectation for Innovative Service Development

When Developing Apps, Each Carrier's Standards Had to be Met
Unified into One Standard with OpenAPI Adoption
Lower Development Barriers... "Creating New Services"

SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus announced on the 28th that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the joint establishment and commercialization of the domestic telecommunications sector's 'Network Open Application Programming Interface (API)' standard.

Officials from the three major telecommunications companies are discussing the standardization of network open application programming interfaces (APIs).

The three telecom companies have been providing APIs that allow developers and corporate customers to connect telecommunications networks with external applications for development, utilizing them to enhance their own services.

Data provided in the form of APIs has been used by service app developers to create innovative services and generate new business opportunities. However, since APIs were provided in different formats by each telecom company, there was inconvenience in having to conform to each company's standards.

Accordingly, the three telecom companies have embarked on jointly establishing a unified standard to lower the development entry barrier by providing APIs in a single format instead of separately by each company.

In particular, the global telecommunications industry has actively promoted collaboration among telecom companies through API technology research and standardization efforts such as CAMARA and Open Gateway. Through this, they plan to create an ecosystem that can easily interoperate with global services.

The three telecom companies recently agreed on the establishment of six network API standards through the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA). These include five APIs related to personal information and mobile financial security such as 'Number Verification' and 'SIM Swap,' which handle authentication based on the user's phone number, as well as 'QoD (Quality On Demand),' which enhances communication quality at the customer's desired time.

The Number Verification API is a technology that offers higher security and improved user convenience compared to the existing SMS OTP method, and together with the SIM Swap API, it is expected to be used to verify illegal use of mobile phones and prevent financial accidents.

Based on standardized APIs, the three telecom companies plan to increase interoperability among operators and expand new services such as enhanced security, considering global trends and service demand.

Ryu Tak-gi, Head of Infrastructure Technology at SK Telecom, said, "The network is evolving beyond simply providing connectivity to becoming a telco infrastructure that creates new services through AI and various information-based APIs," adding, "We will create a virtuous cycle that reduces external customers' development costs and accelerates service launch speed."

Lee Jong-sik, Director of KT Network Research Center, said, "Through this MOU, it will be possible to provide various services based on a common network API in domestic and international markets," and added, "We will promote technology development and standardization to globally support diverse customer requirements such as service quality, authentication, and security enhancement."

Lee Sang-heon, Head of NW Advanced Development at LG Uplus, said, "Through this cooperation among the three telecom companies, we have laid the groundwork for innovative services that can provide new value to customers," and added, "We will strive to make the three telecom companies a catalyst leading digital innovation growth."