Telecom Innovation Accelerates as Nokia and Airtel Bring API-Driven Network Access to Enterprises and Developers

(IN BRIEF) Nokia and Bharti Airtel have announced a partnership that will make Airtel’s pan-India network resources accessible to the developer community through Nokia’s Network as Code platform. Airtel’s network APIs will be offered on subscription, enabling enterprises and developers to build new applications leveraging 5G, AI, edge computing and other network-enabled capabilities. Executives from both companies said the collaboration will stimulate innovation, allowing operators to monetize network assets while giving developers standardized access to network functions. Nokia’s Network as Code ecosystem now includes more than 60 global partners, highlighting growing adoption of programmable network services across industries.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 4-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia has formed a new strategic collaboration with Bharti Airtel that will allow developers and enterprises across India to directly tap into Airtel’s nationwide network capabilities via Nokia’s Network as Code platform and developer portal. The move opens the door to large-scale API-enabled development, giving third-party builders the ability to integrate network functions into applications and create new commercial services using Airtel’s infrastructure.

As part of the partnership, Airtel’s network APIs — tested and validated through earlier trials — will soon be offered on a subscription basis, giving system integrators, enterprises, and developers access to network features that can power advanced digital services. This includes the potential to create solutions built on 5G connectivity, AI-driven operations, low-latency edge compute, network insights, and additional capabilities that were previously only accessible at the operator level.

Network APIs are increasingly reshaping how telecom assets can be consumed, enabling operators to expose specific network functions virtually rather than through hardware-led integration. For developers, this means quicker time-to-market, deeper programmability, and opportunities to build applications that bridge telecom networks with cloud-native innovation. For operators, it unlocks new revenue pathways in an era when application integration is accelerating across industries.

Speaking about the collaboration, Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, said the partnership underscores Airtel’s focus on enabling innovation beyond traditional telecom services:
“Airtel is committed to building a collaborative ecosystem where developers can innovate using our network capabilities. Partnering with Nokia to make network APIs more accessible will support automation, secure service creation and the development of the next generation of digital experiences.”

Arvind Khurana, Head of Cloud and Network Services, India at Nokia, highlighted that opening networks through APIs is a natural next step for operators globally:
“This partnership marks a key milestone in expanding the Network as Code ecosystem. By exposing network assets through scalable APIs, operators like Airtel can drive value from infrastructure investments while empowering developers to build new use cases on top of the network.”

Nokia’s Network as Code platform acts as an intermediary layer between application developers and telecom networks, giving standardized access to network capabilities without requiring knowledge of complex telecom protocols. It integrates multiple API ecosystems and incorporates multi-layer security to ensure safe access and scalable implementation.

The platform’s ecosystem has now grown to more than 60 partners worldwide, including telecom providers, cloud and AI companies, CPaaS platforms, ISVs, and technology integrators — signaling the rapid global momentum behind network exposure and programmable services.

Multimedia, technical information, and related news

Web Page: Network as Code use cases

Web Page: Network as Code developer portal

Web Page: GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon featuring Network as Code

Videos: Network as Code YouTube channel

About Nokia

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile, and transport networks, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

About Bharti Airtel

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 600 million customers in 15 countries across India and Africa. The company also has its presence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through its associate entities. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high-speed 4G/5G mobile, Wi-Fi (FTTH+ FWA) that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, video streaming services, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, and cloud-based communication. Airtel’s digital arm – Xtelify, empowers telcos globally to leverage the power of AI, data and technology to accelerate their digital transformation and drive growth. Xtelify also offers Airtel Cloud in India enabling enterprises with a sovereign, telco-grade cloud platform that guarantees secure migration, effortless scaling, lower costs and no vendor lock-ins. Within its diversified portfolio, Airtel also offers passive infrastructure services through its subsidiary Indus Tower Ltd. For more details, visit www.airtel.com

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SOURCE: Nokia