Airtel, Nokia open up 5G network APIs for developers: New partnership aims to unlock next-gen digital services

Bharti Airtel and Nokia have announced a strategic partnership that opens the telecom operator’s nationwide 5G network capabilities to developers and enterprises for the first time, marking a significant shift in how India’s digital ecosystem will build and deploy next-generation applications.

The collaboration, unveiled through a joint release on Wednesday, brings Nokia’s Network as Code platform to Airtel’s pan-India network, allowing developers to plug into advanced network functions through simple APIs without grappling with the complexity of telecom architecture. Industry executives say the initiative could accelerate India’s push towards 5G-enabled innovation across sectors ranging from manufacturing and logistics to fintech, mobility and urban infrastructure.

What the partnership offers developers?

Under the agreement, Airtel will expose select network capabilities - including quality-on-demand, device location, slicing and edge-cloud features - through Nokia’s developer portal. Developers and enterprises will be able to subscribe to APIs and integrate them directly into their applications, enabling use cases such as real-time automation, ultra-low latency operations, immersive user experiences and secure enterprise workflows. The companies said the arrangement would allow start-ups, system integrators and corporate developers to build products faster while reducing dependency on telecom-specific expertise.

Trials successful; wider rollout to follow

Both companies carried out extensive trials ahead of the announcement to validate latency, reliability and API performance at scale. The rollout is now being expanded to a wider developer base, including integrators and enterprise tech teams looking to embed 5G capabilities into existing platforms. Airtel executives said this marks an important step in democratising access to advanced network functions and enabling developers to innovate “on top of the network”.

Airtel says partnership will drive ecosystem innovation

Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, said the collaboration reflects Airtel’s commitment to opening its network infrastructure to the broader technology community. “At Airtel, we are working to bring the ecosystem together for future-ready innovation. In line with this commitment, we are happy to partner with Nokia on network APIs and enable developers to leverage our capabilities for automation and secure, innovative digital services,” he said.

Nokia expands its global Network as Code footprint

For Nokia, the tie-up strengthens its global Network as Code programme, which aims to simplify how developers worldwide tap into telecom networks without deep technical knowledge. Arvind Khurana, Head of Cloud and Network Services, India, Nokia, said the Airtel partnership represents a key milestone. “It reinforces our commitment to help telecom operators monetise their network investments while supporting innovation across the developer community,” he said. Nokia said its Network as Code ecosystem has grown to more than 60 partners globally, including telecom providers, cloud companies, AI platforms, CPaaS providers and independent software vendors.

Why this matters for India’s digital future?

Industry analysts say opening up telecom network APIs is emerging as a major global trend as operators look for new revenue streams beyond consumer data plans. For India, where 5G adoption is rising and enterprise digitalisation is accelerating, such partnerships could unlock new business models - from automated factories and connected mobility solutions to hyper-local delivery systems, smart campuses and advanced security applications.