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.

Abstract: A method performed by a transmitting communication device for handling communication for a wireless device in a communication network. The communication network comprises one or more networks comprising partitioned sets of functionalities wherein a first set of functionalities belongs to a first network slice supporting the wireless device, and which first set of functionalities is separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the one or more networks. The transmitting communication device transmits a Non Access Stratum Protocol Data Unit (NAS PDU) and an indication over a signalling connection carrying NAS PDUs, to a receiving communication device, which indication indicates that the NAS PDU is associated with the first network slice.

Abstract: A core network node identifies a non-USIM based authentication procedure to be utilized by a wireless communication device, WCD, being served by the core network node. The node obtains a session key associated with the identified non-USIM based authentication procedure. The node converts the session key associated with the identified non-USIM based authentication procedure to i) a first key, K1, for use by the WCD and a base station serving the WCD to derive an encryption or integrity protection key, Kenc/int, for enabling encryption or integrity protection of a communication between the WCD and the base station or ii) a second key, K2, for use by the WCD and the core network node to derive the first key K1. The node then send i) K1 to the base station or ii) K2 to another core network node that is configured to derive K1 from K2.

Abstract: A method implemented in a control node includes receiving a message from a first node. The method further includes determining whether the received message corresponds to one or more network partitions based at least in part on the partition selection information. The method further includes selecting, in response to determining that the message corresponds to the one or more network partitions, a particular network partition from the one or more network partitions using the partition selection information, and routing the message to a second node associated with the selected particular network partition.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the teachings herein, dynamic cell activation uses the spectrum of a spectrum owner to provide wireless communication services in a location that may not be served by the spectrum owner. For example, a base station determines which one of two or more network operators is targeted by a wireless device requesting access, and correspondingly activates communication services for the device, using spectrum owned by the targeted network operator. Advantageously, the cell(s) may not be persistent and instead may be provided only when access is requested and then only in the spectrum of the targeted network operator(s). This approach offers power savings as compared to providing persistent cells for multiple network operators. Further, the contemplated arrangement makes it economic for third parties and network operators to use of operator-owned spectrum that might otherwise remain unexploited in the involved locations.

Abstract: A method of operating a network node in a communication network may include receiving a request from a first communication device. The request may be a request to associate a second communication device, and the request may include an identification for the second communication device. A definition of a service limitation for the second communication device may be received from the first communication device, and in response to the request from the first communication device, a network access credential may be provided for the second communication device. Communication for the second communication device may be provided in accordance with the definition of the service limitation using the network access credential. Related communication devices and network nodes are also discussed.

Abstract: A method is performed in a network control entity that manages network connections for a network. The method includes receiving a network attachment request from a network access entity or a user equipment for connecting the user equipment to the network. The method further includes obtaining a network partition ID associated with the UE, the network partition ID identifying a network partition that includes a predetermined group of network entities included in the network. The method also includes transmitting, to a network storage entity, a notification containing the network partition ID.

Abstract: A radio device includes one or more processors and memory. The memory contains instructions executable by the one or more processors. The radio device is operable to communicate a request to a first node to use wireless spectrum controlled by the first node and to, in response to communicating the request, receive from a network node a radio device request message. The radio device is operable to calculate a checksum of software installed in the radio device and to communicate a radio device checksum message to the network node based on the calculation of the checksum of software installed in the radio device. The radio device is also operable to receive a validation response from the first node indicating that the radio device may use the wireless spectrum controlled by the first node based on validation of the radio device through the radio device checksum message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distributing access information in a multi-operator scenario. In a multi-operator network (100), network nodes (130, 140, 150) are configured to transmit one or more system signatures and one or more access information tables. A terminal device (200) can use a received system signature to retrieve a set of system information from an access information table. The retrieved system information is used by the terminal device (200) to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to an operator network.

Abstract: A method is performed in a network control entity that manages network connections for a network. The method includes receiving a network attachment request from a network access entity or a user equipment for connecting the user equipment to the network. The method further includes obtaining a network partition ID associated with the UE, the network partition ID identifying a network partition that includes a predetermined group of network entities included in the network. The method also includes transmitting, to a network storage entity, a notification containing the network partition ID.

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.

