Abstract: A method, by a first node, for handling provision of an IMS service. A communications network comprises a first slice handling a first IMS service, and a second slice handling a second IMS service. The first node obtains, from a second node at least one of a first and a second indication. The first indication is of a first routing service instance for a third node handling the first service in the first slice. The second indication is of a second routing service instance for a fourth node handling the second service in the second slice. The first node routes a request, to one of the nodes with one of the proviso that when the request is for the first service, the routing is based on the first indication, and when the request is for the second service, the routing is based on the second indication.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by an IMS node for handling data of a UE, in a communication network, wherein the communication network comprises partitioned sets of functionalities of one or more core networks wherein each set of functionalities belongs to a network slice. The IMS node receives, from the UE, a message for registering the UE to the IMS node, wherein the message comprises a slice indication indicating a network slice identity and a UE indication identifying the UE. The IMS node stores a registration of the UE in the IMS node, in addition to a previously stored registration of the UE, with the proviso that the indicated network slice identity differs from a previous network slice identity of the previously stored registration of the UE and thereby allowing parallel active communications using the registration and the previously stored registration.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by an IMS node for handling data of a UE, in a communication network, wherein the communication network comprises partitioned sets of functionalities of one or more core networks wherein each set of functionalities belongs to a network slice. The IMS node receives, from the UE, a message for registering the UE to the IMS node, wherein the message comprises a slice indication indicating a network slice identity and a UE indication identifying the UE. The IMS node stores a registration of the UE in the IMS node, in addition to a previously stored registration of the UE, with the proviso that the indicated network slice identity differs from a previous network slice identity of the previously stored registration of the UE and thereby allowing parallel active communications using the registration and the previously stored registration.

Abstract: System, methods, nodes, and instruction set for routing a session invitation from a first network (101) to a second network (112) are described. The first network (101) and the second network (112) are interconnected via at least two points of interconnect (114, 120). A first control node (124) receives a session invitation to a first user equipment (106), both are part of the first network (101). The first control node (124) determines whether a breakout condition for routing of the session invitation to the second network (112) is fulfilled. If so, a second control node (128) of the first network (101) selects a point of interconnect (114, 120) to the second network (112), considering a capability information characterizing the first control node (124). Therefore the session invitation may be routed in an efficient way from the first network (101) to the second network (112).

Abstract: System, methods, entities, and computer program for handling timers in a communication network are described. The communication network comprises a plurality of entities (100-108). The method in a first entity (100) comprises determining (301) whether a supervision condition for supervising a communication procedure is fulfilled. The method further comprises adding (308), based on a result of the step of determining the supervision condition (301), a timer validity information to a signaling message related to the communication procedure, and sending (308) the signaling message to a second entity (102). The method in a second entity (102-108) comprises receiving (400) a signaling message associated with a communication procedure, the signaling message containing a timer validity information.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle Public Service Identities identifying services in a network when a given Public Service Identity (PSI) belongs to a range of Public Service Identities defined as a ‘Wildcard PSI’ range. An enhanced Home Subscriber Server, serving entity, and routing entity, all co-operating to carry out the invention by handling an identifier of the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range, which includes the given Public Service Identity, the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range being associated with a common service profile to be applied for services identified by those Public Service Identities belonging to the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range.

Abstract: A method of routing an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, connection request sent by a user of a third party service, User A, towards a peer third party service user, User B, where the originating identity and target identity fields contain respectively external third party identities of User A and User B. The method comprises receiving said request at an IMS Access Gateway to an IMS network, and extracting said external identities and determining whether the extracted external identities are registered in respect of a wildcarded IMPU or wildcarded IMPUs that in turn is or are registered in the IMS network. In the event that these are registered, it is determined whether or not service logic is to be executed in the IMS network for both User A and User B and, if not, an IMS Edge Node routable identity associated with User B is determined. The IMS Edge Node routable identity is used to forward the IMS connection request to a terminating side IMS Edge Node.

Abstract: A method of handling SIP requests received by an IP Multimedia Subsystem network. The method comprises determining whether or not the SIP destination identity is within a range of identities owned by an operator of the network but is currently unallocated to a subscriber or service of the network and, if yes, routing the message to one or more SIP application servers within the network and implementing service logic at the application server(s) specific to a network owned but unallocated SIP identity.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle Public Service Identities identifying services in a network when a given Public Service Identity (PSI) belongs to a range of Public Service Identities defined as a ‘Wildcard PSI’ range. An enhanced Home Subscriber Server, serving entity, and routing entity, all co-operating to carry out the invention by handling an identifier of the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range, which includes the given Public Service Identity, the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range being associated with a common service profile to be applied for services identified by those Public Service Identities belonging to the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range.

