Abstract: When a first radio of a UE has an air-interface connection with an access node on a first carrier and the UE encounters a trigger for the UE to scan for and report to the access node coverage on a second carrier, a second radio of the UE, rather than the first radio of the UE, will conduct the scanning, and the first radio of the UE will then report to access node over the air-interface connection on the first carrier a result of the scanning conducted by the second radio. Optimally, the first radio of the UE thus need not tune away from its air-interface connection with the access node in order for the UE to scan for target coverage on the second carrier. And the process could thereby help avoid the interruption of communication between the UE and the access node on the air-interface connection over the first carrier.

Abstract: Selecting combinations of antennae of a wireless device based on transmission type includes determining a transmission type of a transmission between the wireless device and an access node and, based on the transmission type, instructing the wireless device to utilize different antenna configurations, including 5G EN-DC, MIMO, mm-wave, and other combinations. The different antenna configurations comprise different combinations of antennae of the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically controlling connectivity of a user equipment device (UE) when the UE has standalone connectivity with a first access node under a first radio access technology (RAT). An example method includes the UE detecting that the UE is within threshold strong coverage of a second access node under a second RAT, and the UE making a selection between (i) responsively handing over from the first access node to the second access node and (ii) having dual-connectivity with the first access node and the second access node. Further, the example method includes the UE informing the first access node of the UE's selection, perhaps together with an inter-RAT measurement report reporting that the UE is within threshold strong coverage of the second access node, and the first access node responsively taking action in accordance with the UE's selection.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves a wireless User Equipment (UE) over wireless network slices using different handover types. The wireless communication network selects one of the wireless network slices for the wireless UE. The wireless communication network identifies one of the different handover types for the wireless UE based on the selected one of the wireless network slices. The wireless communication network serves the wireless UE over the selected one of the wireless network slices. The wireless communication network wirelessly hands-over the wireless UE from a source wireless access node to a target wireless access node using the identified one of the different handover types.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enabling network operators to play a key role in allowing Cellular Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to recharge batteries based on RF parameters and/or a class of service the UAVs provide to users/customers. For example, a particular mobile network operator (MNO) has a UAV charging station deployed in it leased towers where it has base stations (eNB/gNB) deployed. The MNO can provide charging as a service to the UAVs. When more than one drone is requesting a charge, the MNO can prioritize which UAV has the highest priority. In some aspects, the MNO can prioritize the UAVs for charging based on a Quality of Service identifier. Additionally or alternatively, the MNO can prioritize the UAVs for charging based on a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information indicator.

Abstract: Dual subscriber identity module (SIM) dual standby (DSDS) for providing multi-subscription communication services on more than one SIM via one or more respective radio access networks (RANs), one or more Wi-Fi networks, or a combination thereof, is disclosed. For instance, voice traffic and Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) traffic may be handled on one SIM for one provider network and data traffic may be handled on another SIM for another provider network, if available. Icon(s) for only a single SIM and/or a single 5G network signal indicator may be shown on the UI of the UE.

Abstract: A roaming network interface system receives an indication that a user device using a first network is to transition to a second network. The roaming network interface system determines whether the second network implements an interface between a mobility management entity and an access management function based on the received indication. The roaming network interface system provides instructions to the user device to transition from the first network to the second network based on the determination of whether the second network implements the interface.

Abstract: A wireless access node wirelessly broadcasts System Information Blocks (SIBs) that indicate individual slice characteristics for wireless network slices. A wireless UE wirelessly receives the SIBs, selects one of the slices based on user requirements for a user application and the individual slice characteristics for the slices, and transfers UE capability information that indicates the selected slice to the wireless access node. The wireless access node transfers the UE capability information to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The AMF authorizes the wireless UE for the selected slice and selects Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters for the wireless UE that correspond to the individual slice characteristics for the selected slice. The AMF transfers signaling to the wireless access node to serve the wireless UE per the selected QoS parameters. The wireless access node wirelessly exchanges user data with the wireless UE per the selected QoS parameters.

Abstract: A wireless User Equipment (UE) uses different handover types for different user applications that are served by different wireless network slices. The wireless UE executes a selected one of the user applications and selects one of the wireless network slices to serve the selected one of the user applications. The wireless UE selects one of the handover types for the selected one of the wireless network slices. The wireless UE wirelessly exchanges application data for the selected one of the user applications with a wireless communication network. The wireless UE and the wireless communication network use the selected one of the handover types for the wireless exchange of the application data. The selected one of the wireless network slices processes the application data in the wireless communication network for the selected one of the user applications.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves a wireless User Equipment (UE) over a working network slice and a protect network slice. The wireless communication network receives UE capability data from the wireless UE that indicates the working network slice and the protect network slice. The wireless communication network determines UE context for the working network slice and for the protect network slice. The wireless communication network exchanges initial user data with the wireless UE over the working network slice based on the UE context. The wireless communication network exchanges additional user data with the wireless UE over the protect network slice based on the UE context when performance of the working network slice triggers a slice switch based on the UE context.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves a wireless User Equipment (UE) over a backhaul link. A wireless network core identifies a wireless access node and a radio band for the wireless UE. The wireless network core selects a backhaul data rate for the wireless UE based on the radio band for the wireless UE. The wireless network core exchanges user data with the wireless access node over the backhaul link using the selected backhaul data rate. The wireless access node exchanges the user data with the wireless network core over the backhaul link using the selected backhaul data rate. The wireless access node wirelessly exchanges the user data with the wireless UE over the radio band.