Abstract: A method performed by a transmitting communication device for handling communication for a wireless device in a communication network. The communication network comprises one or more networks comprising partitioned sets of functionalities wherein a first set of functionalities belongs to a first network slice supporting the wireless device, and which first set of functionalities is separated from another set of functionalities out of a total set of functionalities in the one or more networks. The transmitting communication device transmits a Non Access Stratum Protocol Data Unit (NAS PDU) and an indication over a signalling connection carrying NAS PDUs, to a receiving communication device, which indication indicates that the NAS PDU is associated with the first network slice.

Abstract: A method implemented in a control node includes receiving a message from a first node. The method further includes determining whether the received message corresponds to one or more network partitions based at least in part on the partition selection information. The method further includes selecting, in response to determining that the message corresponds to the one or more network partitions, a particular network partition from the one or more network partitions using the partition selection information, and routing the message to a second node associated with the selected particular network partition.

Abstract: A core network node identifies a non-USIM based authentication procedure to be utilized by a wireless communication device, WCD, being served by the core network node. The node obtains a session key associated with the identified non-USIM based authentication procedure. The node converts the session key associated with the identified non-USIM based authentication procedure to i) a first key, K1, for use by the WCD and a base station serving the WCD to derive an encryption or integrity protection key, Kenc/int, for enabling encryption or integrity protection of a communication between the WCD and the base station or ii) a second key, K2, for use by the WCD and the core network node to derive the first key K1. The node then send i) K1 to the base station or ii) K2 to another core network node that is configured to derive K1 from K2.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the teachings herein, dynamic cell activation uses the spectrum of a spectrum owner to provide wireless communication services in a location that may not be served by the spectrum owner. For example, a base station determines which one of two or more network operators is targeted by a wireless device requesting access, and correspondingly activates communication services for the device, using spectrum owned by the targeted network operator. Advantageously, the cell(s) may not be persistent and instead may be provided only when access is requested and then only in the spectrum of the targeted network operator(s). This approach offers power savings as compared to providing persistent cells for multiple network operators. Further, the contemplated arrangement makes it economic for third parties and network operators to use of operator-owned spectrum that might otherwise remain unexploited in the involved locations.

Abstract: A mobile device may be configured to communicate across at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The mobile device can be configured to monitor a downlink control channel on the first carrier. The device can receive a first command from the network node to monitor a downlink control channel on the second carrier. Based on receiving the first command from the network node, the device can monitor the downlink control channel on the first carrier or the downlink control channel on the second carrier or both the downlink control channel on the first carrier and the downlink control channel on the second carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing the amount of messages sent in a communication network comprising a first communication network entity, a second communication network entity connected to said first communication network entity over a communication interface and one or more user equipments connected to said second communication network entity over a radio interface, whereby messages are sent on said interfaces using at least a first and a second protocol. General rules are provided for sending first protocol messages packed inside second protocol messages, so called “piggybacking”, and each first protocol message is provided with an instruction field defining a co-ordination of procedure steps to be taken for performing an action.

Abstract: A network slice selection involves authenticating, by an identity manager (1) of a network operator (4), a user device (8) and/or user based on a network attachment request originating from the user device (8) to correlate the user device (8) and/or user to a network slice of multiple network slices (3) provided by the network operator (4). The identity manager (1) authorizes access to a network slice (3) of the network slice type based on credentials of the user device (8) and/or user. The identity manager (1) provides information of an entry point to an application provided by the network slice (3) for transmission to the user device (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing the amount of messages sent in a communication network comprising a first communication network entity, a second communication network entity connected to said first communication network entity over a communication interface and one or more user equipments connected to said second communication network entity over a radio interface, whereby messages are sent on said interfaces using at least a first and a second protocol. General rules are provided for sending first protocol messages packed inside second protocol messages, so called “piggybacking”, and each first protocol message is provided with an instruction field defining a co-ordination of procedure steps to be taken for performing an action.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distributing access information in a multi-operator scenario. In a multi-operator network (100), network nodes (130, 140, 150) are configured to transmit one or more system signatures and one or more access information tables. A terminal device (200) can use a received system signature to retrieve a set of system information from an access information table. The retrieved system information is used by the terminal device (200) to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to an operator network.