Telefónica and Nokia Explore Agent-to-Agent and Model Context Protocols for AI-Driven Networks

Telefónica  announced a collaboration with Nokia  to explore the use of advanced Agentic AI methods in accelerating the adoption of Network APIs. Both companies are active participants in the GSMA Open Gateway Initiative, which promotes open and interoperable Network APIs to support innovation across the telecommunications industry.

This joint effort focuses on testing two emerging AI protocols—Agent-to-Agent Protocol (A2A) and Model Context Protocol (MCP). The A2A protocol enables multiple AI agents to coordinate complex workflows by discovering, communicating, and collaborating dynamically, while MCP standardizes how AI systems access external tools and data in a consistent and secure manner. By integrating these protocols, Telefónica and Nokia aim to streamline the process of exposing and consuming Network APIs, making it easier for industry partners and developers to build and deliver new services efficiently. This collaboration will help define how AI can transform the network to enable new monetization models, and how the agent economy will be adopted in the coming years, paving the way toward a fully agentic monetization ecosystem.

First development started with testing a bank fraud prevention Agent in a laboratory environment. Telefonica’s testbed uses an MCP server provided by Nokia’s Network Exposure Platform to expose Network APIs and other resources that benefit the bank fraud prevention application like SIM Swap, Device Swap and others. Nokia’s Network as Code platform then aggregates these Telefonica capabilities for simplified exposure to the application developers of the bank in an A2A format. The companies have numerous other use-case examples that they will test together.

“Telefónica is committed to driving open innovation in network exposure and automation. By working with Nokia to pilot these advanced AI protocols, we are laying the groundwork for faster and more scalable adoption of Network APIs. Being prepared to expose AI Agents is key to continuing to monetize our capabilities. Our shared goal is to lower the barriers for partners and developers, enabling a new generation of services powered by programmable networks.”

– Cayetano Carbajo, Core, Transport and Ecosystem Director, CTIO, Telefónica 

“Together with Telefónica, we’re proving how agentic AI can meaningfully accelerate the adoption of network APIs. By combining AI protocols with Nokia’s Network Exposure and Network as Code platforms, we enable secure, consistent access to network capabilities and let AI agents coordinate complex workflows, end to end. The result is an actionable, developer‑friendly experience that moves our industry one step closer to an agent‑driven monetization ecosystem.”

– Shkumbin Hamiti, Head of Network Monetization Platform, Nokia

Both companies will share insights from this initiative with the broader industry to foster standardization and accelerate ecosystem growth. This collaboration underscores Telefónica’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation and its leadership in advancing the practical adoption of AI and Network APIs worldwide.