Method and apparatus for supporting access to services for multiple user identity modules

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for supporting access to services for multiple subscriber identity modules. Apparatus and methods for supporting concurrent access of services of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) and / or electronic SIMs (eSIMs) by a wireless device are disclosed. The wireless device is a single-radio wireless device including a wireless circuit that supports an active voice or video connection via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time. To send or receive data for a second SIM / eSIM, when the active voice or video connection of a first SIM / eSIM uses the wireless circuit, the single-radio wireless device may i) establish parallel linked protocol data unit (PDU) sessions for different SIMs, ii) multiplex traffic for different SIMs over a common radio connection with SIM information embedded in a protocol header for routing by a network device, and / or iii) use an additional dedicated bearer for each data network name (DNN) utilizing the first active SIM, through which routing is performed for a second suspended SIM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The described embodiments relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to methods and apparatus to support simultaneous access to services for multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) through a single radio, multiple SIM (multi-SIM) wireless device. The access may be achieved using i) linking protocol data unit (PDU) session identifiers associated with two different PDU sessions for two different SIMs, ii) multiplexing traffic using tunnel headers to differentiate traffic initiated by each SIM, or iii) routing on the active SIM for additional dedicated bearers for traffic of the suspended SIMs in parallel. Background Art

[0002] Next generation (e.g., fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G)) cellular wireless networks employing newer radio access technologies that implement one or more of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) standards are rapidly evolving and being deployed by network operators around the world. Newer cellular wireless networks offer a range of packet-based services for concurrent voice and data. A user of a wireless device may access services provided by a wireless network service provider (also referred to as a mobile network operator (MNO)) based on a service subscription controlled by authentication credentials included in a configuration file; the authentication credentials are also referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM) when included in a removable universal integrated circuit card (UICC) and an electronic SIM (eSIM) when included in an embedded UICC (eUICC) of the wireless device. With a removable UICC and an unlocked wireless device, a user may access different services by replacing the UICC / SIM combination. With a configurable eUICC, an eSIM may be downloaded to the eUICC to access different wireless services. A wireless device that accommodates multiple UICC / SIMs and / or multiple eSIMs on an eUICC provides multiple user identities used by the same wireless device to access different services, including services that can span different cellular wireless networks using different cellular radio access technologies (RATs). A multi-radio wireless device may include multiple transceivers for connecting to different cellular wireless networks in parallel; however, additional wireless transceiver circuitry may increase device size and cost. A single-radio wireless device, including a single-transmitter, single-receiver wireless device, may include configurable wireless circuitry to connect to different cellular wireless networks at different times, but limit or prohibit simultaneous active connections using different cellular access networks in parallel. In addition, when a single-radio wireless device has an active voice or video connection for a first SIM, a second SIM may not be able to access data, voicemail, messaging services, or receive information for an incoming voice or video connection request. A mechanism is needed that allows a user to access services in parallel using multiple different SIM / eSIM profiles simultaneously with minimal hardware and / or software complexity. Summary of the invention

[0003] Apparatus and methods are disclosed for supporting access to services of multiple SIMs via a single-radio, multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) (multi-SIM) wireless device. The services are associated with different subscriber identity modules (SIMs) and / or electronic SIMs (eSIMs) in the wireless device. The wireless device includes a first SIM / eSIM that provides access to wireless services of a first wireless service provider via a first cellular wireless network, the first cellular wireless network including a first radio access network using a first radio access technology and a first core network. The wireless device also includes a second SIM / eSIM that provides access to additional wireless services that can be used with the same first wireless service provider, for example, using a public service public land mobile network (PLMN), or for a second wireless service provider via a second cellular wireless network, the second cellular wireless network including a second radio access network using a second (possibly different) radio access technology and a second core network, for example, using a different PLMN. In some embodiments, the wireless device includes multiple SIM / eSIMs that provide access to wireless services of one or more wireless service providers. The wireless device is a single radio wireless device including wireless circuitry that supports an active voice or video connection via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time, and does not support two or more active voice or video connections via the cellular wireless network simultaneously. To send or receive data (e.g., internet data, visual voicemail, or SMS), receive an incoming mobile terminated voice or video connection for a second SIM / eSIM, or establish an outgoing mobile originated voice or video connection for a second SIM / eSIM, the single radio wireless device may use one of the following mechanisms when the active voice or video connection of the first SIM / eSIM uses the wireless circuitry.

[0004] In a first mechanism, a wireless device establishes parallel linked protocol data unit (PDU) sessions: one PDU session for a first SIM and a second tunnel PDU session using a second SIM on behalf of the first SIM, wherein only one PDU session is active at a time. During an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) registration process, during a non-access stratum (NAS) registration procedure with a cellular wireless core network and / or upon requesting establishment of a parallel PDU session, the SIM of the wireless device may access subscription information for one or more other SIMs and may provide information about at least one of the one or more other SIMs. The first SIM and the second SIM may be associated with a common PLMN or different PLMNs. Accumulated data usage and / or time taking into account tunnel access carried via the tunnel PDU session using the second SIM on behalf of the first SIM may be applied for billing purposes of the first SIM.

[0005] In the second mechanism, the wireless device includes user identification information, such as a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI) of the subscription that originated the data traffic within the protocol header field to allow a cellular radio access network element (e.g., a gNodeB) to determine which SIM of the multiple SIMs the data packet originated from. The cellular radio access network element separates the multiplexed traffic from the multiple SIMs and appropriately routes the traffic to one or more cellular radio core networks via different parallel tunnels.

[0006] In a third mechanism, the wireless device creates an additional dedicated bearer for each data network name (DNN) using the first active SIM, through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network initiates the creation of an additional dedicated bearer in response to the first SIM notifying the cellular wireless network that the first SIM will be suspended (e.g., due to the cellular wireless circuit being detuned to another cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM). The data traffic of the first SIM may be routed through the dedicated bearer based on subscription information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a fifth generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI) value, and a network node identifier, such as an access point name (APN) or a data network name (DNN) value). When the first SIM is restored, the dedicated bearer for the first SIM may be released via the second SIM.

[0007] The present invention is provided for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments only, so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned features are only examples and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or essence of the subject matter described in the present invention in any way. Other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent through the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The embodiments and their advantages may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and are in no way intended to limit or exclude foreseeable modifications in form and detail that could be made by one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 1An example of multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) / electronic SIM (eSIM) wireless devices communicating with two wireless networks is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 An example of a wireless device supporting multiple user identities is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A set of example actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a public service Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) according to some embodiments are illustrated.

[0013] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A set of example actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish an IMS PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different PLMNs according to some embodiments are shown.

[0014] Figure 5A and Figure 5B A set of example actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish an Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a public service PLMN according to some embodiments are shown.

[0015] Figure 6 A set of example actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish a visual voicemail (VVM) PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a public service PLMN in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] Figure 7 A diagram of an exemplary set of network elements for implementing PDU session tunneling according to some embodiments is shown.

[0017] Figure 8 A diagram of an exemplary set of network elements for implementing a tunnel with multiplexed data traffic for multiple SIMs is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B A diagram of an exemplary Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) PDU header is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] Fig.10 A diagram of a network architecture for data tunnels between different session management functions (SMFs) according to some embodiments is shown.

[0020] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish UE-initiated Internet data PDU session tunnels for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs according to some embodiments are shown.

[0021] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B A set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish a NW-initiated Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs according to some embodiments are shown.

[0022] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B Another set of example actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device to establish Internet data PDU session tunnels for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs according to some embodiments is shown.

[0023] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B An exemplary process for cumulative data usage reporting between SMFs is shown according to some embodiments.

[0024] Fig.15 is a set of example components for a wireless device according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Representative examples for accessing wireless services using multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) and / or electronic SIMs (eSIMs) are provided herein. These examples are provided to add context to the subject matter of the present disclosure and to aid in understanding the subject matter of the present disclosure. It should be apparent that the present disclosure may be practiced with or without some of the specific details described herein. In addition, various modifications and / or changes may be made to the subject matter described herein and the subject matter shown in the corresponding drawings to achieve similar advantages and results without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] This section refers to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure and in which various specific implementations corresponding to the embodiments described herein are shown by way of example. Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the described specific implementations, it should be understood that these examples should not be interpreted as being overly limiting or all-inclusive.

