Korean telecom giants to jointly develop standard for Network Open API

Photo by MK DB

South Korea’s three major telecom companies announced on Wednesday that they will jointly develop and commercialize a standard for Network Open Application Programming Interface (API) by the end of this year.

The three major carriers are SK telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp.

A Network Open API is a function that converts various types of data, such as location information and subscriber details held by telecom companies, into a format that can be provided to partner companies, or third parties.

The companies noted that the latest cooperation will enable non-telecom companies to use the commercial networks of telecom companies to develop services and expand their business opportunities.

For example, the location information API can be used in a disaster situation to transmit real-time video captured by drones over a 5G network.

It can also be used to verify subscriber information, such as SIM card changes or roaming history, and to employ enhanced user authentication to reduce damage from financial crimes.

The carriers plan to jointly establish a standard with the Korea Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) this year and support interoperability among telecom operators.