In this interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Anthony Bartolo, Chief Executive Officer of Aduna, shares his vision for transforming the telecom industry through the power of unified network APIs. With more than 30 years of experience in cloud communications and operational transformation, Anthony discusses how Aduna’s groundbreaking platform enables developers and businesses to leverage advanced telecom capabilities, such as fraud prevention and location intelligence, with ease. He highlights the opportunities and challenges in standardizing APIs across diverse telecom operators globally and explains how partnerships with key industry players are pivotal to unlocking the full potential of telecom networks. Anthony’s insights provide valuable lessons for small and medium-sized businesses looking to harness network APIs and digital transformation to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market.
Anthony Bartolo is the Chief Executive Officer of Aduna, a landmark venture between some of the world’s leading telecom operators and Ericsson, dedicated to enabling developers worldwide to accelerate innovation by leveraging networks to their full potential via common network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Aduna unites some of the world’s largest telecom operators and Ericsson to create a global network API platform. What inspired this unprecedented collaboration, and how do you envision it transforming the way developers and businesses innovate across networks?
Aduna was born out of the realization that while telecom networks have evolved to become more powerful and intelligent, much of this potential remains untapped. Developers have long faced a fragmented ecosystem where accessing advanced network capabilities requires engaging with hundreds of individual operators. This approach is not scalable and limits innovation.
Aduna is designed to change that. By uniting some of the world’s largest telco operators and Ericsson, we are creating a unified platform where developers and businesses can access advanced network capabilities through normalized, standardized APIs. Imagine enabling real-time fraud prevention, hyper-personalized video streaming, or location-based services with just a few lines of code, regardless of geographical boundaries or local network configurations.
Our vision is to transform networks into enablers of innovation. With Aduna, we foster a vibrant ecosystem where developers and businesses can seamlessly integrate these capabilities into their applications, unlocking new possibilities across industries. This collaborative effort is a step toward bridging the gap between what networks can do and what developers need to build for the future.
With your extensive experience leading operational transformations at Vonage, Bandwidth, Avaya, and Tata Communications, what unique challenges and opportunities have you identified in standardizing and scaling network APIs globally?
Standardizing and scaling network APIs globally comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The most significant challenge lies in standardizing APIs across multiple telecom operators with diverse architectures, regulatory environments, and operational processes. Each operator has its unique offerings, and harmonizing these into a singular framework that works globally is no small feat. This is where open initiatives like CAMARA play a vital role in setting industrywide standards.
On the opportunity side, the potential is immense. By creating a unified framework, we pave the way for developers to access the advanced capabilities that mobile networks have – at scale. This simplification allows businesses to innovate without being bogged down by the technical complexities of network integrations.
From my experience, another critical piece is creating trust and transparency within the ecosystem. Developers need intuitive tools, robust support, and confidence in the reliability and scalability of these APIs. At Aduna, we combine networking expertise with developer-friendly partnerships to address both sides of this equation. The ultimate opportunity here is to redefine how networks become integral to innovation across industries, from financial services to next-gen entertainment.
Aduna promises to make advanced network capabilities accessible to developers worldwide, enabling applications to work seamlessly across any network. Can you share specific examples or use cases where this approach could create significant value for small and medium-sized businesses?
Aduna’s unified platform opens advanced network capabilities that can significantly empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). For instance, fraud prevention is a pressing concern for many SMBs in industries like e-commerce and finance. By leveraging APIs such as SIM Swap or Number Verify, businesses can enhance their security and build customer trust by detecting unauthorized access attempts – in real time.
Another example is location intelligence. Imagine a local retailer using precise geolocation APIs to send hyper-targeted offers to nearby customers, boosting foot traffic during off-peak hours. Similarly, a food delivery service could optimize its logistics by integrating live location tracking for faster, more accurate deliveries.
Finally, SMBs in sectors like education or consulting could greatly benefit from quality-on-demand APIs. These APIs can enable smoother video conferencing experiences by dynamically allocating bandwidth, ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality calls even during peak network congestion.
With Aduna, SMBs can gain access to these powerful capabilities via an intuitive platform, allowing them to innovate without needing extensive technical resources. This democratization of network capabilities has the potential to level the playing field, empowering SMBs to compete with larger enterprises more effectively.
The telecom industry has invested trillions in infrastructure. How does Aduna plan to leverage these investments to foster a vibrant ecosystem of “builders and makers,” and what role do partnerships play in this vision?
The telecom industry’s immense infrastructure investments have laid the foundation for unparalleled network capabilities, from ultra-low latency to edge computing. However, these capabilities have remained largely untapped at scale. Aduna bridges the gap by transforming these advanced features into easily consumable APIs, accessible to developers worldwide.
Partnerships are central to this vision. By working with global telecom operators, hyperscalers, and developer partner platforms such as Google Cloud, Infobip, Sinch, and Vonage, we’re creating a seamless ecosystem where advanced network capabilities can integrate into real-world applications effortlessly. These partnerships ensure that the tools we provide are both usable and impactful, catering to developers’ diverse needs.
Our goal is to empower a community of “builders and makers” by removing technical and logistical barriers. With standards like CAMARA and an open, non-discriminatory platform, we provide the foundation for rapid innovation. Developers can focus on delivering new use cases, from dynamic video streaming to enhanced authentication, worldwide.
Ultimately, Aduna isn’t just leveraging existing infrastructure; we’re creating a multiplier effect. By unlocking the true potential of these networks, we foster an ecosystem where developers, businesses, and telecom operators can thrive together, driving unprecedented growth and innovation.
Finally, what advice would you offer to small and medium-sized businesses looking to harness the power of network APIs and digital transformation to stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace?
For SMBs, digital transformation can feel daunting, but it’s a necessity in today’s competitive landscape. My advice is threefold:
- Start small, think big: Identify one or two business processes that could benefit most from automation or enhanced connectivity. Whether it’s improving payment security with fraud prevention APIs or using location intelligence to provide better delivery tracking, small steps can have a big impact when done right.
- Leverage partnerships and platforms: SMBs may lack the internal resources of large enterprises, but platforms like Aduna make advanced capabilities accessible without requiring complex integrations. Partner with providers who offer easy-to-use tools and clear support systems.
- Focus on customer experience: Digital transformation isn’t just about technology; it’s about how you deliver value to your customers. Consider tools like quality-on-demand APIs to enhance interactions or create hyper-personalized experiences with data-driven insights.
The rapid pace of change can seem intimidating, but it also brings exciting opportunities. By staying curious, leveraging the right tools, and prioritizing your customers, SMBs can not only keep up but lead the way in innovation. Aduna is here to simplify this process and empower businesses of all sizes to thrive.