[0027] A user of a wireless device may seek to access services provided by a public cellular wireless network service provider for different cellular service account subscriptions, or services provided by different cellular wireless network service providers over different cellular wireless networks. A user may obtain and use multiple UICCs (also referred to as SIM cards), and / or install multiple electronic SIMs (eSIMs) on an eUICC of a wireless device, where the SIM / eSIM provides access to services of one or more service providers. The use of multiple SIMs / eSIMs enables the flexibility and convenience of wireless devices accessing a wide variety of services. A user may seek to access services provided by multiple SIMs / eSIMs without having to use a wireless device that can simultaneously connect to multiple associated radio access networks of cellular wireless networks associated with multiple SIMs / eSIMs.

[0028] The wireless device includes a first SIM / eSIM that provides access to wireless services of a first wireless service provider via a first cellular wireless network, the first cellular wireless network including a first radio access network using a first radio access technology and a first core network. The wireless device also includes a second SIM / eSIM that provides access to additional wireless services that can be used with the same first wireless service provider, for example, using a public service public land mobile network (PLMN), or for a second wireless service provider via a second cellular wireless network, the second cellular wireless network including a second radio access network using a second (possibly different) radio access technology and a second core network, for example, using a different PLMN. In some embodiments, the wireless device includes multiple SIM / eSIMs that provide access to wireless services of one or more wireless service providers. The wireless device is a single-radio wireless device that includes wireless circuitry that supports an active voice or video connection via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time, and does not support two or more active voice or video connections simultaneously via the cellular wireless network. To send or receive data (e.g., internet data, visual voicemail, or SMS) or to receive a mobile terminated incoming voice or video connection for a second SIM / eSIM, a single radio wireless device may use one of the following mechanisms when an active voice or video connection for a first SIM / eSIM uses the wireless circuitry. The voice or video connection as described herein may be based on Internet Protocol (IP) or may be a local voice connection, such as a Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) connection or a Voice over New Radio (VoNR) connection, which may carry only audio data or a combination of audio and video data.

[0029] In a first mechanism, a wireless device establishes parallel linked protocol data unit (PDU) sessions: one PDU session for a first SIM and a second tunnel PDU session using a second SIM on behalf of the first SIM, wherein only one PDU session is active at a time. During an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) registration process, during a non-access stratum (NAS) registration procedure with a cellular wireless core network and / or upon requesting establishment of a parallel PDU session, the SIM of the wireless device may access subscription information for one or more other SIMs and may provide information about at least one of the one or more other SIMs. The first SIM and the second SIM may be associated with a common PLMN or different PLMNs. Accumulated data usage and / or time taking into account tunnel access carried via the tunnel PDU session using the second SIM on behalf of the first SIM may be applied for billing purposes of the first SIM.

[0030] In the second mechanism, the wireless device includes user identification information, such as a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI) of the subscription that originated the data traffic within the protocol header field to allow a cellular radio access network element (e.g., a gNodeB) to determine which SIM of the multiple SIMs the data packet originated from. The cellular radio access network element separates the multiplexed traffic from the multiple SIMs and appropriately routes the traffic to one or more cellular radio core networks via different parallel tunnels.

[0031] In a third mechanism, the wireless device creates an additional dedicated bearer for each data network name (DNN) using the first active SIM, through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network initiates the creation of an additional dedicated bearer in response to the first SIM notifying the cellular wireless network that the first SIM will be suspended (e.g., due to the cellular wireless circuit being detuned to another cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM). The data traffic of the first SIM may be routed through the dedicated bearer based on subscription information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a fifth generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI) value, and a network node identifier, such as an access point name (APN) or a data network name (DNN) value). When the first SIM is restored, the dedicated bearer for the first SIM may be released via the second SIM.

[0032] Compared to multi-SIM, multi-active (MSMA) wireless devices that use multiple parallel cellular radio devices, the solutions described herein provide greater power efficiency in single-radio, multi-SIM / eSIM wireless devices. Users of multi-SIM / eSIM wireless devices can configure preferences for using one or more SIM / eSIMs, for example, specifying whether a SIM is preferred for data, voice and data, or voice only. Tunnel service capabilities can be configured for each SIM / eSIM of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device. Users can enable / disable tunnel service capabilities based on whether the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device is pre-occupied on a home PLMN (HPLMN), a domestic (same country code) visited PLMN (VPLMN), or a foreign (different country code) VPLMN. Users can also select which services can use tunnel service capabilities, where representative services include incoming / outgoing IMS voice connections, incoming / outgoing SMS via IMS, Internet data connections, and incoming / outgoing SMS via non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connections. A multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device may indicate to a wireless network the capability to support multiple SIMs and linked PDU sessions for one or more services, and the wireless network may indicate support for tunneled PDU sessions to one or more other wireless networks for one or more services.

[0033] Figure 1A diagram 100 of components of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 including one or more processors 106 and a wireless circuit 108 is shown, which provides a wireless radio frequency (RF) connection between the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 and a first cellular wireless network 110A and a second cellular wireless network 110B. In some embodiments, the wireless circuit 108 includes one or more baseband processors and a set of RF analog front-end circuits. In some embodiments, the wireless circuit 108 and / or a portion thereof may include or be referred to as a wireless transmitter / receiver or transceiver or radio component. The terms "circuit / circuitry", "component", and "component block" are used interchangeably herein and are used in some embodiments to refer to one or more operating units of a wireless device that processes and / or operates digital signals, analog signals, or digital data units for wireless communication. For example, a representative circuit may perform various functions of converting a digital data unit into a transmitted RF analog waveform and / or converting a received analog waveform into a digital data unit (including intermediate analog form and intermediate digital form). The wireless circuit 108 may include components of an RF analog front-end circuit, such as a set of one or more antennas that may be interconnected with additional supporting RF circuits that may include filters and other analog components that may be "configured" to transmit and / or receive analog signals to one of the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B via one or more corresponding antennas.

[0034] It is worth noting that the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a hardware restriction that limits the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to connecting to only one of the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B via its respective access network device 112A / 112B at a time. For example, the wireless circuit 108 may include a single transmitter and one or more receivers for cellular wireless communication, such that only one active two-way cellular radio frequency connection to a cellular access network may be used at a time. When the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 has an active connection via the access network device 112A of the first cellular wireless network 110A, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may be prevented from establishing another active connection via the access network device 112B of the second cellular wireless network 110B (or from establishing a second active connection to the first cellular wireless network 110A). In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may be registered with multiple subscriptions corresponding to different SIM / eSIMs at the same time; and the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may use a combination of active PDU sessions of a first SIM and suspended (standby) PDU sessions of a second SIM, wherein the active PDU sessions and the suspended PDU sessions are linked together. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may multiplex traffic of multiple SIMs over a common radio access network connection, wherein a radio access network (RAN) device may separate (demultiplex) traffic based on a packet protocol header indicating the original SIM. The RAN device may appropriately route traffic to different tunnels for each original SIM. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may use the first active SIM to create an additional dedicated bearer for each data network name (DNN), through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed.

[0035] According to various implementations, the one or more processors 106 and the wireless circuitry 108 may be configured to perform one or more functions of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 and / or control the execution of one or more functions of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. The one or more processors 106 and the wireless circuitry 108 may provide functionality for coordinating hardware / software resources in the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to provide connectivity with the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B. The one or more processors 106 may include a plurality of different types of processors that may provide both wireless communication management and / or higher layer functionality, for example, one or more of the one or more processors 106 may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and / or other device functionality according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 or portions or components thereof (such as the one or more processors 106) may include one or more chipsets, which may each include any number of microchips coupled thereto.

[0036] In some embodiments, one or more processors 106 may be configured in a variety of different forms. For example, one or more processors 106 may be associated with any number of microprocessors, coprocessors, controllers, or various other computing or processing implementations (including integrated circuits such as, for example, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof). In various scenarios, multiple processors 106 of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may be coupled to each other and / or configured to communicate operatively with each other, and these components may be collectively configured to perform mobility management functions associated with multiple user identities associated with wireless services provided via multiple wireless networks. In some implementations, one or more processors 106 may be configured to execute instructions that may be stored in a memory or in some other device memory that may be otherwise accessible to one or more processors 106. Therefore, whether configured as hardware or a combination of hardware and software, or whether combined with hardware or a combination of hardware and software, one or more processors 106 may be capable of performing operations according to various implementations described herein when configured accordingly. In various embodiments, the memory in the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a plurality of memory devices that may be associated with any common volatile or non-volatile memory type. In some cases, the memory may be associated with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that may store various computer program instructions that may be executed by the one or more processors 106 during normal program execution. In this regard, the memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, etc. for enabling the wireless device to perform various functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some specific implementations, the memory may communicate with and / or be otherwise coupled to the one or more processors 106 and one or more system buses for passing information between different device components of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102.

