Telecom operators are investing billions in 5G infrastructure, but the key question remains: how can they turn that investment into sustainable revenue?
For years, operators have struggled with the “dumb pipe” problem, providing connectivity while others captured most of the value. With 5G Standalone and the Network Exposure Function (NEF), that dynamic is changing.
By exposing network capabilities as secure APIs, operators can transform their networks into programmable platforms. Third-party applications can request Quality of Service (QoS), device location, session control, or even fraud-prevention signals in real time.
This marks a pivotal shift from technical innovation to commercial transformation. The crucial question is whether operators can monetize these capabilities before hyperscalers, and aggregators dominate the market.
Traditionally, operators have earned revenue through subscriptions and capacity sales. Network exposure introduces new monetization models that resemble cloud economics more than traditional telecom.
These models move operators toward becoming true digital platforms. The challenge is scaling these offerings fast enough to stay ahead of hyperscalers and shape the future of API marketplaces. Ultimately, this is where 5G API monetization will be won or lost.
For developers, APIs are essential building blocks. Yet many have never interacted directly with telecom networks. NEF changes that by offering network intelligence and control as code.
Third parties, meanwhile, can purchase raw APIs, bundle them into vertical solutions, and sell them at a premium. The winners will be those who can translate complex telecom capabilities into developer-friendly offerings.
Consider a startup building an AR gaming platform. By integrating NEF QoS APIs, it can guarantee ultra-low latency during matches and introduce a “pro” tier for players who want a lag-free experience. The startup earns from subscriptions, and the operator earns from API consumption, a win-win monetization model.
The 3GPP Northbound Interface (NBI) is a critical component of 5G API monetization. It acts as the bridge between the network and external systems, ensuring abstraction, security, and consistency. Whether in Tokyo or Madrid, an API for QoS or location behaves predictably when standards are applied.
NEF at the heart of 5G Core Exposure Capability
Through the NEF, developers interact with a clean, standardized interface without needing to understand complex network functions like AMF or UPF. The NEF enforces authentication, throttling, and compliance, allowing APIs for QoS, location, and session management to behave predictably across operators.
Commercially, this standardization is vital. Without NBI, developers would need bespoke integrations for each operator, an unscalable approach. With it, initiatives like Open Gateway and CAMARA can aggregate APIs globally, enabling broader reach and interoperability.
A key strategic question remains: should operators monetize Northbound APIs directly, maintaining control over customer relationships, or will aggregators take a share of the profits? This debate lies at the heart of 5G API monetization.
This isn’t just theory... operators and vendors are already making it real:
These cases show that 5G monetization is already driving measurable business outcomes.
The potential is real, but operators face several hurdles before APIs become mainstream revenue engines:
NEF monetization is transitioning from concept to commercial reality. Operators like Vodafone, Telefónica, Nokia, and Ericsson are already deploying APIs, but most enterprises still lack the technical expertise to consume them effectively. This is where partners like Cyient play a critical role.
Cyient combines 5G Core expertise with software and automation skills to turn APIs into business value. Its helps by:
In doing so, Cyient becomes the translator and enabler of the API economy. It helps both operators and developers realize the commercial potential of 5G APIs.
Ultimately, the future of 5G monetization will depend on collaboration among operators, developers, and ecosystem enablers. Operators provide the infrastructure, developers create innovation, and companies like Cyient bridge the gap between them.
The real question is whether operators will partner with enablers to accelerate adoption or choose to go it alone in shaping the future of 5G monetization.
About the Author
Pedro is a telecommunications expert with nearly 15 years of experience in mobile core networks (CS, PS, EPC, IMS). Passionate about innovation, he focuses on 5G Core evolution — particularly API exposure, network slicing, and service programmability. Starting his career at Nokia in 2011 and part of CYIENT’s Core+ team since 2019, he has led network design, optimization, and modernization initiatives. Pedro bridges deep technical expertise with emerging trends, helping operators unlock new business models and streamline service delivery in the 5G era. His work reflects a strong commitment to driving next-generation network transformation and practical, real-world implementation.