Network API monetisation forecast

Non-proprietary network APIs have emerged as a highly anticipated means for telcos to monetise their 5G investments by meeting as yet untapped B2B2X customer needs. This forecast estimates the size of the opportunity for telcos in the 2024–2030 period.

This dashboard presents the key findings of STL Partners’ demand forecast model for network APIs. Its purpose is to:

  • Assess the demand from 42 B2B2X use cases which can benefit from network APIs, unlocking new value for telecoms operators by giving developers access to their networks.
  • Identify the total value of this demand, attributed to 22 APIs and broken down into directly realisable revenue (both direct and indirect) and enablement value for edge computing and private networks.
  • Output results for the world as well as 33 individual countries and seven regions, per API, use case and industry vertical.

Updated network API forecast (2024 vs 2025): USD31.5bn by 2030

View accompanying spreadsheet

The value of network APIs will reach USD31.5 billion by 2030

High-level findings from the model indicate that:

  • The total value of network APIs market will grow from USD4 billion in 2023 to USD31.5 billion in 2030.
  • This value will be spread between realisable revenues through direct and indirect channels (where aggregators will take a margin) and enablement value to support operators’ edge computing or private network strategies.
  • Early value will be driven by the low-hanging fruit of the identity family of APIs, though growth in network performance APIs will drive longer term revenue and unlock enablement value.

Segments

The forecast details the opportunity in USD for: 

  • 22 network APIs grouped into five API families:
    • Device status
      • Connectivity status
      • Device management
      • IoT device wakeup
      • Roaming status
    • Edge
      • Edge workload mobility
      • Adaptive cloud usage
    • Identity
      • Number verify
      • SIM swap
      • Number recycle
      • KYC – Match and Fill-In
      • Universal login
    • Location
      • Hyper-precise location
      • Location retrieval
      • Location verification
      • Location geofencing
    • Network performance
      • Network performance information
      • Quality on demand
      • Slice configuration
  • 42 use cases grouped into ten categories:
  • Seven regions
    • East Asia & Pacific
    • Europe & Central Asia
    • Latin America & Caribbean
    • Middle East & North Africa
    • North America
    • South Asia
    • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • 33 individual countries
    • Australia
    • Belgium
    • Brazil
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Egypt
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Korea, Rep.
    • Malaysia
    • Netherlands
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Russian Federation
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Singapore
    • South Africa
    • Spain
    • Sweden
    • Thailand
    • Turkey
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • 16 industry verticals
    • Agriculture
    • Architecture, engineering and construction
    • Defence
    • Emergency services
    • Extractive industries
    • Financial
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Media and entertainment
    • Professional services
    • Retail
    • Tourism, hospitality and events
    • Transport
    • Utilities