Recap of API Days Paris 2024: Nokia’s Network as Code Inspires Innovation
API Days Paris 2024 brought together industry leaders, developers, and tech enthusiasts in a dynamic exchange of ideas about the evolving world of APIs. A major focus of the event was network APIs, which took centre-stage as a key driver of innovation. Among the standout participants, Nokia showcased its groundbreaking Network as Code initiative, captivating audiences with its vision of transforming networks into programmable platforms that unlock new possibilities for developers.
Nokia’s participation included a range of insightful sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops designed to highlight the potential of integrating network capabilities into application development. The concept of Network as Code centres around programmable networks that are accessible through APIs. This approach empowers developers to seamlessly incorporate advanced network functionalities—like quality on demand, device location, or security and anti-fraud —into their applications.
Key highlight was a joint workshop conducted by Alexandru Ciinaru from Orange and Lauri Alho from Nokia, which showed how the two companies are collaborating to bring the ‘art of the possible’ with network APIs to life. Attendees were inspired by innovative use cases like dynamic bandwidth allocation for streaming services and remote vehicle operations, and an industrial safety use case recently shown at Orange Tech Days in November. The session emphasized the developer centricity and ease of use of these APIs. Application developers got a live demonstration on how simple it was to infuse network capabilities with just a few lines of code, enabling applications to deliver enhanced performance, smarter device management, and better user experiences. The overwhelmingly positive feedback highlighted the excitement around Network as Code, with many attendees eager to integrate these new capabilities into their own projects.
Nokia’s Mikko Jarva reinforced this vision in his keynote address. He outlined how network programmability is reshaping the tech landscape and presented real-world examples where Nokia’s solutions have helped businesses unlock new opportunities. Mikko also highlighted how Nokia’s acquisition of Rapid, a stalwart in the API management with the world’s largest API marketplace, is accelerating the availability of an expanded set of Network APIs while enabling Nokia to play a deeper role in enterprise digital transformation initiatives by enabling streamlined and secure API management and exposure.
Nokia’s Alex Walling presented an entertaining outside-in take on the value of network APIs in his keynote address. He took real world examples like autonomous taxi vehicle-to-cloud communications getting impacted by network congestion to outline how network programmability can reshape the tech landscape.
Nokia’s presence at API Days Paris 2024 demonstrated how network APIs are sparking innovation across industries. With an eye to the future, Nokia will continue to showcase Network as Code at MWC Barcelona 2025. Network as Code is the exclusive platform for the GSMA Open Gateway hackathon in March 2025 at Barcelona, where developers can compete to win exciting prizes for creating the most innovative applications using the power of Network APIs.
API Days Paris 2024 was a resounding success, and Nokia’s contributions left an enduring impression, cementing its role as a leader in the API ecosystem and a driving force in the future of connected technologies.
On a personal note, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for programmable networks—it’s an exciting time to be part of this transformative journey.
