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Communication APIs

Add powerful communications capabilities to your app from the only API platform with it’s own tier-1 carrier network.

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Carrier-direct voice + the most robust messaging API offering on the market

Build apps that send messages, make calls, and even save lives, without any clunky telecom infrastructure—all built on and powered by our own tier-1 carrier network (yep, even the phone numbers are ours!).

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Voice API

Embed flexible, scalable voice calling into your application with more accurate, 6-second billing, all backed by our global network.

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Messaging API

Bandwidth messaging APIs let you build SMS, MMS, and Toll-Free Texting into products and applications.

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Emergency Calling API

Embed more accurate public safety access directly into your app or software with our Emergency Calling API.

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WebRTC Calling API

Add in-browser calling without the need for clunky infrastructure, helping you connect easier.

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Authentication API

Multi-factor authentication that’s simple, secure, and ultra-customizable.

Communication APIs that deliver
real business value

Our carrier roots give customers meaningful benefits, like greater insight to messaging deliverability, higher quality calls, and a no-middleman pricing structure that saves you money.

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Get in front of SMS blocking and call quality

Get access to powerful insights and take action against quality-impacting issues with our carrier-exclusive connections.

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Direct-to-carrier pricing

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice scale on your API provider’s behalf thanks to phone number fees. By working with Bandwidth, you’re working with the API platform AND the carrier.

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Real human support is always included

You won’t have to pay extra to talk to a human if you need help—even if it’s in the middle of the night, during a hurricane, or on Christmas Eve.

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Unparalleled flexibility

Every single function of the Bandwidth platform, from ordering a phone number to making an emergency call, can be integrated into your application or software via API.

No other provider offered the same level of hands-on support or cost savings that Bandwidth has been able to deliver. Their flexible APIs made it simple for us to get up and running without missing a beat.

require 'bandwidth_messaging'
include BandwidthMessaging

messaging_client = BandwidthMessagingClient.new()
messaging_controller = messaging_client.client

body = MessageRequest.new
body.application_id = "123"
body.to = ["+18888888888", "+17777777777"]
body.from = "+19999999999"
body.text = "Greetings from Bandwidth!"
messaging_controller.create_message("456", body)

Bandwidth APIs and SDKs make it quick and easy to build powerful communication services. Learn more at our developer docs.

Give your developers access to powerful network capabilities

Bandwidth gives you access to carrier-grade features and a powerful network. Our APIs support whatever language you’ve built your software on, including PHP, Node.js, Ruby, C#, Java, and Python, allowing you to easily embed communications without having to start from scratch. Visit our Developer site to learn more.

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We’re ready for any kind of big idea

We’ve scaled our platform to accommodate tens of millions of messages in a single day, and with coverage and industry experience that spans the globe, we’ll help you build and scale your idea no matter what, or where, it takes you.

Ready to take the APIs for a spin?

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Frequently asked questions

What is a communication API?

Communication APIs are APIs that give businesses the ability to embed voice calling, text messaging and other communications functionality into a software application or product. From a developer standpoint, APIs are important because they allow capabilities of a specific program to be used interchangeably with another, meaning these programs are able to communicate.

Communication APIs are built for the communication space, and were brought on after the development and deployment of Communications-Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS), allowing enterprises to achieve seamless communications across a plethora of different channels. Built to serve as a type of liaison between an application and a database, Communication APIs help businesses leverage data securely and with ease.

What are different types of communication APIs?

There are many different types of APIs that can be integrated into software, even existing software, so businesses can adopt as many as they want with ease. Some of the most common types of communication APIs include:

  • SMS APIs
    • SMS APIs let businesses easily integrate SMS text functions into an application and offer a variety of features that allow customers to access emojis, pictures, audio, long message support, PIN codes, notifications and more.
  • MMS APIs
    • MMS APIs let businesses easily integrate MMS text functions into an application and offer customers the ability to send video or picture messages, and can even be used for group messaging.
  • Voice Calling APIs
    • Voice Calling APIs let businesses easily integrate voice functions into an application, including automated and controlled call routing, conference calling, call recording, text-to-speech and more.
  • REST APIs
    • REST APIs are utilized to send and receive phone calls and text messages, along with managing phone number operations.
  • Emergency Calling APIs
    • Emergency Calling APIs let businesses empower their users to contact emergency services how and where they want, giving them peace of mind and preparedness for when disaster strikes.

Why Are Businesses Adopting Communication APIs?

Communication APIs provide businesses with the cutting-edge platforms and programs needed to stay up to date in our vastly growing world of technology. CPaaS, in general, is quickly evolving into the enterprise space for businesses who want to take control of their communication platforms. Communication APIs are a cost-effective way of allowing extensive communications internally and externally, increasing productivity, efficiency, and collaboration, while keeping integration pains at a minimum.

Where Can I Get Communication APIs?

Finding APIs can be a small challenge, because not all APIs are created equal. Help from tools such as API directories are preferred, because they market APIs from the providers site, and help developers see which will be the best match for their system. If you are starting from scratch with building out your businesses APIs, you can find directories, like that of ProgrammableWeb, and choose which provider you think would best fit your needs. If you have a provider already, integrating new APIs will not be a challenge, just contact your current support team.

What do Consumers Need to Know About Communication APIs?

Communication APIs are moving businesses forward in markets they never thought possible. Due to APIs allowing computer programs to interchange capabilities and communicate with one another, businesses are able to grow like never before. Communication APIs are driving new waves of innovation and transforming business processes.

APIs became more popular and development took off after the release of the iPhone, and other smart devices soon followed. This meant that businesses needed to allow their end users the ability to easily access information and data through the applications, not just via the internet.

How is Bandwidth Involved with Communication APIs?

Bandwidth owns and operates largest directly-connected network in the world. On top of that network, we have built a full suite of communication APIs to fulfill the needs of all of our customers, large and small. Bandwidth provides services that enable voice, messaging, emergency services, and phone numbers to be seamlessly integrated to work for our customers. Our Communications APIs are used to meet a wide range of business needs. From developers integrating voice and messaging capabilities into applications to call centers finding ways to better manage their calling infrastructure, Bandwidth’s communication APIs can create solutions for you. Try them free and see for yourself.

Bandwidth has mastered communication software so that you can master what matters most to you. Our global network is built to scale, aiming to grow with you while you grow your business. Integrating voice calling, text messaging, and other communication features allows you to do more for your customers.

What are the Benefits of Bandwidth’s Communication APIs?

The Bandwidth API Platform makes using APIs even easier. Our fully-featured user interface lets anyone with web development skills create voice and messaging applications, and our platform includes a load of helpful how-to guides, sample code, and API help libraries to get you started.

Bandwidth makes it easy to get started with our APIs. Your own web developers can do the job, even if they know nothing about telecom. Incorporating voice and messaging is a lot like writing a web application. Plus, there’s no costly capital investment in hardware or specialized telecom equipment, so there’s no need to manage assets, patches, security, or anything else. You can leverage your telecom provider’s cloud hosting and hardware expertise.

Overall, your customers will love the convenience and personalization when you use automated messages to remind them about appointments or service updates. And when you integrate texting and voice calls, you will be free to focus more on customers and less on data entry, so you can increase your value gains and productivity at the same time.