Telstra, working with its 5G Future Forum (5GFF) peers and Amazon Web Services (AWS), released a whitepaper introducing a new approach for using a Bi-Directional API model to enable developers to go to market faster with more innovative and resilient applications.
The whitepaper, "Bi-Directional APIs: Advancing MEC", is a joint effort involving 5GFF members Telstra, Verizon, Vodafone, Rogers, America Movil, KT and Bell Canada, in collaboration with AWS.
The paper explores a potential pathway for cooperation between Telecommunication Service Providers (TSPs) and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) in advancing Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC).
It aims to propel the industry forward through the use of Bi-Directional APIs to facilitate information sharing between cloud computing services and the network. These APIs operate behind the developer-facing APIs offered by Cloud and Telecommunications Service Providers, such as the GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA Service APIs.
By seamlessly integrating network and cloud compute resources, the proposed Bi-Directional API model not only enable consistency, but faster times to market globally - essential for building technology of the future.
"We need to work together to address the real-world challenges that our customers and developers face, to fully harness the incredible possibilities that Multi-Access Edge Computing enables us as an industry," said Channa Seneviratne, Telstra Executive for Technology Development and Innovation.
"To bring an application to life today, the developer has to go back and forth between Cloud and Telecommunications Service Providers to enable Multi-Access Edge Computing and connectivity, often navigating challenges along the way. The Bi-Directional API model presents a way to streamline this process by allowing the developer to Bi-Directional APIs to manage the subsequent exchange of information between each other so that the application can run smoothly and efficiently.
"By gaining industry support for this shared API model we can simplify the development process dramatically and enable developers to rapidly build and innovate amazing technology & solutions - everything from Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV), to enhanced Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications, and the future developments of Augmented, Virtual and Extended Reality applications in gaming and retail," said Mr Seneviratne.
The whitepaper also advocates for the standardisation of some APIs, a step forward that would foster innovation across the diverse landscape of thousands of telecom operators and numerous hyperscalers.
"Our ambition is to highlight the potential benefits of standardised Bi-Directional APIs to build innovative solutions and enhance the customer experience in the MEC landscape," said Jeremy Giese, Verizon Vice President, Strategic Partnership & Industry Development.
"5GFF aims to raise awareness, gather constructive feedback, and generate momentum towards the formation of a working group under standard development organizations (SDOs) to formalize the specifications for these APIs. Ultimately 5GFF wants to move the needle toward greater collaboration between operators and hyperscalers in the future."
The release of the "Bi-Directional APIs: Advancing MEC" whitepaper marks a first step in the collective effort to enhance and expand the capabilities of Multi-Access Edge Computing.