[0037] Figure 1 The illustrated multi-SIM wireless device 102 includes a removable UICC 104 and an embedded UICC (eUICC) 114. The UICC 104 may include at least one subscriber identity module (SIM), which may be embodied as a software / firmware program installed on the UICC 104, and the eUICC 114 may include at least one electronic SIM (eSIM), which may also be embodied as a software / firmware program installed on the UICC 104. The removable UICC 104 may provide a user of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 with the ability to replace the UICC to change service. The hardware complexity and / or size of the wireless device may limit the ability to include multiple UICC slots, and thus in Figure 2 Additional arrangements of wireless devices are further illustrated herein to include multiple SIMs on a single UICC and / or electronic SIMs (eSIMs) on an embedded UICC, or a combination thereof.

[0038] The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register with multiple wireless networks simultaneously, for example, a first cellular wireless network 110A and a second cellular wireless network 110B. The wireless circuit 108 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may be configured to register with the first cellular wireless network 110A and / or establish a connection with the first cellular wireless network 110A via an access network device 112A interfacing with the core network 114A. The wireless circuit 108 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also be configured to register with the second cellular wireless network 110B and / or establish a connection with the second cellular wireless network 110B via an access network device 112B interfacing with the core network 114B. The wireless circuit 108 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may support transmission and reception to only one of the first wireless network 110A and the second wireless network 110B at a time via its corresponding access network 112A / B. Because the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can be registered with two different wireless networks at the same time via two different subscriptions, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may appear to be two different devices (each associated with a different number, user, and / or subscription). A multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 that can connect to only one wireless network at a time but can monitor and / or receive communications from multiple wireless networks to which it is registered may be referred to as a multi-SIM multi-standby (MSMS) wireless device. A multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device that can connect to multiple wireless networks simultaneously through their corresponding radio access networks using different user identities may be referred to as a "multi-SIM multi-active" (MSMA) wireless device. Although the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can connect via only one radio access network of one cellular wireless network at a time, some wireless devices may also provide simultaneous connectivity via a cellular wireless network and via a non-cellular wireless network (not shown).

[0039] It should be understood that it may not be Figure 1 As shown in and relative to Figure 1 All components, device elements, and hardware described in the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 are not essential to the present disclosure, and thus some of these items may be omitted, combined, or otherwise modified within reasonable limits. In addition, in some implementations, the subject matter associated with the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may be configured to include, in addition to the Figure 1 The diagrams may include additional or alternative components, device elements, or hardware beyond those shown in the diagrams.

[0040] Figure 2 A diagram of an exemplary multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device that supports multiple user identities utilizing a removable UICC and / or an embedded UICC (eUICC) having a SIM and / or eSIM implemented thereon is shown. As shown in diagram 200, a multi-SIM wireless device 220 includes multiple UICCs 204 that can be inserted and removed individually or together and communicate with one or more processors 206 connected to a wireless circuit 208 that provides wireless communication with one or more wireless networks 210. Because the physical size and design of the multi-SIM wireless device 220 may limit the number of UICCs 204 that can be supported, alternatively, as shown in diagram 240, a multi-eSIM wireless device 222 may include an embedded UICC (eUICC) 224 connected to one or more processors 206 and connected to one or more wireless networks 210 via the wireless circuit 208. The eUICC 224 may be built into the multi-eSIM wireless device 222 and may be non-removable from the multi-eSIM wireless device 222, for example, permanently attached to a circuit board in the multi-eSIM wireless device 222. The eUICC 224 may be programmed such that one or more electronic SIMs (eSIMs) may be implemented on the eUICC 224. Each eSIM may be associated with a different user identity and / or provide different services or subscriptions to a user of the multi-eSIM wireless device 222. Diagram 250 shows an exemplary multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 226, which includes a removable UICC 204 and an eUICC 224 on which one or more SIMs may be installed, and on which one or more eSIMs may be installed. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 226 may represent Figure 1Another form of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. A combination of a SIM on a UICC 204 and / or an eSIM on an eUICC 224 can provide a connection to one or more wireless networks 210 using a wireless circuit 208 under the control of one or more processors 206 of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 226. Diagram 260 shows another multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 228, which includes multiple UICCs 204 and eUICCs 224, on which one or more SIMs can be installed, and one or more eSIMs can be installed on one eUICC 224. A combination of a SIM on a UICC 204 and / or an eSIM on an eUICC 224 can provide a connection to one or more wireless networks 210 using a wireless circuit 208 under the control of one or more processors 206 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 228.

[0041] In general, a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 supporting multiple subscriber identities may include (i) at least one UICC 204 supporting multiple SIMs, (ii) an eUICC 224 supporting multiple eSIMs, or (iii) a combination of a UICC 204 and an eUICC 224. Each UICC 204 may support one or more SIMs, and each eUICC 224 may support one or more eSIMs. A multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 supporting multiple subscriber identities (e.g., 102, 220, 222, 226, 228) may include a combination of SIMs and / or eSIMs to support communications with one or more wireless networks 210.

[0042] Figure 3A and Figure 3BA diagram 300, 350 of a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) protocol data unit (PDU) session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with a public service public land mobile network (PLMN) is shown. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 320, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 302-1 with a network element of a 5G network, for example, via a radio access network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a session management function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 registers for IMS services with the IMS 312 network element. In some embodiments, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 302-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 302-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI and / or SUCI values. When registering the first SIM, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide mobile network operator (MNO) information of the second SIM. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities, and information about network support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities may be obtained during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more specific services during registration, and the network where the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 322, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 302-2 with a network element of the 5G network. Figure 3A and Figure 3BIn some embodiments, SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be performed with the same network element of a common core network. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may indicate support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities and obtain information about network support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities when registering SIM2 302-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide identifiers for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 324, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an IMS PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, thereby identifying "ims" as the data network name (DNN) of the service for the IMS PDU session. The SIM1 IMS PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, such as "X". At 326, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a separate IMS PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2, thereby identifying "ims" as the DNN of the service for the IMS PDU session. The SIM2 IMS PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., “X”. At 328, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second IMS PDU session for SIM1, however, the second IMS PDU session may be a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, thereby identifying “ims” as the DNN for the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, e.g., “Y”. The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session identifier (ID), e.g., by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 IMS PDU session ID (“X”). When sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the cellular wireless network, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide the unique link PDU session ID, and when providing a response accepting establishment of the tunnel PDU session, the cellular wireless network may include the unique link PDU session ID. In some embodiments, the absence of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the cellular wireless network may indicate that the cellular wireless network cannot link the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and therefore the multi-SIM tunneling capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the cellular wireless network. At 330, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may request to suspend the SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 324, 326, 328, and 330, both SIM1 and SIM2 have active IMS PDU sessions using their respective SIMs, and SIM1 additionally has a suspended (standby) IMS tunnel PDU session via SIM2. Although Figure 3A302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 332, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered with both SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 352, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 354, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use the IMS PDU session via SIM1, but must use the IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 356, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "X". The request may also include a linked PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the IMS tunnel PDU session ID ("Y") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 356 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled IMS PDU session and indicates the linked PDU session ID of the tunneled IMS PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 356 notifies the network that SIM1 IMS communications should be routed on the tunneled IMS PDU session ID via SIM2. At 358, SIM1 302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2. At 360, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 362, SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network to activate the previously established and suspended IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1. The IMS tunnel PDU session of SIM1 (via SIM2) is identified by the SIM2 PDU Session ID value "Y" and is also identified as a linked PDU Session ID with a value based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 IMS PDU Session ID value "X".In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2. At 364, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may receive a mobile terminated voice or video connection for SIM1 via an IMS tunnel PDU session established through SIM2 while a VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active.

