From maps to mobile networks: Why adding network APIs should be just as easy

APIs transformed mapping and payments in Apps, why not connectivity too? 

If you have ever added a map to your app, you know how fast the process is. A few lines of code from Google Maps, and you are done with a basic MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in ten to twenty minutes. 

Payments? The same story. Sign up with Stripe, drop in your credit card, and get approved. No emails, no conference calls, just code. 

Now try requesting a network slice, boosting connectivity for real-time video, or checking if a device is connected or roaming. 

Suddenly, it’s not so simple. This type of access to network-level actions have never been accessible to the average developer. 

Until today.  

The problem: Networks weren’t built for developers 

Most developers have not touched mobile network capabilities. Not because there isn’t valuable data and services in the network, but because the industry remains complex to access. 

The telco world is full of complexity. You need to know what to ask for, how to ask it, and who to talk to. (not to mention the long bureaucracy, such as new vendor onboarding, NDAs, and lengthy commercial contracts). And if you want to scale globally, you’ll spend more time negotiating than building actual products. 

It’s not that the goal is wrong—making networks accessible to developers worldwide still matters—but to achieve it, we need to change how we approach the problem. 

Network APIs are changing the game 

When applications can talk directly to mobile networks, everything shifts. 

A Network Application Programming Interface (Network API) is a programmable interface that lets apps directly interact with the mobile network to do things like check device status, optimize connectivity, or verify identity 

Developers now get access to real-time data, device insights, and unique data signals to fight against fraud.  

That opens the door for real innovation. But without that layer of abstraction, we’re stuck in the past.  

Here is a real-life example: In 2023, following a concert in Phoenix, a fleet of autonomous Waymo vehicles was scheduled to transport passengers. The experience was expected to be seamless: “a glimpse into the future of mobility.” However, due to high crowd density, network connectivity degraded significantly. As a result, the vehicles froze in place, coming to a complete stop in the middle of the road. This is because the networks (or to be exact, the connectivity) could not be programmed to meet the need. 

The solution: Network as Code 

At Nokia, we are ensuring that developers can request data insights, bandwidth, and other advanced capabilities directly from mobile networks within their code via Network APIs.  

Network as Code is our global developer platform for exposing mobile network capabilities in a simple, powerful, and developer-first way. There is no need to rip up your tech stack or rethink your architecture. Our APIs and Software Development Kits (SDKs) fit smoothly into your existing workflow, making integration fast and frustration-free. 

To support developers along the way, we built in a generative AI assistant that is available around the clock to help you debug, write, and iterate faster.  

Everything can also be prototyped in a sandbox environment that mirrors real-world conditions, giving you the confidence to go live without surprises. 

To make the solution enterprise-grade, we used the same API technology that powers Rapid, the world's largest API hub. 

We have launched over a dozen network APIs, including quality on demand, device status, device location, SIM swap detection, and SIM-based Know Your Customer (KYC) and verification. Every API is CAMARA-compliant, production-ready, and constantly evolving. 

One portal. Global reach. 

Scalability should never be an afterthought, and not all mobile networks are created equal. That is why we designed our developer portal as a true global access layer. Instead of building an application and then spending weeks (if not months) integrating with each mobile carrier, you get a single integration point. Build once, run anywhere. 

Built by developers, for developers 

This platform isn’t just about access—it’s about enabling real innovation. 

Developers and enterprises are already using various network providers globally to build innovative solutions. For example, Kepit is using Elisa's 5G network to deliver high-quality live streams, even in congested event spaces. DT and CityMesh have teamed up to support cross-border drone operations, with connectivity that dynamically adjusts to ensure real-time performance. Innova and Orange are powering worker safety applications that trigger instant alerts when hazards are detected. And in the fintech space, companies are using security-focused APIs to prevent SIM swap fraud, simplify onboarding, and protect user transactions. 

So what’s the real potential? 

Well, you're only bound by your imagination... 

You can build smarter transportation systems, better streaming experiences, stronger security, and fraud detection frameworks —right from your own Git! 

If you want to learn more, check out our developer portal.