Abstract: The present invention addresses a method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, such as a MuLTEfire network, which implement identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information are queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network, selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing, and conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

Abstract: It is provided a method, comprising configuring a first internet protocol address and a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for a connection between an apparatus performing the method and a packet data network; assigning the first internet protocol address to a first data path for the connection and to assign the second internet protocol address to a second data path for the connection, wherein at least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology; at least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology; and the part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, such as a MuLTEfire network, which implement identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information are queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network, selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing, and conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, such as a MuLTEfire network, which implement identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information are queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network, selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing, and conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

Abstract: Various methods are described coverage enhancement of delay limited services according to an example embodiment. One example method may comprise generating one or more transport blocks. In some example embodiments, the transport blocks are configured to contain a data payload replica. The method of this embodiment may also include causing the one or more transport blocks to be transmitted via parallel hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes. In some example embodiments, the one or more transport blocks are transmitted based on a limited number of transmissions. The method of this embodiment may also include causing transmission of the one or more transport blocks in an instance in which an allocation does not include a new data indicator and which includes a same transport block size and transport block format for the data payload replica.

Abstract: A method including transmitting from, a node a request for a packet data network (PDN) connection; and indicating by the node that the PDN connection request is for a multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use. A method including receiving a request by a node for a second packet data network (PDN) connection, where the node has a first packet data network (PDN) connection; and accepting the request for the second packet data network (PDN) connection based, at least partially, upon the node indicating that the second PDN connection request is for a multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use. A method including selecting a second gateway for the second packet data network (PDN) connection based, at least partially, upon a determination that the request is for the multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use, where the selecting of the second gateway avoids selection of the first gateway as the second gateway.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, such as a MuLTEfire network, which implement identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information are queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network, selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing, and conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing layered mobility are provided. Small cell eNBs belong to a cluster of local area base stations. A source eNB has a connection with user equipment having a first identity related to the connection and receives from the user equipment a request to send a scheduling request to another local area eNB of the cluster, the request including a list of target candidate eNBs. The source eNB determines suitable target eNB(s) from the list and resources for sending a scheduling request; and transmits The target eNB receives a scheduling request from user equipment allocates and sends communication resources to the user equipment and associates the first identity to the connection with the user equipment.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from improved network connectivity through an available service provider. For example, certain communication systems may benefit from informing a user equipment of the available service providers without having to first establish an RRC connection. A method includes sending from a user equipment a radio resource control query request message to a network entity. The method also includes receiving at the user equipment a query response message in response to the radio resource control query request message. In addition, the method includes selecting at the user equipment a service provider based on the query response message.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises configuring an autonomous mode for traffic offloading; and indicating the autonomous mode towards at least one terminal, wherein said autonomous mode supports local area radio access connectivity by internet protocols to reduce control from a core network. Related apparatus and computer program product are also described.

Abstract: A method including transmitting from, a node a request for a packet data network (PDN) connection; and indicating by the node that the PDN connection request is for a multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use. A method including receiving a request by a node for a second packet data network (PDN) connection, where the node has a first packet data network (PDN) connection; and accepting the request for the second packet data network (PDN) connection based, at least partially, upon the node indicating that the second PDN connection request is for a multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use. A method including selecting a second gateway for the second packet data network (PDN) connection based, at least partially, upon a determination that the request is for the multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP) use, where the selecting of the second gateway avoids selection of the first gateway as the second gateway.

Abstract: It is provided a method, comprising configuring a first internet protocol address and a second internet protocol address different from the first internet protocol address for a connection between an apparatus performing the method and a packet data network; assigning the first internet protocol address to a first data path for the connection and to assign the second internet protocol address to a second data path for the connection, wherein at least a part of the first data path belongs to a radio access technology; at least a part of the second data path belongs to the radio access technology; and the part of the first data path is different from the part of the second data path.

Abstract: A method for acquiring spectrum beyond the licensed spectrum for wireless network communications comprising accessing a geolocation database to determine a configuration of white space frequencies that may be available and transmitting the carrier aggregation configuration to user equipment (UE). The carrier aggregation configuration may be at least partially encrypted with the key sequences for the encryption being optionally changed for improved security. The white spaces may be activated in a handshake sequence in which a network node transmits an enabling signal to UE, receives an enabling request from UE specifying which white spaces are requested, and transmits an enabling response. In an alternative to transmitting an enabling response, the node may activate the requested white spaces in an LTE signal.

Abstract: Information acquisition relating to a radio environment of a terminal is caused. A carrier aggregation configuration of the terminal is created on the basis of the acquired information, the carrier aggregation configuration comprising a plurality of aggregated cells of same relevance implemented by at least one base station. Information transmission relating to the carrier aggregation configuration is caused to at least one base station implementing at least one aggregated cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating use of carrier aggregation for device-to-device communications. A method may include establishing, at a first communication apparatus, a carrier aggregation configuration defining a set of one or more component carriers usable for device-to-device communication between the first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus. The method may further include causing the first communication apparatus to engage in device-to-device communication with the second communication apparatus in accordance with the established carrier aggregation configuration. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises identifying at least one beacon opportunity at a wireless network device; selecting a beacon channel from a beacon slot that is a flexibly allocated frequency resource; and transmitting at least one beacon signal in the selected beacon channel multiplexed in a beacon frame during the identified beacon opportunity.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing layered mobility are provided. Small cell eNBs belong to a cluster of local area base stations. A source eNB has a connection with user equipment having a first identity related to the connection and receives from the user equipment a request to send a scheduling request to another local area eNB of the cluster, the request including a list of target candidate eNBs. The source eNB determines suitable target eNB(s) from the list and resources for sending a scheduling request; and transmits The target eNB receives a scheduling request from user equipment allocates and sends communication resources to the user equipment and associates the first identity to the connection with the user equipment.

Abstract: A method for acquiring spectrum beyond the licensed spectrum for wireless network communications comprising accessing a geolocation database to determine a configuration of white space frequencies that may be available and transmitting the carrier aggregation configuration to user equipment (UE). The carrier aggregation configuration may be at least partially encrypted with the key sequences for the encryption being optionally changed for improved security. The white spaces may be activated in a handshake sequence in which a network node transmits an enabling signal to UE, receives an enabling request from UE specifying which white spaces are requested, and transmits an enabling response. In an alternative to transmitting an enabling response, the node may activate the requested white spaces in an LTE signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises configuring an autonomous mode for traffic offloading; and indicating the autonomous mode towards at least one terminal, wherein said autonomous mode supports local area radio access connectivity by internet protocols to reduce control from a core network. Related apparatus and computer program product are also described.

Abstract: Various methods are described coverage enhancement of delay limited services according to an example embodiment. One example method may comprise generating one or more transport blocks. In some example embodiments, the transport blocks are configured to contain a data payload replica. The method of this embodiment may also include causing the one or more transport blocks to be transmitted via parallel hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes. In some example embodiments, the one or more transport blocks are transmitted based on a limited number of transmissions. The method of this embodiment may also include causing transmission of the one or more transport blocks in an instance in which an allocation does not include a new data indicator and which includes a same transport block size and transport block format for the data payload replica.