[0043] Figure 4A and Figure 4BA diagram 400, 450 of a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an IMS PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with different serving PLMNs is shown. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 420, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 402-1 with a network element of a first 5G network NW1, for example, via RAN1 406-1 to AMF1 408-1 and SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 also registers for IMS services with an IMS network element (e.g., IMS 312). In some embodiments, when registering the first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of the second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as an IMSI, a 5G-GUTI, an MSISDN, a SUPI, and / or a SUCI value. When registering SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide information about the second network NW2 to the MNO associated with SIM2 402-2. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for a multi-SIM tunnel feature, and may obtain information from the first network NW1 indicating the ability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the second network NW2 when registering SIM1 402-1. At 422, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide the multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2, and obtain information about the ability of the second network to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the first network NW1 when registering SIM2 402-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide an identifier for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information. In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and / or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services, and the first and / or second network NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services for which the multi-SIM tunnel capability is granted. At 424, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an IMS PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, thereby identifying "ims" as the DNN for the service for the IMS PDU session.The SIM1 IMS PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., “X”. At 426, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a separate IMS PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2 over the second network NW2, identifying “ims” as the DNN for the service of the IMS PDU session. The SIM2 IMS PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., “X”. At 428, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second IMS PDU session for SIM1 over the second network NW2, wherein the second IMS PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying “ims” as the DNN for the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, e.g., “Y”. The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique linked PDU session identifier (ID), e.g., by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 IMS PDU session ID (“X”). The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide a unique link PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 may include the unique link PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a link PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and therefore the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the link PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW2. At 430, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may request to suspend the SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 424, 426, 428, and 430, both SIM1 and SIM2 have active IMS PDU sessions using their respective SIMs through their respective networks, and SIM1 additionally has a suspended (standby) IMS tunnel PDU session through the second network NW2 via SIM2. Although in. Figure 4A4, 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 432, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive voice or video connections with either SIM. At 452, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 454, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use the IMS PDU session via SIM1, but must use the IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 356, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "X". The request may also include a linking PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the IMS tunnel PDU session ID ("Y") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 456 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled IMS PDU session and indicates the linking PDU session ID of the tunneled IMS PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 456 notifies the first network NW1 that the SIM1 IMS communications should be routed over the tunneled IMS PDU session ID via SIM2 through the second network NW2. At 458, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via the second network NW2. At 460, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW2. At 462, SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to activate the previously established and suspended IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1 to the core network of the second network NW2.The IMS tunnel PDU session of SIM1 (via SIM2) is identified by a SIM2 PDU session ID value of "Y" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 IMS PDU session ID value "X". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2. At 464, the IMS network element (IMS 312) sends an indication of an incoming (mobile terminated) voice or video connection request for SIM1 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to the core network element of the first network NW1. At 466, the core network element of the first network NW1 forwards the voice or video connection request for SIM1 to the core network element of the second network NW2. At 468 , the incoming (mobile terminated) voice or video connection request for SIM1 is provided to the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 using the SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session established by SIM2 over the second network NW2 .

[0044] Figure 5A and Figure 5BA diagram 500, 550 of a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with a public service PLMN is shown. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 520, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 302-1 with a network element of a 5G network, for example, via a radio access network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a session management function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, when registering SIM1 302-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of SIM2 302-2. The information of SIM2 302-2 may include one or more identifiers of SIM2 302-2, such as an IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and / or SUCI value. When registering SIM1 302-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide the MNO information of SIM2 302-2. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature, and may obtain information about network support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services during registration, and the network to which the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services that are granted multi-SIM tunnel capability. At 524, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service for the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 Internet data PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, such as "A". At 526, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 302-2 with the network element of the 5G network. Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn some embodiments, SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be performed with the same network element of a common core network. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature and obtain information about network support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature when registering SIM2 302-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide an identifier for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 528, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1, however, the second Internet data PDU session may be a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN for the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, such as "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique linked PDU session identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID ("A"). When sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the cellular wireless network, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide a unique link PDU session ID, and when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session, the cellular wireless network may include the unique link PDU session ID. In some embodiments, the lack of a link PDU session ID in the response from the cellular wireless network may indicate that the cellular wireless network cannot link the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the link PDU session feature may not be supported by the cellular wireless network. At 530, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may request to suspend the SIM1 Internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 524, 526, 528, and 530, SIM1 has an active Internet data PDU session using SIM1 and a suspended (standby) Internet data tunnel PDU session via SIM2. Therefore, the SIM of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may have multiple Internet data PDU sessions established using different SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102, wherein only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. At 532, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered with both SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 552, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102.At 554, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use the Internet data PDU session via SIM1, but must use the Internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 556, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "A". The request may also include a linking PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the Internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 556 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled Internet data PDU session and indicates the linking PDU session ID of the tunneled Internet data PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 556 informs the network that SIM1 Internet data communications should be routed over the tunnel Internet data PDU session ID via SIM2. At 558, SIM1 302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2. At 560, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 562, SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network to activate the previously established and suspended Internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1. SIM1's Internet data tunnel PDU session (via SIM2) is identified by the SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID value "A". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2. At 564, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2, while the VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. The data traffic for the application data exchange through the internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted and charged for SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) instead of for SIM2 (resources are used to transmit data traffic via the tunnel), for example, by the user plane function (UPF) 502 core network element.

[0045] Figure 6 A diagram 600 of a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish a visual voicemail (VVM) PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with a public service PLMN is shown. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 620, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 302-1 with a network element of a 5G network, for example, via a radio access network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a session management function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, when registering the first SIM, such as SIM1 302-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 302-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as an IMSI, a 5G-GUTI, an MSISDN, a SUPI, and / or a SUCI value. When registering the first SIM, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide the mobile network operator (MNO) information of the second SIM. In some embodiments, the device supports a multi-SIM tunnel feature, and information about network support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature may be obtained during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services during registration, and the network where the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services that are granted multi-SIM tunnel capability. In some embodiments, the network may indicate support for multi-SIM tunneling via one or more dedicated bearers, where the one or more dedicated bearers are used to carry tunnel traffic for the SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 622, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 302-2 with a network element of the 5G network. Figure 6In some embodiments, SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be performed with the same network element of a common core network. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may indicate support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature and obtain information about network support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature when registering SIM2 302-2. As described above, in some embodiments, the network may indicate support for multi-SIM tunneling via one or more dedicated bearers, the one or more dedicated bearers being used to carry tunnel traffic for the SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide identifiers for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 624, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a VVM PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, thereby identifying "vvm" as the DNN for the service for the VVM PDU session. The SIM1 VVM PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, for example, "C". At 626, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a separate VVM PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2, identifying "vvm" as the DNN for the service of the VVM PDU session. The SIM2 VVM PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., "C". At 630, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered using both SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 632, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 634, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use the VVM PDU session via SIM1 when establishing a mobile-terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2. At 636, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend the SIM1 VVM PDU session identified by session ID "C". At 638, SIM1 302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile-terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 to initiate a voice or video connection for SIM2. At 634, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call.Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use the VVM PDU session via SIM1 while a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is being established. At 636, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend the SIM1 VVM PDU session identified by session ID "C". At 638, SIM1 302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2. At 640, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 642, the cellular wireless network (associated with both SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2) may establish a dedicated bearer associated with the "vmm" DNN to carry VVM traffic for SIM1 via SIM2 while SIM2 is in an active VoLTE or VoNR call. The cellular wireless network may establish a dedicated bearer based on the knowledge that the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 supports the multi-SIM tunnel feature, SIM2 is to be used for an active VoLTE or VoNR call, and the SIM1 VVMPDU session is suspended. Alternatively, after 640, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may send a request to the cellular wireless network to establish a dedicated bearer for SIM1 via SIM2, and the cellular wireless network may accept the request, and the establishment of the VVM PDU session tunnel may continue at 642 as previously described. The quality of service (QoS) rules applied to the routing of traffic on the dedicated bearer may be based on the QoS rules of SIM1 for the VVM PDU session, and additionally based on a SIM1 identifier value (such as a 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI value). The QoS rules applicable to SIM1 traffic may be reused, and additionally, it may be implemented that only traffic originating from SIM1 may be exchanged via the dedicated bearer, even if the bearer is established via SIM2. At 644, after the dedicated bearer is established, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may receive incoming VVM information, and also request VVM information via the dedicated bearer.