Abstract: A wireless communication device optimizes network communications for a user application. The wireless communication device generates network characteristics for multiple wireless communication networks based wireless signals received from the multiple wireless communication networks. The wireless communication device transfers the network characteristics for the multiple wireless communication networks to the user application. The wireless communication device receives a selection of one of the wireless communication networks from the user application based on the network characteristics. The wireless communication device communicates over a radio with the selected one of the multiple wireless communication networks responsive to the selection from the user application.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing channel quality indication (CQI) reporting by user equipment (UEs) by selectively triggering the UEs to report CQI based at least on present physical location. UEs are controllable by base stations to toggle between active and inactive CQI reporting modes (inactive being the default mode). By default, base stations can make channel-state-based determinations based on previously reported CQI information stored as location-mapped CQI entries. Base stations can monitor the physical locations of UEs to determine when they are in locations with stale location-mapped CQI entries. If a UE is detected as being in such a location, a base station can direct the UE to toggle into active CQI reporting mode, thereby causing the UE to compute its CQI and transmit a CQI report. The base station can use the reported information to update the CQI score of the location-mapped CQI entry for that location.

Abstract: Arrangements detailed herein are directed to modifying functionality of and service provided to user equipment (UE) of a cellular network via integration with an external management system. A core application programming interface (API) can allow the external management system, distinct from the cellular network, to modify one or more parameters maintained by the cellular network core.

Abstract: A primary wireless access node receives signaling that indicates primary power headroom for a User Equipment (UE) when transmitting to the primary wireless access node and secondary power headroom for the UE when transmitting to a secondary wireless access node. The primary wireless access node determines a primary uplink grant and a secondary uplink grant for the UE and transfers the secondary uplink grant amount to the secondary wireless access node. The primary wireless access node wirelessly transfers the primary uplink grant to the UE and wirelessly receives primary user data from the UE based on the primary uplink grant. The secondary wireless access node receives the secondary uplink grant from the primary wireless access node. The secondary wireless access node wirelessly transfers the secondary uplink grant to the UE and wirelessly receives secondary user data from the UE based on the secondary uplink grant.

Abstract: A wireless communication network serves a wireless User Equipment (UE) over a working network slice and a protect network slice. In the wireless communication network, the UE transfers UE capability data to a network control-plane that indicates the working network slice and the protect network slice. The network control-plane generates UE context for the working network slice and the protect network slice. The network control-plane signals the UE context to the UE and to a network user-plane. The UE and network user plane exchange user data over the working network slice based on the UE context. The UE determines when the performance of the working network slice triggers a slice switch based on the UE context. In response to the slice switch, the UE stops using the working network slice. The UE and network user-plane exchange user data over the protect network slice based on the UE context.

Abstract: A wireless User Equipment (UE) to optimize network communications for a user application. A UE operating system receives a user permission for the user application to access network characteristics. The user application calls the operating system for the network characteristics, and the operating system obtains the network characteristics from wireless network circuitry in response to the user permission. The operating system transfers the network characteristics to the user application. The user application selects one of multiple wireless communication networks based on the network characteristics. The wireless network circuitry wirelessly exchanges user data for the user application with the selected wireless communication network.

Abstract: A wireless User Equipment (UE) controls a wireless data service that is received from a wireless communication network over a radio band. In the wireless UE, a radio wirelessly exchanges user data with the communication network over the radio band to receive the wireless data service. The radio wirelessly receives a communication performance metric from the wireless communication network over the radio band. The communication performance metric characterizes the wireless data service received by the wireless UE over the radio band. In the wireless UE, user circuitry translates the communication performance metric into a service instruction for the wireless UE over the radio band. The radio wirelessly transfers the service instruction for the wireless UE to the wireless communication network over the radio band. The wireless communication network modifies the wireless data service for the wireless UE responsive to the service instruction.

Abstract: A mechanism to help control connectivity of a user equipment device (UE). When the UE is served by a master node (MN) that does not support VOP service, the MN will cause the UE to not have a secondary connection with a secondary node (SN) that would engage in control-plane signaling with the UE via the UE's master connection with the MN. For instance, in that situation, the MN could avoid setting up the secondary connection for the UE in the first place. Or if the secondary connection exists already, the MN could tear down that secondary connection. By causing the secondary connection to not exist, the mechanism may help to avoid problems with operation of the secondary connection as a result of the UE tuning away to facilitate voice service.

Abstract: Methods are provided for enabling network operators to play a key role in allowing Cellular Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to recharge batteries based on RF parameters and/or a class of service the UAVs provide to users/customers. For example, a particular mobile network operator (MNO) has a UAV charging station deployed in it leased towers where it has base stations (eNB/gNB) deployed. The MNO can provide charging as a service to the UAVs. When more than one drone is requesting a charge, the MNO can prioritize which UAV has the highest priority. In some aspects, the MNO can prioritize the UAVs for charging based on a Quality of Service identifier. Additionally or alternatively, the MNO can prioritize the UAVs for charging based on a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information indicator.