Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a virtual network function manager for management of a virtual network function. A first request to manage a virtual network function is received (404). The request comprises an indication of whether to select an alternative virtual resource for allocation if a requested virtual resource is unavailable for allocation. A second request for a virtual resource associated with the first request to manage the virtual network function is transmitted (406). The requested virtual resource has one or more predefined characteristics. If a response is received that indicates the virtual resource having the one or more predefined characteristics is unavailable for allocation (408), an alternative virtual resource is selected for allocation (412). The alternative virtual resource has one or more alternative characteristics comprising at least one alternative characteristic that is different to a corresponding one of the predefined characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a virtual network function manager for management of a virtual network function. A first request to manage a virtual network function is received (404). The request comprises an indication of whether to select an alternative virtual resource for allocation if a requested virtual resource is unavailable for allocation. A second request for a virtual resource associated with the first request to manage the virtual network function is transmitted (406). The requested virtual resource has one or more predefined characteristics. If a response is received that indicates the virtual resource having the one or more predefined characteristics is unavailable for allocation (408), an alternative virtual resource is selected for allocation (412). The alternative virtual resource has one or more alternative characteristics comprising at least one alternative characteristic that is different to a corresponding one of the predefined characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, user equipment, access controller, and equipment identity register for controlling access of a user equipment, UE, (100) to services provided by a communication network (101). The UE (100) is adapted to support at least a first access technology (202), said at least first access technology (202) is associated with at least one first equipment identifier (206), and said first equipment identifier uniquely identifies the UE (100). The method comprises the first steps of receiving a network access request to services via said first access technology (202), said network access request comprising said first equipment identifier (206). The method comprises the second steps of receiving at least one additional equipment identifier not related to said first access technology (202), said additional equipment identifier uniquely identifying the UE (100). The method comprises the third steps of and controlling the UE's (100) access to the services based on the received information.

Abstract: An IMS registration and session initiation is disclosed for a user equipment (UE). The UE has a subscription identifier comprising an IMSI and/or MSISDN. A PDN-GW establishes (s10) an IP-CAN session with a PCRF, for the UE, by transmitting, to the PCRF, the subscription identifier of the UE and an IP address assigned to the UE. The PCRF binds (s20) the subscription identifier to the IP address assigned to the UE for the IP-CAN session. Then, upon the UE initiating the IMS registration, a P-CSCF transfers (s30), to an S-CSCF, an IMPU. The S-CSCF obtains (s40), based on the IMPU, the subscription identifier of the UE from a user database. The S-CSCF transfers (s50) to the P-CSCF the obtained subscription identifier of the UE. The P-CSCF binds (s60) the subscription identifier of the UE to the IMPU. Then, upon the UE initiating an IMS session associated with the IMPU, the P-CSCF establishes (s70) an AF session towards the PCRF with the subscription identifier bound to the IMPU.

Abstract: An IMS registration and session initiation is disclosed for a user equipment (UE). The UE has a subscription identifier comprising an IMSI and/or MSISDN. A PDN-GW establishes (s10) an IP-CAN session with a PCRF, for the UE, by transmitting, to the PCRF, the subscription identifier of the UE and an IP address assigned to the UE. The PCRF binds (s20) the subscription identifier to the IP address assigned to the UE for the IP-CAN session. Then, upon the UE initiating the IMS registration, a P-CSCF transfers (s30), to an S-CSCF, an IMPU. The S-CSCF obtains (s40), based on the IMPU, the subscription identifier of the UE from a user database. The S-CSCF transfers (s50) to the P-CSCF the obtained subscription identifier of the UE. The P-CSCF binds (s60) the subscription identifier of the UE to the IMPU. Then, upon the UE initiating an IMS session associated with the IMPU, the P-CSCF establishes (s70) an AF session towards the PCRF with the subscription identifier bound to the IMPU.