Abstract: A method of operating a network node to provide dual connectivity in a new radio telecommunications system. The method allocates two tunnel endpoint identifiers (TEIDs). The method sends the allocated TEIDs to at least one other network node for transporting a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session that can be split. The method receives two TEIDs for a master node and a secondary node (SN). A related method of operating a master node provides dual connectivity. The method sends a SN addition request message to a SN. The method sends a SN add/modify completion indication to the SN that informs the SN that the operations to add/modify are complete.

Abstract: A network node (700) of a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless communication network (10) provides user plane security by establishing a secure tunnel between first and second tunnel endpoints (160, 180, 370, 195, 220, 230) that will handle respective protocol layers of a same protocol stack for a Data Radio Bearer (DRB) (330, 340, 350, 360) that is dedicated to user plane traffic and has yet to be established. Establishing the secure tunnel comprises exchanging an inner Internet Protocol (IP) address and an outer IP address of each of the endpoints (160, 180, 370, 195, 220, 230) between the endpoints (160, 180, 370, 195, 220, 230).

Abstract: Methods of operating a network node in a cell of a wireless communication network are provided. Methods include broadcasting, to a user equipment, UE, a first network list that includes multiple public network identifiers that correspond to public networks in the cell, and broadcasting, to the UE, a second network list that includes multiple non-public network, NPN, identifiers that correspond to NPNs in the cell. Each of the public network identifiers and NPN identifiers includes multiple data fields. The network identifiers include a mobile country code, MCC, a mobile network code, MNC and at least one of a control access group, CAG, and a network identifier, NID.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for handling Quality of Service (QoS) mobility and dual connectivity. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network includes deciding to split an existing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session that includes a current uplink tunnel information; and setting up resources for the split PDU session. In this way, it may be possible to support QoS mobility in the different tunnel during dual connectivity. In some embodiments, the network node is a Master Next Generation—Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node, and setting up resources for the split PDU session includes sending an S-Node Addition/Modification Request including the current uplink tunnel information for the split PDU session to a Secondary NG-RAN node in the cellular communications network; and receiving a newly added additional downlink tunnel information from the Secondary NG-RAN node.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, performed by a first radio network node (RNN) in a wireless network, to establish a communications interface with a second RNN in the wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a third RNN in the wireless network, a Transport Network Layer (TNL) address associated with the second RNN. The first and third RNNs are configured for wireless communication with wireless devices via an E-UTRA radio access technology (RAT), and the second RNN is configured for wireless communication via an NR RAT. The third RNN can be a proxy node for discovery of TNL addresses associated with a plurality RNNs configured for wireless communication via the NR RAT. Such methods include establishing the communications interface with the second RNN based on the TNL address received from the third RNN. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a second RNN, and RNNs configured to perform such methods.

Abstract: A method performed in a wireless device for handling connectivity to two network nodes. The method comprises receiving, from a first network node, a radio resource configuration message, the radio resource configuration message indicating a change in configuration of a connection towards a second network node; applying the change in configuration towards the second network node in response to the radio resource configuration message; and initiating a random access procedure towards the second network node after applying the change in configuration. The disclosure relates to corresponding wireless device, and to methods in network nodes, network nodes, computer programs and computer program products.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node includes generating a data volume report based on one or more characteristics associated with data communicated between the first network node and a user equipment. The one or more characteristics identify that the data volume report is to be generated on at least one of a per Data Radio Bearer basis and a per Quality of Service basis. The data volume report is transmitted to a second network node. The data volume report further includes an indication of a radio access technology type associated with the data volume report.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for handling Quality of Service (QoS) mobility and dual connectivity. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node in a cellular communications network includes deciding to split an existing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session that includes a current uplink tunnel information; and setting up resources for the split PDU session. In this way, it may be possible to support QoS mobility in the different tunnel during dual connectivity. In some embodiments, the network node is a Master Next Generation—Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node, and setting up resources for the split PDU session includes sending an S-Node Addition/Modification Request including the current uplink tunnel information for the split PDU session to a Secondary NG-RAN node in the cellular communications network; and receiving a newly added additional downlink tunnel information from the Secondary NG-RAN node.

Abstract: According to a first exemplary embodiment a method is performed by a first network node for monitoring the QoS of a flow. A session setup message comprising a QoS configuration for the flow and an indication that the flow is subject to QoS notification control is received (1710) from a core network node. Based on the QoS configuration, radio resources to be used for the flow are determined (1720) and a resource setup message comprising an identification of the radio resources and an indication that the flow and/or the radio resources are subject to QoS notification control is sent (1730) to a second network node. A first notification control indication that the QoS configuration the flow and/or the radio resources cannot be fulfilled is received (1740) from the second network node and a resource notification message indicating that the QoS configuration for the flow cannot be fulfilled is sent (1750) to the core network node.

Abstract: A wireless device, a network node, a core node and methods therein, for managing reachability of the wireless device. The wireless device starts an AS (Access Stratum) reachable timer when entering an inactive state. If the AS reachable timer expires while still in the inactive state, the wireless device sends to the network node a reachable notification indicating that the wireless device is reachable. If entering a connected state before the AS reachable timer expires, the wireless device stops the AS reachable timer when changing from the inactive state to a connected state. If the core node receives from the network node a not reachable notification indicating that the wireless device is not reachable, the wireless device can be marked as not reachable via paging.

