AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon come together to bring first standardized 5G Network APIs to the U.S. leveraging Aduna

Rhea-AI Summary

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have partnered with Aduna to launch the first standardized 5G Network APIs in the United States. The initiative, set to roll out in 2025, will introduce Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs nationwide.

The collaboration aims to enhance security and fraud detection by providing carrier-grade, standardized network API capabilities. The Number Verification API will enable secure mobile number authentication through operator networks, while the SIM Swap API will protect against unauthorized SIM swap fraud.

This landmark venture, launched in September 2024, combines network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project. The initiative is expected to transform various sectors including financial services, e-commerce, and digital identity by enabling developers to create applications that work seamlessly across networks.

Positive

• First standardized 5G Network APIs launch in US market
• Unified platform reduces fragmentation and operational costs
• Enhanced security features for fraud prevention
• Cross-network compatibility increases market reach

Negative

• Implementation delayed until 2025
• Success dependent on widespread developer adoption
• initial API offerings (only Number Verification and SIM Swap)

Insights

Network Technology Analyst

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon's collaboration through Ericsson's Aduna venture represents a strategic shift in the telecom industry's approach to monetizing 5G infrastructure beyond connectivity. By standardizing Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs across carriers, Ericsson is positioning itself at the center of a potentially lucrative API economy while addressing critical security vulnerabilities in mobile authentication.

For Ericsson, this initiative diversifies revenue streams beyond traditional network equipment sales, which have faced margin pressure and cyclical demand. The company is effectively creating a new software-as-a-service layer that leverages its existing relationships with carriers while opening direct channels to enterprises and developers. This aligns with Ericsson's strategy to increase recurring revenue sources.

The business model likely involves revenue sharing between Ericsson and the carriers, with developers paying per API call or through subscription models. The addressable market is substantial - financial services alone lose $20 billion annually to SIM swap fraud, creating strong incentive for adoption.

From a competitive standpoint, this positions Ericsson ahead of Nokia and Samsung in the network API space. By establishing early leadership in standardization through the CAMARA framework, Ericsson creates potential lock-in effects that could be difficult for competitors to displace.

Implementation challenges remain significant, including:

• Ensuring consistent performance across different carrier networks
• Creating pricing models attractive to developers while delivering meaningful revenue
• Navigating complex regulatory requirements around authentication and identity verification

The timing is strategically important as the industry moves toward passwordless authentication standards like FIDO2, with these APIs potentially becoming critical infrastructure for digital identity verification. For investors, this represents Ericsson's evolution toward higher-margin software services that could meaningfully impact profitability as adoption scales over the next 2-3 years.

Security and Identity Management Expert

The standardized Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs represent a significant advancement in mobile security infrastructure, addressing two of the most exploited vulnerabilities in current authentication systems. By providing carrier-level verification capabilities through a unified interface, these APIs create a more resilient security layer that doesn't depend on vulnerable SMS channels.

The security architecture appears to leverage silent network authentication - verifying the device's network connection rather than sending codes - which eliminates interception risks inherent in SMS verification. This approach complements emerging FIDO2 passwordless standards rather than competing with them, potentially creating a multi-layered verification system combining "something you have" (the physical SIM) with other authentication factors.

However, several implementation challenges must be addressed:

• The APIs themselves could become high-value attack targets, requiring robust encryption, rate limiting, and anomaly detection
• Privacy considerations around what user data is accessible and how it's protected during verification processes
• Handling edge cases like legitimate SIM changes, account recovery scenarios, and international roaming

For financial institutions, which lost approximately $20 billion to account takeover fraud in 2024, these APIs offer substantial risk reduction. However, organizations must carefully manage the transition from existing authentication methods to avoid creating new security gaps during implementation.

The regulatory landscape adds complexity, as these APIs must navigate evolving requirements around strong customer authentication (SCA), eIDAS in Europe, and emerging digital identity frameworks in the US. The unified approach from major carriers could potentially influence these regulatory standards, particularly around what constitutes secure authentication for high-risk transactions.

Beyond immediate security benefits, these APIs lay foundation infrastructure for more sophisticated identity services, potentially enabling selective attribute verification without exposing full identity details - a key capability for privacy-preserving digital interactions.

• Aduna will introduce Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs for launch in the United States, transforming security, fraud detection, and user experiences for developers and enterprises.

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aduna, a landmark venture among some of the world's leading telecom operators and Ericsson, today announced venture partners AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are set to deliver the first advanced network Application Programming Interfaces (API) for Number Verification and SIM Swap in the United States.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the mobile ecosystem, uniting industry leaders to empower enterprises and developers with carrier-grade, standardized network API capabilities to build advanced applications and value-added services for enterprises.

For the first time, three of America's leading telecom operators are working together to support standardized, open network APIs including by driving interoperability, fostering industry-wide innovation and reshaping the global digital landscape.

