Abstract: The proposed technology generally relates to interworking and integration of different radio access networks, and more specifically to carrier aggregation between different radio access networks such as a cellular radio access network, e.g. a 3GPP network, on one hand and a WLAN network such as Wi-Fi, on the other hand. Such tight interworking/aggregation of radio access networks puts new requirements on efficient handling of authentication and security aspects. The proposed technology provides methods, and corresponding network nodes, computer programs, carriers comprising such computer programs, and computer program products as well as arrangements to support carrier aggregation between different radio access networks.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method in a wireless device for transmitting an uplink signalling message in a wireless communication network. The wireless device is connected to a first network element over at least a first and a second wireless link. The method comprises determining a transmission mode among alternative transmission modes for transmitting the uplink signalling message. The alternative transmission modes comprise: transmitting on the first wireless link; transmitting on the second wireless link; and transmitting on both the first and the second wireless links. The method also comprises transmitting the uplink signalling message according to the determined transmission mode. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method performed in the network element, and to the corresponding apparatus.

Abstract: A method performed by a base station includes determining a reliability requirement for a packet to be transmitted to a wireless device. The reliability requirement is determined based at least in part on a consecutive packet loss associated with at least one previously transmitted packet. Based on the reliability requirement, the packet is transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for managing a plurality of non-coordinated radio access networks. In an aspect, a method of a mobility management node is provided for managing a plurality of non-coordinated radio access networks (RANs) in a wireless communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a base station of a first of the plurality of RANs, information indicating frequencies available in the first RAN for accessing a network served by the mobility management node, acquiring information identifying a base station of a second of the plurality of RANs, said network being operated by an operator different from those operating the first and second RANs; and transmitting, to the base station of the second RAN, the information indicating the frequencies available in the first RAN for accessing said network.

Abstract: Method performed by a communication device (10) for handling communication in a communication network comprising at least a first wireless communication network (11) and a second wireless communication network (14), which communication device (10) is served by a radio network node (13) in the second wireless communication network (14). The communication device (10) performs a preparation signaling, via the radio network node (13) and transparently through the second wireless communication network (14), to a first network node (12) of the first wireless communication network (11) for preparing the first network node (12) with a pre-configuration for serving the communication device (10).

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a RAN node (12), for managing communication on a first network slice in a communications network (1). The communications network (1) comprises partitioned sets of functionalities. A first set of functionalities belongs to the first network slice. The first set of functionalities is at least 5 partly separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the communications network (1). The RAN node (12) receives, from a CN node (16), information regarding requested resources for a first network slice identified by a network slice identifier. The RAN node (12) determines that the received information does not correspond to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the first network slice.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to selection of user plane functions in a core network and a radio access network of a cellular communications network that take into consideration information related to application server selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network that comprises a radio access network and a core network comprises selecting a user plane function for a protocol data unit session for a wireless device based on information related to application server selection such that the protocol data unit session for the wireless device utilizes the selected user plane function. In this manner, optimal user plane connectivity between an application client in the wireless device and an application server is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments presented in this disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses (such as Access Points (AP's), evolved NodeB's (eNB's), etc.) for use in aggregation, or integration, between a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). In one embodiment, an eNB decides that an aggregation between the WWAN and the WLAN is to be performed for at least one bearer of one or more bearers associated with a specific UE. Next, the eNB identifies which one(s) of the at least one bearer of the specific UE that is/are to be aggregated between the WWAN and the WLAN. Also, the eNB schedules each one of the at least one bearer identified to be aggregated between the WWAN and the WLAN.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for managing a plurality of non-coordinated radio access networks. In an aspect, a method of a mobility management node is provided for managing a plurality of non-coordinated radio access networks (RANs) in a wireless communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a base station of a first of the plurality of RANs, information indicating frequencies available in the first RAN for accessing a network served by the mobility management node, acquiring information identifying a base station of a second of the plurality of RANs, said network being operated by an operator different from those operating the first and second RANs; and transmitting, to the base station of the second RAN, the information indicating the frequencies available in the first RAN for accessing said network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a network-instructed handover of a wireless device from a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) to a Radio Access Network (RAN) of another Radio Access Technology (RAT), e.g., a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) or 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) RAT. In one embodiment, a WLAN access node determines that a handover of a wireless device from the WLAN to another RAN of a different RAT is to be performed and transmits a handover instruction to the wireless device that instructs the wireless device to perform a handover from the WLAN to a RAN of a different RAT. In this manner, the WLAN access node is able to steer the wireless device from the WLAN to a RAN of a different RAT.

