OneAPI is a set of application programming interfaces supported by the GSM Association that exposes over the Internet. OneAPI, as defined by the telecom industry—led by GSMA and the Open Mobile Alliance —is a set of standardized and lightweight Web-friendly application programming interfaces for communications service providers to use to expose their networks. Building on OneAPI version 2.0 specifications, the current OneAPI specifications are at version 3 beta. Any mobile operator or service provider is able to implement and use OneAPI. OneAPI is intended to complement and not replace it, by providing access to network capabilities and information, regardless of operator.
OneAPI differs from Parlay X in that the network capabilities are exposed in a RESTful fashion, with JSON responses, to facilitate mash-ups with Web APIs. Also the number of functions has been reduced to keep things simple. Vodafone has sponsored and led the GSMA OneAPI project since its inception in 2008.
OneAPI v1.0
Payments - the ability to charge the user's bill for downloads and in-app micropayments. The API allows a direct charge, pending user authorization, or the ability to first reserve funds and then charge later. You may check the receipt of a particular transaction, and refund a user fully or partially for a previous transaction.
Location - locate one or more users to the requested accuracy. The operator will aim to respond as close to the requested accuracy as possible.
Messaging - the ability to send a SMS/MMS to a user, or a batch of users; and also the ability to have users send SMS or MMS to your Web application.
Device Capability Profile - determine the make/model of device and a link to its UA Prof description
Call control - set up and manage calls between two or more parties, including a Web IVR application and a user
User authorisation is handled via an OAuth flow. This makes OneAPI compatible with many Web services that support OAuth, and it ensures that users are in consent that their private info can be shared with web applications.
