This 90-minute technical session explores the architectural shift from static, hardware-defined connectivity to a dynamic, software-centric ecosystem. 

We examine how the "TechCo" model leverages 3GPP Releases 16, 17, and 18 to transform the network into a programmable interface, allowing external applications to request and trigger specific network behaviours on-demand.

By analysing the critical interplay between exposure, management, and service layers, we look at the actual protocols required to safely open the 5G Service-Based Architecture (SBA) to third-party developers without compromising core integrity. 

We explore how standardized frameworks like CAPIF and SEAL act as the essential middleware, abstracting 5G complexity into high-value functional blocks for vertical industries. 

From ensuring secure northbound communication via the NEF to enabling "Network-as-Code" for industrial automation, this session provides a comprehensive blueprint for building a production-grade Network as a Platform (NaaP) that is scalable, interoperable, and ready for the global API economy.

• The Transition from Telco to TechCo
  
• The NEF as the SBA Frontier
  
• Core Northbound APIs & Traffic Influence
  
• Security, Rate-Limiting, and Topology Hiding
  
• CAPIF: The Common API Framework
  
• Automated API Discovery & Governance
  
• Multi-Provider & Cross-Operator Interconnection
  
• SEAL: Service Enabler Architecture Layer
  
• Vertical Middleware: Group & Location Management
  
• The Vertical Application Layer (VAL) Integration