Rogers, Bell and TELUS are part of a pilot project called “OneAPI” (Open Network Enabler Application Programming Interfaces), this is backed by the GSMA and is great that Canada is at the forefront of this project. The basis of OneAPI is “to reduce the effort and time needed to create applications and content that is portable across mobile operators. The Canadian OneAPI Pilot provides a single gateway for Web application developers to be able to use the OneAPI with all 3 of the major Canadian Operators in a commercial pilot that is intended to run until July 2010. APIs for Messaging, Location and Payment are available”
Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA said “A common set of APIs will benefit the entire mobile industry by making it much more attractive for developers to create innovative applications and services by utilizing the capabilities and information provided by operators about their networks. Our OneAPI initiative will help eliminate fragmentation and aid the growth of the mobile applications ecosystem, resulting in a larger addressable market, encouraging innovation, enhancing the customer experience and creating new revenue opportunities for mobile operators and developers alike.”
Perhaps this will eventually lead all carriers towards their own application store
More here at GSMA