[0046] Figure 7A diagram 700 of a set of exemplary network elements of a 5G network for implementing PDU session tunneling for a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is shown. Network elements that may be modified to support multi-SIM tunnel features and data tunnels as described herein may include those indicated by dashed outlines. Representative affected network elements include access network elements, such as the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) 306, and access points 722 for non-cellular wireless networks. In addition, core network elements that may need to be modified to support the multi-SIM tunnel features and data tunnels described herein include access and mobility management functions (AMF) 308, session management functions (SMF) 702, user plane functions (UPF) 706-1, policy control functions (PCF) 712, unified data management (UDM) 710, authentication server functions (716), and N3 (user plane interface) networking functions (N3-IWF) 720.

[0047] Figure 8A diagram 800 of a set of exemplary network elements for implementing tunnels with multiplexed data traffic for multiple SIM / eSIMs of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is shown. During registration of one or more SIM / eSIMs, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may indicate multi-SIM / eSIM capabilities to the network element and provide information about the SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. Representative information may include SIM / eSIM identifiers. When the radio access network of the cellular wireless network with which the multi-SIM / eSIM is registered supports a data tunnel for a first SIM (e.g., SIM1) using a second SIM (e.g., SIM2), a data connection may be established using SIM2 when SIM2 will also be used in parallel for another active connection (e.g., a voice or video connection via SIM2), where an active connection via SIM1 is not allowed in parallel with an active SIM2 connection. The cellular wireless network may allocate a new data radio bearer (DRB) to SIM2 for the data tunnel to SIM1. Traffic on a connection between a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 and an access network, such as to the NG-RAN 306, may be multiplexed and include a data radio bearer for SIM2 traffic and a separate data radio bearer for SIM1 traffic. The access network may separate the multiplexed data traffic based on an identifier of the respective SIM included in a protocol header of a data packet or based on an independent logical channel identifier (LCID) assigned to each bearer. The access network may have a separate N3 tunnel of the UPF 706 for each SIM, such as a first N3 tunnel for SIM1 and a second N3 tunnel for SIM2, and data counting and billing for data traffic of each SIM may be applied to the separate subscription of the respective SIM even if the data traffic is multiplexed over a common radio access connection. For an incoming mobile terminated voice or video connection request for SIM1, the cellular wireless network may attempt to contact the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 by sending a page directly (through its default radio access network) to SIM1, and when no response from the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 occurs (e.g., because the radio of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is being used for voice or video connection for SIM2), the wireless access network may route Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling for the voice or video connection request for SIM1 via the data tunnel connection established for SIM1 traffic through SIM2. Even when multiplexing, the traffic for each SIM may be appropriately counted and billed to the respective SIM.

[0048] In some embodiments, when requesting radio bearer traffic (which may include signaling or data traffic) to be tunneled, a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device may use a non-access stratum (NAS) radio bearer PDU having the same format as an access stratum (AS) PDU. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network may allocate a data radio bearer for each additional SIM that can transmit tunneled traffic. If a radio link failure (RLF) occurs, the SIM with the affected tunneled traffic may be notified to trigger the applicable recovery process. In some embodiments, for the transmission of NAS signaling, IMS traffic, Internet data, and / or other IP-based traffic, the SIM with an active connection may provide other SIMs with tunnel bearers through which their corresponding signaling and / or data traffic may be encapsulated and carried.

[0049] Fig. 9A Illustration 900 of an exemplary PDCP PDU header including tunnel information is shown. In some embodiments, a bit may be reserved, such as the second bit labeled "TH" in octet 1, to indicate the presence of tunnel header information in the PDCP PDU. In some embodiments, the tunnel header information may include a SIM identifier of the SIM to which the data traffic is applied, such as an 80-bit long 5G-GUTI included in octets 4 to 13 of the PDCP PDU, or an alternative unique identifier, such as a 48-bit long 5G Serving Temporary Mobile User Identity (S-TMSI), which is a shortened form of the 5G-GUTI, which may be included in octets 4 to 9 of the PDCP PDU, as shown. Fig. 9B 950 in FIG. A radio access network element, such as a gNodeB or equivalent, may maintain a table mapping between SIM identifier values, such as 5G-GUTI values, and corresponding N3 GTP-U tunnels. The GNodeB may separate multiplexed uplink data packets received from a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to be routed onto their corresponding N3 GTP-U tunnels. The gNodeB may also multiplex data traffic received on multiple N3 GTP-U tunnels together to combine them into a single radio resource control (RRC) connection to the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102.

[0050] In some embodiments, a separate logical channel identifier (LCID) may be assigned to the tunnel data radio bearer carrying the tunnel traffic, and an access network element such as a gNodeB may route traffic for different SIMs to the applicable N3 GTP-U tunnel based on the LCID mapping.

[0051] In some embodiments, NAS level security and, when enabled, DRB integrity protection may be performed by the respective SIM initiating the traffic, while AS level security may be provided by the SIM carrying the tunnel traffic. In some embodiments, NAS signaling radio bearer (SRB) messages for a tunnel SIM may be accepted for transmission by a SIM only after a tunnel data radio bearer (DRB) has been established for the tunnel SIM by the transmitting SIM.

[0052] Fig.10 A diagram 1000 of a network architecture for data tunnels between different session management functions (SMFs) 702 is shown. A first SIM (SIM1) 302-1 of a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is associated with a first network (H1), while a second SIM (SIM2) 302-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is associated with a second network (H2). In some embodiments, H1 and H2 belong to the same PLMN, while in other embodiments, H1 and H2 belong to different PLMNs. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is connected to the RAN 306-1, 306-2 of the respective networks H1, H2 via a Uu interface. The RAN 306-1, 306-2 is connected to the AMF 308-1, 308-2 of the respective networks H1, H2 via an N2 interface. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is also connected to the AMF 308-1, 308-2 via an N1 interface. The AMF 308-1, 308-2 is also connected to the PCF 712-1, 712-2 via the N15 interface and to the SMF 702-1, 702-2 via the N11 interface. The SMF 702-1, 702-2 is connected to the respective UPF 706-1, 706-2 via the N4 interface, wherein the UPF 706-1, 706-2 provides an N6 interface connection to the data network (DN) 708-1, 708-2. The SMF 702-1, 702-2 is interconnected to each other via the N16 interface and is also connected to the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) 1002-1, 1002-2 interconnected via the N32 interface. Data transmitted via the Inter-SMF Data Tunnel PDU session between different SMFs follows the indicated dotted path. For the inter-PLMN scenario, where the H1 and H2 networks are in different PLMNs, each PLMN may implement a proxy function to establish secure interconnection with each other and hide its corresponding network topology over the inter-PLMN interface.

[0053] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B1100, 1150 illustrate a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish a UE-initiated (mobile originated (MO)) Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with different serving SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 1120, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 402-1 with a network element of a first 5G network NW1, for example, via RAN1 406-1 to AMF1 408-1 and SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and / or SUCI values. When registering SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide information about the second network NW2 to the MNO associated with SIM2 402-2. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for a multi-SIM tunnel feature, and when registering SIM1 402-1, information indicating the ability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the second network NW2 may be obtained from the first network NW1. At 1124, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service for the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 Internet data PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., "A". At 1126, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the second network's ability to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the first network NW1 when registering SIM2 402-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide an identifier for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information.In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and / or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services, and the first and / or second network NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services for which the multi-SIM tunnel capability is granted. At 1127, the security edge protection proxies (SEPPs) of the respective first network NW1 and second network NW2 establish an N16 interface between SMF1 410-1 of NW1 and SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. The SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1128, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 via the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, e.g., "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session identifier (ID), e.g., by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID ("A"). The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide the unique link PDU session ID when sending a request to establish the tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 may include the unique link PDU session ID when providing a response accepting establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the absence of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW2. At 1130, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may request to suspend the SIM1 Internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 1124, 1126, 1127, and 1128, SIM1 has an active Internet data PDU session using SIM1 through the first network NW1 and a suspended (standby) Internet data tunnel PDU session via SIM2 through the second network NW2. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may have multiple Internet data PDU sessions established through different wireless networks using different SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102, wherein only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time.At 1132, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive voice or video connections with either SIM. At 1152, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 1154, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use an Internet Data PDU session via SIM1, but must use an Internet Data Tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 1156, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "A". The request may also include a linking PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the internet data tunneling PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1156 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled internet data PDU session and indicates the linking PDU session ID of the tunneled internet data PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1156 notifies the first network NW1 that SIM1 data communications should be routed through the second network NW2 over the tunneled internet data PDU session via SIM2. At 1158, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via the second network NW2. At 1160, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW2. At 1162, SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to activate the previously established and suspended internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 to the core network of the second network NW2. The internet data tunnel PDU session of SIM1 (via SIM2) is identified by the SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID value "A". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2.At 1164, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2, while the VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. The data traffic for the application data exchanged through the internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by the user plane function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the cumulative data usage report of the internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging / billing against SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) rather than against SIM2 (resources are used to transmit data traffic via the tunnel). At 1166, SMF2 410-2 provides a cumulative data usage report on the data bytes consumed (and / or accumulated time) by the tunnel internet data PDU session to SMF1 410-1 via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report may be transmitted between SMFs using a modified SEPP protocol message. At 1168, SMF1 410-1 forwards the accumulated data usage report (or information extracted therefrom about consumed data bytes and / or accumulated time) to PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting / billing purposes. PCF 712-1 of NW1 may consider the accumulated data usage via the tunneled Internet data PDU session to SIM1.

