Something interesting caught my eye on the way back from an event in Barcelona last week: Nokia has acquired Rapid’s technology and R&D unit. For those of us focused on network APIs and telco innovation, this move signals a significant step forward in building open ecosystems and enabling new revenue streams for telcos. Let me explain why I think this is a major development in the industry.
A Personal Connection
First, this announcement feels like coming full circle for me. Back in 2020-2021, while consulting for iBasis, I advised them on the strategy to adopt Rapid for a carrier-grade API marketplace. It was a forward-thinking project designed to empower telcos to monetize their APIs and build partnerships efficiently. Witnessing Rapid’s evolution and now its integration into Nokia’s portfolio underscores the value of that vision.
It was during this project that I also met Kevin Nethercott, which eventually led to us building out the CPaaS Acceleration Alliance these last 2 years. What started as a technology-focused initiative has blossomed into a movement that bridges telcos, CPaaS providers, and the broader ecosystem, and it all goes back to my early work with telco API marketplaces and CPaaS enablers.
Why This Acquisition Matters
Nokia’s move validates the increasing importance of API marketplaces in the telecom landscape. These marketplaces, which simplify the discovery, onboarding, and monetization of APIs, are becoming essential for telcos to unlock new revenue streams and expand their value proposition.
The concept isn’t new—early work by KPN and AT&T paved the way for what API marketplaces could achieve. Today, telcos like Vodafone Group and Orange are actively building their own API marketplaces, aligning with industry standards and addressing the needs of developers, enterprises, and CPaaS providers. These initiatives demonstrate how telcos are shifting from being traditional service providers to becoming technology enablers.
What makes this even more significant is the role of Network APIs. Initiatives like GSMA’s Open Gateway and Project CAMARA are setting the foundation for a universal framework that enables telcos to expose their network capabilities in a standardized way. These initiatives are driving a shift from closed, siloed systems to open, collaborative ecosystems.
By integrating Rapid’s technology, Nokia is equipping telcos with the tools they need to adopt these standards and leverage their network APIs effectively, similar (but different) to Ericsson’s approach of acquiring Vonage a few years ago. For CPaaS providers and developers, this creates new opportunities to build innovative solutions in industries like healthcare, logistics, and smart cities.
Looking Ahead
This acquisition is a clear signal of where the industry is headed: towards more collaboration, open ecosystems, and customer-focused innovation. It also presents an exciting opportunity for the CPaaS Acceleration Alliance to support telcos in leveraging these developments effectively.
With my background consulting for KPN and iBasis on telco API marketplaces, and now leading the CPaaS Acceleration Alliance, I’m excited to help shape this new chapter. Nokia’s acquisition is not just about technology; it’s about enabling the partnerships and strategies that will drive the telecom industry forward!
Conclusion
Nokia’s acquisition of Rapid is a bold step toward a future where telcos, CPaaS providers, startups and scaleups can thrive together. The alignment with initiatives like GSMA’s Open Gateway and Project CAMARA makes this an exciting time to be part of the telecom innovation landscape.
I’m thrilled to see this journey continue and look forward to being part of the conversation as the industry evolves.
For more details on the acquisition, check out Nokia’s official press release here.