Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to for controlling D2D routing. A first device generates proximity information for a D2D connection group. The first device obtains information concerning a second device in the group. The first device generates a D2D route policy for at least one application on the second device, based on the generated proximity information, the obtained information concerning the second device and route selection criteria for the group, the policy at least indicating the route selection criteria and D2D paths satisfying the route selection criteria. The first device sends the D2D route policy for routing traffic of the at least one application in the group by the second device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for selecting among a plurality of IMS network slices. When an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network is partitioned into a plurality of IMS network slices, an IMS slice selection manager may be implemented at an edge of the IMS network slices. The IMS slice selection manager receives an IMS slice selection policy, and receives an IMS service request for an IMS service. The IMS slice selection manager selects an IMS network slice to provide the IMS service based on the IMS slice selection policy, and causes routing of the IMS service request to the selected IMS network slice.

Abstract: A method, device and computer readable medium for service chain is provided. Dynamic service chain is achieved and the service chain request is transmitted from the application. The device determines the service chain based on a profile of the application. Further, implicit service chain subscribing is also achieved. Thus, a more flexible service chain is achieved. Further, management of service chain related to NF service is also achieved.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for selecting a network slice for User Equipment (UE) based on a use case specified by the UE. In one embodiment, a slicing policy manager is implemented in a network that is partitioned into a plurality of network slices. The slicing policy manager receives a policy request for the UE, identifies a use case identifier in the policy request that indicates a use case specified by the UE, generates a use case slice selection policy configured to select a network slice from the plurality of network slices based on the use case specified by the UE, and initiates transmission of the use case slice selection policy to a slice selection manager. The slice selection manager may then select a network slice for the UE based on the policy.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device, method, apparatus and computer readable storage medium for reusing control resources for data transmission. In example embodiments, if downlink data is to be transmitted to a terminal device, a network device determines a control resource set associated with the terminal device in a control resource region. The network device selects, from the control resource set, localized control resources for control information associated with the downlink data, and selects data resources for the downlink data in the control resource region and a data resource region. The network device transmits the control information to the terminal device by using the localized control resources, and transmits the downlink data to the terminal device by using the data resources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, device and computer readable storage media for management of application servers network edge computing device and a method, apparatus, device and computer readable storage media for performing management operation related to application servers network edge computing device. In example embodiments, at a management function module, a calling function deployment command is transmitted to a network edge computing device to deploy a calling function instance thereon, the calling function instance being configured to connect with application servers for respective applications and handle communications between terminal devices and the application server. A management command for application servers on the network edge computing device is transmitted to at least one of the network edge computing device and the calling function instance, in response to a network condition meeting one of predetermined management policies.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) receiving (Step 1) user's subscription information, in order to determine an initial policy; the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) applying (Step 2) the initial rules; the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) triggering (Step 3) the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) for the user's service/network resource usage; the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) rating and charging (step 4) the user, in real time; the Extended Online Charging System (EOCS) triggering (Step 5) a change of policy in the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF); the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) determining (Step 6) new rules for the new policy; the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) receiving (Step 7) the new rules and applying them.

Abstract: Configuration information is received for a first bearer for a first machine-type communication service type and a second bearer for at least one second machine-type communication service type, wherein the first service type includes a voice over internet protocol service. A base station communicates using said first bearer for said first service type and the second bearer for said at least one second service type.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for configuring route selection policies. A user device may send, to a computing device, a route selection policy request to update route selection policy rules for applications and/or services of the user device. The computing device may determine the route selection policy rules for the applications and/or services based on various criteria. The computing device may send the determined route selection policy rules to the user device. If the user device does not accept the determined route selection policy rules, the user device may send, to the computing device, a negotiation request to obtain other route selection policy rules for the applications and/or services.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums for Virtual Network Function (VNF) management. In example embodiments, there is provided a method of managing a VNF. The method includes sending, from a VNF manager to a charging component, at least one request for charging information associated with at least one VNF. The VNF manager manages the at least one VNF. The charging information indicates respective rates for charging the at least one VNF under different network conditions. The method further includes, in response to receiving the charging information, managing lifecycle of the at least one VNF at least in part based on the charging information.

