Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: A method, performed by a first node (111), for managing data in a database (115) in a communications network (100) is described. The first node (111) operates in the communications network (100). The first node (111) receives (302) a request from a second node (112) operating in the communications network (100). The request is to modify an authorization to manage the data. The request is received as a service operation of a set of service operations provided by a service of the database (115). The first node (111) provides (303) a response to the second node (112) based on the received request, and further based on the authorization as defined by a third node (113) operating in the communications network (100). The first node (111) is a service producer of the database (115), the second node (112) is a service consumer, and the third node (113) is an initial provisioner of the authorization.

Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: An apparatus for user plane function, UPF, allocation is described. The UPF is configured to provide a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, connectivity service between a terminal device and a data network on a user plane, and the allocation is based on control information associated with an individual logical PDU entity. The control information defines priority information indicative of a priority of the PDU entity relative to other PDU entities and pre-emption information indicative of at least one of whether the PDU entity is capable of being pre-emptively allocated to a UPF over other PDU entities served by that UPF, and whether the PDU entity when served by a UPF is vulnerable to being re-allocated for pre-emptively allocating other PDU entities to that UPF.

Abstract: A method, performed by a first node (111), for managing data in a database (115) in a communications network (100) is described. The first node (111) operates in the communications network (100). The first node (111) receives (302) a request from a second node (112) operating in the communications network (100). The request is to modify an authorization to manage the data. The request is received as a service operation of a set of service operations provided by a service of the database (115). The first node (111) provides (303) a response to the second node (112) based on the received request, and further based on the authorization as defined by third node (113) operating in the communications network (100). The first node (111) is a service producer of the database (115), the second node (112) is a service consumer, and the third node (113) is an initial provisioner of the authorization.

Abstract: A method aims at providing a service in a communication network, and comprises the following steps. An access to a service requiring authentication is initiated by a UE (100), An identity management node (300) authenticates the UE, and then sends, to a PCRF node (400), a message comprising: service information for identifying the service to which access is initiated, identification information for identifying the UE, and authentication information determined upon authenticating the UE. The PCRF node determines control rules to be applied to the service for the UE, based on the authentication information and service information. The PCRF node then triggers installation of the control rules in at least one network node (500) handling service data flows (SDF) for the service, to enforce the control rules on traffic associated with the service for the UE. The invention also relates to devices and computer programs for carrying such as method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, by a policy controller 100, for generating policy rules for data packet flows in a communications network. The policy controller 100 has access to a policy database 130 and stores a service level agreement. The service level agreement contains a plurality of different service level identifiers, each service level identifier being associated with a set of conditions that govern the policy rules to be applied to the data packet flows in the communications network. The method comprises the following steps: An authorization request is received for a data packet flow, the authorization request comprising service information for a service and a service level identifier. The policy database 130 is accessed and the set of conditions associated with the received service level identifier is determined. Further, based on the determined set of conditions, a policy rule to be applied to the data packet flow is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for user plane function, UPF, allocation is described. The UPF is configured to provide a Protocol Data Unit, PDU, connectivity service between a terminal device and a data network on a user plane, and the allocation is based on control information associated with an individual logical PDU entity. The control information defines priority information indicative of a priority of the PDU entity relative to other PDU entities and pre-emption information indicative of at least one of whether the PDU entity is capable of being pre-emptively allocated to a UPF over other PDU entities served by that UPF, and whether the PDU entity when served by a UPF is vulnerable to being re-allocated for pre-emptively allocating other PDU entities to that UPF.

Abstract: Network nodes and methods for control thereof for dynamic network slice selection. An AMF receives a UE request originating from the UE, the UE request being any one of a registration request and a session request. A network slice requester controls a transmitter to transmit a network slice selection request to a PC_NSS. A selection data manager of the PC_NSS determines selection data specifying one or more UE specific parameters affecting network slice selection. A network slice selector selects a network slice assignable for the UE, based on the selection data, determines network slice data and a corresponding network slice routing rule, and transmits them to the AMF. A network slice manager of the AMF controls assignment of a network slice to the UE in dependence on the received network slice data and network slice routing rule.

