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Network Exposure Function

Network Exposure is an advanced 5G feature that opens up the network, enabling authorized external entities to access network capabilities via APIs. This allows for enabling development of innovative services that take advantage of network programmability, such as on-demand quality of service (QoS) control.

What is Network Exposure?

Network Exposure is enabled by 3GPP’s Network Exposure Function (NEF) and the 5G SA core capabilities available for exposure, such as QoS control in thePolicy Control Function (PCF), among others. An API security framework is essential to ensure that only authorized external API calls get in and reconfigure the network.

These network exposure functions are only accessible via standard 3GPP APIs, which may not be developer-friendly from the perspective of additional industries’ perspective. Towards this end, platforms like Nokia’s Network as Code can be integrated with Network Exposure Functions, acting as a translator.

Technical Specifications

  • Quality of Service profiles: Custom profiles can be defined on network exposure functions
  • Security: Encrypted API calls, the use of authentication tokens and API keys
  • Duration from API call to observed changes on device is less than a second

Improved from 4G

Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) is the predecessor of Network Exposure Functions(NEF) for exposing network capabilities in 4G, focusing on IoT and basic service exposure. Now, NEF brings capability exposure further into the more advanced 5G environment, offering enhanced capabilities, flexibility and integration with new 5G features like Network Slicing and Analytics.

Network Exposure's role in 5G

5G Monetization

Network Exposure is a crucial enabler for 5G monetization by enabling operators to securely expose network capabilities to 3rd-party services – a means to unlock the full potential of 5G and create new business opportunities.