Abstract: A control plane entity selects a subset of a plurality of user plane entities to support a charging session associated with a user based on charging policies for the plurality of user plane entities. The control plane entity allocates portions of a quota for the charging session to the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities based on the charging policies. In some cases, the control plane entity modifies the quotas that are allocated to the control plane entity or the subset of the plurality of user plane entities. Modifying the quotas can include redistributing unused portions of the quotas among the control plane entity and the subset of the plurality of user plane entities, e.g., in response to handover of the user equipment between user plane entities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to updating configuration for early data transmission. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, updating configuration for early data transmission is proposed. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device generates records for the early data transmission from the terminal device. The network device transmits the record to the managing device. The managing device updates the configuration for the early data transmission based on the record. In this way, the configurations for the early data transmission can be updated dynamically. The waste on the resources can be avoided and the power at the terminal device can be saved.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for authorizing an application in User Equipment (UE) for direct discovery. In one embodiment, an authorization mechanism receives information (e.g., application ID) for a discovery request sent by an application in a UE. In response to the discovery request, the authorization mechanism challenges the UE for information regarding security parameters that are mapped to the application ID. Based on the information provided by the UE, the authorization mechanism determines whether the application is authorized for direct discovery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method, device and computer readable medium for terminal devices influenced network slice selection. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a new terminal device influenced network slice selection is proposed. The NRF updates the application profile for the terminal device based on the change of the applications on the terminal device. The NRF may notify the PCF about the application profile and the PCF generates the route policy for the application on the terminal device. In this way, problems regarding the affected terminal devices of application influenced network slice selection are solved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and device for facilitating D2D communication. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the identifier of the terminal device for D2D communication may be generated based on the status information of the network and the terminal device. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the generated identifier may be meaningful to the network device and also may be unique for the terminal device. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method may also be implemented in a M2M system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for handling random access procedures. In one embodiment, an access network element that stores an MTC reservation pattern that defines at least one MTC-On interval where MTC is allowed, and defines at least one MTC-Off interval where MTC is prohibited. During an MTC-On interval, the access network element receives preambles for random access procedures from MTC devices, and performs the random access procedures for the MTC devices in response to the preambles. The access network element detects a transition from the MTC-On interval to a next MTC-Off interval, and determines whether the random access procedures for the MTC devices will complete before the transition. If not, the access network element modifies the MTC reservation pattern to expedite completion of the random access procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing radio resources on an air interface. One embodiment comprises an access network element (e.g., base station) that stores a plurality of sharing patterns each comprising a different mapping of the radio resources on a physical layer of the air interface between Machine-Type Communications (MTC) and non-MTC. The access network element identifies a resource sharing window, receives input indicating conditions in the access network, selects a sharing pattern from the plurality of sharing patterns in the pattern database for the resource sharing window based on the conditions in the access network, schedules MTC transmissions on the air interface at a beginning of the resource sharing window based on the sharing pattern, and schedules non-MTC transmissions on the air interface at the beginning of the resource sharing window based on the sharing pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to for controlling D2D routing. A first device generates proximity information for a D2D connection group. The first device obtains information concerning a second device in the group. The first device generates a D2D route policy for at least one application on the second device, based on the generated proximity information, the obtained information concerning the second device and route selection criteria for the group, the policy at least indicating the route selection criteria and D2D paths satisfying the route selection criteria. The first device sends the D2D route policy for routing traffic of the at least one application in the group by the second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing radio resources on an air interface. One embodiment comprises an access network element (e.g., base station) that stores a plurality of sharing patterns each comprising a different mapping of the radio resources on a physical layer of the air interface between Machine-Type Communications (MTC) and non-MTC. The access network element identifies a resource sharing window, receives input indicating conditions in the access network, selects a sharing pattern from the plurality of sharing patterns in the pattern database for the resource sharing window based on the conditions in the access network, schedules MTC transmissions on the air interface at a beginning of the resource sharing window based on the sharing pattern, and schedules non-MTC transmissions on the air interface at the beginning of the resource sharing window based on the sharing pattern.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for selecting a network slice for User Equipment (UE) based on a use case specified by the UE. In one embodiment, a slicing policy manager is implemented in a network that is partitioned into a plurality of network slices. The slicing policy manager receives a policy request for the UE, identifies a use case identifier in the policy request that indicates a use case specified by the UE, generates a use case slice selection policy configured to select a network slice from the plurality of network slices based on the use case specified by the UE, and initiates transmission of the use case slice selection policy to a slice selection manager. The slice selection manager may then select a network slice for the UE based on the policy.