[0054] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12BA diagram 1200, 1250 of a set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish a NW-initiated (mobile terminated (MT)) Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM / eSIMs associated with different serving SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 1220, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 402-1 with a network element of a first 5G network NW1, for example, via RAN1 406-1 to AMF1 408-1 and SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and / or SUCI values. When registering SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide information about the second network NW2 to the MNO associated with SIM2 402-2. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for a multi-SIM tunnel feature, and when registering SIM1 402-1, information indicating the ability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the second network NW2 may be obtained from the first network NW1. At 1224, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service for the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 Internet data PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., "A". At 1226, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the second network's ability to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the first network NW1 when registering SIM2 402-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide an identifier for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information.In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and / or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services, and the first and / or second network NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services for which the multi-SIM tunnel capability is granted. At 1227, the security edge protection proxies (SEPPs) of the respective first network NW1 and second network NW2 establish an N16 interface between SMF1 410-1 of NW1 and SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. The SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1228, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 via the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, e.g., "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session identifier (ID), e.g., by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID ("A"). The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide the unique link PDU session ID when sending a request to establish the tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 may include the unique link PDU session ID when providing a response accepting establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the absence of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW2. At 1230, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may request to suspend the SIM1 Internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 1224, 1226, 1227, and 1228, SIM1 has an active Internet data PDU session using SIM1 through the first network NW1 and a suspended (standby) Internet data tunnel PDU session via SIM2 through the second network NW2. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may have multiple Internet data PDU sessions established through different wireless networks using different SIM / eSIMs of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102, wherein only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time.At 1232, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive voice or video connections with either SIM. At 1242, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for the VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 1244, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use an Internet Data PDU session via SIM1, but must use an Internet Data Tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 1246, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "A". The request may also include a linking PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the internet data tunneling PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1156 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled internet data PDU session and indicates the linking PDU session ID of the tunneled internet data PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1156 notifies the first network NW1 that SIM1 data communications should be routed through the second network NW2 over the tunneled internet data PDU session via SIM2. At 1248, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via the second network NW2. At 1252, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW2. At 1254, network initiated mobile terminated (MT) paging for SIM1 for the VoIP or Facetime connection to the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 via the application server 1104 fails because SIM1 is unreachable (deactivated). At 1256, SMF1 410-1 sends a message to SMF2 410-2 to provide resources for MT paging via an internet data PDU tunnel session. The communication between SMF1 410-1 and SMF2 410-2 may occur via the previously established N16 interface. At 1258, SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to activate the previously established and suspended internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 to the core network of the second network NW2.The internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 (via SIM2) is identified by the SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID value "A". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2. Whenever a user of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 initiates a data session, the internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 (via SIM2) may be used. At 1260, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may exchange application data with the application server 1104 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2 while the VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. The data traffic for application data exchanged through the Internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by a user plane function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the cumulative data usage report for the Internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging / billing against SIM1 (to which the Internet data service is applied) rather than against SIM2 (to which resources are used to transmit data traffic via the tunnel). At 1262, SMF2 410-2 provides a cumulative data usage report on the data bytes consumed (and / or accumulated time) for the tunnel Internet data PDU session to SMF1 410-1 via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report may be transmitted between SMFs using a modified Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) protocol message. At 1264, SMF1 410-1 forwards the cumulative data usage report (or information extracted therefrom on the consumed data bytes and / or accumulated time) to the PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting / billing purposes. The PCF 712 - 1 of NW1 may take into account the accumulated data usage via the tunneled Internet data PDU session to SIM1.

[0055] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B Diagrams 1300, 1350 illustrate another set of exemplary actions taken by a multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an Internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). Fig.13A and 13BThe illustrated set of actions provides a streamlined (optimized) method of establishing a UE-initiated (mobile originated (MO)) or NW-initiated (mobile terminated (MT)) Internet data PDU session tunnel. Based on one SIM being used for an active voice connection, an Internet data tunnel PDU session is created for the other SIM only when needed. This approach saves network-side resources and device-side resources because the tunnel PDU session is not activated and suspended, but created based on the needs of the SIM, and the SIM will be deactivated when the other SIM actively uses radio resources for a voice connection. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may include a first SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM / eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 1320, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM1 402-1 with a network element of a first 5G network NW1, for example via RAN1 406-1 to AMF1 408-1 and SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and / or SUCI values. When registering SIM1 402-1, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide information about the second network NW2 to the MNO associated with SIM2 402-2. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also indicate device support for a multi-SIM tunnel feature, and when registering SIM1 402-1, information indicating the ability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the second network NW2 may be obtained from the first network NW1. At 1324, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service for the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 Internet data PDU session may be assigned a numeric integer identifier, e.g., "A". At 1326, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may register SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the second network's ability to support the multi-SIM tunnel feature of the first network NW1 when registering SIM2 402-2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may also provide an identifier for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information.In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and / or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capability for one or more specific services, and the first and / or second networks NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate the services for which the multi-SIM tunnel capability is granted. At 1328, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 1330, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for a VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102. At 1332, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to use radio frequency (RF) resources for the incoming VoLTE or VoNR call. Since the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, when establishing a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, SIM1 cannot use the Internet data PDU session via SIM1, but must use the Internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The Internet data tunnel PDU session is used as needed. Fig.13A and Fig. 13B, rather than establishing and suspending as previously described. At 1334, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "A". The request may also include a linking PDU session ID, which is based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and the internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1334 suspends the SIM1 non-tunneled internet data PDU session and indicates the linking PDU session ID of the tunneled internet data PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. The request at 1334 notifies the first network NW1 that SIM1 data communications should be routed through the second network NW2 over the tunneled internet data PDU session via SIM2. At 1336, the security edge protection proxies (SEPPs) of the respective first and second networks NW1 and NW2 establish an N16 interface between SMF1 410-1 of NW1 and SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. The SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1352, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 via the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, thereby identifying "Internet" as the DNN of the service and assigning a different numeric integer identifier, e.g., "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session identifier (ID), e.g., by combining a unique SIM1 identifier with a previous SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID ("A"). In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM2. The multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may provide a unique link PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 may include the unique link PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a link PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, and therefore the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the link PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW2. At 1354, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via the second network NW2.At 1356, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW2. At 1358, the multi-SIM / eSIM wireless device 102 may exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2 while the VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. The data traffic for the application data exchanged via the internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by a user plane function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the accumulated data usage report of the internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging / billing against SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) rather than against SIM2 (resources are used to transmit data traffic via the tunnel). At 1360, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via the second network NW2 ends. At 1362, SIM2 402-2 requests to release the internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2. At 1362, the internet data tunnel PDU session is identified in the request by a PDU session ID "B" and a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID "A". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is the 5G-GUTI, SUPI or SUCI of SIM2. At 1364, SMF2 410-2 provides a cumulative data usage report on the data bytes consumed (and / or accumulated time) for the tunnel internet data PDU session to SMF1 410-1 via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report can be transmitted between SMFs using a modified SEPP protocol message. At 1366, SMF1 410-1 forwards the cumulative data usage report (or information extracted therefrom about the consumed data bytes and / or accumulated time) to the PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting / billing purposes. The PCF 712 - 1 of NW1 may take into account the accumulated data usage via the tunneled Internet data PDU session to SIM1.

