Nokia’s New Venture into 5G Monetization
In a bold move to reshape the 5G landscape, Nokia is launching its network-as-code platform and a dedicated developer portal. This initiative is designed to assist communication service providers (CSPs) in maximizing the financial benefits of their 5G network investments. The Nokia 5G monetization platform has already garnered attention, with Dish Network stepping up as the inaugural platform partner.
Platform Features and Offerings
Nokia’s comprehensive package promises a plethora of features. It encompasses an SDK, detailed network API documentation, a “sandbox” for software code creation, reusable code snippets for applications, and developer analytics to monitor usage. “The commercial package will be available later this year,” the company announced.
APIs and Tech Standards
Shkumbin Hamiti, the GM of Nokia’s network monetization platform business unit, provided insights during a press briefing. He highlighted that the initial APIs provided would cover quality of service on demand, slice management, slice selection, device location, and device insights.
“In order to win in this particular market with developers, the CAMARA initiative and Open Gateway are necessary but not sufficient,” Hamiti said.
He emphasized the importance of offering a seamless developer experience and mentioned that more features, like network insights and IP management, are in the pipeline.
Monetizing 5G: A Different Approach
The Nokia 5G monetization platform addresses a significant challenge for operators: monetizing their substantial 5G network deployments. Chris Antlitz, a principal analyst at Technology Business Research, pointed out:
“Thus far, the 5G era has been playing out very similarly to the 4G era.”
However, Hamiti believes that Nokia’s platform is pivotal for operators’ future success.
“I believe that we are now at a critical point where opening up the telco networks to application developers is not only a much more commercially viable concept today, but it is a key success factor for monetizing 5G assets,” Hamiti expressed.
Nokia vs. Ericsson
Interestingly, Nokia’s competitor, Ericsson, announced a similar platform recently, partnering with Deutsche Telekom. Hamiti sees this as evidence of the growing momentum in the operator community to embrace such platforms.
“What was really good in the announcement was that it showed the willingness of the CSPs to open up, which is extremely good news for us,” Hamiti commented.
Potential in Private Wireless
While the platform’s initial focus is on public network cases, it also holds promise for Nokia’s position in the private network sector. Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark reported a steady increase in private wireless customers, indicating a potential avenue for growth.
Concluding Thoughts
Nokia’s foray into the 5G monetization space with its network-as-code platform is a testament to the evolving needs and opportunities in the telecom industry. As 5G continues to shape our connected world, platforms like these will play a crucial role in ensuring that CSPs can capitalize on their investments. What are your thoughts on Nokia’s new platform? Do you see it as a game-changer for 5G monetization? Share your insights in the comments below!
