Abstract: Embodiments here in relate to methods for message handling performed by an Access and Mobility Management function, AMF, and a User Equipment, UE, as well as a corresponding AMF and UE. Particularly, embodiments herein relate to methods for handling service requests performed by an Access and Mobility Management function, AMF, and a User Equipment, UE, as well as a corresponding AMF and UE.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for early data transmission performed by a wireless device comprises: obtaining, from a non-access stratum (NAS) communication layer, an initial NAS protocol data unit (PDU) for early data transmission; determining, by a radio resource control (RRC) communication layer, to initiate early data transmission based at least in part on a size of the initial NAS PDU; and transmitting an early data transmission including the initial NAS PDU.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a wireless device and an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, and methods performed by a wireless device and an AMF, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operation of a wireless device to provide service gap control in a wireless communication system, comprising: receiving a service gap parameter from a network entity in a mobility management sublayer non-access stratum message, the service gap parameter being indicative of a value for a service gap timer for the wireless device; and enforcing the service gap parameter at the wireless device in a non-access stratum layer. Also disclosed herein is a method of operation of a core network entity in a core network of a wireless communication system to provide service gap control, comprising: obtaining a service gap parameter for a wireless device, the service gap parameter being indicative of a value for a service gap timer for the wireless device; and sending the service gap parameter to the wireless device via a mobility management sublayer non-access stratum message.

Abstract: A network node of a mobile communications network may need to generate at least one new Input Offset Value, IOV value, for use in protecting communications between the network node and a mobile station. The network node then associates a fresh counter value with the or each new IOV value; calculates a Message Authentication Code based on at least the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and a constant indicating that the Message Authentication Code is calculated to protect the new IOV value; and transmits the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and the calculated Message Authentication Code to the mobile station.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method (400) by user equipment (UE) (300) is provided for avoiding bearer state mismatch that includes storing, by the UE, a passive context for use in resuming a connection with a network node (600). While the UE is in an inactive state, the UE locally deactivates at least one radio bearer. The UE signals, to the network node, an indication that the at least one radio bearer has been deactivated locally and the network node consequently modifies the stored bearer context.

Abstract: A network node of a mobile communications network may need to generate at least one new Input Offset Value, IOV value, for use in protecting communications between the network node and a mobile station. The network node then associates a fresh counter value with the or each new IOV value; calculates a Message Authentication Code based on at least the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and a constant indicating that the Message Authentication Code is calculated to protect the new IOV value; and transmits the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and the calculated Message Authentication Code to the mobile station.

Abstract: A method performed in a communications network includes receiving, from a wireless communication device, such as for example, a user equipment (UE), an indication including the EPS bearer identity (EBI) the UE has determined to use for a pending uplink (UL) of user data. The indication indicates a preference of the UE to use an existing CP connection or to establish a UP ON connection for the pending UL of user data. The indication is included in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request initiated by the UE. The method further includes determining, in response to receiving the indication, that the user plane (UP) connection does not need to be established and that the existing control plane (CP) connection may be used. The method further includes, in response to determining that the existing CP connection may be used, allowing the UE to send the pending UL of user data on the existing CP connection.

Abstract: A message authentication code, for a message transmitted and received over a communications network, is formed by applying inputs to an integrity algorithm acting on the message. The inputs comprise: an integrity key; a value indicating a transfer direction; and a frame-dependent integrity input, wherein the frame-dependent integrity input is a frame-dependent modulo count value that also depends on a random value and on a frame-specific sequence number.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method includes determining that at least one condition is met while a wireless device is in a power saving mode (PSM) and no non-access stratum (NAS) connection is established. In response to determining that the at least one condition is met and while no NAS connection is established, a timer is set to an initial value and restarted with the initial value.

Abstract: A method at a wireless terminal (UE) may include providing a first NAS connection with a network node (AMF) through a first access node (AN_1), wherein a first NAS CID is associated with the first NAS connection. While providing the first NAS connection, a second NAS CID may be allocated for a second NAS connection with the network node (AMF) through a second access node (AN_2). A registration request message may be transmitted to the network node (AMF) to request the second NAS connection, wherein transmitting the registration request message includes performing integrity protection for the registration request message using the second NAS CID. A security mode command message may be received from the network node (AMF), wherein the security mode command message corresponds to the registration request message. Responsive to receiving the security mode command message, a security mode complete message may be transmitted to the network node (AMF) through the second access node (AN_2).

