Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for 5MBS nation-wide services. According to an embodiment, a method implemented at a Multicast Broadcast Service Function, MBSF, comprises: receiving a first request to allocate a Multicast Broadcast Service, MBS, session identifier, ID, for an MBS session from an Application Function, AF; allocating the MBS session ID for the MBS session and selecting at least one Multicast Broadcast—Session Management Function, MB-SMF, based on the first request; providing the allocated MBS session ID to the at least one MB-SMF; and sending the allocated MBS session ID to the AF.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and an apparatus for allocating a PDU session ID for a terminal device. The method comprises: selecting (S101), for a terminal device, a protocol data unit session identity, PDU session ID, from a group of PDU session IDs. The group of PDU session IDs are not allocated to the terminal device. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network node may select, for the terminal device, a PDU session ID from a group of PDU session IDs, which are not allocated to the terminal device yet. Thus, any newly selected PDU session ID may be ensured as unique.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for authentication. A method performed by a session management and gateway entity comprises receiving a create session request comprising an identity of a terminal device from a mobile management entity. The method further comprises determining to use a second authentication method rather than a first authentication method. The second authentication method has a higher security than the first authentication method. The method further comprises triggering a procedure of the second authentication method related to an authentication authorization and accounting (AAA) server.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in which a network exposure node receives, from a server, a first request for monitoring communication failure for at least one terminal device. The network exposure node obtains a connection identity (ID) for identifying a connection between the at least one terminal device and the server, based on the received first request. The network exposure node sends, to a subscriber management node or a policy decision node, a second request for monitoring communication failure for the at least one terminal device. The second request includes the obtained connection ID.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for service management. A method performed by a session management function includes receiving a first message including fallback information for a terminal device from an access and mobility management function. The fallback information includes a fallback type. The method further includes determining whether data buffering for the terminal device is required based on the fallback information. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the data buffering for the terminal device is required, sending a second message including a buffering indication to a user plane function, wherein the buffering indication indicates the user plane function to buffer the data for the terminal device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods for establishing a user-requested protocol data unit (PDU) session in a user's visited public land mobile network (VPLMN), by a session management function (V-SMF) in the VPLMN. Such methods include receiving, from an access and mobility management function (AMF) in the VPLMN, a PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request to establish the PDU session to be routed through the user's home PLMN (HPLMN). The PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request identifies an SMF (H-SMF) in the user's HPLMN. Such methods include sending, to the identified H-SMF, a PDUSession_Create Request to create the PDU session. The PDUSession_Create Request includes an identifier of a session management (SM) context, in the V-SMF, that is associated with the PDU session. Such methods include receiving, from the H-SMF, a PDUSession_Update Request that includes an identifier of an SM context, in the H-SMF, that is associated with the PDU session. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by the H-SMF.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for relay service code management. The method which may be performed by a user equipment comprises transmitting a message to a first network to request a relay service code. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises receiving a response to the message from the first network. The response to the message may include the RSC.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for DDD status event handling with I-SMF improvement. In one embodiment, a session management function, SMF, node is provided. The SMF node includes processing circuitry configured to receive a subscription request to an event associated with the SMF node where the subscription request includes at least one of a packet detection rule, PDR, information and a Traffic Descriptor, and instruct a user plane function, UPF, node based at least on the subscription request.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to wireless communication technology. More particularly, the present application relates to a method and an apparatus for providing Multicast Broadcast (MB) service in a local service area. The present application also relates to computer program product adapted for the same purpose. The present application also relates to a terminal device adapted to cooperate with the apparatus for providing MB service in a local service area.

Abstract: A method performed by a relay UE for determining whether the relay UE may provide a relay service to a remote UE. The method includes the relay UE receiving from the remote UE a first message comprising a first authorization token and a first digital signature for verifying the authenticity of the first authorization token, wherein the first digital signature was generated by a first network function using the first authorization token and a first key, and the first authorization token indicates whether or not the remote UE is authorized to utilize a relay service provided by the relay UE. The method further includes the relay UE verifying the authenticity of the first authorization token.

