Network APIs are transforming manufacturing by turning connectivity into a strategic advantage. By enabling real-time data exchange, automation and secure integration across systems, they empower manufacturers to boost efficiency, resilience and innovation – driving the next wave of industrial competitiveness.

By Jo Gilbert, GSMA Manufacturing Lead

Manufacturing is at a crossroads. As Industry 4.0 accelerates, the sector faces mounting pressure to deliver smarter, more resilient operations while navigating global supply chain disruptions, rising costs and increasing customisation demands. Connectivity alone is no longer enough. The real question is: how can manufacturers unlock the full value of their network investments?

The foundation for this revolution lies in technical capabilities spanning provisioning, service, and performance, including use cases such as Application Credential Management, Asset Tracking, Quality on Demand (QoD) and Network Resource Booking. These were the four initial use cases prioritised for exploration by the GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production community.

The GSMA’s second whitepaper, in the manufacturing series, is titled Network APIs for Manufacturing: From Technical Potential to Enterprise Impact -- https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/industries/connected-manufacturing/gsma_resources/network-apis-for-manufacturing-from-technical-potential-to-enterprise-impact/ -- and it tackles this challenge head-on. Building on the foundational concepts introduced in the first paper, this second instalment shifts the focus from “what’s possible” to “what’s value.”

It explores how network APIs are driving the transformation of manufacturing from a connectivity-driven model to one that leverages programmable networks for measurable business outcomes and substantial gross value added (GVA) growth, a foundational shift that is currently taking place in disconnected pockets around the globe yet demonstrates significant momentum.

Why Network APIs Matter Now Network APIs act as digital gatekeepers, enabling applications to directly and securely interact with network capabilities. Instead of treating connectivity as a passive pipe, manufacturers can dynamically orchestrate network behaviour to meet real-world operational needs. This means real-time responsiveness for critical processes, enhanced security and the ability to scale innovation without overhauling existing infrastructure.

Our latest whitepaper emphasises the significant advantages that network APIs bring to manufacturing. By enabling automation and greater agility throughout the factory floor, APIs support operational efficiency in areas such as predictive maintenance and real-time logistics. They also play a crucial role in strengthening security – an imperative given that 68% of manufacturers now consider cybersecurity their top digital transformation priority – with programmable safeguards capable of mitigating costly threats.

Furthermore, integrating cutting-edge capabilities like dynamic network slicing and AI-powered analytics through APIs allows manufacturers to maintain a leading edge in a highly competitive industry.

From Vision to Value Early implementations show promise, but widespread adoption requires clear ROI. Manufacturers need confidence that these technologies will deliver tangible benefits – whether through reduced downtime, improved quality control or new revenue streams. The whitepaper looks at a number of real-world case studies that demonstrate how network APIs are already bridging the gap between enterprise IT and operational technology and enabling automation at scale.

If we look at complex environments like Airbus’ aircraft assembly facilities, a Location API can be used to manage both the precise application and the logistical tracking of high-value smart tools. This capability could supply real-time positioning data to a central quality system, guiding operators through thousands of fasteners in sequence, and logging torque and positional data for full traceability. By enabling the instant pinpointing of a specific tool’s location, this capability would eliminate staff search time, prevent loss, and enable hands-free commands for a streamlined, secure process.

In Portugal, CIMPOR’s cement plant relied on a private 5G standalone network to modernise its energy-intensive operations and establish the foundation for an API-driven strategy. This project illustrates the value of creating a programmable, API-ready environment that can be leveraged to support Industry 4.0 applications. The advanced network enables crucial benefits, such as real-time monitoring and control of production lines, reducing downtime, and improving responsiveness to anomalies.

Furthermore, this environment allows CIMPOR to enhance applications such as augmented reality maintenance (by potentially calling a Quality on Demand (QoD) API to guarantee a low-latency connection) and drone inspections (to ensure reliable, high-throughput video feeds and command-and-control signals).

We also examine industry initiatives such as GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA, which standardise secure access to network capabilities, making them as easy to consume as cloud services. This “network-as-code” approach empowers developers – even those without deep telecom expertise – to integrate advanced functionalities into their applications.

Your Next Step The manufacturing sector stands at the brink of transformation that promises to redefine productivity, resilience and competitiveness. However, achieving this vision requires strong cross-industry collaboration so the mobile network ecosystem can innovate, develop and expose network APIs tailored for industrial applications.

Network APIs are not just a technical upgrade – they’re a strategic, and transformative, imperative.

I’d like to thank our whitepaper contributors and reviewers from Aduna, Airbus, Ericsson, IBM, Orange, Shabodi, Verizon and Vodafone; and our workshop contributors from Accenture, BT, Capgemini, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, DroneUp, Ericsson, KPN, Microsoft, Nokia, NTT Data, Palo Alto Networks, Rohde & Schwarz, Telefonica and Unmanned Life. To join the conversation please look at participating at the GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production Forum - https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/industries/connected-manufacturing/production-forum/