Nokia announced on Wednesday the acquisition of Rapid's technology assets, including the world's largest application programming interface (API), hub along with its R&D team. This move builds on Nokia's strategy to lead and expand the Network API ecosystem to utilise 5G and 4G network capabilities and monetise network assets.
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Vision to Monetise 5G and 4G Network Capabilities
Nokia is expanding its network API product roadmap and strengthening its position in the network API ecosystem to enable telecom operators, system integrators, software vendors, and hyperscalers to capitalise on 5G and 4G networks.
After investing massively in 5G, operators are using Network APIs to monetise their network assets and core capabilities by exposing their network functions in a standardised way to developers so they can build and sell new consumer, enterprise, and industrial applications, Nokia said.
Integration of Technology with Nokia's Platform
Nokia says the integration of Rapid's API technology with its Network as Code platform with the developer portal will enable operators to integrate their networks, actively control API usage and exposure, and enhance API lifecycle management.
Since launching its Network as Code platform in September 2023, Nokia has secured 27 partners, including major names like BT, DISH, Google Cloud, Infobip, Orange, Telefonica, and Telecom Argentina.
Nokia, said: "Operators need a bridge to connect to thousands of developers to drive enterprise and consumer value creation and monetise their networks. Rapid's technology and talented R&D team, together with Nokia, will allow us to bring a robust API infrastructure platform to accelerate network API-related product development and drive adoption across its broad global developer community."
"The combination of Rapid's API technology and R&D expertise with Nokia's scale and network and API domain expertise will enable us to expand the broader API ecosystem," Rapid added.
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Rapid's API Technology
Rapid's API technology includes a public marketplace, enterprise services, and an enterprise-grade API hub that allows companies to design, build, test, and share APIs across their organisation and with external partners. With the public API marketplace, developers around the world can list and monetise their own APIs, and connect to other APIs, the official release said.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
