Chilli bites: STL Partners’ take on the quarterly hot topics in telco – 2Q 2026
STL Partners’ analysts share their bite-sized expert opinions on the key topics in telecoms in the last quarter
Tag Archives: network APIs
Building a network API business: What does it take?
Many operators see network APIs as a significant long-term opportunity, but few have turned that interest into meaningful internal investment. This report explores how to build a network API business – from winning executive backing and shaping the first business case to designing an operating model that can support execution and scale.
MWC 2026: AI but with more realism than hype
AI was again at the centre of MWC. But now telcos are focused on what they can practically achieve with AI rather than on boosting investor perception. Satellites, 5G standalone, sovereignty, security and quantum are other themes we noted in Barcelona.
Weathering the 5G crosswinds at Ericsson analyst event 2025
Ericsson used its annual analyst event in Boston to outline the steps it is taking to strengthen its enterprise connectivity portfolio, set against the backdrop of a challenging financial period for the company. This report highlights four key themes that emerged from the event.
Mobile network API monetisation forecast 2024–2030: Can telcos make up for lost time?
In this forecast, we estimate the potential revenues for telecom operators from the commercialisation of mobile network APIs. We assess the opportunity across five API families, covering 22 individual APIs and 44 use cases.
How telcos can put their stamp on digital identity
With core connectivity revenue growth proving elusive, telcos are looking to increase efficiency while expanding their offerings and generating new revenue streams. This report scopes out the opportunities for telecom operators in supporting digital identification and authentication.
Mobile network APIs: Building successful commercial models
To successfully commercialise APIs, the telecom industry must reach new customers – application developers – and sell significantly different services than traditional voice and data. We outline how telcos can meet developers where they are and identify strategies for operators to maximise their share of value creation from API capabilities.
Mobile network APIs: The opportunity beyond anti-fraud in financial services
Telcos leading the development of mobile network APIs must set strategies now to scale the market beyond the first wave of customers and use cases. We explore three potential pathways for growth: courting new customers, creating new capabilities and a combination of both.
How well do telcos work together?
As telcos team up to expand into new markets, what are the key lessons from existing joint ventures?
Simplifying NaaS for easier enterprise consumption: Capturing the USD100bn opportunity
Enterprise demand for network-as-a-service should be the catalyst for telcos to embrace the platform mindset. This report acts as a practical guide for telecom operators looking to capture opportunities with new B2B NaaS services.
DTW24: Generative AI brings both hype and hope
DTW24 showed a telecoms industry ready to face reality and making quiet progress. This progress may not go far or fast enough to change the future of the industry, but either way AI will play a big role.
XR and the network edge: Luxury or necessity?
In this report we outline the extent to which XR applications will leverage the network edge. As XR matures within enterprise and begins to enter the consumer market, the telecoms industry is eager to discover whether it will leverage the network edge.
Network API monetisation forecast 2023–2030: Growth beyond anti-fraud
The telecoms industry is awash with talk of the revenue opportunity from network exposure. This report highlights the main findings from our recently released network API monetisation market forecast tool, focusing on the use cases and APIs which will generate long-term growth.
Gaming: A guide to levelling up
This playbook provides telcos with an understanding of the fundamentals of the gaming market and where they could fit into it. Following a thorough assessment of telco activities in this area, STL Partners presents four service types and roles that telcos can take, with detailed case studies and analysis to help operators choose their path in gaming.
MWC 2024: More than AI and APIs
STL Partners’ Research team present their observations from and analysis of the biggest mobile industry event of the year. There was a lot of buzz around AI and API but behind the tech jargon, we saw evidence that our industry continues to morph to become more open and customer-focused.
Telco to Techco: Six tenets for success
This report leverages findings from an extensive research programme conducted in EMEA, including interviews with eight different CSPs and a survey with 54 responses from CSPs across the region. The research explored the progress of telcos within EMEA as they adopt techco practices.
What do enterprises want from telcos?
Telcos are looking to expand their enterprise services and capture a larger share of the revenue opportunity. But to do this they must carefully consider where they are best placed to compete and how they can build on existing expertise and reputation.