Inconsistent policies, practices and requirements across multiple networks can make application development a costly and lengthy process.
Supported by a mediation platform, Alcatel-Lucent's Open API Service allows developers, content providers and advertisers to access multiple network capabilities through a single, published set of standards-based APIs. The APIs cover all development needs and enable consistent support policy evaluation and enforcement across all networks, according to company officials.
As a result, end users get new services, ACPs get their services and content to market faster, and network providers get new revenue streams
"Alcatel-Lucent's Open API Server portal brings developers and wireless carriers together in a mutually beneficial way that's also simple. We interface with developers on behalf of telcos to reduce the complexity and cost of sharing APIs in a secure way," blogged Alcatel-Lucent's Mark Hudson.
For service providers, this streamlined approach reduces the operational complexity associated with managing a large number of external developers by funneling all third party applications through a central, controlled, and secure environment. The initial release focuses on location-based service enablement featuring:
· Standards-based interfaces to the network, which ensure interoperability;
· Cache subscriber location capabilities, which guarantee scalability and performance;
· Carrier-grade geographic redundancy for data and services, which ensure performance and reliability; and more.
With this hosted service, service providers do not need to incur large capital and operational expenses dealing with multiple developers accessing their networks. Likewise, developers can devote their energies to application development rather than tearing down the barriers to reach multiple service providers. The Alcatel-Lucent Open API Service eliminates the complexity, lowers the expense, and reduces the risks so network providers can benefit from working with a larger partner ecosystem.
Alcatel-Lucent's new Open API Service is being sold primarily to application developers, which can use the service's Web-based portal at http://developer.openapiservice.com to access network enablers such as SMS, location and more. Alcatel-Lucent is working to make these network enablers available by partnering with various service providers, according to company officials.