[0056] Fig.14A and Fig. 14BThe diagrams 1400, 1410, 1420, 1430 of the cumulative data usage report between SMFs are shown. The UPF 706 of the network can provide the report of the cumulative data usage to the SMF 702 of the network. The report can provide the information of the data bytes consumed by the tunnel Internet data PDU session and / or the accumulated time. In some scenarios, the UPF 706 can provide the cumulative data usage report to the domestic access SMF (V-SMF), which can be forwarded to the domestic home SMF (H-SMF). In some embodiments, the cumulative data usage report is transmitted between different SMFs using SMF service messages. The representative SMF service message that can include the cumulative data usage report includes the release message and the StatusNotify message shown in the table of the diagram 1410. The communication of the cumulative data usage report between SMFs can be included in the information element (IE) of the Nsfm_PDUSession_Subscribe message as shown in the diagram 1420, or included in the Nsfm_PDUSession_UpdateRequest message as shown in the diagram 1430. The receiving SMF may respond to the Nsmf_PDUSession_Subscribe message with a Nsmf_PDUSession_StatusNotify message, as shown in diagram 1420. Alternatively, as shown in diagram 1430, the receiving SMF may respond to the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateRequest message with a Nsmf_PDUSession_UPdateResponse message. In some embodiments, the SMF may use the Nsmf_PDUSession_StatusNotify service operation to notify its consumer of the status of a PDU session, which may include data consumed by a released PDU session, such as for an Internet data tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, a cumulative usage data report may be transmitted via a Nsmf_PDUSession_StatusNotify service operation message, which includes data consumed by the released link PDU session and / or the accumulated duration. In some embodiments, a cumulative usage data report may be transmitted via a Nsmf_PDUSession_Release service operation message, which includes data consumed by the released link PDU session and / or the accumulated duration.

[0057] Representative Implementation Plans

[0058] In some embodiments, a method for accessing services of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) by a single-radio wireless device communicating with a cellular wireless network includes: i) establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session for a first SIM to access a first cellular service; ii) establishing a second PDU session for a second SIM to access a second cellular service; iii) establishing a tunnel PDU session using the second SIM used for the first SIM using the same data network name (DNN) used for the first SIM to access the first cellular service; iv) requesting to suspend the tunnel PDU session; v) in response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum (NAS) notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM, a) requesting to suspend the first PDU session for the first SIM, and b) establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM; and vi) requesting to activate the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM, wherein signaling and / or data traffic of the first SIM is transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM.

[0059] In some embodiments, the NAS notification message is received via 3GPP access. In some embodiments, the NAS notification message is received via a non-3GPP access indicating that the access type is 3GPP access. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the single radio wireless device providing information of the first SIM during the registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the information of the first SIM includes one or more identifiers of the first SIM. In some embodiments, the one or more identifiers of the first SIM include an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a five-generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a mobile station international user directory number (MSFDD), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) and / or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI). In some embodiments, the first SIM and the second SIM are associated with different mobile network operators (MNOs), and the information of the first SIM includes MNO and / or PLMN information of the first SIM. In some embodiments, the single radio wireless device indicates support for multiple SIM (multi-SIM) tunnel capabilities during the registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the single radio wireless device obtains an indication of support for multi-SIM tunnels during the registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network from the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the single radio wireless device obtains from the cellular wireless network an indication of one or more cellular services that are authorized for multi-SIM tunnel capability during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, each of the first PDU session for the first SIM, the second PDU session for the second SIM, and the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM is an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) PDU session. In some embodiments, each of the first PDU session for the first SIM, the second PDU session for the second SIM, and the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM is an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) PDU session, a short message service (SMS) session, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) session, a visual voicemail (VVM) session, etc. In some embodiments, a unique link PDU session identifier (ID) is assigned to the tunnel PDU session, the unique link PDU session identifier (ID) combining the unique identifier of the first SIM with the PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM; and when requesting to establish the tunnel PDU session, the single radio wireless device includes the unique link PDU session ID.In some embodiments, at any time, none or only one of: i) the first PDU session for the first SIM, or ii) the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM is active. In some embodiments, the data traffic of the first SIM transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM is allocated to the first SIM instead of the second SIM for billing and / or counting purposes. In some embodiments, the second SIM sends a request to the first SIM to access radio frequency (RF) resources to establish the connection for the second SIM; and the first SIM authorizes the request for the RF resources to establish the connection for the second SIM. In some embodiments, the first SIM and the second SIM are associated with different mobile network operators (MNOs); and the session management function (SMF) of the cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM communicates the tunnel data traffic of the first SIM with the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM using the security edge protection proxy (SEPP) protocol. In some embodiments, the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM forwards the tunnel data traffic of the first SIM to the policy control function (PCF) of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM for billing and / or counting purposes. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network configures a separate data radio bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network configures one or more quality of service (QoS) rules to route Internet Protocol (IP) traffic belonging to the first SIM via the newly configured DRB on the second SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network configures a split DRB and allocates two separate logical channel identifiers (LCIDs), the two separate logical channel identifiers (LCIDs) including a first LCID allocated to the second SIM to carry its own traffic and a second LCID allocated to the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single-radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network includes a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunneled traffic associated with the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single-radio wireless device and an access network of the cellular wireless network includes multiplexed data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM; and the access network separates the multiplexed data packets into separate flows based at least in part on identifiers of the respective SIMs included in protocol headers of the multiplexed data packets.Exemplary multiplexed data packet protocol headers include a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header and a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header.

[0060] In some embodiments, a cellular wireless network base station includes: i) a wireless circuit for transmitting and receiving cellular wireless radio frequency signals; and ii) at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the wireless circuit and a memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the cellular wireless network base station to perform a method for enabling a single-radio wireless device to access services of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) by at least: a) establishing a second protocol data unit (PDU) session for a second SIM of the single-radio wireless device to access a cellular service; b) establishing a tunnel PDU session for a first SIM of the single-radio wireless device to access the cellular service via the second SIM of the single-radio wireless device; c) suspending the tunnel PDU session in response to receiving a request from the single-radio wireless device; d) sending a paging indication to the single-radio wireless device to establish a connection for the second SIM; e) establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM; and f) activating the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM, wherein signaling and / or data traffic of the first SIM is transmitted via the second SIM via the tunnel PDU session.

[0061] In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network base station configures a separate data radio bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network base station configures one or more quality of service (QoS) rules to route the Internet Protocol (IP) traffic of the first SIM via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network base station configures a diverted data radio bearer (DRB) and allocates a first logical channel identifier (LCID) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID for the second SIM to carry the tunneled data traffic associated with the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single-radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station includes a first data radio bearer for the traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for the tunneled traffic associated with the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single-radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station includes multiplexed data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM; and the cellular wireless network base station divides the multiplexed data packets into separate streams based at least in part on identifiers of the corresponding SIMs included in a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header or a Service Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header of the multiplexed data packets.

[0062] In some embodiments, an apparatus configured to operate in a single-radio wireless device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single-radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of multiple SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

[0063] In some embodiments, a single radio wireless device includes one or more antennas and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas and to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of multiple SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

[0064] In some embodiments, a cellular network base station includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the cellular network base station to perform a method for enabling a single-radio wireless device to access services of multiple SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

[0065] Exemplary Computing Devices

[0066] Fig.15 1500 is a detailed view of a computing device 1500 that can be used to implement various components described herein according to some embodiments. In particular, the detailed view shows that a computing device 1500 that can be included in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Various components of a wireless device as shown and / or described herein. Fig.15 As shown, the computing device 1500 may include a processor 1502 representing a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the computing device 1500. The computing device 1500 may also include a user input device 1508 that allows a user of the computing device 1500 to interact with the computing device 1500. For example, the user input device 1508 may take a variety of forms, such as buttons, keypads, dials, touch screens, audio input interfaces, visual / image capture input interfaces, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Further, the computing device 1500 may include a display 1510 (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor 1502 to display information to the user. The data bus 1516 can facilitate data transfer between at least the storage device 1540, the processor 1502, and the controller 1513. The controller 1513 can be used to interact with and control different devices through the device control bus 1514. The computing device 1500 may also include a network / bus interface 1511 coupled to the data link 1512. In the case of a wireless connection, the network / bus interface 1511 may include a wireless transceiver.

