This invention related to an apparatus comprising memory to store updated radio access network (RAN) user equipment (UE) identification (ID) information, and processing circuitry, coupled with the memory, to: receive, from a near-real time RAN intelligent controller (near-RT RIC), a subscription or request for the updated RAN UE ID information; retrieve the updated RAN UE ID information from the memory; and encode a message for transmission to the near-RT RIC that includes the updated RAN UE ID information.

Apparatus configured to operate as a WAC of a WAN. The apparatus comprises a database unit, a transceiver, and a resource request processor. The database unit maintains a database of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) connected to the WAN, resource usage by each of the UEs, and available resources of the WAN. The transceiver communicates with a gateway between the WAN and a telecommunications network. The resource request processor receives a resource request from the gateway, the resource request identifying a UE and indicating a required change in resource usage; and determines whether the required change in resource usage is possible based on the available resources of the WAN. If the required change in resource usage is possible, the resource request processor updates database records for resource usage by the UE and available resources of the WAN and sends a resource response to the gateway.

Apparatus configured to operate as a WAC of a WAN. The apparatus comprises a database unit, a transceiver, and a resource request processor. The database unit maintains a database of a plurality of user equipment (UEs) connected to the WAN, resource usage by each of the UEs, and available resources of the WAN. The transceiver communicates with a gateway between the WAN and a telecommunications network. The resource request processor receives a resource request from the gateway, the resource request identifying a UE and indicating a required change in resource usage; and determines whether the required change in resource usage is possible based on the available resources of the WAN. If the required change in resource usage is possible, the resource request processor updates database records for resource usage by the UE and available resources of the WAN and sends a resource response to the gateway.

A core network node (e.g., Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)) and various methods are described herein for determining reachability of wireless devices operating with extended discontinuous reception (eDRX).

When mobility management and bearer management of a mobile terminal (111) that is in an idle state and that is associated with a particular core network node identifier (GUMMEI or V-GUMMEI) are transferred from a first core network node (121S) to a second core network node (121T), a base station (112) configures itself to change, from the first core network node (121S) to the second core network node (121T), a forwarding destination of a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message that is transmitted by the mobile terminal (111) and that is addressed to the particular core network node identifier (GUMMEI or V-GUMMEI). This contributes to, for example, preventing occurrences of signaling involving a mobile terminal when mobility management and bearer management of the mobile terminal in an idle state are transferred between core network nodes.

A first base station (1) is configured to establish a first signaling bearer with a mobility management apparatus (5), establish a second signaling bearer with a second base station (2), and to establish a signaling radio bearer with a mobile station (3) in a first cell (10). The second base station (2) is configured to establish the second signaling bearer with the first base station (1), establish a data bearer with a data transfer apparatus (6), and to establish a data radio bearer with the mobile station (3) in a second cell (20). Furthermore, the first base station (1) is configured to transmit, to the second base station (2) through the second signaling bearer configuration information, necessary to establish the data bearer and the data radio bearer in the second base station (2). Thus, for example, bearer architecture suitable for a C/U plane split scenario is provided.

A first base station (1) is configured to establish a first signaling bearer with a mobility management apparatus (5), establish a second signaling bearer with a second base station (2), and to establish a signaling radio bearer with a mobile station (3) in a first cell (10). The second base station (2) is configured to establish the second signaling bearer with the first base station (1), establish a data bearer with a data transfer apparatus (6), and to establish a data radio bearer with the mobile station (3) in a second cell (20). Furthermore, the first base station (1) is configured to transmit, to the second base station (2) through the second signaling bearer configuration information, necessary to establish the data bearer and the data radio bearer in the second base station (2). Thus, for example, bearer architecture suitable for a C/U plane split scenario is provided.

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing the amount of messages sent in a communication network comprising a first communication network entity, a second communication network entity connected to said first communication network entity over a communication interface and one or more user equipments connected to said second communication network entity over a radio interface, whereby messages are sent on said interfaces using at least a first and a second protocol. General rules are provided for sending first protocol messages packed inside second protocol messages, so called “piggybacking”, and each first protocol message is provided with an instruction field defining a co-ordination of procedure steps to be taken for performing an action.

Provided is a method of operating, when a load of a base station is changed, based on a load of a backhaul of another base station. An aspect of the present invention includes, in a communication system including a first backhaul (4) between a base station (100) and a core network (3) connected to the base station (100) and a second backhaul (5) between an adjacent base station (101) and the core network (3) connected to the adjacent base station (101), a calculation unit (10) configured to calculate a load of the second backhaul (5) when a load of the base station (100) is changed; and a determination unit (20) configured to determine as to whether or not the load of the base station (100) is changed based on a result of the calculation by the calculation unit (10).

A network management function of a relay network may identify relay node support of multi-mobile terminal (MT) operation, and may coordinate configuration of multiple backhaul links supported by the relay node via the multi-MT functionality of the relay node. In some cases, a relay node may transmit MT capabilities to the management function over a first established backhaul link, and the management function may configure a second backhaul link using a second MT function of the relay node. In other cases, the relay node may autonomously establish multi-MT connectivity based on preconfigured parent-selection policies, and the network management function may identify the relay node is dual-connected to the network management function. In either case, the network management function may configure backhaul routes (e.g., backhaul links) and resource configuration across the redundant topology.