Systems and methods enable the provisioning of security as a service for network slices. A network device stores definitions of multiple security assurance levels for network slices based on security parameters of assets used in the network slices. The network device stores multiple network slice templates, wherein the multiple network slice templates have different security assurance levels, of the multiple security assurance levels, for a Network Service Descriptor (NSD). The network device receives a request for a network slice with a requested security assurance level, of the multiple security assurance levels, for the NSD, and deploys the network slice using one of the network slice templates that has a security assurance level that corresponds to the requested security assurance level. The network device monitors the security parameters of the assets of the network slice for changes to the security assurance level of the deployed network slice.

Various embodiments herein provide techniques for small data transmission of a user equipment (UE) in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The techniques may be used with a next generation Node B (gNB) that employs a distributed unit (DU)/centralized unit (CU) split. The DU receives, from the UE in the RRC inactive state, data and processing information for processing for the data, processes the data based on a radio link control (RLC) bearer, and sends the processed data to the CU.

When a packet data session is established for a user equipment (UE), a comparative assessment of load information factors from different sets of load information factors associated with a plurality of user plane function (UPF) instances may be performed. Each set of load information factors of a UPF instance may include predicted load information factors indicative of a predicted load at the UPF instance. A UPF instance may be selected for the packet data session of the UE based on the comparative assessment. The comparative assessment may additionally consider a predicted load contribution of the packet data session to be established for the UE. A data analytics function may utilize a model (e.g. a multiple linear regression model) to calculate predicted load contribution factors, where the model is derived based on historical usage data from previous sessions of one or more UEs, for example, data from charging data records (CDRs).

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe apparatuses and methods for mobility management entity (MME) overload or underload mitigation using an MME virtual network function (VNF). Various embodiments may include one or more processors to execute instructions to process a notification from a virtual network function manager (VNFM) to determine instantiation of a MME as a VNF, add the MME to an MME pool, and assign a value to an application parameter of the MME VNF. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

A communication method is performed at an electronic device that includes a first network function (NF) entity. The first NF entity indirectly communicates with a second NF entity using a first service communication proxy (SCP) network element. In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the first SCP network element fails, the first NF entity detects a second SCP network and performs indirect communication with the second NF entity using the second SCP network element. In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the first SCP network element fails, the first NF entity directly communicates with the second NF entity. In this way, the first NF entity and the second NF entity can continue communication, thus ensuring the continuity and the reliability and availability of a communication system.

Automated offloading of subscribers in a system having a set of mobility management entities (MMEs) during mobility management equipment failures is provided. Each MME maintains performance status and location information about all MMEs. When an MME senses performance degradation the traffic directed to that MME is allocated among the remaining MMEs in the set.

A satellite communication method and a network device are disclosed. A first network device learns of traffics of a plurality of satellite communications link or air interface resources allocated to a plurality of satellite base stations. The first network device sends identification information to a second network device, where the identification information indicates that a traffic of a satellite communications link reaches a specified threshold, or that an air interface resource allocated by a ground station to a satellite base station reaches a specified threshold. The second network device receives an identifier message, determines a to-be-linked satellite base station that has an idle resource, and sends, to the to-be-linked satellite base station, a second message including information about a generated beam of the to-be-linked satellite base station.

To provide a communication control means for establishing a session suitable for a terminal apparatus connecting to multiple access networks of various kinds and a network apparatus, a user data communication control means suitable for a terminal apparatus that has established sessions via multiple access networks and a network apparatus, and the like. This provides a communication control means suitable for a terminal apparatus and a network apparatus that support connection to multiple access networks of various kinds.

A method for performing mobility load balancing includes receiving, at a server, current load data for a plurality of cells of a wireless communication network, selecting, from the plurality of cells, a target cell (s), wherein a value of the current load data for the target cell exceeds a first predefined threshold, and selecting, from a neighbor cell list corresponding to the target cell, a set of neighboring cells for the target cell. The method further includes calculating, a value of at least one utilization parameter for the target cell, determining, a CIO value and an E-tilt value for the target cell based on the value of the at least one utilization parameter for the target cell and configuring one or more physical layer parameters of the target cell based on the determined CIO and E-tilt values for the target cell.

A telecommunications network may adjust service (e.g., data rate) to UE devices within an adjustable zone (AZ) that includes at least two types of coverage (e.g., 4G and 5G), depending on services being utilized by the UE devices and current network conditions of the telecommunications network. When a UE device enters the AZ, the services utilized by the UE device are determined. For instance, if the UE device is moving within the AZ, and the LTE is congested, the data rate for the device may be reduced. If the LTE network is not in a heavy loaded condition and the UE device is utilizing an Enhanced Mobile Broadband (EMBB) service, the AZ can be reduced or disabled. Further, the device data rate can be reduced for different services in the AZ to keep more devices in NR coverage.