For decades, communications networks were closed systems — powerful but limited to those who operated them. That approach made sense in a world where connectivity was predictable and innovation happened in silos. But today, the pace of change is relentless, and the best ideas often come from outside the walls of any one company.
That’s why AT&T is allowing access to select network elements and inviting developers to build their mobile applications with them. By making network capabilities available through business-grade APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), we’re transforming our network into a platform for innovation that meets the highest standards for reliability, security, and scalability. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about empowering developers to create the experiences customers need. For our business customers, this means unlocking new opportunities, delivering new & improved experiences, and for these initial APIs, reducing the operational costs of fraud prevention and resolution.
We are proud to announce a major step forward in our network evolution: through our partnership with Aduna, we’re launching the first standardized 5G Network APIs in the U.S. This collaboration unlocks interoperability, giving developers a single, trusted interface to build advanced applications at scale.
Removing Barriers for Developers
Enabling APIs on our network is about fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation of better customers experiences. By providing access to standardized, carrier-grade capabilities through Aduna, developers can now access verification from our network to build mobile app experiences across all three major U.S. carriers. This new approach eliminates the need for separate agreements or certifications with each carrier. Plus, the APIs are available through familiar marketplaces, so developers can experiment, iterate, and launch new solutions without the friction of fragmented systems.
How We Got Here
This journey didn’t happen overnight. It started with AT&T AAVS (Authentication & Verification Service), a set of APIs that allowed developers to securely verify user identities and detect fraud by tapping into AT&T’s network intelligence. With AAVS, financial services customers were able to authenticate users in real time, unlocking secure access to their experiences. This early step revealed the potential of network APIs, and as demand for better experiences grew, so did the need for more APIs and a smoother developer journey. While AAVS was powerful, it required separate agreements and lengthy certification processes. We knew we could do better for both developers and our customers.
Real-World Impact
To that end, we’ve launched the first set of APIs that developers have been requesting for some time, which they have leveraged to deliver enhanced experiences for customers of non-U.S. based carriers. APIs like Number Verification and SIM Swap help developers build safer apps, reduce fraud, and protect users from account takeovers. Various industries have already taken advantage of these enhanced login experiences to authenticate users, and the early adopters in the US have come from financial services and healthcare.
Where We’re Headed
With this launch, we’re just getting started. We are always looking for developers and customers to share with us how we can create better and more innovative experiences for them on our network.
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