A method for utilizing a default channel during unused periods of timeslots to join, communicate, and/or synchronize with a network comprising determining a time slot is idle; in response to determining the time slot is idle tuning to a default channel while the timeslot is idle; receiving a message on the default channel; and optionally transmitting a subsequent message on the same channel.

Systems and methods to support coexistence of multi-connectivity functions in 3GPP network and non-3GPP networks for UEs and to provide traffic routing policies and coordinate with ATSSS operation in 5GS are described. The AF subscribes to a registration-state notification event. A report is sent to the AF from the PCF or NEF. The report indicates a current registration state of a UE and is triggered when the registration state of the UE changes. The report may be sent with or without PDU session information, the former of which may be based on a determination by the AMF or the SMF. Traffic steering is enforced by the MAMS among multiple IP sessions coordinated via a single or a multiple PDU sessions in the 3GPP network.

A core network device of a telecommunications network can receive a first request from a consumer network function (NF) and forward the first request to a first provider NF. The device can subsequently detect a violation by the first provider NF of a response criterion. The device can receive a second request and forward the second request to a second, different provider NF in response to the violation. In some examples, the device can later detect that the first provider NF has satisfied the response criterion with respect to a third request. The device can modify load data to increase the proportion of subsequent requests for which the first provider NF is selected. The device can select provider NFs based on the load data. In some examples, a system can include a network registry device that selects NFs based on violation indications received from the core network device.

A method of handling multi-access (MA) Protocol data unit (PDU) session under inter-system change is proposed. An MA. PDU session uses one 3GPP access network or one non-3GPP access network at a time, or simultaneously one 3GPP access network and one non-3GPP access network. The UE and network can support Access Traffic Steering Switching and Splitting (ATSSS) functionalities to distribute traffic over 3GPP access and non-3GPP access for the established MA PDU session. Upon intersystem change from 5GS to EPS over the 3GPP access, if interworking with EPS is not supported, the MA PDU session is maintained in 5GS over the non-3GPP access type. Data traffic over of the MA PDU session over the 3GPP access type is transferred to the non-3GPP access type.

A cellular telecommunication system comprises a radio access part comprising a plurality of base stations that can be offset by wireless connection, as well as a core network part comprising quality-of-service policy control equipment connected via a first connection to a gateway via which radio bearers are set up. Proxy equipment: intercepts, on said first connection, each session establishment or session update message; when the intercepted message does not concern a radio bearer involving a base station offset by wireless connection, propagates the message to its destination. Otherwise the proxy equipment: determines a remaining bandwidth via said wireless connection; when the remaining bandwidth covers a bandwidth requirement expressed in the intercepted message, propagates the message to its destination; and otherwise modifies the message by indicating a bandwidth requirement of no more than the remaining bandwidth.

A core network device of a telecommunications network can receive a first request from a consumer network function (NF) and forward the first request to a first provider NF. The device can subsequently detect a violation by the first provider NF of a response criterion. The device can receive a second request and forward the second request to a second, different provider NF in response to the violation. In some examples, the device can later detect that the first provider NF has satisfied the response criterion with respect to a third request. The device can modify load data to increase the proportion of subsequent requests for which the first provider NF is selected. The device can select provider NFs based on the load data. In some examples, a system can include a network registry device that selects NFs based on violation indications received from the core network device.

Various communication systems may benefit from traffic steering. For example, radio access network based traffic steering can be used to benefit of communications by steering traffic to Wi-Fi leveraging Hotspot 2.0. A method can include determining that an off-load condition exists in an area of a radio access network. The method can also include commanding a user equipment to off-load to non-cellular radio access based on the determining.

Methods, nodes, a wireless communication device and computer programs to be usable in association with controlling transmission of at least one data unit via a first link between a first access node and a wireless communication device and via a second link between the first access node and the wireless communication device via the second access node are described. In one embodiment, the method may be performed by the first access node and may comprise receiving first transmission delay information indicative of a transmission delay of the first link and/or second transmission delay information indicative of the second link, and controlling the transmission of said data unit based on the first and/or second transmission delay information.

Methods and systems for providing an enhanced proximity services. The method includes monitoring, by a proximity controller provisioned in a preferred network, dual subscriber identification module (SIM) dual subscriber (DSDS) devices operating in the preferred network, detecting, by the proximity controller, a DSDS device operating in a non-preferred network, wherein the DSDS devices and the DSDS device are configured to switchably operate in one of the preferred network or the non-preferred network based on coverage, locating, by the proximity controller, from the monitored DSDS devices a DSDS device proximate to the DSDS device operating in the non-preferred network, and enabling, by the proximity controller, the proximate DSDS device and the DSDS device operating in the non-preferred network to establish a sidelink communication channel between the proximate DSDS device and the DSDS device operating in the non-preferred network for offloading data communications from the non-preferred network to the preferred network.

A computer-implemented method for addressing conflicts in a radio access network (RAN) includes generating, by a non-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (non-RT RIC), a policy for a near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (near-RT RIC) by analyzing an activity log of several xApps, which are being executed by the near-RT RIC. The method further includes sending, by the non-RT RIC the policy to the near-RT RIC to cause the near-RT RIC, in response to receiving a request from an xApp from the several xApps to update a parameter of the RAN. The policy specifies an update the parameter based on the policy allowing the xApp to update the parameter. The policy further specifies maintaining the parameter unchanged based on the policy restricting the xApp to update the parameter.