Abstract: Methoda performed by base stations and wireless devices in networks are disclosed. A method performed by a base station comprises: initiating a QoS-flow to DRB remapping; informing a target base station that the remapping is ongoing; and providing the target base station an old and a new QoS-flow to DRB mapping, wherein the old mapping was in place before the remapping, and the new mapping will be in place after the remapping. Another method performed by a base station comprises: receiving an indication from a further base station that QoS-flow to DRB remapping is ongoing; receiving an old and a new QoS-flow to DRB mapping from the further base station; and receiving signals from a wireless device using the old and new QoS-flow to DRB mappings. A method performed by the wireless device comprises: sending data packets using a first QoS-flow to DRB mapping; receiving a new mapping; and sending an SOAR end marker, indicating that the wireless device is applying the new mapping.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for reporting a Downlink Data Delivery Status (DDDS) are disclosed herein. An example method includes a network node generating a DDDS frame including an indicator that a highest transmitted Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Packet Data Unit (PDU) sequence number is present in the DDDS frame, an indicator that a highest successfully delivered PDCP PDU sequence number delivered is present in the DDDS frame, a desired buffer size for a data bearer, the highest transmitted PDCP PDU sequence number, and the highest successfully delivered PDCP PDU sequence number. The network node provides the DDDS frame to a second network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for redirecting Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages in a wireless system that uses Central Unit (CU)/Distributed Unit (DU) splitting and either network sharing or network slicing are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a shared Distributed Unit (DU) comprises receiving a RRC message from a User Equipment (UE) and sending a first DU-to-Central Unit (CU) message to a first CU, where the first DU-to-CU message comprises the RRC message. The method further comprises either obtaining an indication that the first CU is a wrong CU for the RRC message or determining that the first CU is a wrong CU for the RRC message. The method further comprises sending another DU-to-CU message to a second CU, where the other DU-to-CU message comprises the RRC message or a RRC message related to the RRC message.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed related to the detection and reporting of UE inactivity. One exemplary method is performed by a distributed unit of a base station. The base station further comprises a centralized unit. The method comprises: monitoring the activity of one or more data radio bearers, established between the distributed unit and a user equipment, for carrying user data; and transmitting, to the centralized unit, a report message comprising an indication of the activity of the one or more data radio bearers.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a first node for handling message delivery to a UE. The first node sends an indication to a second node. The indication indicates that the second node should inform the first node when one or more messages have been successfully delivered by the second node to the UE. The first node receives, from the second node, a confirmation of that the one or more messages have been successfully delivered by the second node to the UE.

Abstract: The generation and use of a modified DDDS, suitable for RLC AM and RLC UM, is disclosed herein. The modified DDDS optionally includes an IE specifying a highest sequence number of a packet successfully delivered to a wireless terminal. Node B, which is in wireless communication with a wireless terminal, sends the modified DDDS to Node A, where Node A sends DL data packets to Node B for transmission to the wireless terminal responsive to the received modified DDDS.

Abstract: A wireless device, a network node, a core node and methods therein, for managing reachability of the wireless device. The wireless device starts an AS (Access Stratum) reachable timer when entering an inactive state. If the AS reachable timer expires while still in the inactive state, the wireless device sends to the network node a reachable notification indicating that the wireless device is reachable. If entering a connected state before the AS reachable timer expires, the wireless device stops the AS reachable timer when changing from the inactive state to a connected state. If the core node receives from the network node a not reachable notification indicating that the wireless device is not reachable, the wireless device can be marked as not reachable via paging.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a network node of performing handover of a wireless device comprises: receiving a handover request from a source network node; receiving, from the source network node, a quality of service (QoS) flow to data radio bearer (DRB) mapping that was used by the source network node prior to the handover; receiving buffered Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs) from the source network node; transmitting the received PDCP PDUs using the received QoS flow to DRB mapping; obtaining an indication that handover is complete; determining a new QoS flow to DRB mapping; and activating the new QoS flow to DRB mapping for transmission of PDCP PDUs. Particular embodiments may include sending the new QoS flow to DRB mapping to the source network node, and/or receiving PDCP status reporting from the wireless device.

Abstract: A User Equipment context is transferred from a source secondary network node to a target secondary network node. The UE is served by a master network node and the source secondary network node. The source secondary network node transmits, to the target secondary network node, a first message comprising a handover request, and receives a second message comprising configuration data of the target secondary network. After receiving the second message, the source secondary network node transmits, to the master network node, a third message comprising the configuration data of the target secondary network node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring management of one or more wireless devices from being managed by a first core network node, to instead be managed by a second core network node. The method comprises obtaining information identifying the one or more wireless devices, wherein the information comprises a first group identifier identifying a first group associated with the one or more wireless devices; and transferring context data from the first core network node to the second core network node, wherein the context data relates to the one or more wireless devices for use in managing the one or more wireless devices.