Network capability exposure (NCE) in 5G allows service providers to make network functionalities—such as data, connectivity services, and traffic management—accessible to developers and enterprises through APIs. This is essential for creating programmable networks that support diverse and complex 5G use cases, including gaming, drones, smart manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles. By leveraging these APIs, developers can access advanced 5G capabilities to design innovative applications, while service providers and enterprises unlock new revenue streams. For instance, APIs can enable mobile devices to dynamically activate high-speed connectivity tiers for specific applications, showcasing the flexibility and potential of NCE in 5G.

This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part investigates NCE in 5G mobile networks, focusing on the architecture, functionalities, and applications of the Network Exposure Function (NEF). It examines the NEF's role in securely exposing network services, its integration within the 5G ecosystem, and its implementation. Furthermore, the thesis evaluates capability exposure across industry standards, including 3GPP, O-RAN, the Operator Platform, and the CAMARA Project. The second part explores two use cases: (1) augmented reality (AR)-enhanced communications, where additional network capability exposure can enrich voice calling with AR features, and (2) drone operations, emphasizing collision avoidance for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) scenarios. Based on these analyses, the thesis proposes new exposure capabilities, including call control capability exposure and a Collision Avoidance API, to address identified gaps.