[0067] The computing device 1500 also includes a storage device 1540 (which may include a single disk or multiple disks, such as a hard drive), and includes a storage management module that manages one or more partitions within the storage device 1540. In some embodiments, the storage device 1540 may include flash memory, semiconductor (solid-state) memory, etc. The computing device 1500 may also include a random access memory (RAM) 1520 and a read-only memory (ROM) 1522. The ROM 1522 may store programs, utilities, or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 1520 may provide volatile data storage and store instructions related to the operation of the computing device 1500. The computing device 1500 may also include one or more UICC / eUICC 1550 that may store one or more SIMs and / or eSIMs.

[0068] Wireless Technology

[0069] According to various embodiments described herein, the terms "wireless communication device", "wireless device", "mobile device", "mobile station" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably herein to describe one or any number of common consumer electronic devices that may be capable of performing the processes associated with various embodiments of the present disclosure. According to various specific implementations, any of these consumer electronic devices may relate to: a cellular phone or smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop or notebook computer, a media player device, an e-book device, devices, wearable computing devices, and any other type of electronic computing device with fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Advanced LTE (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR), or similar “later generation” cellular wireless access communications capabilities.

[0070] In addition, it should be understood that the UE described herein may be configured as a multi-mode wireless device capable of communicating via traditional third generation (3G) and / or second generation (2G) RATs in addition to being able to communicate using 4G wireless networks and using one or more different wireless local area networks. The multi-mode user equipment (UE) may include support for communicating according to one or more different wireless communication protocols developed by a standard entity, such as 3GPP's Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE, LTE-A, and 5G NR standards or 3GPP2's CDMA2000 (1xRTT, 2xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD) standards. The multi-mode UE may also support the use of wireless local area network protocols (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)) and wireless personal area network protocols (e.g., ) communications. Multiple wireless communication protocols may provide complementary functions and / or different services for multi-mode UEs.

[0071] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0072] The various aspects, embodiments, specific implementations or features of the embodiments may be used individually or in any combination. In addition, some aspects of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware or by a combination of hardware and software. The embodiments may also be implemented as computer program codes stored on a non-transient computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be associated with any data storage device capable of storing data that may be read thereafter by a computer or computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, solid-state disk (SSD or flash memory), HDD, DVD, magnetic tape and optical data storage device. The computer-readable medium may also be distributed on a network-coupled computer system so that the computer program code may be executed in a distributed manner.

[0073] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific naming to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that some of these specific details are not required to practice the embodiments. Therefore, the above description of specific embodiments herein is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive, all-inclusive, or to limit the described embodiments to the disclosed precise form or details. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, based on the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the essence and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A single radio wireless device, include: one or more antennas; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas and a memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of subscriber identity modules SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network by at least: Establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session for a first SIM to access a first cellular service; establishing a second PDU session for the second SIM to access the second cellular service; establishing a tunnel PDU session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service via the second SIM; Requesting to suspend the tunnel PDU session; In response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum NAS notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM: requesting to suspend the first PDU session for the first SIM, and establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM; as well as requesting activation of the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM, in: assigning a unique linked PDU session identifier ID to the tunnel PDU session, the unique linked PDU session ID combining a unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM; When requesting to establish the tunnel PDU session, the single radio wireless device includes the unique link PDU session ID; and Signaling and / or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM. 2 . The single radio wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM uses the same data network name DNN as the first PDU session for the first SIM.

3. The single radio wireless device of claim 1 , wherein for the connection established for the second SIM, the NAS notification message is received via a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access or via a non-3GPP access indicating a 3GPP access type.

4. The single radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the single radio wireless device to provide information of the first SIM during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network, the information including one or more identifiers of the first SIM.

5. The single radio wireless device of claim 4, in: The first SIM and the second SIM are associated with different mobile network operators, MNOs; and The information of the first SIM further includes MNO information and / or public land mobile network PLMN information of the first SIM.

6. The single radio wireless device of claim 1 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the single radio wireless device to: indicating that the single radio wireless device supports multi-SIM tunneling capabilities during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network; obtaining, from the cellular wireless network, an indication of support for multi-SIM tunneling during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network; as well as An indication of one or more services granted multi-SIM tunnel capability during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network is obtained from the cellular wireless network.

7. The single radio wireless device of claim 1 , wherein at any time none or only one of the following is active: i) said first PDU session for said first SIM, or ii) the tunneled PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM.

8. The single radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein the data traffic of the first SIM transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM is allocated to the first SIM instead of the second SIM for charging and / or billing purposes.

9. An apparatus configured to operate in a single radio wireless device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of subscriber identity modules SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network by at least: Establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session for a first SIM to access a first cellular service; establishing a second PDU session for the second SIM to access the second cellular service; establishing a tunnel PDU session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service via the second SIM; Requesting to suspend the tunnel PDU session; In response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum NAS notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM: requesting to suspend the first PDU session for the first SIM, and establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM; as well as requesting activation of the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM, in: assigning a unique linked PDU session identifier ID to the tunnel PDU session, the unique linked PDU session ID combining a unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM; When requesting to establish the tunnel PDU session, the single radio wireless device includes the unique link PDU session ID; and Signaling and / or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM.

10. The device according to claim 9, in: The second SIM sends a request to the first SIM to access radio frequency (RF) resources to establish the connection for the second SIM; and The first SIM authorizes the request for the RF resources to establish the connection for the second SIM.

11. The device according to claim 9, in: The first SIM and the second SIM are associated with different mobile network operators, MNOs; and The session management function SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM communicates the tunneled data traffic of the first SIM with the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM using the secure edge protection proxy SEPP protocol.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM forwards the tunneled data traffic of the first SIM to a policy control function (PCF) of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM for charging and / or accounting purposes.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cellular wireless network configures a separate data radio bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cellular wireless network configures one or more Quality of Service (QoS) rules to route Internet Protocol (IP) traffic of the first SIM via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cellular wireless network configures a split data radio bearer (DRB) and allocates a first logical channel identifier (LCID) for the second SIM to carry data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID for the second SIM to carry tunnel data traffic associated with the first SIM.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein communications between the single-radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network include a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunneled traffic associated with the first SIM.

17. The device according to claim 9, in: Communications between the single radio wireless device and an access network of the cellular wireless network include multiplexing data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM; and The access network separates the multiplexed data packets into separate streams based at least in part on identifiers of respective SIMs included in protocol headers of the multiplexed data packets.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the protocol header comprises a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header or a Service Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header.

19. A cellular wireless network base station, include: A wireless circuit for transmitting and receiving cellular wireless radio frequency signals; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being communicatively coupled to the wireless circuitry and to a memory storing instructions, the instructions when executed by the at least one processor causing the cellular wireless network base station to perform a method of enabling a single-radio wireless device to access services of multiple subscriber identity modules SIMs by at least: establishing a second protocol data unit (PDU) session for a second SIM of the single radio wireless device to access cellular services; establishing a tunnel PDU session for a first SIM of the single radio wireless device to access the cellular service via the second SIM of the single radio wireless device in response to receiving a first request from the single radio wireless device, wherein the first request includes a unique linked PDU session identifier (ID) that combines a unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID for a first PDU session for the first SIM; sending a response to the single-radio wireless device, the response including the unique linked PDU session identifier to indicate establishment of the tunnel PDU session; suspending the tunnel PDU session in response to receiving a second request from the single-radio wireless device; sending a paging indication to the single radio wireless device to establish a connection for the second SIM; establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM; as well as activating the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM, Wherein signaling and / or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM. 20 . The cellular wireless network base station according to claim 19 , wherein the cellular wireless network base station configures a separate data radio bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM.

21. The cellular wireless network base station of claim 20, wherein the cellular wireless network base station configures one or more Quality of Service (QoS) rules to route Internet Protocol (IP) traffic of the first SIM via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM.

22. The cellular wireless network base station according to claim 19, wherein the cellular wireless network base station configures a split data radio bearer DRB and allocates a first logical channel identifier LCID for the second SIM to carry data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID for the second SIM to carry tunnel data traffic associated with the first SIM.

23. A cellular wireless network base station according to claim 19, wherein the communication between the single-radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station comprises a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunneled traffic associated with the first SIM.

24. The cellular wireless network base station according to claim 19, in: Communications between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station include multiplexing data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM; and The cellular wireless network base station separates the multiplexed data packets into separate flows based at least in part on identifiers of corresponding SIMs included in a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header or a Service Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header of the multiplexed data packets.

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