Abstract: The teachings presented herein disclose example methods and apparatuses for differentiating charging with respect to an aggregated radio access. In this context, an “aggregated radio access” aggregates two or more different radio accesses, such as two or more different carriers, for conveying user traffic between a wireless communication network and a user device. The ability to discount charges, apply premium billing, or to otherwise track and bill usage at a granularity level below the aggregated radio access—i.e., on a per access basis—allows the involved network operator(s) to offer discounts, apply premium pricing, etc.

Abstract: A Network Function service provider in a 5GC, for managing SRVCC handover for a UE having a voice session anchored in an IMS in a PS domain in the 5GC is provided. The SRVCC handover moves the voice session to a CS domain in a legacy network. The NF service provider receives an SRVCC handover required message from an NF service consumer, comprising information about a target ID of the legacy network and a target transparent RAN container. The NF service provider obtains, based on the information received in the handover required message, a legacy target transparent RAN container comprising information required for the target RAN node in the legacy radio access network to accept the handover, an identifier related to the voice session, an STN-SR and legacy CS domain security information. The NF service provider initiates handover by transmitting the obtained information to the legacy CN over Sv-interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for enabling access to a plurality of communication networks (107-110). A wireless communication device (101) acquires (S101) information regarding network access capabilities of any modems with which the wireless communication device is equipped, as well as information identifying operator profiles available to each of said any modems, and establishes (S102) a connection with a network connectivity selection node (106) that can determine which network access is available for each of said any modems. The wireless communication device further reports (S103) the acquired network access capabilities and operator profiles of each of said any modems to the network connectivity selection node, and receives (S105), in reply to the reporting, a recommendation on which one or more of said any modems to use for connecting to one or more of the plurality of communication networks.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices of distributing data content in an Information Centric Networking (ICN) network where access of a wireless communication device publishing the data content is transferred from a source access point serving wireless communication device to a target access point. In an aspect of the invention, a method performed by a source access point (102) is provided for distributing data content in an ICN network (112) where access of a wireless communication device (103) publishing the data content is transferred from the source access point (102) serving the wireless communication device (103) to a target access point (104).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of enabling wireless access network selection at a multiplicity of wireless client devices.

Abstract: Methods and devices of enabling paging of a wireless communication device. In an aspect, a method of a node configured to provide core network user plane functionality in a communications network is provided to enable paging of a wireless communication device being in an idle state.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, it is provided a method performed in a network node of a cellular communication network. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining an indicator to secure a traffic availability for a connection, wherein the traffic availability is related to how likely the connection will remain operable; determining whether the network node can secure resources to support the traffic availability; allocating resources for the connection when resources can support the traffic availability; and transmitting a positive response when the network node can secure resources to support the traffic availability. Corresponding network nodes, wireless nodes, computer programs and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for coordinated selection of a User Plane Function (UPF) in a core network and a Packet Processing Function (PPF) in a radio access network. In some embodiments, a method of operation of network node of a cellular communications network to enable coordinated UPF and PPF selection comprises receiving information indicative of a UPF selected for a protocol data unit session of a wireless device, where the UPF is part of a core network of the cellular communications network. The method further comprises selecting a PPF for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device based on the information indicative of the UPF selected for the protocol data unit session of the wireless device, where the PPF is part of a radio access network of the cellular communications network. In this manner, an optimal routing of user data traffic can be achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a communication device (10) for handling communication in a communication network comprising at least a first wireless communication network (11) and a second wireless communication network (14), wherein the communication device (10) is served by a first radio network node (13) in the second wireless communication network (14). The communication device (10) performs a preparation signaling, via the first radio network node (13) and transparently through the second wireless communication network (14), to a first network node (12) of the first wireless communication network (11) for preparing the first network node (12) and a second radio network node (18) in a first radio access network of the first communication network (11) with a pre-configuration for serving the communication device (10), wherein the preparation signaling comprises radio access network data and core network data of the communication device (10).

Abstract: Methods of connecting a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network and devices performing the methods. In one aspect, a network node configured to connect a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network comprises a processing unit and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing unit, wherein the network node is to provide core network user plane functionality and/or radio access network user plane functionality, via an interface.