'Mobile Network APIs: Enabling Web Services, operator app stores and developer communities' Market Study by Informa Telecoms and Media: published September 2009

Download your extract from Mobile Network APIs here.

"After the failure of walled gardens operators are now realizing they will have to adopt an open culture in order to compete against Web based application and content providers. By doing so, operators can take advantage of developers to create innovative new services that target different market segments and create new high-margin revenue opportunities. Network APIs are the first step towards embracing an open culture, engaging with developers and third party application and content providers while becoming competitive in the cutting edge market of mobile data services. "

Although competing with the likes of Apple, Blackberry, Google and Skype, mobile operators now have the unique opportunity of opening APIs and creating new value around their existing networks by introducing third party services.

This report provides a detailed evaluation of open network APIs and how operators can utilise them to successfully extract additional value from their existing networks. The report includes a uniquely comprehensive and detailed analysis at the revenue opportunities and key trends in open network APIs and the challenges that are facing operators in implementing them.

Key Topics:

Operators will understand the business and technical implications of open APIs and how this will affect their current and future business.
Operators can make fully informed decisions about their API strategy and assess whether developer communities can help them address the long tail of consumer applications.
Infrastructure vendors will be able to understand operator requirements and how to form their product roadmaps to address operator needs.
Companies across the value chain will be able to assess the implications of mobile network APIs and how these will impact service delivery in mobile networks
Valuable insight in early adopter strategies, in the form of operator and vendor case studies.
Companies across the value chain will be able to assess the differences in vendor tactics and strategies and outline which vendor group has the best opportunities to survive in this competitive market
Unique forward thinking analysis which outlines future open API usage, allowing operators to provide value added services and break free from the "dump-pipe" paradigm.

This report will give you:

Unique insight into open API strategies and technologies
Detailed and independent assessment of Tier 1 operators and vendors� strategies
Extensive study and strategic analysis of attempts to address the long tail of consumer segments and previously unreachable market segments
In-depth analysis and expert future outlook

Key questions answered in this report:

What is the state of the market and why are network APIs attracting operator interest?
How have vendor App stores affected the market?
Which operators have deployed APIs and what are the primary reasons?
What are the challenges in implementing open APIs?
Where is the value for implementing network APIs and what are the possible paths for monetising them?
How do operators take advantage of developer communities?
Have certain operators chosen to develop services themselves (or through outsourcing partners) instead of opening up their networks?
Will vendor App Stores help operators to migrate to more open networks? Or will it make things worse?
Can operator charges for access to their APIs hindering developer commitment and interest?
Will NGMNs affect the uptake of open APIs?
Is IMS expected to have a play in allowing operators to provide open APIs?
Can IMS be customised/scaled down to allow for open APIs in current mobile networks?

About the Authors:

Malik Kamal-Saadi , Analyst

Dr Malik Kamal-Saadi is a Principal Analyst at informa Telecoms & Media.

Within his role, Malik acts as a Thought Leader across different sectors of the global telecommunications industry including Devices, Networks & Infrastructure, and Multimedia Services. He has planned, authored and co-authored many Informa Telecoms & Media series of reports including Future Mobile Handsets, Mobile Applications Platforms & Operating Systems, Mobile Broadband Networks, Mobile Access at Home, Mobile VoIP, Open Source in Mobile, IP Multimedia Systems (IMS), Mobile Converged Devices, Mobile Computing Devices, and Metropolitan Area Networks and Switching Technologies. He has also contributed in planning the content of many of Informa events and workshops and was involved in the Telecoms Academy�s Mini MBA program.

Malik is a frequent speaker at international conferences on mobile telecommunications. He has over 13 years experience in the telecommunications industry as a technology expert and analyst following different technologies from inception to maturity. He has also played a key role in a number of European and Government projects. Malik has a PhD degree from Groupe d'Etude des Semiconducteurs (GES, France), specialising in Semiconductor Devices and Materials, Design and Engineering.

Dimitris Mavrakis, Analyst

Dimitris Mavrakis is the primary author of the Network APIs report and a Senior Analyst with Informa Telecoms & Media. His research areas include core and radio access networks, network convergence and next generation networks. Dimitris is an author of several Informa reports including WiMAX Broadband Convergence, Mobile Broadband Access at Home, and IMS Opportunities and Challenges. He has also been the leading consultant for many projects on behalf of market leaders in the mobile market value chain.

Dimitris holds a PhD in Mobile Communications.