Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for selecting, in a Fifth Generation (5G) cellular telecommunication network, a User Plane Function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs on which to anchor a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a new user equipment (UE) newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network. The selection is based on: a location of the new UE; a plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs; a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics; and predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics from the Network Data Analytics Function. In the UPF selection, the Session Management Function (SMF) gives higher priority to shorter term predicted loads than longer term predicted loads.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media for uniquely identifying user equipment with a wireless network may include one or a combination of the following. A cellular network core may include a user plane function (UPF). The UPF may collect and store subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) information and/or generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) information corresponding to user equipment (UE) having an IP address. In response to a request, the cellular network core may execute a conditional process based at least in part on the UPF using the SUPI information and/or the GPSI information as part of the conditional process to respond to the request. The request may be for GPSI information corresponding to the UE. An external IP address of the UE may be provided along with the request. Upon completion of the conditional process, the cellular network core may return the GPSI information corresponding to the UE.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed towards network slicing for multi-tenant location based services in a wireless telecommunication network. For each tenant of the plurality of tenants of the network, the system receives a request from the tenant for location based services for mobile devices of the tenant operating on the respective network slice defined for the tenant. In response to the request, the system provides the customized location based services to the tenant based on the respective network slice being associated with one or more location based services network functions or location based services systems of the wireless telecommunication network, which provide geographical locations of mobile devices operating on the wireless telecommunication network. The location based services network functions or location based services systems may include the location management function (LMF) and the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) gateway node.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems a system that, in situations of detected heavy network congestion, by upgrading the respective quality of service (QoS) (e.g., aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR)) provided to the subscriber that requested the increase (e.g., who paid for premium service) by a first amount in response to the request while also downgrading respective QoS attributes (AMBRs) provided to the other subscribers in the group by a collective total of a second amount. The second amount may be equal to the firs amount such that the first subscriber to which the QoS attribute upgrade (e.g., AMBR increase) was provided uses a larger portion of the total maximum bandwidth capacity than at least one of the other subscribers operating at the degraded respective QoS attribute (e.g., decreased AMBR).

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Various hybrid cellular communication systems and methods are presented herein. A first cellular network can include multiple user plane functions (UPFs). Each UPF can serve as a gateway for user equipment (UE) to communicate with a remotely-hosted service. Which UPF serves as the gateway for a UE is adjusted while the UE remains connected with the first cellular network. While connected with the first cellular network, a multiple access (MA) packet data unit (PDU) session is active for the UE that allows for communication to occur concurrently between the UE and the remotely-hosted service via an access point (AP) and via a UPF. While connected with a second cellular network distinct from the first cellular network, a single access PDU session is active that allows for communication to occur with the service via a second UPF of the second cellular network.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for selecting, in a Fifth Generation (5G) cellular telecommunication network, a User Plane Function (UPF) of a plurality of UPFs on which to anchor a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a new user equipment (UE) newly appearing on the cellular telecommunication network. The selection is based on: a location of the new UE; a plurality of current loads for each UPF of the plurality of UPFs; a predicted UE load of the new UE based on network data analytics; and predicted UPF loads of the plurality of UPFs as a function of time considering the predicted UE load based on network data analytics from the Network Data Analytics Function. In the UPF selection, the Session Management Function (SMF) gives higher priority to shorter term predicted loads than longer term predicted loads. Also, in the UPF selection, the PDU session of the UE is preferred to attach on the UPF in the current serving area in which the UE is located.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to migrate a set of network functions between control planes of a network slice A and a network slice B; and a migration management unit to manage a gradual staged transfer of a subset of the plurality of network functions originally contained in the control plane of the network slice A to the control plane of network slice B wherein the gradual transfer is a migration of the plurality of network functions in a set of multiple stages to create the subset of the plurality of network functions in the control plane of slice B, wherein each gradual staged transfer includes the migration of a reduced subset of the plurality of network functions contained in the control plane of the network slice A reconfigured to the control plane of the network slice B.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for managing anchor point movement on a cellular network. A user equipment (UE) can be connected with the Internet via a first anchor point (e.g., user plane function) of the cellular network. A network data analytics function (NWDAF) within a core of the cellular network can analyze one or more characteristics of the piece of UE. Based on the analysis, a second anchor point is selected and the piece of UE is connected with the selected second anchor point such that the piece of UE accesses the Internet via the second anchor point.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards embodiments are directed toward systems and methods for user plane function (UPF) and network slice load balancing within a 5G network. Example embodiments include systems and methods for load balancing based on current UPF load and thresholds that depend on UPF capacity; UPF load balancing using predicted throughput of new UE on the network based on network data analytics; UPF load balancing based on special considerations for low latency traffic; UPF load balancing supporting multiple slices, maintaining several load-thresholds for each UPF and each slice depending on the UPF and network slice capacity; and UPF load balancing using predicted central processing unit (CPU) utilization and/or predicted memory utilization of new UE on the network based on network data analytics.

Abstract: This invention flexibly controls the number of user planes in a communication system. In a communication system, a base station is in a local area network and at least one user plane function arranged in a cloud are connected. A determination is made as to whether or not a new user plane function should be added, taking into consideration: the traffic amount, from the maximum traffic amount using the local area network, of user data transferred by the at least one user plane function using the local area network; and an anticipated traffic amount of a new user plane function.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to migrate a set of network functions between control planes of network slices and include a network slice A that includes a first set of a plurality of network functions in a control plane associated with a legacy vendor; a network slice B that includes a second set of the plurality of network functions in the control plane associated with a new vendor wherein the second set of the plurality of network functions includes a subset of the first set of the plurality of network functions in the control plane of network slice A; and a migration management unit to manage a gradual staged transfer of a subset of the plurality of network functions originally contained in the control plane of the network slice A to the control plane of network slice B wherein the gradual transfer is a migration of the plurality of network functions in a set of multiple stages to create the subset of the plurality of network functions in the control plane of slice B wherein each gradual staged transfer

Abstract: Various arrangements for obtaining a cellular network address are presented herein. A request can be received from a network function residing outside of a cellular network core. The request can indicate an external Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with a piece of user equipment (UE). A network exposure function (NEF) of the cellular network core can route the request to a user plane function (UPF) of the cellular network core. The UPF can determine a cellular network address for the UE that corresponds to the external IP address. The NEF can transmit an indication of the determined cellular network address to the network function.