Specifically, Nokia sees an opportunity for carriers to encourage more developments on their 5G networks, now built out but in many cases underutilized. Carriers, they say, want more third parties building applications and other services on these networks, and they have launched a new “Network as Code” platform to that end. Rapid’s API framework will exist as part of that initiative. Nokia said that carriers and other service providers signed up to the platform include BT, DISH, Google Cloud, Infobip, Orange, Telefonica, and Telecom Argentina, as well as 20 others.

“We are pleased to join forces with Nokia,” Friend, the CEO of Rapid, said in a statement. “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.”