GSMA has released a new whitepaper examining how network APIs are moving manufacturing beyond basic connectivity and toward measurable business impact as Industry 4.0 gathers pace.
Titled “Network APIs for Manufacturing: From Technical Potential to Enterprise Impact”, the paper is the second in GSMA’s connected manufacturing series and focuses on how programmable networks can deliver tangible value for manufacturers facing supply-chain disruption, rising costs and growing demand for customisation. Building on the foundational concepts introduced in the first paper, this second instalment shifts the focus from “what’s possible” to “what’s valuable”.
The whitepaper argues that connectivity alone is no longer sufficient. Instead, manufacturers are increasingly seeking ways to unlock the full value of their network investments through APIs that enable real-time data exchange, automation and secure integration across enterprise IT and operational technology.
According to GSMA, the foundation of this shift lies in technical capabilities spanning provisioning, service and performance. The paper highlights four priority use cases identified by the GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production community: Application Credential Management, Asset Tracking, Quality on Demand (QoD) and Network Resource Booking.
“Network APIs turn networks from passive infrastructure into programmable platforms,” the report states, allowing manufacturers to dynamically orchestrate network behaviour to meet real-world operational requirements. This includes improved responsiveness for critical processes, stronger security controls and faster innovation without large-scale infrastructure changes.
The paper also underlines the growing importance of cybersecurity, noting that a majority of manufacturers now rank it as their top digital transformation priority. Programmable network safeguards, enabled through APIs, can help mitigate cyber threats while supporting applications such as predictive maintenance, real-time logistics and AI-driven analytics.
To illustrate enterprise impact, the whitepaper features real-world examples. In aircraft assembly environments such as those operated by Airbus, Location APIs could enable precise tracking and quality assurance for high-value smart tools, reducing downtime, improving traceability and streamlining workflows.
In Portugal, the cement producer CIMPOR has deployed a private 5G standalone network to modernise operations and establish an API-ready foundation. GSMA notes that this approach supports real-time monitoring, faster response to anomalies and future applications such as augmented-reality maintenance and drone inspections using QoD-enabled connectivity.
The whitepaper also examines industry initiatives, including GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA, which aim to standardise secure access to network capabilities and make them consumable through a “network-as-code” model similar to cloud services.
GSMA said the findings demonstrate that while adoption is still emerging, momentum is building globally as manufacturers seek clearer return on investment through reduced downtime, improved quality control and new revenue opportunities.
The organisation credited contributors and reviewers from Aduna, Ericsson, IBM, Orange, Shabodi, Verizon and Vodafone, along with workshop contributors including Accenture, BT, Capgemini, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Microsoft, Nokia, Telefonica and others across the mobile and industrial ecosystem.
GSMA said the manufacturing sector is now at a pivotal moment, with network APIs representing not just a technical enhancement, but a strategic capability that can redefine productivity, resilience and competitiveness.
GSMA invites everyone to participate in the GSMA Connected Manufacturing and Production Summit, 2 March 202c, MWC Barcelona, to learn more about network APIs for manufacturing.
Click here to read the full whitepaper.
