Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunications giant, is ramping up its international wholesale services with a focus on the emerging API (Application Programming Interface) ecosystem. The company’s Global Carrier division has introduced a suite of services known as Global Carrier Digital Services, providing wholesale customers with access to a range of APIs to enhance their own offerings.
Among the offerings are mobile identity APIs such as number verification and SIM swap detection, aimed at streamlining security and authentication processes. These APIs eliminate the need for manual two-factor authentication via SMS and help identify potential SIM swap attacks. Additionally, there’s a know-your-customer (KYC) API that links verified account details to customers’ international phone numbers.
Deutsche Telekom is also offering APIs for device location and status, developed in collaboration with the Linux and GSMA-backed CAMARA alliance. These APIs allow customers to track device locations and monitor roaming status, which can aid in providing targeted roaming services and combatting fraud.
Moreover, wholesale customers can leverage API-based workflow automation and DT’s communications platform as-a-service (CPaaS) to integrate voice, video, and messaging into their enterprise applications.
Bertold Frech, VP of international strategy, marketing, and steering at Deutsche Telekom Global Carrier, emphasized the importance of addressing customers’ resource challenges with tailored digital services. The company’s new portfolio aims to enable customers to launch services with minimal integration requirements into their existing IT systems.
DT’s initiative also underscores compliance with EU data protection and privacy standards, making the offerings suitable for regulated sectors like healthcare, public services, and telecommunications.
The telecom industry sees substantial potential in APIs, with projections valuing the market at $300 billion by 2030 according to GSMA and McKinsey. Deutsche Telekom has been proactive in this space, collaborating with Ericsson’s Vonage unit last year to launch the MagentaBusiness API portal for developers.
With its latest wholesale solutions rollout, Deutsche Telekom is demonstrating its commitment to capitalizing on API monetization opportunities and catering to diverse market needs within the evolving telecommunications landscape.
