Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising means for: obtaining, from a network repository function, profile information for one or more gateway network functions; selecting one of the one or more gateway network functions for delivering media to a user equipment based on the profile information; and establishing a media session to deliver the media to the user equipment via the selected gateway network function.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises means configured to: receive a request from a communications device requesting one or more internet protocol addresses via a dynamic host configuration protocol; during establishment of a packet data unit session for the communications device, invoking a dynamic host configuration protocol server function to provide the requested one or more internet protocol addresses; and allocating an edge application server discovery function.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by a network element or function configured to provide an application function providing a service in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to generate and send, to a communication network control element or function of the communication network, an indication that a change from a first application function currently providing the service to a communication session conducted in the communication network to a second application function providing the service to the communication session from now on takes place, wherein the indication is configured to cause an event in the communication network to switch a communication path from the first application function to the second application function.

Abstract: A method, for use in a network control element, is provide, the method comprising: allocating a network security function between a visited network and a home network of a user equipment, and controlling domain name system related signalling between an edge computing related network element in the visited network and a network element in the home network such that the domain name system related signalling is subjected to the network security function.

Abstract: On a control plane or on a user plane of a communication system, a parameter of service quality for a session between a user equipment and a data network is received (S2B01), the parameter is evaluated (S2B02) for a change of the parameter, and based on the evaluation (S2B03), the change of the parameter is reported (S2B04) to the control plane of the communication system. On the control plane, the parameter is received (S2A01). The parameter is evaluated (S2A02), and based on the evaluation (S2A03), re-location of a user plane network function is initiated and/or a new user plane network function is inserted (S2A04).

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for the assignment of a common edge application server (EAS) for ad-hoc groups of user equipment (UE). A method may include generating or updating binding information comprising a correlation between a group identifier of an ad-hoc group of user equipment (UE) and an edge application server (EAS) identifier assigned to the ad-hoc group, and storing, updating, and/or deleting the binding information, or causing the binding information to be stored, in a database.

Abstract: A network entity of a communication network receives a first message from a user equipment, the first message including at least first information regarding a domain name server query. In accordance with a first handling rule, the first message is processed by including second information regarding a subnet option into the first message, and the processed first message is forwarded to a domain name server. The network entity receives a second message from the domain name server, the second message including a response to the domain name server query and the second information. In accordance with a second handling rule, the second message is processed by replacing the second information, and the processed second message is forwarded to the user equipment.

Abstract: There is provided a computer program, method and apparatus for an application function that causes the application function to: signal, to a first network function, a first request to be notified of at least one change in first user plane functions associated with a first virtual network, the first virtual network comprising the first user plane functions and a first interface interfacing the first user plane functions with a first data network; receive, from the first network function, a first indication that said at least one change has occurred; and configure connectivity with at least one interface to the first virtual network in dependence on the at least one change indicated in the said first indication.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for the assignment of a common edge application server (EAS) for ad-hoc groups of user equipment (UE). A method may include generating or updating binding information comprising a correlation between a group identifier of an ad-hoc group of user equipment (UE) and an edge application server (EAS) identifier assigned to the ad-hoc group, and storing, updating, and/or deleting the binding information, or causing the binding information to be stored, in a database.

Abstract: The Kerr effect depends very strongly on the temperature and is associated with high operating voltages. The present invention relates to an electrically controllable optical element which comprises a cell (D) filled with a starting mixture (K) and having two substrates (1a, 1b) and a conductive layer (2a, 2b) applied onto the inner surface of the respective substrate (1a, 1b), wherein the starting mixture (K) comprises a mixture of dipolar, rod-shaped molecules (5) and semi-mesogenes (4) as active constituents, and wherein the starting mixture (K) forms a thin layer having a wide-meshed, anisotropic network (9) produced by photo-polymerization between the structured or/and flat conductive layers (2a, 2b), which are applied onto a substrate (1a, 1b), in a thin-film cell (D). According to the invention, an optically active surface profile (O) is incorporated on the inner surface of a substrate (1a or 1b) or into the substrate (1a or 1b) or both substrates (1a and 1b).

