Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for receiving selection assistance information corresponding to a preferred network slice. One apparatus includes a processor coupled with at least one memory and configured to receive selection assistance information corresponding to a set of preferred network slices from the mobile communication network, where the selection assistance information includes an indication of at least one preferred network slice starting with a preferred network slice in a priority order, the selection assistance information further including target cell detection information and target cell selection information. The processor is configured to perform cell search on a highest priority frequency layer corresponding to the preferred network slice and to select a cell of the highest priority frequency layer that supports the preferred network slice based on results of the cell search.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for modifying a first data connection during the establishment of a second data connection. One apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver that receives a first request via a first data connection with a first mobile network, the first request containing a first set of parameters for establishing a second data connection with an interworking function in a second mobile network. Via the transceiver, the processor sends a second request to modify the first data connection, the second request containing a second set of parameters for modifying the first data connection to support the data traffic of the second data connection and transmits the data traffic of the second data connection through the modified first data connection.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for slice-specific RACH configuration. One apparatus (1000) includes a processor (1005) and a transceiver (1025) that receives (1205) a first set of slice-specific RACH configurations and receives (1210) a mapping of slice group identities to network slices of a communication network. Here, each slice-specific RACH configuration contains a set of random access parameters specific to a slice group identity. The processor (1005) selects (1215) a first RACH configuration for a first network slice based on the mapping and performs (1220) a random-access procedure in accordance with the first RACH configuration. Via the transceiver (1025), the processor (1005) transmits (1225) a service request to the communication network in accordance with the first RACH configuration.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for disabling a pending NSSAI. One method includes receiving, from a lower layer, a first indication of a radio link failure event, wherein the radio link failure event occurs during an authentication procedure of a network slice, and wherein the radio link failure event corresponds to unavailable cell coverage and disabling a pending NSSAI associated with network slice based at least in part on the radio link failure event. The method includes receiving, from the lower layer and after disabling the pending NSSAI, a second indication indicating available cell coverage and transmitting a registration request for the network slice in response to the available cell coverage, wherein the registration request comprises a requested NSSAI, and wherein the request NSSAI comprises a S-NSSAI associated with the pending NSSAI.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for registration authentication based on a capability. One method includes receiving, at a second network device from a first network device, an indication for a capability for a registration. The method includes transmitting, to a third network device, a first request for a type of authentication procedure for the registration. The method includes transmitting, to a remote unit, a second request. The second request corresponds to the type of authentication procedure for the registration. The method includes receiving, from the remote unit, a response to the second request. The response corresponds to a stored credential in the remote unit.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for negotiating chain policies. One apparatus includes at least one processor coupled with at least one memory and configured to cause the first network entity to receive a first request, e.g., from a second network entity, and to transmit, to a third network entity, a second request to update a data set to include the steering information and a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI). The first request may include an ID of at least one user equipment (UE). The first request may further include steering information that indicates a chain of at least one service function.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for provisioning a subscription to access local services. One apparatus includes a network interface that receives a first request message from an application function associated with a first service, the first request message containing a second subscription that enables a UE having a first subscription to register with a second mobile communication network that is not accessible with the first subscription. The apparatus includes a processor that receives an indication that the UE has initiated communication with a remote server accessible via the first mobile communication network and sends a second request message to the UE, the second request message containing the second subscription and enables the UE to access a local server via the second mobile communication network, where the local server provides the first service.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for network function reallocation with security context. One apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to detect, at a first network function of a mobile wireless communication network, that the first network function cannot serve a requested network slice from a user equipment (“UE”) device. The transceiver is configured to send, from the first network function via a second network function, a reroute message to a third network function of the mobile wireless communication network. The reroute message includes an initial non-access stratum (“NAS”) message retrieved during NAS security mode command (“SMC”) procedure with the UE device and a security configuration. The third network function uses the initial NAS message and the security configuration to determine a security context for the UE device and serve the requested network slice from the UE device.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for setting up multiple user plane (“UP”) security contexts. One apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor that derives distinct UP integrity and ciphering keys for a selected central unit user plane (“CU-UP”) node in the RAN, said derivation using a key derivation function. The processor assigns a UP Security Indicator to uniquely identify the derived distinct UP integrity and ciphering keys and the transceiver sends a setup request to the selected CU-UP node, said setup request containing the UP Security Indicator and the distinct UP integrity and ciphering keys. The transceiver receives a setup response from the selected CU-UP node and the processor activates distinct UP security at a UE.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for accessing a denied network resource. One apparatus includes a processor coupled with at least one memory and configured to cause the apparatus to transmit a registration request comprising a set of one or more network slices; receive a registration response comprising an empty allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) parameter; determine based on the empty allowed NSSAI parameter, to avoid other network services except emergency services; transmit an authentication response associated with a network slice specific authentication and authorization (NSSAA) procedure; and receive a reply message indicating that access to a network slice by a user equipment (UE) is denied due to a failed NSSAA of the UE or a revoked authorization of the UE.