AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have come together to bring standardised 5G network APIs to the USA leveraging the Aduna joint venture.

Aduna will introduce number verification and SIM swap APIs for launch in the USA, transforming security, fraud detection and user experiences for developers and enterprises.

Aduna is a venture between telecom operators and Ericsson. Venture partners AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are set to deliver the first advanced network APIs for number verification and SIM swap in the USA.

This collaboration marks a milestone for the mobile ecosystem, empowering enterprises and developers with carrier-grade, standardised network API capabilities to build applications and value-added services for enterprises.

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

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

By unifying network capabilities across major US telecom providers, this initiative should unlock opportunities for innovation in financial services, ecommerce, digital identity and more.

“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 USA – 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.”

Number verification APIs, 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 should enhance security and improve customer experience.

“At T-Mobile, we’ve long recognised the need for seamless, secure authentication,” said Dan Thygesen, senior vice president at T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.com). “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. 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.”

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 unauthorised SIM swaps, a common tactic for account takeover fraud. Together, these APIs can strengthen security measures and set standards for customer trust and safety.

“By leveraging these network APIs, we are unlocking new opportunities for businesses to enhance application capabilities, improve customer experiences and maximise the value of real-time connectivity,” said Srini Kalapala, senior vice president at Verizon (www.verizon.com). “This is the future of enterprise innovation.”

Yigal Elbaz, senior vice president at AT&T (www.att.com), added: “Operating in the modern era requires robust security and also widespread connectivity. 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.”

Launched in September 2024 (www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2024/9/global-telecom-leaders-join-forces-to-redefine-the-industry-with-network-apis), 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 centre 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 the US position in the global API economy, setting the foundation for broader adoption worldwide. Aduna aims to catalyse innovation not only in the USA but also across global markets by unifying telecom capabilities and enabling developers to build quickly and easily 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,” said Bartolo. “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.”

Aduna (adunaglobal.com) is dedicated to enabling developers worldwide to accelerate innovation by leveraging networks to their potential via common network 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.

• Malaysia’s CelcomDigi (www.celcomdigi.com) mobile network operator has become an Aduna network partner to expand network capabilities and accelerate access to global network APIs.