Nokia Oyj announced a partnership with India’s Bharti Airtel that will make Airtel’s pan‑India 5G network available to third‑party developers and enterprises through Nokia’s Network‑as‑Code platform. The deal gives developers subscription‑based access to Airtel’s network functions, enabling new applications that combine AI, edge computing and 5G services.
The partnership is a significant expansion of Nokia’s Network‑as‑Code ecosystem, which already counts more than 60 partners and has been commercially available since December 2023. By adding one of the world’s largest mobile operators, Nokia opens a new revenue channel from API subscriptions and strengthens its position as a platform for network‑centric innovation. The move also positions Nokia to capture a share of the growing network‑as‑a‑service market in India, a key growth region for 5G and AI‑driven services.
Nokia’s recent financial performance provides context for the partnership’s importance. In the trailing twelve months ending September 30 2025, Nokia reported a rebound in revenue after a decline in 2024, and its Q3 2025 results included a revenue growth and an EPS beat. The company’s strategic realignment, announced in late 2025, will split Nokia into Network Infrastructure and Mobile Infrastructure segments effective January 1 2026 and aims for significant operating‑profit growth by 2028.
The API offering will expose Airtel’s network capabilities through developer‑friendly interfaces, allowing developers to programmatically control network functions such as bandwidth allocation, latency optimization and security policies. This aligns with industry initiatives like the GSMA Open Gateway and the Linux Foundation’s CAMARA project, which aim to standardize network APIs and unlock new revenue streams for operators.
Management comments underscore the strategic intent behind the deal. Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, said, “We are happy to partner with Nokia today for network APIs and enable the ecosystem to leverage our network capabilities for automation and building secure and innovative digital services.” Arvind Khurana, Head of Cloud and Network Services, India, Nokia, added, “Our partnership with Airtel represents a significant step in expanding the Network‑as‑Code ecosystem. It demonstrates our commitment to helping telecommunications providers monetise their network investments while fostering innovation in the developer community.”
The partnership fits squarely into Nokia’s broader AI‑infrastructure strategy. By monetising its network assets through APIs, Nokia can accelerate the adoption of AI and edge services across its customer base, while the partnership with Airtel provides a large, high‑density market to validate and scale the platform. The deal signals Nokia’s intent to deepen its presence in India and to position itself as a key enabler of next‑generation digital services.
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