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems that support user equipment (UE) association with a network. For instance, implementations provide ways for UE registration requests and UE policy provisioning to be processed by a network. In implementations, payload containers of a registration request are processed separately by an access and mobility management function (AMF) and are transmitted to a policy control function (PCF) using two different hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) POST request messages. The PCF implements a timer to ensure that both the HTTP POST messages are received by the PCF before the PCF initiates creating UE policy sections. In additional or alternative implementations, an AMF processes payload containers of a registration request into one payload. A PCF can then process new information identities and, in at least some implementations, identify and separate payload containers.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for data connection establishment in response to a disaster condition. One method includes receiving, at a first network function in a first mobile communication network, a first message from a second network function in the first mobile communication network. The first message includes a data connection establishment request from a user equipment and a disaster indication indicating that the data connection establishment request is in response to a disaster condition in a second mobile communication network, and the disaster condition disables the user equipment from connecting to the second mobile communication network. The method includes determining destination addresses in the second mobile communication network. The method includes configuring a data connection corresponding to the data connection establishment request to accept data traffic between the user equipment and the destination addresses.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for target network slice information for target network slices. One method includes receiving a first message from a communication device including information indicating a request to register multiple network slices. The method includes determining target network slice information corresponding to multiple target network slices. The target network slice information includes information indicating network slices of the multiple network slices not supported in an area in which the communication device is located and a frequency specific configuration associated with the multiple target network slices. The method includes transmitting a second message to a radio network entity including the target network slice information and the associated frequency specific configuration.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for performing cell selection/reselection on a radio frequency associated with a network slice. One apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver that camps on a first frequency layer of a RAN while in a RRC idle state, the first frequency layer supporting a first set of network slices, where the first set of network slices is prioritized for use with a first frequency. The processor iteratively performs cell search on a second frequency layer while the apparatus is camped on the first frequency layer, the second frequency layer supporting a second set of network slices, where the second set of network slices is prioritized for use with a second frequency. The processor maintains in parallel the second frequency layer while in the RRC idle state.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for connection suspension of a SIM. One apparatus includes a processor, a first SIM registered with a first mobile communication network, a second SIM registered with a second mobile communication network, and a transceiver that communicates with the first and second mobile communication networks. The processor receives a communication trigger associated with the first SIM, the communication trigger indicating a service type and determines whether to apply a short connection suspension for the second SIM or a long connection suspension for the second SIM, said determination based on the service type. The processor additionally applies the selected one of the short connection suspension and the long connection suspension for the second SIM.

Abstract: For monitoring a slice attribute, apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor-1005 that determines to collect data for a slice attribute of a network slice. Here, the slice attribute is a number of UEs using the network slice and/or a number of data sessions using the network slice. The processor requests a first collecting network function to report first usage data (e.g., roaming UE usage) for the network slice according to the slice attribute and requests a second collecting network function to report second usage data (e.g., non-roaming usage) for the network slice according to the slice attribute. The processor determines whether a quota associated with the slice attribute is reached. The apparatus includes a transceiver that sends a notification to a network function in response to the quota being met.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for determining a radio access technology (RAT) type for an untrusted access network. One apparatus includes a processor coupled with the memory and configured to cause the apparatus to: communicate with a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) in a mobile communication network; receive a message via the N3IWF, the message comprising access network information (ANI) for a first access network and a registration request associated with a user equipment (UE) connected to the N3IWF via the first access network; determine a RAT type for the first access network based on the ANI; determine whether to accept the registration request based on the determined RAT type; and transmit a registration response message to the UE, the registration response message based on the determination whether to accept the registration request.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for network slice installation-based deployment testing. An apparatus (300) includes a transceiver (325) and a processor (305) coupled to the transceiver (325). The processor (305) is configured to cause the apparatus (300) to detect that a new version of network software is available, determine an incorporation plan for migrating to the new version of the network software, request a new network slice instance for deploying the new version of the network software according to the determined incorporation plan, and monitor performance of the one or UE devices using the new version of the network software in the new network slice instance.

Abstract: There is further provided a method for a first network function “NF” to determine a replacement of a network slice. The method comprises: receiving a request from a second NF for notification of when a network slice is to be replaced; determining that the network slice is to be replaced and determining an alternative network slice to replace it; and transmitting a notification message to the second NF comprising a notification that the network slice is to be replaced.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for policies related to non-public networks. One method includes receiving, at an access and mobility management function, a request to register a device. The method includes, in response to receiving the request to register the device, transmitting, by the access and mobility management function, a user equipment subscription data request to a unified data management. The method includes, in response to transmitting the user equipment subscription data request to the unified data management, receiving a user equipment subscription data response including a first identifier wherein the first identifier identities a stand-alone non-public network. The method includes performing an access and mobility management policy association establishment with a policy control function based on the user equipment subscription data. The method includes transparently transmitting by the policy control function a policy based on the first identifier.