Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method in a mobility management node and such a node for delivering data to a wireless communication device (WCD) served by the mobility management node, operating in a communication network comprising a network entity (NE) and a radio access network (RAN) node serving the WCD, the method comprises: obtaining capability information indicating whether the RAN node supports acknowledgement of a successful delivery of data to the WCD; receiving a data message sent by the NE comprising user data intended for the WCD; sending a control plane message comprising the user data to the RAN node for further delivery to the WCD; sending a response to the NE indicating the outcome of the data delivery.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting a message directly to a user plane core network node providing functionality for the connection via the radio access network node, the message comprising one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device. The user plane core network node has access to a data storage layer shared between a plurality of user plane core network nodes, the data storage layer storing respective contexts for the sessions of a plurality of wireless devices, including the wireless device.

Abstract: A method of operating an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of a communications system that includes an access node (AN) configured to communicate through a wireless air interface with user equipments (UEs) and that has a Session Management Function (SMF), is provided. The method includes receiving an indication of a Max Data Radio Bearer Integrity Protection, DRB-IP, rate indicating a maximum computational capacity of the UE to process DRBs that have integrity protection during Packet Data Unit (PDU) sessions. A PDU session establishment request NAS message is received from the UE for establishing a PDU session. A PDU session create message is communicated toward the SMF. A SMF message is received that contains an indication of an allocated DRB-IP rate for DRBs that are to be integrity protected for a PDU session being established.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish or resume a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, selecting a core network user plane function for the connection to the telecommunications network; and initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the selected core network user plane function.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of operating a terminal device. The method includes operating the terminal device in a connected state with respect to the communication network. The method further includes receiving a first signal from a first radio access node in the communication network indicating that the connected state is to be suspended, the first signal having information for use in determining a first key for encrypting data to be sent between the terminal device and the first radio access node or another radio access node in the communication network if the connected state is resumed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for use in a network node of providing a radio resource control (RRC) state of a user equipment (UE) to a core network node comprises: receiving, from the core network node, a request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first and second RRC state; determining the UE transitioned between the first and second RRC state; and sending the notification of the transition to the core network node. A method for use in a core network node of receiving RRC state information of a UE comprises: sending, to the network node, a subscription request to receive a notification of a transition of the UE between a first and second RRC state; and upon the network node determining the UE transitioned between the first and second RRC state, receiving the notification from the network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods of handing over a wireless device 300 are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a source base station 100 of handing over a wireless device 300 from the source base station 100 to a target base station 200 may include determining that a wireless device 300 is to be handed over from the source base station 100 to the target base station 200. Further, the method may include sending, to the target base station 200, a current mapping between one or more flow identifiers and a first set of data radio bearers used for communication between the wireless device 300 and the source base station 100.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting, directly to a user plane core network node, a message initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the user plane core network node. The message comprises one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device, and further comprises an indication of a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the radio access network node.

Abstract: A method for PDU session management. The method includes receiving, at an Access and Mobility Management function entity (AMF), a registration request message transmitted by a user equipment (UE), wherein the registration request message comprises a list of PDU sessions to be activated; and, in response to receiving the registration request message, the AMF transmitting to a session management function (SMF) a request message for requesting the SMF to activate UP resources for at least one of the PDU sessions identified in the list of PDU sessions.

Abstract: A source base station determines that a wireless device is to be handed over from the source base station to a target base station and sends, to the target base station in a handover signaling message, a current mapping between two or more flow identifiers and a first data radio bearer used for communication between the wireless device and the source base station. The source base station receives, from the target base station, an indication that the current mapping is to be used and hands over the wireless device from the source base station to the target base station.

