Strategic Foresight - Insights in Business and Technology

Both T-Mobile and Telstra are having a crack at turning their 5G networks into programmable platforms by using standardised APIs. But their approaches are a bit different when it comes to what they're aiming for, how they're going about it, and how they're getting it done. T-Mobile's DevEdge platform, which is all hooked up with GSMA Open Gateway , is really pushing a big, broad API ecosystem for both everyday punters and big businesses, chucking in a mix of Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) APIs. On the flip side, Telstra's gone through its Muru-D Labs and Nokia's Network as Code platform, mainly focusing on OSS APIs for enterprise use cases. This lines up nicely with their Connected Future 30 strategy and the Aduna joint venture . Below, we'll compare these different ways of doing things, suss out the good bits and the not-so-good bits, see who else is using Nokia's platform, and highlight the differences in the...

Telstra's decision to strongly back Aduna over directly relying on Hyperscalers or CPaaS providers for its core Network as a Platform (NaaP) strategy, especially for exposing 5G APIs, is driven by a combination of strategic, technical, and financial considerations. While the open-source nature and global telco backing are significant, other aspects play a crucial role. Here are the key considerations, in order of likely importance: Strategic Control & Network Intelligence: Avoiding Commoditisation: Telstra, like other major telcos, wants to avoid becoming a "dumb pipe" provider. 1 Relying solely on Hyperscalers to expose their network capabilities would mean Hyperscalers control the developer relationship, the pricing, and effectively own the "intelligent layer" of the network. Telstra would lose control over its most valuable asset – its network's unique capabilities and data. Owning the Value Chain: Aduna allows Telstra to participate directly ...