Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to small data transmission (SDT). In the embodiments, a distributed unit (DU) of a network device determines that data for small data transmission (SDT), from a terminal device comprises data for at least one signaling radio bearer (SRB), without comprising data for a data radio bearer, DRB. The DU transmits, to a control plane (CP) of a central unit (CU) of the network device, an indication that the data for SDT is associated with the at least one SRB, and without being associated with a DRB. In this way, the SDT can be optimized.

Abstract: Apparatuses, method, and computer-program for a mobile telecommunication network comprising multiple public land mobile networks sharing a radio access network node are provided.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that has means for retrieving information associated with network slice selection, and means for selecting a network slice simultaneous registration group using the information associated with network slice selection. The apparatus also has means for providing, to a network entity, a requested network slice selection assistance information based on the selected network slice simultaneous registration group.

Abstract: There is provided a method, comprising: communicating a first data session on a first network slice with a source network node; receiving an indication indicating whether or not mapping the first data session to a second data session at a target network node requires switching to a second network slice, wherein the user equipment is equipped with a dual active protocol stack enabling the user equipment to communicate with the source network node and with the target network node during the handover process of the apparatus from a source cell provided by the source network node to a target cell provided by the target network node; deciding to continue the first data session on the first network slice with the source network node during the handover process; and deciding, based on the indication, when to start user plane data communication on the second data session with the target network node.

Abstract: A method performed at an apparatus for configuration of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area (RNA) is provided. The method comprises receiving a message including RNA information to be temporarily added to the RNA, and timing information associated to the RNA information. The method further comprises configuring the RNA by temporarily adding the RNA information to the RNA based on the timing information.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus in a first network access node, the apparatus comprising means configured to perform: obtaining cell information comprising a list of network slices supported by at least one neighbour cell neighbouring a serving cell, wherein the network slices in the list are non-uniformly supported in a tracking area associated with the at least one neighbour cell. The means further configured to perform: identifying, using the obtained cell information, a target cell from the at least one neighbour cell that supports a network slice currently used by a user equipment, for performing a change from the serving cell to the target cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method comprising receiving, from a distributed unit, an indication for assisting in determining a reconfiguration having an effect on at least one radio bearer for providing a multicast communication service or a broadcast communication service to at least one terminal device, the at least one radio bearer comprising at least a point-to-point leg for providing said service; and transmitting, to the at least one terminal device, a message indicative of the reconfiguration.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for inter-gNB small data transmission (SDT) routing at a radio access network (RAN). A method may include transmitting an initial request message from a first element in a first network node, to a second element in the first network node to obtain context information. The method may also include receiving, at the first element, a context setup request message based on the context information containing a transport layer information of a third element of a second network node and context information of a user equipment in the second network node. The method may further include processing a data packet according to the received context information. In addition, the method may include forwarding the data packet to the third element of the second network node according to the received transport layer information.

Abstract: A first radio access network (RAN) accesses information indicating an availability status of an interface between an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a first wireless communication system and a mobility management entity (MME) in a second wireless communication system. The first RAN receives a trigger for a handover of a user equipment between the first RAN and a second RAN. The handover is selectively performed via the interface or a redirect via a network element shared by the first and second wireless communication systems based on the availability status. In some cases, the first RAN receive the information indicating the availability status prior to providing the request for the handover and stores the information in a database associated with the first RAN, which access the information from the database.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a user equipment for transmission of a data, the user equipment being served by a cell of a base station, the user equipment being in an inactive state, the user equipment comprising means being configured for: in response to determining that a condition is fulfilled, forming a data packet comprising the data and a first identity of the user equipment; otherwise, forming a data packet comprising the data and a second identity of the user equipment; wherein the condition comprises at least that the cell was a last serving cell of the user equipment before the user equipment transitioned to the inactive state; wherein the first identity is different from the second identity; transmitting the data packet to the base station.

