1. In a CPE having a Java-based software environment and a plurality of applications which are precluded from accessing each other's class files or instantiated objects, a method of providing access to at least one of a plurality of network-specific APIs, comprising: providing an API manager within said CPE environment; providing a registry associated with said manager, said registry adapted to register a plurality of said APIs; running at least one of said plurality of applications on said CPE, at least one of said APIs being required by said at least one application; and accessing said registry to obtain said at least one API.