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It is expected that the communication fabric and the way network services are consumed will evolve towards 6G, building on and extending capabilities of 5G and Beyond networks. Service APIs, Operation APIs, Network APIs are different aspects of the network exposure, which provides the communication service providers a way to monetize the network capabilities. Allowing the developer community to use network capabilities via APIs is an emerging area for network monetization. Thus, it is important that network exposure caters for the needs of developers serving different markets, e.g., different vertical industry segments. The concept of “Network Applications” is introduced following this idea. It is defined as a set of services that provides certain functionalities to verticals and their associated use cases. The Network Applications is more than the introduction of new vertical applications that have interaction capabilities. It refers to the need for a separate middleware layer to simplify the implementation and deployment of vertical systems on a large scale. Specifically, third parties or network operators can contribute to Network Applications, depending on the level of interaction and trust. In practice, a Network Application uses the exposed APIs from the network and can either be integrated with (part of) a vertical application or expose its APIs (e.g., service APIs) for further consumption by vertical applications. This paper builds on the findings of the white paper released in 2022. It targets to go into details about the implementations of the two major Network Applications class: “aaS” and hybrid models. It introduces the Network Applications marketplace and put the light on technological solution like CAMARA project, as part of the standard landscape.

As part of the 5G-PPP Initiative, the Software Network Working Group prepared this white paper to demystify the concept of the Network Applications. In fact, the Network Application ecosystem is more than the introduction of new vertical applications that have interaction capabilities. It refers to the need for a separate middleware layer to simplify the implementation and deployment of vertical systems on a large scale. Specifically, third parties or network operators can contribute to Network Applications, depending on the level of interaction and trust. Different implementations have been conducted by the different projects considering different API types and different level of trust between the verticals and the owner of 5G platforms. In this paper, the different approaches considered by the projects are summarized. By analysing them, it appears three options of interaction between the verticals and the 5G platform owner: - aaS Model: it is the model where the vertical application consumes the NetApp as a service. The vertical application deployed in the vertical service provider domain. It connects with the 3GPP network systems (EPS, 5GS) in one or more PLMN operator domain. - Hybrid: it is the model where the vertical instantiates a part of its Vertical App in the operator domain like the EDGE. The other part remains in the vertical domain. A similar approach has been followed in TS 23.286 related to the deployment of V2X server. - Coupled/Delegated: it is the model where the vertical delegates its app to the operator. The NetApp will be composed and managed by the operator. This approach is the one followed in the platforms like 5G-EVE. In addition, the paper brings an analysis of the different API type deployed. It appears that the abstraction from network APIs to service APIs is necessary to hide the telco complexity making APIs easy to consume for verticals with no telco expertise and to adress data privacy requirements.

This document, namely Deliverable 6.1 “Training Material and SMEs and Startup Acceleration Program Activities (Intermediate)”, represents an intermediate report on the plan and the activities performed in Task 6.1 “Developers-oriented Events and Related Training Material” and Task 6.2 “SMEs and Startup Acceleration Program” during the initial twelve months of Work Package 6 (WP6 from M7 to M19). This activity has progressed towards the achievement of Milestone Ms5 “Training Material and Startup Acceleration Program fully active”. More precisely, it is presented: * The plan and the methodology for the preparation of training material and the related activities as conducted in the framework of Task 6.1 and, also, * An SME-targeted plan and engagement strategy, under the title EVOLVED-5G acceleration program as defined in the framework of Task 6.2. Task 6.1 activities include online open courses for developers and any other outreach activity that targets the transfer of knowledge from the project to any interested external. Already within the reporting period, initial training materials in different areas have consolidated on a series of free on-demand open training courses published as MOOCs on well-known educational platforms. Additionally, several training activities have taken place as developer-oriented events, such as workshops or seminars, providing training on EVOLVED-5G technical topics promoting the engagement of open-source and academic communities towards the embracement of the EVOLVED-5G project and the associated technical achievements developed. Task 6.2 activities were around the design of the acceleration program, where specific activities are defined for the business acceleration of SMEs and Startups. In addition, several organizations around Europe have been contacted and have been engaged, with the major goal to foster a Community Building among developers, SMEs and stakeholders around the EVOLVED-5G project and its technical outcomes. WP6 objective in total, is to provide everything needed in the above-mentioned Community to guarantee the success of the project during and after its completion, ensuring its continuation, visibility and awareness, and promoting a further exploitation of the EVOLVED-5G technical achievements in the frame of the industry sector, as well as potentially in any other sector.

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