Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: A method performed by a core network node for handling a data service session in a packet communication network is provided. The packet communication network is configured to support fixed access between a User Equipment (UE) and an access network node. The core network node obtains a decision whether a monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below a bandwidth requirement authorized to the UE. The bandwidth over the fixed access is monitored for a data service session between the UE and the Data Network via the fixed access. The core network node obtains a decision of how to handle the data service session based on the decision whether the monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below the bandwidth requirement.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a method of a policy controlling device in a communication network, for supporting Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) specific 3GPP Data Off Exempt Services (DOES), the method comprises providing one or more uplink filters associated with a PLMN specific list of 3GPP DOES to a terminal device in the communication network. According to various aspects and embodiments of the method, per PLMN 3GPP DOES may be supported with a simplified scheme, and/or impact to existing network can be reduced.

Abstract: A method performed by a core network node for handling a data service session in a packet communication network is provided. The packet communication network is configured to support fixed access between a User Equipment (UE) and an access network node. The core network node obtains a decision whether a monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below a bandwidth requirement authorized to the UE. The bandwidth over the fixed access is monitored for a data service session between the UE and the Data Network via the fixed access. The core network node obtains a decision of how to handle the data service session based on the decision whether the monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below the bandwidth requirement.

Abstract: An apparatus for user plane function, UPF, allocation is described. The UPF is configured to provide a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, connectivity service between a terminal device and a data network on a user plane, and the allocation is based on control information associated with an individual logical PDU entity. The control information defines priority information indicative of a priority of the PDU entity relative to other PDU entities and pre-emption information indicative of at least one of whether the PDU entity is capable of being pre-emptively allocated to a UPF over other PDU entities served by that UPF, and whether the PDU entity when served by a UPF is vulnerable to being re-allocated for pre-emptively allocating other PDU entities to that UPF.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic Radio Access Technology (RAT)/Frequency Selection Priority (RFSP) selection for a User Equipment (UE) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a core network entity in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises selecting a RFSP index for a UE during setup of a packet data session for the UE where the RFSP index is an index to a specific Radio Resource Management (RRM) configuration for the UE and sending a message comprising the selected RFSP index to another core network entity. In some other embodiments, a method of operation of a core network entity comprises detecting an application that is using a packet data session of a UE, selecting a RFSP index for the UE based on the detected application, and sending a message comprising the RFSP index to another core network entity.

Abstract: A method performed by a core network node for handling a data service session in a packet communication network is provided. The packet communication network is configured to support fixed access between a User Equipment (UE) and an access network node. The core network node obtains a decision whether a monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below a bandwidth requirement authorized to the UE. The bandwidth over the fixed access is monitored for a data service session between the UE and the Data Network via the fixed access. The core network node obtains a decision of how to handle the data service session based on the decision whether the monitored bandwidth over the fixed access is below the bandwidth requirement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the transmission of user data over an NAS of a telecommunications network. An AMF includes a receiver configured to receive NAS policy control data determined by a PCF. The NAS policy control data identifies a user, is based on the user's subscription to the telecommunications network and includes one or more authorization parameters identifying whether the user is permitted to transmit user data over the NAS. The receiver also receives from a UE, or an AS, an NAS transmission request identifying the user and requesting transmission of user data over the NAS. An NAS transmission authorizer controls whether the transmission of the user data over the NAS should be authorized based on the authorization parameters and the NAS transmission request.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a SMF, for handling local breakout of traffic. The SMF receives, from a PCF, policy information indicating traffic that should be routed via a second UPF to a second DN. The SMF provides, to a first UPF, a first traffic detection filter for detecting the traffic indicated in the received policy information. The SMF detects that there is traffic matching the first traffic detection filter. The SMF sets up, according to the policy information, a local breakout to the second UPF when the matching traffic has been detected. The setting-up comprises setting-up the second UPF.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issue of introducing a new direct interface NG10, between a unified data management function and a session management function in a HPLMN, i.e., a home SMF, in order to obtain a service profile for a UE, at the home SMF from the UDM, and provides for the home SMF obtaining such service profile from a policy control function via the existing NG7 interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a method of a policy controlling device in a communication network, for supporting Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) specific 3GPP Data Off Exempt Services (DOES), the method comprises providing one or more uplink filters associated with a PLMN specific list of 3GPP DOES to a terminal device in the communication network. According to various aspects and embodiments of the method, per PLMN 3GPP DOES may be supported with a simplified scheme, and/or impact to existing network can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of establishing a Packet Data Unit, PDU, session between a User Equipment, UE (51; 600), and a data network identified by a Data Network Name, DNN, in a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network comprising an Access and Mobility Function, AMF (56; 66; 500), and a Policy Control Function, PCF (60; 700).

