Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing multi-User Equipment (UE) and multi-message support in tunnel management messages. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, comprising: determining, for a first node and a second node using GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunneling support for UE management, if the first node and the second node support multi-UE messaging; when the first node and the second node support multi-UE messaging, then switching to multi-UE multi-messaging mode wherein a chain of messages are formed; and when at least one of the first node and second node do not support multi-UE messaging, then using conventional tunnel management messaging.

Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing multi-User Equipment (UE) and multi-message support in tunnel management messages. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, comprising: determining, for a first node and a second node using GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunneling support for UE management, if the first node and the second node support multi-UE messaging; when the first node and the second node support multi-UE messaging, then switching to multi-UE multi-messaging mode wherein a chain of messages are formed; and when at least one of the first node and second node do not support multi-UE messaging, then using conventional tunnel management messaging.

One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting, directly to a user plane core network node, a message initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the user plane core network node. The message comprises one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device, and further comprises an indication of a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the radio access network node.

One aspect provides a method performed by a radio access network node in a telecommunications network. The method comprises: responsive to detection of a trigger event associated with a wireless device having a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node or seeking to establish a connection to the telecommunications network via the radio access network node, transmitting, directly to a user plane core network node, a message initiating establishment of a user-plane tunnel for the connection between the radio access network node and the user plane core network node. The message comprises one or more of: an indication of an identifier of the wireless device; and an indication of an identifier of a session for the wireless device, and further comprises an indication of a downlink tunnel endpoint identifier of the radio access network node.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for allowing a user equipment (UE) to manage a session in a wireless communication system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may transmit a first uplink (UL) non-access stratum (NAS) transport message including a packet data unit (PDU) session establishment request to an access and mobility management function (AMF), receive a downlink (DL) NAS transport message from the AMF, and transmit a second UL NAS transport message including the PDU session establishment request based on a timer.

A method and a device for session setup and handover in a wireless communication system are provided. The method comprises receiving, from a second node, a message comprising a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) of a protocol data unit (PDU) session; and allocating session resources for the PDU session based on the message received from the second node, wherein, in case that the S-NSSAI of the PDU session is supported by the first node, the session resources for the PDU session includes resources related to the S-NSSAI of the PDU session, and wherein, in case that the S-NSSAI of the PDU session is unsupported by the first node or the resources related to the S-NSSAI are unavailable or overloaded, the session resources for the PDU session includes other available resources for the PDU session.

Embodiments of this application provide example communication methods and apparatuses. One example method includes receiving, by a first network device, a first request message and uplink data from a terminal, where the first request message is for requesting to resume a suspended radio resource control (RRC) connection. The first network device can then send a second request message to a second network device based on the first request message and the uplink data, where the second network device is a network device previously serving the terminal, and the second request message includes information about the uplink data, where the second request message is for requesting the second network device to release a first data channel between the second network device and a core network device, or the second request message is for requesting the second network device to send a context of the terminal to the first network device.

Embodiments of this application provide example communication methods and apparatuses. One example method includes receiving, by a first network device, a first request message and uplink data from a terminal, where the first request message is for requesting to resume a suspended radio resource control (RRC) connection. The first network device can then send a second request message to a second network device based on the first request message and the uplink data, where the second network device is a network device previously serving the terminal, and the second request message includes information about the uplink data, where the second request message is for requesting the second network device to release a first data channel between the second network device and a core network device, or the second request message is for requesting the second network device to send a context of the terminal to the first network device.

Aspects relate to a relay device detecting a change in a protocol data unit (PDU) session configuration that the relay device has established for a user equipment (UE) that accesses a network via the relay device. Upon detecting this change, the relay device signals an indication of the change to the UE. Aspects also relate to UE that is connected to a relay device and that reselects an interworking function (e.g., a non-3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project interworking function (N3IWF)). In some examples, the UE receives an indication from the relay device that a serving relay PDU session configuration has changed and, in response, the UE selects a new interworking function.

A method for establishing indirect and/or dual connectivity between virtualized 5G gENBs and virtualized 4G eNodeBs for dynamic X2 is disclosed. In one embodiment a method includes virtualizing, with a HetNet Gateway (HNG), BBUs and home eNodeBs over a standard S1 interface; establishing the HNG as a macro interfacing an EPC on 3GPP standard interfaces; communicating with an MME over the S1 interface for control plane signaling; and communicating with SAEGW over a standard GTPU interface for a data plane.