Nokia has acquired Rapid, a leading company in API marketplace solutions. The acquisition will integrate Rapid’s powerful API platform into Nokia’s “Network as Code” initiative, paving the way for telecom operators to grant developers streamlined access to network functions and boost 5G-powered innovation.
By bringing Rapid’s advanced API capabilities into its ecosystem, Nokia aims to empower telecom providers to unlock network potential for third-party development. The enhanced platform will offer secure, standardized APIs, allowing developers to build a diverse range of applications and services using existing 4G and 5G network infrastructures.
Nokia’s new API framework has already garnered support from major telecom and tech players, including BT, DISH, Google Cloud, Orange, and Telefonica, signaling robust industry interest in Nokia’s expanded 5G strategy.
This acquisition signifies Nokia’s ongoing evolution from a mobile phone giant to a key player in telecom infrastructure. Since shifting away from handset production, Nokia has focused on telecommunications solutions, and integrating Rapid’s API marketplace strengthens its role as a bridge between telecom operators and digital innovators.
Raghav Sahgal, Nokia’s president of Cloud and Network Services, emphasized the critical role of scalable API management. “Operators need a bridge to thousands of developers to drive value creation and monetize networks,” said Sahgal. “Rapid’s technology and expertise will be essential in accelerating the global adoption of network APIs.”
Marc Friend, CEO of Rapid, shared similar optimism, noting that Nokia’s scale and industry expertise would amplify Rapid’s impact. The integration is set to enhance API management solutions, offering real-time control, lifecycle management, and seamless collaboration for developers worldwide.
The terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, but the merger is expected to drive next-generation telecom services by fostering collaboration between network operators, technology providers, and a global community of developers.
