Abstract: A method, performed by a first node (111). The first node (111) operates in a communications network (10). The first node (111) determines (202) a predictive model of a future need to page a device (133) operating in the communications network (10). The first node (111) then outputs (204) a first indication. The first indication is based on the determined predictive model. A second node (112) operating in the communications network (10) obtains (301) the first indication, and predicts (302), based on the obtained first indication, the future need to page the device (133). A third node (113) obtains (402) a third indication from the second node (112). The third indication indicates the predicted future need to page the device (133) operating in the communications network (10). The third node (113) then determines (403), based on the obtained third indication, whether or not to page the device (133).

Abstract: Methods and devices of enabling paging of a wireless communication device. In an aspect, a method of a node configured to provide core network user plane functionality in a communications network is provided to enable paging of a wireless communication device being in an idle state.

Abstract: Methods of operating a network function NF node of a communication network are discussed. In such methods a message is received from an access and mobility management function AMF node. Moreover, the message includes information regarding a radio access network RAN node with respect to a communication device. Related methods of operating RAN nodes and AMF nodes are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130, 140, 160) of a wireless communication network (100) comprising a first (130) and a second (140) core network node and a first (150) and a second (160) base station (150). A session of a wireless device (170) comprises data packets routed via a plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) from a data network (110).

Abstract: Methods of connecting a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network and devices performing the methods. In one aspect, a network node configured to connect a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network comprises a processing unit and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing unit, wherein the network node is to provide core network user plane functionality and/or radio access network user plane functionality, via an interface.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting a message directly to a user plane core network node providing functionality for the connection via the radio access network node, the message comprising one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device. The user plane core network node has access to a data storage layer shared between a plurality of user plane core network nodes, the data storage layer storing respective contexts for the sessions of a plurality of wireless devices, including the wireless device.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish or resume a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, selecting a core network user plane function for the connection to the telecommunications network; and initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the selected core network user plane function.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting, directly to a user plane core network node, a message initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the user plane core network node. The message comprises one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device, and further comprises an indication of a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the radio access network node.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method in a core network, corresponding embodiments of methods in a service consumer and service producer, and corresponding embodiments of a service consumer and service producer are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method in a core network comprises, at a service consumer, generating security information for a subscription to an event and sending a subscribe message comprising the security information to a service producer of the event. The method further comprises, at the service producer, receiving the subscribe message and sending a notification message to the service consumer, where the notification message comprises the event and either: the security information or information derived from the security information. The method further comprises, at the service consumer, receiving the notification message and verifying the notification message based on the security information or the information derived from the security information, comprised in the notification message.

Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a core network entity of a wireless communication network. A session establishment request may be received from a wireless terminal through a base station node. Responsive to receiving the session establishment request, the core network entity may determine that a breakout protocol data unit session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Responsive to determining that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal, a request may be transmitted to the base station node, and the request may include an indication that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Related methods may be provided for base station nodes, wireless terminals, and central controllers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and wireless device for supporting verification of a device category as well as to a method and a network node. It is desired to quickly allow finding out whether a wireless device should be allowed to access a network by verifying a device category. The method at the device comprises receiving from a network node a verification message including a random bit sequence; calculating a verification signature from the random bit sequence by using a verification function assigned to the device category; and transmitting the calculated verification signature to the network node in an uplink message of a random access procedure or in the first uplink message following a random access procedure so as to allow verification of the device category using the verification signature at a network node.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130, 140, 160) of a wireless communication network (100) comprising a first (130) and a second (140) core network node and a first (150) and a second (160) base station (150). A session of a wireless device (170) comprises data packets routed via a plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) from a data network (110).

Abstract: Systems and methods that are particularly well-suited for service-based core network endpoint authentication are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node implementing a second network function in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises receiving, at a main service of the second network function, a request from a first network function for a desired service via Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Representational State Transfer (HTTP/REST) signaling. The request comprises information that identifies one or more delegate endpoints of the first network function that expose one or more delegate services, respectively, of the first network function for providing the desired service using one or more different communication styles. The method further comprises initiating the desired service using a selected delegate endpoint from the one or more delegate endpoints identified by the information comprised in the request.

Abstract: Methods and devices of enabling paging of a wireless communication device. In an aspect, a method of a node configured to provide core network user plane functionality in a communications network is provided to enable paging of a wireless communication device being in an idle state.

Abstract: In response to a transition from a previous operational state to a current operational state of a given network partition of a plurality of network partitions of a core of a cellular network, a respective entry of a registry of the plurality of network partitions is updated. Network partition selection for a terminal is effected by participating in a communication of at least one selection control message corresponding to at least one entry of the registry.

Abstract: In response to a transition from a previous operational state to a current operational state of a given network partition of a plurality of network partitions of a core of a cellular network, a respective entry of a registry of the plurality of network partitions is updated. Network partition selection for a terminal is effected by participating in a communication of at least one selection control message corresponding to at least one entry of the registry.

Abstract: Methods of connecting a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network and devices performing the methods. In one aspect, a network node configured to connect a wireless communication device to a user plane in a wireless communication network comprises a processing unit and a memory containing instructions executable by the processing unit, wherein the network node is to provide core network user plane functionality and/or radio access network user plane functionality, via an interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods that are particularly well-suited for service-based core network endpoint authentication are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a network node implementing a second network function in a core network of a cellular communications system comprises receiving, at a main service of the second network function, a request from a first network function for a desired service via Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Representational State Transfer (HTTP/REST) signaling. The request comprises information that identifies one or more delegate endpoints of the first network function that expose one or more delegate services, respectively, of the first network function for providing the desired service using one or more different communication styles. The method further comprises initiating the desired service using a selected delegate endpoint from the one or more delegate endpoints identified by the information comprised in the request.

Abstract: A method may be provided to operate a core network entity of a wireless communication network. A session establishment request may be received from a wireless terminal through a base station node. Responsive to receiving the session establishment request, the core network entity may determine that a breakout protocol data unit session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Responsive to determining that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal, a request may be transmitted to the base station node, and the request may include an indication that the breakout PDU session is to be established for the wireless terminal. Related methods may be provided for base station nodes, wireless terminals, and central controllers.

Abstract: A method implemented in a user equipment (UE) includes connecting to a WLAN access point. The method further includes constructing a domain name for a packet system network, the domain name including network partition information for the packet system network. The method further includes transmitting, to a DNS server via the WLAN access point, the constructed domain name. The method further includes receiving, from the server, at least one address corresponding to a network node associated with the network partition information.