This provides an unprecedented opportunity for developers and enterprises in the U.S., offering a trusted, carrier-grade solution for secure authentication, reducing fraud risks and reliance on costly, fragmented verification methods.

By unifying network capabilities across major U.S. telecom providers, this initiative will unlock new opportunities for innovation in financial services, e-commerce, digital identity and more.

Number Verification API, set to become available from Aduna nationwide in 2025, will redefine user authentication by securely verifying mobile numbers through operator networks, leveraging data from smartphones' network connections. By mitigating risks such as fraudulent SMS activities and streamlining verification processes, this API will enhance security and improve customer experience.

In addition, the SIM Swap network API, also set to become available from Aduna nationwide in 2025, will add a critical layer of protection against unauthorized SIM swaps, a common tactic for account takeover fraud. Together, these advanced APIs can strengthen security measures and set new standards for customer trust and safety.

"Aduna is thrilled to be able to provide developers with access to aggregated CAMARA network APIs from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon- the three major operators in the US-through our developer platform providers," said Anthony Bartolo, CEO of Aduna. "This pivotal moment for the mobile ecosystem demonstrates not only the importance of collaboration, but also the reality of global coverage capabilities. Our strategy of redefining connectivity is unlocking faster, carrier-backed authentication at scale."

"Operating in the modern era requires robust security and also widespread connectivity," said Yigal Elbaz, Sr. VP, Technology and Network CTO, AT&T. "This collaboration makes our network, along with all participating networks, into a platform that offers advanced capabilities, adding significant value for customers across the developer ecosystem. We believe in the power of connectivity and look forward to witnessing the innovations this collaboration will enable."

"At T-Mobile, we've long recognized the need for seamless, secure authentication - it's why we've already integrated network-based authentication into our own services, like T-Life, to better protect our customers and improve their experience," says Dan Thygesen, SVP T-Mobile Product, Partnerships & Growth and Head of Wholesale & Innovation. "Network APIs such as Number Verification can unlock new features and capabilities that benefit the user experience and protect sensitive data. We are looking forward to giving our partners and application developers the ability to implement the future of passwordless, device-based authentication and protect their information and assets."

"Verizon's advanced 5G network is the backbone of innovation, connecting enterprises, developers and consumers with cutting-edge solutions that drive growth and transformation. By leveraging these network APIs, we are unlocking new opportunities for businesses to enhance application capabilities, improve customer experiences and maximize the value of real-time connectivity. This is the future of enterprise innovation," said Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development at Verizon.

Launched in September 2024 with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon among its partners, Aduna is combining and selling network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project, driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation. Network APIs are at the center of a new era of opportunity for the telecom industry and easily accessible advanced network capabilities are empowering developers to create new use cases across multiple sectors.

The launch of network APIs strengthens U.S. leadership in the global API economy, setting the foundation for broader adoption worldwide. Aduna aims to catalyze innovation not only in the U.S. but also across global markets by unifying telecom capabilities and enabling developers to quickly and easily build applications that work seamlessly on any network, anywhere.

"With the launch of the Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs in 2025, Aduna is enabling a new era of connectivity-driven innovation," Bartolo continued. "By making advanced network capabilities more accessible, Aduna empowers developers and businesses to build smarter, more secure, and more efficient digital services. Together with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, we're setting the stage for global interoperability and driving industry-wide transformation."

To find out more about network APIs and Aduna, visit adunaglobal.com.

Notes to editors:

Media Contact:

Email: MediaRelations@adunaglobal.com

Tel: +46 10 719 69 92

About Aduna
Aduna is a landmark venture between some of the world's leading telecom operators and Ericsson, dedicated to enabling developers worldwide to accelerate innovation by leveraging networks to their full potential via common network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Its venture partners include: América Móvil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefonica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone. Aduna's developer partner platforms include Google Cloud, Infobip, Sinch and Vonage. By combining network APIs from multiple operators globally under a unified platform based on the CAMARA open-source project, driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation, Aduna provides a standardized platform to foster collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive industry growth.

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SOURCE Ericsson

FAQ

When will AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon launch the new 5G Network APIs in the US?

The Number Verification and SIM Swap APIs will become available nationwide through Aduna in 2025.

What security features will the new Network APIs provide?

The APIs will offer secure mobile number authentication and protection against unauthorized SIM swap fraud, enhancing overall security and customer trust.

How will these Network APIs benefit developers and enterprises?

Developers will gain access to carrier-grade, standardized API capabilities across major US networks, enabling seamless application development and enhanced security features.

Which sectors will be most impacted by these new Network APIs?

Financial services, e-commerce, and digital identity sectors will benefit most from enhanced security and streamlined verification processes.

What is the significance of the Aduna platform for Network APIs?

Aduna unifies network APIs from multiple operators globally under one platform, based on the CAMARA open-source project, enabling seamless cross-network functionality.