Abstract: Method, apparatus and computer program product for an application function in a communications network detecting a request from a user equipment for direct peer-to-peer communication with at least one other user equipment, where the direct communication is performed without an application in a data center identified by a data network access identifier, instructing the network to set up said direct communication with the at least one other user equipment gathering information, during establishment/deestablishment of a packet data unit session with user equipment, of the at least one other user equipment participating in the direct communication, and coordinating connectivity between the user equipment and the other participating user equipment based on the received information.

Abstract: Upon receiving (S10) a request in a visited network in which a UE is roaming, an SMF selection function (10) of the visited network selects an H-SMF located in a home network of the UE by transmitting (S20) information indicating requirements towards an H-NRF (20) located in the home network, receiving (S40), based on the transmission of the information, at least one candidate H-SMF complying with the requirements, and selecting (S50) the H-SMF from the at least one candidate H-SMF.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in a communication network are provided. First protocol elements are acquired from a user plane of a first network entity of the communication network, the first network entity having a split network function into the user plane and a control plane. Second protocol elements are acquired from the control plane of the first network entity, and third protocol elements are generated from the first and second protocol elements for a second network entity of the communication network, the second network entity being separate from the first network entity.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses, methods, computer programs, computer program products and computer-readable media regarding SDN security. The method comprises checking whether messages in the user plane comply to a preconfigured rule, and if it is determined that the messages comply to the preconfigured rule, checking whether a number of specific signaling messages related to address allocation that are sent to a controller has reached a predetermined threshold, and if the predetermined threshold has been reached, throttling transmission of the specific signaling messages to the controller.

Abstract: The Kerr effect depends very strongly on the temperature and is associated with high operating voltages. The present invention relates to an electrically controllable optical element which comprises a cell (D) filled with a starting mixture (K) and having two substrates (1a, 1b) and a conductive layer (2a, 2b) applied onto the inner surface of the respective substrate (1a, 1b), wherein the starting mixture (K) comprises a mixture of dipolar, rod-shaped molecules (5) and semi-mesogenes (4) as active constituents, and wherein the starting mixture (K) forms a thin layer having a wide-meshed, anisotropic network (9) produced by photo-polymerization between the structured or/and flat conductive layers (2a, 2b), which are applied onto a substrate (1a, 1b), in a thin-film cell (D). According to the invention, an optically active surface profile (O) is incorporated on the inner surface of a substrate (1a or 1b) or into the substrate (1a or 1b) or both substrates (1a and 1b).

Abstract: On a control plane or on a user plane of a communication system, a parameter of service quality for a session between a user equipment and a data network is received (S2B01), the parameter is evaluated (S2B02) for a change of the parameter, and based on the evaluation (S2B03), the change of the parameter is reported (S2B04) to the control plane of the communication system. On the control plane, the parameter is received (S2A01). The parameter is evaluated (S2A02), and based on the evaluation (S2A03), re-location of a user plane network function is initiated and/or a new user plane network function is inserted (S2A04).

Abstract: Upon receiving (S10) a request in a visited network in which a UE is roaming, an SMF selection function (10) of the visited network selects an H-SMF located in a home network of the UE by transmitting (S20) information indicating requirements towards an H-NRF (20) located in the home network, receiving (S40), based on the transmission of the information, at least one candidate H-SMF complying with the requirements, and selecting (S50) the H-SMF from the at least one candidate H-SMF.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and computer program product for an application function in a communications network detecting a request from a user equipment for direct peer-to-peer communication with at least one other user equipment, where the direct communication is performed without an application in a data center identified by a data network access identifier, instructing the network to set up said direct communication with the at least one other user equipment gathering information, during establishment/deestablishment of a packet data unit session with user equipment, of the at least one other user equipment participating in the direct communication, and coordinating connectivity between the user equipment and the other participating user equipment based on the received information.

Abstract: A method comprising determining that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated, preparing an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and causing transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access.

Abstract: A method comprising determining that at least one virtualized communication function or application providing services related to a communication network is instantiated, preparing an indication related to the instantiation of the at least one virtualized communication function or application, and causing transmission of the prepared indication to at least one of a network element of the communication network, a network function of the communication network, a communication function, an application and a database to which network elements, network functions, communication functions or applications in the communication network have access.