Overview

Introduction to Wireless Network Services

Wireless Network Services are a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that application developers can use to manage the connectivity of M2M devices deployed on the Verizon Wireless network. You can use Wireless Network Services to integrate service provisioning and monitoring tasks with enterprise back-office systems. Some of the supported tasks include:

For a description of all Wireless Network Services, see the API Reference.

How Verizon ThingSpace Platform APIs Work

The Verizon ThingSpace Platform APIs use SOAP messages in XML format to communicate with your client application. SOAP is a communication protocol that is based on XML, so it can be used on any platform and with almost any programming language. The APIs are grouped into services, and each service is defined in a Web Services Description Language (WSDL) file. You must convert the WSDLs from XML into classes and methods in your preferred programming language. Most languages and development environments have conversion tools built-in or readily available.

After you have converted the WSDLs to your programming language (such as C# or Java), you will only work in that language. The services described in the WSDLs are converted to native-language proxies that you interact with, and there are standard libraries that convert objects in your language into XML messages and vice-versa, and other libraries that handle sending and receiving the XML messages.

Asynchronous Callbacks

For complex service requests that require significant processing time, such as provisioning service for a device or changing a service plan, the ThingSpace Platform replies first with a synchronous response that simply acknowledges the request and allows your application to continue processing. Later, the Callback Service can send an asynchronous callback message, reporting the results of the request. The Callback Service can also send messages for other asynchronous events, including some that are initiated by systems other than Wireless Network Services APIs. You must register for callback services to receive callback messages. For more information, see Callback Registration Service.