Abstract: A method may be provided at a wireless terminal to support communications with a network node of a wireless communication network. An IKE SA may be initiated to establish a NAS connection between the wireless terminal and the network node through a non-3GPP access network and a non-3GPP interworking function network node. After initiating the IKE SA, an IKE authorization request may be transmitted through the non-3GPP access network to the N3IWF network node, with the IKE authorization request including an identifier of the wireless terminal. An access network key may be derived for the NAS connection through the non-3GPP access network at the wireless terminal, with the access network key being derived based on a NAS count for the wireless terminal and an anchor key. An IKE authorization response corresponding to the IKE authorization request may be received.

Abstract: There is provided a method for providing support capability of a core network (CN) node. The method is performed by the CN node. The method comprises setting up a connection to a radio access network (RAN) node. The method comprises, in response thereto, providing an indication regarding whether the CN node supports at least one of operator coordinated area (OCA) and query to the RAN node, according to which indication the CN node provides information to be used by the RAN node for selecting a serving operator such that the same operator is selected for the wireless device in both Circuit Switched (CS) domain and in Packet Switch (PS) domain.

Abstract: A mobile management control entity, MBC, being adapted for communicating with an access node, AN, such as an eNodeB, the MB being adapted for issuing a message comprising an indication (7) of a type of traffic to be reduced to or from the AN, wherein the traffic reduction comprises one of rejecting, ignoring or selectively restricting traffic. An Access Node, AN the AN being adapted for receiving (7) from the MBC an indication (7) of a type of traffic to be reduced, receiving (210, 150) a message (150) of a UE associated with the indication of a type of traffic to be reduced, rejecting, ignoring or selectively restricting (212) traffic to or from the UE belonging to the indication of type of traffic to be reduced.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method (400) by user equipment (UE) (300) is provided for avoiding bearer state mismatch that includes storing, by the UE, a passive context for use in resuming a connection with a network node (600). While the UE is in an inactive state, the UE locally deactivates at least one radio bearer. The UE signals, to the network node, an indication that the at least one radio bearer has been deactivated locally and the network node consequently modifies the stored bearer context.

Abstract: A network node of a mobile communications network may need to generate at least one new Input Offset Value, IOV value, for use in protecting communications between the network node and a mobile station. The network node then associates a fresh counter value with the or each new IOV value; calculates a Message Authentication Code based on at least the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and a constant indicating that the Message Authentication Code is calculated to protect the new IOV value; and transmits the at least one new IOV value, the fresh counter value associated with the or each new IOV value, and the calculated Message Authentication Code to the mobile station.

Abstract: A method performed in a communications network includes receiving, from a wireless communication device, such as for example, a user equipment (UE), an indication including the EPS bearer identity (EBI) the UE has determined to use for a pending uplink (UL) of user data. The indication indicates a preference of the UE to use an existing CP connection or to establish a UP ON connection for the pending UL of user data. The indication is included in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request initiated by the UE. The method further includes determining, in response to receiving the indication, that the user plane (UP) connection does not need to be established and that the existing control plane (CP) connection may be used. The method further includes, in response to determining that the existing CP connection may be used, allowing the UE to send the pending UL of user data on the existing CP connection.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an APN based group congestion control mechanism. The mechanism utilizes a Group Defining APN (GDA) for defining terminal groups. To add a terminal to a particular terminal group, the network operator need only add a GDA to a list of APNs already included in the terminal's subscription data.

Abstract: An electronic communication device of a telecommunications system receives a message containing an integrity mode bit and an integrity protection bit from another electronic communication device, and determines whether the integrity protection bit indicates that a Frame Check Sequence, FCS, field of the message has been replaced by a Medium Access Control, MAC, field. Responsive to determining that the integrity protection bit indicates that the FCS field has been replaced by the MAC field, the device determines whether the MAC field is valid. Responsive to determining that the MAC field is not valid and the integrity mode bit having a first defined value, the message is discarded. Responsive to determining that the MAC field is not valid and the integrity mode bit having a second defined value, content of the message is provided to a higher network protocol layer for processing.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a method in a UE (101) for handling ESM information. The UE (101) supports reception of information to be used in determination of the ESM information. The UE (101) receives, from an MME (105), information about at least one supported EPS network feature which the UE (101) may use. The information is received before the UE (101) sends ESM information to the MME (105). Based on the received information, the UE (101) determines the ESM information for a PDN connection for the UE (101). The UE (101) sends the determined ESM information to the MME (105).