Ericsson and LotusFlare Form Network API Partnership

Ericsson announces a strategic partnership with LotusFlare, linking the companies’ respective platforms to support Communication Service Providers (CSPs) seeking to expose network capabilities through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The move includes Ericsson’s acquisition of a minority stake in LotusFlare and introduces a coordinated approach to deploying a Network API Exposure Layer across CSP networks.

LotusFlare, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Santa Clara, employs 500 worldwide and develops software for telecommunications providers and enterprises.

Its DNO Cloud platform supplies consent management functions and digital commerce tools that support network API exposure and monetisation.

Ericsson positions the functions as extensions to its existing portfolio for CSPs that want to link advanced network features with enterprise and developer demand.

Niklas Heuveldop, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Area Global Communications Platform and CEO of Vonage, explains how the collaboration fits within Ericsson’s wider programme to support an ecosystem around network APIs. 

“We are delighted to establish this strategic partnership with LotusFlare," Niklas says.

"The combination of Ericsson’s high-performance, programmable networks with LotusFlare’s Network Abstraction capabilities, Aduna’s global network API aggregation capabilities and Vonage’s network-powered enterprise solutions will accelerate CSPs’ ability to unlock new network capabilities and take advantage of one of the most important value-creation opportunities for the industry.

"By further strengthening the industry ecosystem, Ericsson is accelerating the potential for CSPs, enterprises and developers to collaborate and innovate at hyperscale, leveraging the full potential of 5G and AI.” 

Sam Gadodia, CEO and Co-Founder of LotusFlare, places the partnership within LotusFlare’s product evolution and market approach. 

“We are delighted to welcome Ericsson as an investor in LotusFlare. Since our founding, our mission has been to simplify technology and customer experience," says Sam.

"We have made significant progress towards the goal through both our DNO Cloud and Nomad eSIM businesses. Ericsson’s investment represents a powerful validation of our product innovation and market impact.

"We are confident the partnership will unlock new market opportunities and accelerate the development of critical network asset monetisation capabilities for CSPs globally.” 

Ericsson and LotusFlare outline joint API Exposure Layer plans

Ericsson and LotusFlare plan to produce common solution blueprints covering integration patterns for the Network API Exposure Layer. The blueprints will include API access and consent management flows as well as technical arrangements needed to expose network capabilities in ways that suit CSP architectures.

The companies intend to introduce these blueprints to the market so that CSPs can adopt a repeatable approach to API exposure. Ericsson describes the work as complementary to its broader portfolio, which spans programmable network functions and interfaces for developers and enterprises.

LotusFlare’s DNO Cloud will play a role in handling consent and transaction processes that sit between end users, CSP systems and the enterprise applications that consume network APIs.

The model unifies consent management, digital commerce and network access controls into a single operational path. CSPs following the blueprints will be able to integrate LotusFlare components with Ericsson systems and with their own internal network functions.

The companies present it as a way to shorten delivery cycles for CSPs that aim to expose APIs for enterprise or developer use.

DNO Cloud and Ericsson platforms align for CSP requirements

LotusFlare’s DNO Cloud platform functions as the principal component for API access and consent processes. It links user-facing interactions with the underlying network controls necessary to expose advanced functions.

Ericsson’s programmable networks provide the capabilities enabled by these APIs, allowing developers and enterprises to access features supplied by the CSP.

Vonage, which operates as part of Ericsson, will use the extended availability of APIs to support the creation of network-powered solutions for enterprises.

By integrating exposed network capabilities into applications, developers can enable functions tied to latency, bandwidth control or traffic behaviours.

Vonage intends to use these APIs to support enterprise workflow tools and communication services, linking customer applications to network-level features.

The coordination between Ericsson platforms and DNO Cloud, by design, addresses a wide range of CSP environments. API exposure depends on reliable integrations between network functions, commerce layers and developer platforms.

LotusFlare brings experience in these layers through its existing deployments with operators and enterprises.

Ericsson investment supports a joint commercial approach with LotusFlare

Ericsson’s minority stake in LotusFlare reinforces the operational link between the two companies. The investment places LotusFlare within Ericsson’s broader network API strategy, which also includes outside partners such as Aduna and internal assets such as Vonage.

It provides CSPs with a combined commercial and technical path to adopting API exposure frameworks.

Niklas says the work “will accelerate CSPs’ ability to unlock new network capabilities”, pointing to the link between network programmability and enterprise demand.

Sam says Ericsson’s investment “represents a powerful validation of our product innovation and market impact,” connecting LotusFlare’s development plans to the partnership.

Vonage’s role as an enabler of enterprise adoption forms part of the joint commercial approach.

By consuming APIs exposed through the Ericsson–LotusFlare framework, Vonage can act as a catalyst for enterprise use cases, expanding the reach of network features beyond CSP domains.

The partnership sets an operational path in which Ericsson’s network portfolio, LotusFlare’s DNO Cloud and Vonage’s enterprise engagement operate as aligned components of a single ecosystem for network API exposure and monetisation.