Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for reducing and/or optimizing signaling messages between a radio access network (RAN) node and a core network based on an operation mode of the RAN node may include a core network server including: a memory storing computer readable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to establish a control plane connection with at least one radio access network (RAN) node, the at least one RAN node supporting at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode, determine a connection mode of the at least one RAN node, and restrict transmission of at least one signaling message to the at least one RAN node based on results of the determining the connection mode of the at least one RAN node.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and computer program product for network slice minimum and maximum resource quotas with soft limits. One method may include sending by a user, a request for user connection to a network element, the request resulting in resource quota reservation in a specific network concept. The method may also include receiving from the network element, an indication of whether the request was successful or unsuccessful. The request may include at least one procedure or action indicating network resource availability. The method may further include receiving allocated resources according to resource allocation rules specific to whether the user is entitled to use the allocated resources, and whether a user connection, a session, a bearer, a signaling connection or a data radio bearer request was successful.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for handling limited or unavailable uplink (UL). One method may include receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that uplink transmission is limited or unavailable.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and computer program product for slice aware pre-emption signaling. A method include receiving (500) at a network node, a first session setup or modification request message for a first user equipment setting up a first session flow. The method also includes receiving (505) at the network node, a second session setup or modification request message for a second user equipment setting up a second session flow. The method further includes receiving (510) at the network node, a third session setup or modification request message for a third user equipment setting up a third session flow. In addition, the method includes pre-empting (515) the first session flow or the second session flow based on a pre-emptable information element or a non-pre-emptable information element.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for location area update. An example method may include transmitting a first request to establish a radio link, the first request including information on a first location area update, transmitting a second request to execute the first location area update via the radio link, and releasing the radio link in response to at least one status of an access stratum feedback to the second request. Related apparatuses and computer readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for emergency operations (e.g., Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) emergency calls) network slice exchange between entities in mobile networks. For example, a network node (e.g., a core network node, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF)) may provide, to a radio access network (RAN) node, information that identifies network slice(s) to be used for emergency operation(s).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for reducing and/or optimizing signaling messages between a radio access network (RAN) node and a core network based on an operation mode of the RAN node may include a core network server including: a memory storing computer readable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to establish a control plane connection with at least one radio access network (RAN) node, the at least one RAN node supporting at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode, determine a connection mode of the at least one RAN node, and restrict transmission of at least one signaling message to the at least one RAN node based on results of the determining the connection mode of the at least one RAN node.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: identify a plurality of allowed network slices of a terminal; and select at least one network slice among the plurality of allowed network slices of the terminal to be used for at least one signalling connection.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for reducing and/or optimizing signaling messages between a radio access network (RAN) node and a core network based on an operation mode of the RAN node may include a core network server including: a memory storing computer readable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to establish a control plane connection with at least one radio access network (RAN) node, the at least one RAN node supporting at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode, determine a connection mode of the at least one RAN node, and restrict transmission of at least one signaling message to the at least one RAN node based on results of the determining the connection mode of the at least one RAN node.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods in a communication system for identifying transient blockage are presented. Transmission to one or more RAN nodes of parameters for the one or more RAN node is controlled to detect occurrences of sharp channel degradation events in connections served by the node. Data is received from the one or more RAN nodes, the data being related to channel or transmission events related to detected sharp channel degradation in connections served by the node. Based on the received data, likelihood is determined that one or more RAN nodes have a high level of transient blockages.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network, connection event information for one or more user devices and associated channel condition information; and determining a connection behavior status of a user device based on at least a portion of the connection event information and associated channel condition information and a connection behavior status model, wherein the connection behavior status model provides a mapping or association between connection event information and associated channel condition information for one or more user devices and a connection behavior status.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for handling limited or unavailable uplink (UL). One method may include receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that uplink transmission is limited or unavailable.

Abstract: Method, apparatuses, and computer program product for network slice minimum and maximum resource quotas with soft limits. One method may include sending by a user, a request for user connection to a network element, the request resulting in resource quota reservation in a specific network concept. The method may also include receiving from the network element, an indication of whether the request was successful or unsuccessful. The request may include at least one procedure or action indicating network resource availability. The method may further include receiving allocated resources according to resource allocation rules specific to whether the user is entitled to use the allocated resources, and whether a user connection, a session, a bearer, a signaling connection or a data radio bearer request was successful.

Abstract: A first radio access network (RAN) accesses information indicating an availability status of an interface between an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a first wireless communication system and a mobility management entity (MME) in a second wireless communication system. The first RAN receives a trigger for a handover of a user equipment between the first RAN and a second RAN. The handover is selectively performed via the interface or a redirect via a network element shared by the first and second wireless communication systems based on the availability status. In some cases, the first RAN receive the information indicating the availability status prior to providing the request for the handover and stores the information in a database associated with the first RAN, which access the information from the database.

Abstract: A first radio access network (RAN) accesses information indicating an availability status of an interface between an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a first wireless communication system and a mobility management entity (MME) in a second wireless communication system. The first RAN receives a trigger for a handover of a user equipment between the first RAN and a second RAN. The handover is selectively performed via the interface or a redirect via a network element shared by the first and second wireless communication systems based on the availability status. In some cases, the first RAN receive the information indicating the availability status prior to providing the request for the handover and stores the information in a database associated with the first RAN, which access the information from the database.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for reducing and/or optimizing signaling messages between a radio access network (RAN) node and a core network based on an operation mode of the RAN node may include a core network server including: a memory storing computer readable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to establish a control plane connection with at least one radio access network (RAN) node, the at least one RAN node supporting at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode, determine a connection mode of the at least one RAN node, and restrict transmission of at least one signaling message to the at least one RAN node based on results of the determining the connection mode of the at least one RAN node.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprising: sending, by a user equipment, a radio resource control (RRC) message, wherein the RRC message triggers transition of the user equipment from an RRC inactive state to an RRC connected state, wherein the RRC message is interpreted as a radio access network notification area (RNA) update; and receiving, by the user equipment, an RRC response message. The RRC message comprises a cause value indicating a combined RNA update with a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprising: sending, by a user equipment, a radio resource control (RRC) message, wherein the RRC message triggers transition of the user equipment from an RRC inactive state to an RRC connected state, wherein the RRC message is interpreted as a radio access network notification area (RNA) update; and receiving, by the user equipment, an RRC response message. The RRC message comprises a cause value indicating a combined RNA update with a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

Abstract: A first radio access network (RAN) accesses information indicating an availability status of an interface between an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a first wireless communication system and a mobility management entity (MME) in a second wireless communication system. The first RAN receives a trigger for a handover of a user equipment between the first RAN and a second RAN. The handover is selectively performed via the interface or a redirect via a network element shared by the first and second wireless communication systems based on the availability status. In some cases, the first RAN receive the information indicating the availability status prior to providing the request for the handover and stores the information in a database associated with the first RAN, which access the information from the database.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to allow for the allocation and/or other deployment of a complementary network slice to partially and/or fully replace a network slice associated with a piece of user equipment when the piece of user equipment moves outside of the area associated with its current network slice application. When a piece of user equipment moves outside of its current network slice, application area, its services may be provided over a complementary network slice, or a complementary network slice may be allocated for a non-supporting user equipment to be used in the RAN and/or core network. In some example implementations, the allocation and/or other use of one or more complementary network slices enables the operator to predefine and use sets of policies that may differ from those associated with a user equipment's current and/or typical network slice.