Abstract: A method, UE, and computer programs are provided where the UE has multiple universal subscriber identity modules. Information is received from a first PLMN indicating there is one of mobile terminating (MT) signaling or data in the first PLMN while the UE is in a second PLMN. Responsive to receiving the information, a service request is sent to an AMF node of the second PLMN. A radio resource control (RRC) connection release is received from a RAN node in response to sending the service request. Responsive to receiving the RRC connection release, the second PLMN is left to be in the first PLMN.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein related simultaneous registration of wireless communication device having multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) with two or more networks. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device having multiple SIMs comprises registering with a first network associated with a first SIM and registering with a second network associated with a second SIM such that the wireless communication device is simultaneously registered with both the first network and the second network. The method further comprises providing, to a network node associated with the first network, capability information for the wireless communication device that indicates less than full capabilities of the wireless communication device. In this manner, the wireless communication device ensures that it will have sufficient resources to maintain simultaneous connections to both the first and second network.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method performed by a radio access node for network scheduled User Equipment (UE) transition to connected mode and corresponding embodiments of a radio access node are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a radio access node comprises receiving: (a) a notification request from an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to retrieve reachability information for a UE or (b) downlink data to be communicated to the UE. The method further comprises, upon receiving either (a) or (b), determining that the UE is in an inactive state and is currently unreachable. The method further comprises sending information to the AMF that notifies the AMF that the UE is currently unreachable. The information comprises information that indicates that RAN paging of the UE is scheduled or scheduling assistance information. Embodiments of method performed by an AMF and corresponding embodiments of an AMF are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a core network node for enabling handling of data packets in a wireless communication system. The core network node identifies a potentially malicious service data flow associated with a communication device. The core network node assigns, to the potentially malicious service data flow, an identifier value to an identifier. The identifier value indicates that data packets associated with the potentially malicious service data flow should be handled according to a packet handling rule for potentially malicious data packets. The core network node provides an identifier comprising the identifier value towards the communication device towards at least one of an access node that serves the communication device in the access network, and a second core network node that processes data packets to and from the communication device.

Abstract: Techniques for generating and maintaining an identifier (112) of a user equipment (UE) (102) are presented. For instance, the disclosure presents an example method (200) executed by a radio access network (RAN) node for providing a UE (102) with an identifier (112). This example method (200) can include, for example, generating the identifier (112) for the UE (102), where the identifier (112) includes RAN node identity information, a timestamp indicating a time at which the identifier is generated by the RAN node (106), and/or integrity information from which the identifier (112) is verifiable. In addition, the example method (200) can include adding the identifier (112) to an information container (110) corresponding to the UE (102) and forwarding the information container (110) including the identifier (112) to a core network node (108).

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of operating a terminal device. The method includes operating the terminal device in a connected state with respect to the communication network. The method further includes receiving a first signal from a first radio access node in the communication network indicating that the connected state is to be suspended, the first signal having information for use in determining a first key for encrypting data to be sent between the terminal device and the first radio access node or another radio access node in the communication network if the connected state is resumed.

Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed herein that relate to support for virtual Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) bridge management, Quality of Service (QoS) mapping, and TSN related scheduling in a cellular communications system. In some embodiments, a method performed by one or more network nodes of a cellular communications system operating as a virtual TSN bridge of a TSN network comprises providing, to a controller associated with the TSN network, parameters that relate to capabilities of the virtual TSN bridge. The parameters that relate to the capabilities of the virtual TSN bridge comprise a first parameter that defines a clock accuracy of an entity in the cellular communications system that operates gating control for the virtual TSN bridge and a second parameter that informs the controller associated with the TSN network that the virtual TSN bridge or a particular egress port of the virtual TSN bridge is restricted to exclusive gating.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for providing network slice bit rate information and enforcing bit rate limitations. An exemplary method provides for receiving a network slice identifier identifying a network slice and corresponding network slice bit rate information (NS-BRI) for the identified network slice. The NS-BRI comprises i) first maximum bit rate information (MBRI) specifying a first maximum bit rate for the network slice and the user equipment, and/or ii) first guaranteed bit rate information (GBRI) specifying a first aggregate guaranteed bit rate for the network slice and the user equipment.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate a wireless terminal in communication with a base station. Such methods may include receiving a Radio Resource Control RRC message from the base station, wherein the RRC message includes information regarding at least one Quality of Service, QoS, flow being reflective and/or non-reflective. Such methods may also include providing communication of a data packet between the wireless terminal and the base station using a non-reflective QoS flow, wherein the data packet includes a data field and a Service Data Application Protocol SDAP header field with a QoS Flow Identity QFI, and wherein the QFI is used for the data packet based on the information from the RRC message. Methods of operating base stations and core network nodes may also be provided. Related wireless terminals, base stations, and core network nodes are also discussed.

Abstract: A method performed by a UE having multiple USIMs is provided. The method includes registering the UE in a first PLMN. The method includes moving the UE into a CM-connected state in the first PLMN. The method includes setting up a PDU session in the first PLMN. The method includes using a DNS, via the PDU session in the first PLMN, to select a N3IWF in a second PLMN. The method includes accessing the N3IWF via IP connectivity provided by the first PLMN and initiating a registration procedure with an AMF node in the second PLMN using the N3IWF, the UE indicating that the AMF node shall only use N3IFW for NAS notifications after registration. The method includes completing the registration procedure to register with the second PLMN. The method includes setting up a PDU session with a SMF node in the second PLMN without user plane resources.