Nexmo boosts OTT quality with Telefonica deal

The lines between network operator and OTT communications provider blurred further this week as Telefónica O2 UK partnered with cloud-based messaging and voice software developer Nexmo. Nexmo writes the underlying APIs that power the likes of Viber, Line and Kakao Talk.

However, Nexmo also specialises in application-to-person (A2P) messaging, such as that used by airlines, travel sites like Airbnb, or banks and it is this element that is understood to be attractive to the carrier.

Under the partnership, Nexmo will become one of Telefónica’s top ten SMS partners, gaining enhanced quality of delivery for enterprise customers when delivering mission-critical messaging.

High-volume communication companies such as Alibaba, Airbnb, and Hailo send millions of messages per month using Nexmo APIs, the company said.

“In today’s complex mobile communications industry, it is critical that we partner with companies that provide next generation platforms that can meet the demanding requirements of the new generation of web-based global enterprises,” said Robert Franks, Managing Director of Commerce, Telefónica. “By working with Nexmo, we are now successfully serving the communication needs of international enterprise customers, thus enabling them to create a better user experience for their UK customers.”

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