Abstract: An apparatus for user plane function, UPF, allocation is described. The UPF is configured to provide a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, connectivity service between a terminal device and a data network on a user plane, and the allocation is based on control information associated with an individual logical PDU entity. The control information defines priority information indicative of a priority of the PDU entity relative to other PDU entities and pre-emption information indicative of at least one of whether the PDU entity is capable of being pre-emptively allocated to a UPF over other PDU entities served by that UPF, and whether the PDU entity when served by a UPF is vulnerable to being re-allocated for pre-emptively allocating other PDU entities to that UPF.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issue of introducing a new direct interface NG10, between a unified data management function and a session management function in a HPLMN, i.e., a home SMF, in order to obtain a service profile for a UE, at the home SMF from the UDM, and provides for the home SMF obtaining such service profile from a policy control function via the existing NG7 interface.

Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issues of inactivating a particular control rule parameter, only for a given control rule and whilst maintaining this particular control rule parameter for other control rules and provides for methods and apparatuses whereby, upon determining by a control server that a particular parameter is no longer applicable for a first control rule, a modified control rule is determined that includes a removal indicator indicating the particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously installed and not for other control rules. The modified control rule is submitted to an enforcing device which removes the particular parameter only for the first control rule previously installed and not for others.

Abstract: A method of establishing a Packet Data Unit, PDU, session between a User Equipment, UE (51; 600), and a data network identified by a Data Network Name, DNN, in a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network comprising an Access and Mobility Function, AMF (56; 66; 500), and a Policy Control Function, PCF (60; 700).

Abstract: A control apparatus initiates, in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, a provisioning, to a communications terminal, of information of a portion of a management object. The control apparatus generates, and transmits to the communications terminal, one or more commands comprising information of the portion including information of a reference node which is a leaf node of the management object and which contains reference information specifying a sub-tree comprising specific access network related information. The communications terminal receives the one or more commands, stores the information of the portion comprised in the one or more commands in accordance with the one or more commands, and acquires the specific access network related information of the sub-tree using the reference information of the reference node included in the information of the portion.

Abstract: According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a communication device (114, 200) configured to form part of a telecommunications network and to carry out an access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF. The communication device comprises a receiver (204) configured to receive a request for access network policy information relating to a user equipment, UE, (100, 300) and current UE location data. The communication device comprises a policy information unit (214) configured to determine primary information comprising access network policy information for the UE based at least in part on the current UE location data. The policy information unit is further configured to determine secondary information specifying one or more further UE locations at which the UE should make a further request for access network policy information. The communication device comprises a transmitter (202) configured to transmit the primary and secondary information towards the UE.

Abstract: The present invention faces the issues of inactivating a particular control rule parameter, only for a given control rule and whilst maintaining this particular control rule parameter for other control rules and provides for methods and apparatuses whereby, upon determining by a control server that a particular parameter is no longer applicable for a first control rule, a modified control rule is determined that includes a removal indicator indicating the particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously installed and not for other control rules. The modified control rule is submitted to an enforcing device which removes the particular parameter only for the first control rule previously installed and not for others.