Abstract: According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a communication device (114, 200) configured to form part of a telecommunications network and to carry out an access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF. The communication device comprises a receiver (204) configured to receive a request for access network policy information relating to a user equipment, UE, (100, 300) and current UE location data. The communication device comprises a policy information unit (214) configured to determine primary information comprising access network policy information for the UE based at least in part on the current UE location data. The policy information unit is further configured to determine secondary information specifying one or more further UE locations at which the UE should make a further request for access network policy information. The communication device comprises a transmitter (202) configured to transmit the primary and secondary information towards the UE.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, by a policy controller 100, for generating policy rules for data packet flows in a communications network. The policy controller 100 has access to a policy database 130 and stores a service level agreement. The service level agreement contains a plurality of different service level identifiers, each service level identifier being associated with a set of conditions that govern the policy rules to be applied to the data packet flows in the communications network. The method comprises the following steps: An authorization request is received for a data packet flow, the authorization request comprising service information for a service and a service level identifier. The policy database 130 is accessed and the set of conditions associated with the received service level identifier is determined. Further, based on the determined set of conditions, a policy rule to be applied to the data packet flow is generated.

Abstract: A method aims at providing a service in a communication network, and comprises the following steps. An access to a service requiring authentication is initiated by a UE (100), An identity management node (300) authenticates the UE, and then sends, to a PCRF node (400), a message comprising: service information for identifying the service to which access is initiated, identification information for identifying the UE, and authentication information determined upon authenticating the UE. The PCRF node determines control rules to be applied to the service for the UE, based on the authentication information and service information. The PCRF node then triggers installation of the control rules in at least one network node (500) handling service data flows (SDF) for the service, to enforce the control rules on traffic associated with the service for the UE. The invention also relates to devices and computer programs for carrying such as method.

Abstract: According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a communication device (114, 200) configured to form part of a telecommunications network and to carry out an access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF. The communication device comprises a receiver (204) configured to receive a request for access network policy information relating to a user equipment, UE, (100, 300) and current UE location data. The communication device comprises a policy information unit (214) configured to determine primary information comprising access network policy information for the UE based at least in part on the current UE location data. The policy information unit is further configured to determine secondary information specifying one or more further UE locations at which the UE should make a further request for access network policy information. The communication device comprises a transmitter (202) configured to transmit the primary and secondary information towards the UE.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing an access network discovery and selection function in a communication system. An access network discovery and selection function (“ANDSF”) server is operable with a Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) radio access network and a Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) radio access network coupled to a core network. The ANDSF server is configured to communicate with a user equipment over an enhanced S14 interface. The enhanced S14 interface comprises Wi-Fi radio access technology data including a basis service set (“BSS”) load indication, security information, quality of experience information, backhaul network bandwidth and average throughput. The ANDSF server is also configured to provide policy information to the user equipment based on conditions in the Wi-Fi radio access network and the 3GPP radio access network.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network including an online charging system performing the steps of receiving a request for service traffic control, the request including at least data identifying a first communication network account; determining, based on the received data and a predefined set of rules, a first network traffic policy profile associated with the first account; transmitting to a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF a first policy control command including an identifier identifying the first network traffic policy profile stored in an network traffic policy profile entity, to be applied in controlling the service.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing an access network discovery and selection function in a communication system. An access network discovery and selection function (“ANDSF”) server is operable with a Third Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) radio access network and a Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) radio access network coupled to a core network. The ANDSF server is configured to communicate with a user equipment over an enhanced S14 interface. The enhanced S14 interface comprises Wi-Fi radio access technology data including a basis service set (“BSS”) load indication, security information, quality of experience information, backhaul network bandwidth and average throughput. The ANDSF server is also configured to provide policy information to the user equipment based on conditions in the Wi-Fi radio access network and the 3GPP radio access network.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network including an online charging system performing the steps of receiving a request for service traffic control, the request including at least data identifying a first communication network account; determining, based on the received data and a predefined set of rules, a first network traffic policy profile associated with the first account; transmitting to a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF a first policy control command including an identifier identifying the first network traffic policy profile stored in an network traffic policy profile entity, to be applied in controlling the service.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network comprising in an online charging system performing the steps of receiving a request for service traffic control, the request including at least data identifying a first communication network account; determining, based on the received data and a predefined set of rules, a first network traffic policy profile associated with the first account; transmitting to a Policy and Charging Rules Function PCRF a first policy control command including an identifier identifying the first network traffic policy profile stored in an network traffic policy profile entity, to be applied in controlling the service.