Abstract: There is provided a method at a second user equipment (UE2) comprising receiving, from a first UE (UE1), a relay request message indicating a relay request of UE1. The relay request is for a relay service requested by UE1. The relay request message comprises an indication of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to which UE1 is subscribed. The method comprises determining that the relay request can be accepted by UE2 in at least one case where: the UE2 is authorized to support the relay service; the relay service is allowed by a current cell of UE2 served by a network node; UE2 is currently in a Radio Resource Control connected state; UE1 subscribes to a same PLMN as UE2; or the network node has provided relevant Access Stratum configurations to UE2. The method comprises transmitting a relay response message to UE1 based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for a first network element in a communication network to perform service subscriptions for a UE. The method includes: in response to receiving a request comprising service subscription information for the UE from a second network element serving the UE and assisting in the service, cross referencing the service subscription information for the UE in the request with stored service subscription information for the UE for consistency; and in response to being not consistent, initiating updating of service subscriptions for the UE in the second network element according to the stored service subscription information for the UE. Corresponding devices, computer readable storage medium, carrier, etc. are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling connection state of a terminal device. A user plane of a base station determines whether a first terminal device that acts as a terminal device to network relay for one or more second terminal devices in radio resource control (RRC) connected state is inactive, based on traffic conditions of the first terminal device and the one or more second terminal devices. The user plane reports a result of the determination to a control plane of the base station.

Abstract: A Voice Over Wifi (VoWifi) split Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session handover is provided. In embodiments described herein, a VoWiFi session is established via a Non-3GPP N3IWF over a 5G Core, and a handover to 3GPP access through the 5G System is initiated. During handover and based on local configuration, the Packet Data Network Gateway-Control Plane (PGW-C) and Session Management Function (SMF) (PGW-C+SMF) accepts the PDU Session transfer towards the User Equipment (UE) and Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) by means of setting up only the Quality of Service (QoS) Flow associated with a default QoS Rule. The PGW-C+SMF initiates set up of the QoS Flow for Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice using the PDU Session Modification procedure after the NG-RAN successfully allocates resources for the transferred PDU Session and the confirmation has reached the PGW-C+SMF.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for 5G Multicast Broadcast Services (5MBS) individual delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a core network node is configured to determine a radio access network, RAN, capability indication; and as a result of a request from a user equipment, UE, to join a multicast/broadcast, MB, session, sending a MB session response based on the RAN capability indication and at least one of a disable individual delivery parameter related to a multicast broadcast service, MBS, and a policy. In one embodiment, an application function, AF, node is configured to determine whether to disable an individual multicast broadcast service, MBS, traffic delivery for a multicast/broadcast, MB, session to at least one user equipment, UE; and send to a network node a disable individual delivery parameter associated with the MB session based at least in part on the determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multicast broadcast service. The method implemented at an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity comprises receiving a message for starting a multicast/broadcast (MB) session from a session management function (SMF) entity. The message comprises first location information. The method further comprises sending an MB session joining accept, reject, or cancel message to at least one terminal device based on the first location information.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a method of an endpoint of a user plane path between an access network and a core network in a telecommunication network, comprising: detecting whether a failure exists on the user plane path or not; and notifying a node in the core network of the failure in order for the node to handle the failure, upon detecting the failure. With this method, the failure can be handled timely, thus minimizing the service interruption.

Abstract: System comprising a mobility management entity, MME, a first Radio Access node, RAN (eNB) offering Long Term Evolution, LTE, access, and a second radio access node, RAN (gNB) offering New Radio, NR, access; a user entity, UE, supporting both Long Term Evolution, LTE, and New Radio, NR, Radio Access Technology, RAT.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a proxy method, comprising receiving a request for a service in a first architecture from a requester network function (NF) in a second architecture, obtaining a response of the service from a serving NF on behalf of the requester NF, and sending a further response to the requester NF based on the response of the service. The proxy method may be implemented on a NF or a function entity within a NF.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mobility between different communication systems are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a session management function (SMF) sends, to a service provider, a request for registering information related to the SMF to the service provider. The information related to the SMF comprises information indicating or derived from an Internet protocol (IP) address of a packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW) control plane (PGW-C) that is combined together with the SMF. The SMF receives, from the service provider, a response to the request.