Abstract: A method of handling traffic within an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network. The method comprises registering an IMS user with a first Serving Call Session Control Function, S-CSCF, of the IMS network. Subsequently, at the first S-CSCF, a decision is made or instruction received to transfer said user to an alternative, second S-CSCF within the IMS network. A notification is sent from said first S-CSCF to a further IMS node, the notification including an explicit instruction to select a second S-CSCF and, upon receipt of said notification at the further IMS node, an S-CSCF reselection initiated for the user in order to select a second S-CSCF.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a network entity of an IMS network, in which a registered user is being served by an assigned Serving-Call Session Control Function, S-CSCF. The network entity includes a memory storing data that includes an identity of at least one better-matching S-CSCF in the IMS network having capabilities better suited for serving the registered user than the assigned S-CSCF. The network entity is configured to obtain an indication of the availability of the better-matching S-CSCF, and when the better-matching S-CSCF entity is available to initiate a transfer so that the registered user is served by the better-matching S-CSCF. The network entity may be the assigned S-CSCF, or may be an I-CSCF. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of transferring a registered user to a better-matching S-CSCF.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle Public Service Identities identifying services in a network when a given Public Service Identity (PSI) belongs to a range of Public Service Identities defined as a ‘Wildcard PSI’ range. An enhanced Home Subscriber Server, serving entity, and routing entity, all co-operating to carry out the invention by handling an identifier of the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range, which includes the given Public Service Identity, the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range being associated with a common service profile to be applied for services identified by those Public Service Identities belonging to the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range.

Abstract: System, methods, nodes, and instruction set for routing a session invitation from a first network (101) to a second network (112) are described. The first network (101) and the second network (112) are interconnected via at least two points of interconnect (1 14, 120). A first control node (124) receives a session invitation to a first user equipment (106), both are part of the first network (101). The first control node (124) determines whether a breakout condition for routing of the session invitation to the second network (112) is fulfilled. If so, a second control node (128) of the first network (101) selects a point of interconnect (114, 120) to the second network (112), considering a capability information characterizing the first control node (124). Therefore the session invitation may be routed in an efficient way from the first network (101) to the second network (112).

Abstract: System, methods, entities, and computer program for handling timers in a communication network are described. The communication network comprises a plurality of entities (100-108). The method in a first entity (100) comprises determining (301) whether a supervision condition for supervising a communication procedure is fulfilled. The method further comprises adding (308), based on a result of the step of determining the supervision condition (301), a timer validity information to a signaling message related to the communication procedure, and sending (308) the signaling message to a second entity (102). The method in a second entity (102-108) comprises receiving (400) a signaling message associated with a communication procedure, the signaling message containing a timer validity information.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating recovery from the failure of a P-CSCF within an IP multimedia Subsystem network. A gateway, such as a GGSN, monitors signals arriving at the gateway from the P-CSCF and provides an indication if the monitored signals become unacceptable, for example because of an interruption in the signals. The gateway responds by signalling the unavailability of the P-CSCF to user equipment, which was associated with the P-CSCF during a previous registration with the IMS network. In response, for example, the user equipment affected by the failure may request re-registration with the IMS network using a different available P-CSCF.

Abstract: A method of routing an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, connection request sent by a user of a third party service, User A, towards a peer third party service user, User B, where the originating identity and target identity fields contain respectively external third party identities of User A and User B. The method comprises receiving said request at an IMS Access Gateway to an IMS network, and extracting said external identities and determining whether the extracted external identities are registered in respect of a wildcarded IMPU or wildcarded IMPUs that in turn is or are registered in the IMS network. In the event that these are registered, it is determined whether or not service logic is to be executed in the IMS network for both User A and User B and, if not, an IMS Edge Node routable identity associated with User B is determined. The IMS Edge Node routable identity is used to forward the IMS connection request to a terminating side IMS Edge Node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing, to an S-CSCF, application server behaviour instructions. The application server behaviour instructions are applied by the S-CSCF when interworking with the application server that the instructions are for.

Abstract: A method of handling traffic within an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network. The method comprises registering an IMS user with a first Serving Call Session Control Function, S-CSCF, of the IMS network. Subsequently, at the first S-CSCF, a decision is made or instruction received to transfer said user to an alternative, second S-CSCF within the IMS network. A notification is sent from said first S-CSCF to a further IMS node, the notification including an explicit instruction to select a second S-CSCF and, upon receipt of said notification at the further IMS node, an S-CSCF reselection initiated for the user in order to select a second S-CSCF.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses for collecting user activity information in a telecommunications system. A first telecommunications node (120) handling signaling of the terminal of a user sends a message (516) notifying a registration event (515) of the user to a second node (130) handling registration information of said user. The message comprises an information element (ACT) indicating whether the user has been involved in a service provided during a registration period comprised between a previous registration event (501) of said user and said notified registration event. At reception of the message, the second node updates registration information (430) and activity information (440) of the user. By including service usage information in registration notification messages, the operator of the telecommunications system can obtain information about the rate of service usage in the system without requiring implementation of neither new nodes nor new messages to be exchanged by new or existing nodes.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle Public Service Identities identifying services in a network when a given Public Service Identity (PSI) belongs to a range of Public Service Identities defined as a ‘Wildcard PSI’ range. An enhanced Home Subscriber Server, serving entity, and routing entity, all co-operating to carry out the invention by handling an identifier of the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range, which includes the given Public Service Identity, the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range being associated with a common service profile to be applied for services identified by those Public Service Identities belonging to the ‘Wildcard PSI’ range.