Abstract: Methods for selecting network slice, session management, and user plane functions for for user equipment (UE) are described. In one example, a control plane (CP) entity for mobility management may select a CP entity for session management for a session of a UE based on a first set of data items. The CP entity for mobility management may further select a user plane (UP) entity for the session of the UE based on a second set of data items, where second set of data items include at least some of the same data items of the first set. The CP entity for mobility management may send, to the selected CP entity, a message including an identity or indication of the selected UP entity for the session of the UE. The selected CP entity may select the identified or indicated UP entity for use in the session of the UE.

Abstract: In accordance with various implementations, a method is performed at a gateway with one or more processors, non-transitory memory, and a data interface. The method includes: obtaining a request to instantiate a tunnel for data from a guest service provider (GSP) to a user device that traverses an operator network; determining whether the request satisfies tunneling criteria, where the tunneling criteria at least includes a first criterion associated with intrinsic information associated with the operator network and a second criterion associated with extrinsic information that characterizes network resources of the network operator based on a relationship between the operator network and the GSP; instantiating the tunnel in response to determining that the request satisfies the tunneling criteria, where instantiating the tunnel includes the gateway transmitting tunnel instructions to other nodes of the operator network; and routing the data through the tunnel to transmit the data to the user device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in reducing signal latency in a mobile network with use of localized Unified Data Management (UDM) entities are described. For example, the technique may employ a plurality of localized UDMs, where each localized UDM is associated with a unique location area. A localized UDM provides for storage of, in a localized Unified Data Repository (UDR), subscriber profile data associated with a subscriber of user equipment (UE). The subscriber profile data stored in the localized UDR may be a replica or copy of at least a subset of subscriber profile data for the subscriber stored in a UDR of a “centralized” UDM. Query access to the localized UDR may be provided for network functions (NFs) or subscriber/UEs. The replica or copy of subscriber profile data may be stored in the localized UDR for those subscribers having use in the location area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in reducing signal latency in a mobile network with use of localized Unified Data Management (UDM) entities are described. For example, the technique may employ a plurality of localized UDMs, where each localized UDM is associated with a unique location area. A localized UDM provides for storage of, in a localized Unified Data Repository (UDR), subscriber profile data associated with a subscriber of user equipment (UE). The subscriber profile data stored in the localized UDR may be a replica or copy of at least a subset of subscriber profile data for the subscriber stored in a UDR of a “centralized” UDM. Query access to the localized UDR may be provided for network functions (NFs) or subscriber/UEs. The replica or copy of subscriber profile data may be stored in the localized UDR for those subscribers having use in the location area.

Abstract: In accordance with various implementations, a method is performed at a gateway with one or more processors, non-transitory memory, and a data interface. The method includes: obtaining a request to instantiate a tunnel for data from a guest service provider (GSP) to a user device that traverses an operator network; determining whether the request satisfies tunneling criteria, where the tunneling criteria at least includes a first criterion associated with intrinsic information associated with the operator network and a second criterion associated with extrinsic information that characterizes network resources of the network operator based on a relationship between the operator network and the GSP; instantiating the tunnel in response to determining that the request satisfies the tunneling criteria, where instantiating the tunnel includes the gateway transmitting tunnel instructions to other nodes of the operator network; and routing the data through the tunnel to transmit the data to the user device.