Abstract: A method of MB delivery of Downlink (DL) MB Data to a plurality of Electronic Devices (EDs) connected to a (Radio) Access Network (R)AN node, the method comprises: storing the DL MB Data in a buffer of the (R)AN node; and transmitting, by the (R)AN node, the DL MB Data to the plurality of EDs.

Abstract: Examples of network architectures are provided. Some network architecture comprises a core network (CN) sub-architecture and a broadcast-multicast service-centre (BM-SC) sub-architecture. Some network architecture comprises a CN that implements functionality of the BM-SC. The architectures comprise network functions and interfaces between some of the network functions that allow for multicast broadcast multimedia system (MBMS) messaging and transmissions.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for user equipment (UE) internet protocol (IP) address management. The method includes sending by an application function (AF), a request to a policy control function (PCF), the request including information identifying traffic and an indication that a UE IP address associated with the traffic should be preserved. The method further includes sending by the PCF, to a session management function (SMF) being responsible for managing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with the traffic, a policy and charging control (PCC) rule including the indication. In some embodiments, the request is sent by the AF to the PCF via a network exposure function (NEF). In some embodiments, the method further includes managing, by the SMF, the UE IP address according to the PCC rule. In some embodiments, the managing includes preserving the UE IP address for a PDU session associated with the traffic.

Abstract: Upon receiving a request for a virtual network and before admitting the requested virtual network, a virtual service provider controller may assess the ability of the virtual service provider network to meet conditions specified in the request. In particular, the virtual service provider controller may consider details of the traffic expected in the requested virtual network in the context of existing traffic on the virtual service provider network. Consideration may be given to geographic distribution of traffic, type of traffic, and key performance indices. Indeed, traffic of different types may be homogenized through the use of weighting factors to simplify the assessment. Upon determining that the virtual service provider network may not be able to meet the conditions, the virtual service provider controller may attempt to obtain additional resources from an infra-structure provider network or may attempt to adjust resources allocated to already admitted virtual networks.

Abstract: A method of providing a network slice service includes a mobile network operator (MNO): providing one or more service profiles to a virtual service provider (VSP) serving a user population including a plurality of user devices, each service profile comprising attributes defining characteristics of a respective network slice service offered by the MNO, the network slice service comprising any one or more of: a Virtual Network with E2E service requirements; a Virtual Network with a specified network topology; and a virtualized infrastructure. The MNO receives a request for a selected network slice service from the VSP; determines whether or not the requested service can be provided; and responsive to determining that the requested service can be provided: sending a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the network slice service to the VSP; and subsequently facilitating a network slice service instance in accordance with the SLA.

Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: A network function and a method for associating a UE of a UE group to a PDU session with in a CN. The NF establishes a shared PDU session for the UE group before all of the UEs in the UE group register with the CN and binds a UE that has not yet registered with the CN to the shared PDU session when the UE registers with the CN, provided the UE will share at least one of a UL UP connection and a DL UP connection associated with the shared PDU session. The NF may be an SMF.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing User Plane (UP) path selection or reselection over a communications network with a 3rd party entity, and for notifying network entities of UP changes in a communications network, are disclosed. The method includes: receiving an application program interface based request for UP path selection from the 3rd party entity; performing a validation and authorization procedure with the request; transmitting a UP path selection configuration request to a Control Plane Function that maintains configuration data; obtaining a reference number confirming the UP path selection configuration request; and installing the UP path selection according to the reference number.

Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: Methods by which User Plane (UP) management information is exchanged between an Application Function (AF) supporting one or more applications and a Slice Management Function (SMF) configured to manage traffic flows in a given slice of the network. The exchange of UP management information may be initiated from either the AF or the SMF. In the case of AF-initiated information exchange, the UP management information provided by the AF may comprise traffic requirements of applications supported by the AF. In the case of SMF-initiated information exchange, the UP management information provided by the SM may comprise operator policy information or events, and the AF may respond with information of traffic requirements of applications supported by the AF.

Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: A communication system includes a user plane function (UPF) configured to receive a domain name system (DNS) query from a user equipment (UE). The DNS query includes a first destination address of a first DNS server. The DNS query is for determining an address of a data server in proximity to the UE. According to the first destination address of the first DNS server, the UPF obtains, from a session management function (SMF), a second destination address of a second DNS server for providing the address of the data server. The SMF is configured to provide, to the UPF, the second destination address of a second DNS server.

Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing User Plane (UP) path selection or reselection over a communications network with a 3rd party entity, and for notifying network entities of UP changes in a communications network, are disclosed. The method includes: receiving an application program interface based request for UP path selection from the 3rd party entity; performing a validation and authorization procedure with the request; transmitting a UP path selection configuration request to a Control Plane Function that maintains configuration data; obtaining a reference number confirming the UP path selection configuration request; and installing the UP path selection according to the reference number.

Abstract: Examples of network architectures are provided. Some network architecture comprises a core network (CN) sub-architecture and a broadcast-multicast service-centre (BM-SC) sub-architecture. Some network architecture comprises a CN that implements functionality of the BM-SC. The architectures comprise network functions and interfaces between some of the network functions that allow for multicast broadcast multimedia system (MBMS) messaging and transmissions.

Abstract: A method and system for protocol data unit (PDU) session release due to violation of time or location information element constraints is provided. Operations may be part of optimizing operation of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network. A policy control function (PCF) determines whether there is a violation of at least one of location information and time information associated with a background data transfer. Upon detecting such a violation, the PCF requests a session management function (SMF) to release a PDU session associated with the background data transfer. The SMF responds by releasing the PDU session.

Abstract: A network function and a method for associating a UE of a UE group to a PDU session with in a CN. The NF establishes a shared PDU session for the UE group before all of the UEs in the UE group register with the CN and binds a UE that has not yet registered with the CN to the shared PDU session when the UE registers with the CN, provided the UE will share at least one of a UL UP connection and a DL UP connection associated with the shared PDU session. The NF may be an SMF.

Abstract: A network architecture and methods of managing packet data unit (PDU) sessions in a network are provided. The methods include PDU session establishment procedures, PDU session modification procedures, PDU session state transfer procedures, PDU session release procedures, and user equipment (UE) handover procedures.

Abstract: A method and system of unifying data transmission and storage in a communication network are provided. The method comprises determining, by a coordinator associated with a network data analytics function (NWDAF) service instance set, what data that more than one NWDAF service instances in the NWDAF service instance set requires, if the data required by the more than one NWDAF service instances is the same, requesting, by the coordinator associated with the NWDAF service instance set, the data from a network function service instance set, and receiving the data from a data storage function that is notified by the network function service instance set of the request from the coordinator associated with the NWDAF service instance set.

Abstract: A network data analytics (NWDA) function and method of policy optimization in a communication network are provided. The NWDA performs data analytics on the communication network traffic, and includes communication interfaces to connect to other network elements in the communication network. The method comprises the NWDA function configured to receive a request for a policy input, send instructions to network elements to obtain network performance measurement data, receive the measurement data from the network elements, and transmit a policy input based on the received measurement data.