Nokia has announced a strategic collaboration with Bharti Airtel to make the operator’s network capabilities accessible to third-party developers through Nokia’s Network as Code platform with developer portal. This partnership will give developers and enterprises access to Airtel’s extensive pan-India network assets, creating new monetization opportunities and enabling innovative digital solutions across multiple verticals.
With successful trials completed, Airtel will offer its network APIs on a subscription basis to an established ecosystem of developers, system integrators and enterprises via Nokia’s platform. This will allow developers to build advanced applications that tap into Airtel’s strengths in AI, 5G, edge computing and other next-generation technologies.
Network APIs are transforming how operators virtualize and expose parts of their networks, enabling developers to access tailored data and network features. This capability is set to play an important role in the evolution of telecom networks while opening new revenue streams for operators and partners.
Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, said the company is committed to unifying the ecosystem and driving future-ready innovation. He said Airtel’s partnership with Nokia will give developers the ability to leverage the operator’s network capabilities for automation and for building secure and advanced digital services.
Arvind Khurana, Head of Cloud and Network Services, India, Nokia, said the collaboration marks a major step in the expansion of the Network as Code ecosystem. He said the partnership reflects Nokia’s focus on enabling telecom operators to monetize their network investments while supporting innovation within the developer community.
Nokia’s Network as Code platform simplifies how developers access network capabilities. It bridges the gap between networks and application developers by offering standardized access to essential network functions without requiring knowledge of underlying technologies. The platform connects multiple API ecosystems and provides operators with broad exposure options, backed by multi-tier API security and streamlined access to network functionalities.
Nokia’s global Network as Code ecosystem has expanded to more than 60 partners, including telecom operators, AI and data center players, CPaaS providers, system integrators and independent software vendors across key verticals.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