Abstract: Paging update indications for enhanced paging strategy are provided. An apparatus may include at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, may cause the apparatus at least to identify at least one of peer nodes from which paging messages were received for paging actions towards a user equipment. The apparatus may, based on determined radio conditions by the apparatus, be further caused to trigger sending of a notification message including paging recommendation information towards the at least one of identified peer nodes from which the paging messages were received. In a scenario, the determined radio conditions may be due to one or more unsuccessful uplink random access channel transmissions in one or more cells managed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving network slice information from a core network entity, the network slice information related to a network slice which is not supported in one or more cells of a first tracking area, but which is supported in one or more cells of a second tracking area. The method further comprises triggering a procedure at a user equipment to access said network slice based on said network slice information when said user equipment is in one or more cells of the first tracking area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for determining random access channel (RACH) resources or parameters based on network slice-based resource allocation classes (RACs) may be provided. A mapping between network slices and a set of RACs may be determined by a core network (CN). The CN may send this mapping to the UE. The UE may select RACH resources or parameters for a network slice. The radio access network (RAN) may determine a mapping between the RACs and the RACH resources or parameters. The UE may determine the corresponding RACH resources or parameters to be used for a RAC.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for reducing and/or optimizing signaling messages between a radio access network (RAN) node and a core network based on an operation mode of the RAN node may include a core network server including: a memory storing computer readable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to establish a control plane connection with at least one radio access network (RAN) node, the at least one RAN node supporting at least a first connection mode and a second connection mode, determine a connection mode of the at least one RAN node, and restrict transmission of at least one signaling message to the at least one RAN node based on results of the determining the connection mode of the at least one RAN node.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a registration area are provided. A network entity may receive one or more indications of topology information from one or more radio access network nodes. Each indication of topology information is related to one or more tracking areas and each tracking area is associated with one or more cells in a radio access network served by each of the one or more radio access network nodes. The network entity may determine a registration area based at least in part on the received one or more indications of topology information related to the one or more tracking areas.

Abstract: An apparatus in a source radio access node comprises means for receiving first information for determining a last packet to be forwarded to a target radio access node to which a communications device is being handed over from the source radio access node, said source radio access node providing a multicast or broadcasting service to the communications device. The means may be for causing the last packet to be forwarded from the source radio access node to the target radio access node with end information indicating that there no further packets are being forwarded.

Abstract: Network devices and a method for providing a session management function (SMF)-centric multicast and broadcast services (MBS) activation using group paging may include a SMF network device which is caused to receive a MBS activate message, the MBS activate message including a MBS session ID, determine a plurality of deactivated UE devices associated with the MBS session ID, the plurality of deactivated UE devices including idle UE devices, determine at least one AMF network device associated with each of the determined plurality of deactivated UE devices, and transmit an AMF MBS activate message to the AMF network device, the AMF MBS activate message including information related to at least one UE device associated with each of the determined at least one AMF network, the AMF MB S activate message causing the at least one AMF network device to trigger a group paging of the UE device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program is described comprising: receiving a first register request from a first node of a mobile communication system at a network repository function of a mobile communication system, wherein the first register request registers parameters or capabilities of the first node in the network repository function to enable the network repository function to provide information relating to said parameters or capabilities to a second node of the mobile communications system, wherein at least one of the first and the second node is an access node of the mobile communication system.

Abstract: It is provided a method comprising at least one of a) and b): a) monitoring whether a service request to produce a producer service is received and producing the producer service if the service request is received, wherein the producer service is a service produced by the access network; and b) consuming a producer service from a core network or an access network, wherein the producer service is consumed by an access network.

Abstract: Devices, methods and computer programs for small data trans-Client device Control Plane whether an ongoing small data transmission, SDT, transaction comprising one or more uplink, UL, small data transmissions with a control plane network node device is to be terminated. If yes, a radio resource control, RRC, message comprising termination information related to the determined termination of the on-ongoing SDT going SDT transaction is forwarded from the client device to the control plane terminated network node device.