Network and service exposure
Meet the requirements of new use cases and add value to your ecosystem with network and service exposure. Network and service exposure is the first step in redefining the service provider's position in the mobile connectivity value chain.
What is network exposure and why do you need it?
Network exposure, or service exposure within the network domain, means making network capabilities, such as data and network services, easily available for external consumption by enterprises, aggregators (for example Ericsson’s Vonage), hyperscalers’ marketplaces or developers via service providers. With assigned security and data integrity policies, network data and resources can be accessible for different ecosystems to enrich and innovate enterprise applications.
Network exposure is critical to achieve programmable networks that can communicate with all mobile devices and applications and introduce the requirements of new 5G use cases, i.e. gaming, drones, smart manufacturing, automotive sector and other business.
Network exposure and APIs in 5G
In 5G, service providers and enterprises can easily activate new capabilities and expose them through APIs, boosting the programmability and adaptability of connectivity services to fit different needs. API exposure in 5G, refers to the ability of developers and third-party applications to access and utilize the functionalities and services offered by the 5G network. It enables the creation of innovative applications, services, and solutions into various industries, including healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and beyond by leveraging the capabilities of the 5G Core.
With network APIs, developers can easily access advanced 5G capabilities provided by service providers. This unlocks the opportunity to develop new enhanced applications and services, driving new revenue opportunities for the entire ecosystem, benefitting developers, service providers and enterprises.
5G enabled devices like mobile phones can make use of network APIs for certain applications. An example could be a speed boost function to be invoked by the mobile to enable a higher speed connectivity tier.
How service providers can monetize 5G SA using APIs
How service providers can monetize 5G SA using APIs
By exposing 5G APIs, service providers enable third parties to access and leverage the unique features of the 5G Standalone (5G SA) network to offer guaranteed premium connectivity for e.g. high-speed data, low latency, and massive device applications.
Through API exposure, service providers can create new revenue streams by charging for API usage, data consumption, or offering premium services with enhanced features. They can also enter partnerships with developers and enterprises, sharing revenue, generated from innovative applications and services built on top of their 5G infrastructure.
By embracing an API-centric approach, service providers can transform their 5G SA investments into profitable business models while fostering innovation and collaboration within the ecosystem.
5G API exposure and network slicing open up new ways to monetize 5G either as a service enabler or an application developer.
Network exposure use cases
Network exposure enables a variety of use cases that can benefit from the advanced capabilities of 5G networks, such as low latency, high bandwidth and network slicing. Click on any of the use cases below to know more!
Network exposure as part of the overall 5G exposure
Network Exposure
Network exposure in 5G involves exposing specific network functionalities, interfaces, on a granular level from many network functions. This comes from standardization in 3GPP (3GPP APIs implemented in NEF 5G and NEF EPC parts of Cloud Core Exposure Server, location APIs implemented in Ericsson Network Location and NumberVerify API implemented in Ericsson Secure Entitlement Server) and TMforum APIs (implemented in BSS and OSS) and more as a result of that. Those APIs are not suited for most application developers without a deep knowledge about the telecom network. Therefore there is a need for an abstraction layer to translate to service APIs to be exposed to app developers.
Service Exposure
Service exposure enables CSPs to seamlessly expose their network and OSS/BSS capabilities through service APIs. They are exposed by service providers for external consumption by enterprises, app developers and partners that deliver a high abstraction level and are tailored for dedicated usage scenarios.
In doing so, they simplify their usage in the developer community. In addition, they protect business critical assets of the service provider and its business partner and limit the vulnerability to the system which exposes the APIs.
A fast-growing industry alliance called CAMARA has been formed as an open source project within Linux Foundation to define, develop and test the APIs. The CAMARA and GSMA Open Gateway initiatives are instrumental to align API requirements and publish API definitions and API documentation for developers. They bring all CSP and other players such as aggregators and developer platforms to the same table and a call for action to the telecom industry. Ericsson is committed to being a main driver of the future evolution of network APIs.
The service APIs sit on top of internal IT and network functions, which are inside the network perceived as black box.
Network exposure as part of the overall 5G exposure
The service provider's journey to network exposure
Participating in a successful partner ecosystem is the best way to seize exposure opportunities that are emerging alongside the programmable telecom network. To ensure convenient and secure access, Ericsson Network and Service exposure solutions provide standardized APIs besides Ericsson’s innovative APIs to expose a service provider’s key 4G and 5G core network capabilities to their ecosystem partners.
To provide these capabilities, Ericsson has mainly three products within its network exposure portfolio:
- Cloud Core Exposure Server (CCES)
- Ericsson Secure Entitlement Server (Ericsson SES)
- Ericsson Network Location (ENL)
The full portfolio enables exposure in multiple dimensions such as networks, services, and devices.
In this blog post, How to monetize and maximize revenue growth with exposure services, you will learn more how Ericsson's solutions support the opportunities with API exposure.
