A method of performing a virtual network function (VNF) is disclosed. The method comprises forking a user plane process on a computer by a VNF process that executes on the computer, forking a control plane process on the computer by VNF process, adding blocks to a user plane blockchain by the user plane process that record user plane events, and adding blocks to a control plane blockchain by the control plane process that record control plane events. The method also comprises creating a first information package by the user plane process based on the user plane blockchain, self-terminating by the user plane process while passing the first package of information to the VNF process, creating a second information package by the control plane process based on the control plane blockchain, and self-terminating by the control plane process while passing the second package of information to the VNF process.

A method of performing a virtual network function (VNF) is disclosed. The method comprises forking a user plane process on a computer by a VNF process that executes on the computer, forking a control plane process on the computer by VNF process, adding blocks to a user plane blockchain by the user plane process that record user plane events, and adding blocks to a control plane blockchain by the control plane process that record control plane events. The method also comprises creating a first information package by the user plane process based on the user plane blockchain, self-terminating by the user plane process while passing the first package of information to the VNF process, creating a second information package by the control plane process based on the control plane blockchain, and self-terminating by the control plane process while passing the second package of information to the VNF process.

A method for transferring a message in a communications network for communication between a road user and at least one further road user. The road user and the further road user each include an evaluation unit for transferring messages via the communications network. The method includes: receiving a first message in the evaluation unit, the first message including message segments, each including a priority value; determining an instantaneous capacity utilization of the communications network; filtering message segments to be transferred out of the first message, based on the priority values and the instantaneous capacity utilization of the communications network; and generating a second message including the message segments to be transferred, and sending the second message via the communications network.

Provided are a method and apparatus for providing a policy of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, and an operating method of a visited-policy control function (V-PCF) of a visited public land mobile network (PLMN) providing a policy for processing traffic of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the operating method includes: transmitting an indicator requesting transmission or allowance of transmission of a visited user equipment route selection policy (V-URSP) of the V-PCF to a home-policy control function (H-PCF) of a home PLMN; receiving, from the H-PCF, an indicator indicating whether transmission of the V-URSP of the V-PCF is allowed; and receiving a home user equipment route selection policy (H-URSP) from the H-PCF.

Provided are a method and apparatus for providing a policy of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, and an operating method of a visited-policy control function (V-PCF) of a visited public land mobile network (PLMN) providing a policy for processing traffic of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the operating method includes: transmitting an indicator requesting transmission or allowance of transmission of a visited user equipment route selection policy (V-URSP) of the V-PCF to a home-policy control function (H-PCF) of a home PLMN; receiving, from the H-PCF, an indicator indicating whether transmission of the V-URSP of the V-PCF is allowed; and receiving a home user equipment route selection policy (H-URSP) from the H-PCF.

A subscriber information entity of a home wireless carrier network may receive an authentication request for a user device from a network element of a partner wireless carrier network. The authentication request may include a network element identifier of the network element. An authentication response for the authentication request is then sent to the network element of the partner wireless carrier network. Further, the network element identifier of the network element is stored in a subscriber profile for the user device. A registration request for the user device is then received from a particular network element of a wireless carrier network, in which the registration request includes a corresponding network element identifier of the particular network element. A registration response to the particular network element of the wireless carrier network may be sent when the corresponding network element identifier matches the network element identifier.

A subscriber information entity of a home wireless carrier network may receive an authentication request for a user device from a network element of a partner wireless carrier network. The authentication request may include a network element identifier of the network element. An authentication response for the authentication request is then sent to the network element of the partner wireless carrier network. Further, the network element identifier of the network element is stored in a subscriber profile for the user device. A registration request for the user device is then received from a particular network element of a wireless carrier network, in which the registration request includes a corresponding network element identifier of the particular network element. A registration response to the particular network element of the wireless carrier network may be sent when the corresponding network element identifier matches the network element identifier.

A method of UE includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message for configuring bandwidth parts (BWPs) of a serving cell, receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) indicating activation of a first BWP, performing a BWP switching to the first BWP indicated by the PDCCH, and starting a first downlink BWP timer associated with the first BWP. A UE includes a transceiver, and at least one controller coupled with the transceiver, the at least one controller configured to receive an RRC message for configuring BWPs of a serving cell, receive a PDCCH indicating activation of a first BWP, perform a BWP switching to the first BWP indicated by the PDCCH, and start a first downlink BWP timer associated with the first BWP.

A method of UE includes receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message for configuring bandwidth parts (BWPs) of a serving cell, receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) indicating activation of a first BWP, performing a BWP switching to the first BWP indicated by the PDCCH, and starting a first downlink BWP timer associated with the first BWP. A UE includes a transceiver, and at least one controller coupled with the transceiver, the at least one controller configured to receive an RRC message for configuring BWPs of a serving cell, receive a PDCCH indicating activation of a first BWP, perform a BWP switching to the first BWP indicated by the PDCCH, and start a first downlink BWP timer associated with the first BWP.

A network operator can partition network elements, including elements of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) or Policy and Charging Rules Functions (PCRFs) into groups reserved for specific types of subscribers. When a user equipment (UE) registers with an IMS, elements of the IMS can contact a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) to determine a subscriber type associated with the UE. Based on the UE's subscriber type, an IMS element can determine an application server or other IMS element to contact about the UE based on identifying application servers or IMS elements that are also associated with the same subscriber type as the UE. Similarly, an IMS element can determine a PCRF to contact about the UE based on identifying a PCRF that is associated with the same subscriber type as the UE.