PLMN selection based on the user equipment's geographic location

Abstract

A method includes causing a user device to move from a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographic area to a second public land mobile network associated with a second geographic area when the user device has moved from the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program, and particularly, but not exclusively, to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for network selection. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as communication devices, base stations / access points, and / or other nodes) by providing a carrier wave between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided by a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices.

[0003] Access to the communication system may be via an appropriate communication device or terminal. The communication device is provided with appropriate signal reception and transmission means for enabling communications, such as enabling access to a communication network or communication directly with other communication devices. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station or access point and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0004] Communications systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how this should be achieved. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an aspect, a method is provided that includes causing user equipment to move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographic area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area when the user equipment has moved from the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

[0006] The method may include determining that the user equipment has moved from a first geographic area to a second geographic area.

[0007] The causing may comprise sending a request to register or attach to said first public land mobile network.

[0008] The causing may include selecting a second public land mobile network from one or more candidate public land mobile networks, each candidate public land mobile network of the one or more candidate public land mobile networks being associated with a second geographical area.

[0009] The causing may include receiving a message including one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0010] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0011] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0012] The method may comprise attempting to select a candidate public land mobile network having a highest priority as the second public land mobile network.

[0013] The causing may include causing receipt of a message including the second geographic area information.

[0014] The method may include receiving validity information associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

[0015] In case the second public land mobile network is associated with the validity information, the method may comprise ceasing use of the second public land mobile network at the end of a validity period associated with the validity information.

[0016] The causing may include using the second geographical area information to select the second public land mobile network.

[0017] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0018] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0019] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0020] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0021] The method may comprise preventing selection of a second public land mobile network using a corresponding radio access technology type.

[0022] The corresponding access technology type may be a satellite radio access technology type.

[0023] The method may be performed by a device in a user equipment. The method may be performed by a user equipment.

[0024] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code being configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: cause the user equipment to move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area when the user equipment has moved from the first geographical area to the second geographical area.

[0025] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine that the user equipment has moved from the first geographical area to the second geographical area.

[0026] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least send a request to register or attach to the above-mentioned first public land mobile network.

[0027] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least select a second public land mobile network from one or more candidate public land mobile networks, each candidate public land mobile network of the one or more candidate public land mobile networks being associated with a second geographic area.

[0028] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a message including one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0029] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0030] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0031] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least attempt to select a candidate public land mobile network having a highest priority as the second public land mobile network.

[0032] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a message comprising second geographic area information.

[0033] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive validity information associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

[0034] In the event that the second public land mobile network is associated with the validity information, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to cease use of the second public land mobile network at least upon expiration of a validity period associated with the validity information.

[0035] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least use the second geographical area information to select the second public land mobile network.

[0036] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0037] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0038] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0039] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0040] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least prevent selection of a second public land mobile network using a corresponding radio access technology type.

[0041] The corresponding access technology type may be a satellite radio access technology type.

[0042] The device may be arranged in a user equipment. The device may be a user equipment.

[0043] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes means for causing user equipment to move from a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographic area to a second public land mobile network associated with a second geographic area when the user equipment has moved from the first geographic area to the second geographic area.

[0044] The component may be used to determine that the user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area.

[0045] The means may be configured to send a request to register or attach to said first public land mobile network.

[0046] The component may be configured to select a second public land mobile network from one or more candidate public land mobile networks, each candidate public land mobile network of the one or more candidate public land mobile networks being associated with a second geographical area.

[0047] The component may be configured to receive a message including one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0048] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0049] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0050] The means may be configured to attempt to select a candidate public land mobile network having a highest priority as the second public land mobile network.

[0051] The means may be used to cause receipt of a message comprising second geographical area information.

[0052] The component may be configured to receive validity information associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

[0053] In case the second public land mobile network is associated with the validity information, the means may be configured to stop use of the second public land mobile network upon expiration of a validity period associated with the validity information.

[0054] The component may be configured to select the second public land mobile network using the second geographical area information.

[0055] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0056] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0057] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0058] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0059] The means may be used to prevent selection of a second public land mobile network using the corresponding radio access technology type.

[0060] The corresponding access technology type may be a satellite radio access technology type.

[0061] The device may be arranged in a user equipment. The device may be a user equipment.

[0062] According to another aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: when the user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area, determining in a device in a network entity that the user equipment will move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area.

[0063] The method may include determining that the user equipment has moved from a first geographic area to a second geographic area.

[0064] The method may comprise receiving a request from a user equipment to register or attach to said first public land mobile network.

[0065] The method may comprise causing a message to be transmitted to a user equipment, the message comprising one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0066] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0067] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0068] The method may comprise causing validity information to be transmitted to a user equipment, said validity information being associated with one or more of said candidate public land mobile networks.

[0069] The method may include causing the second geographic area information to be transmitted to the user equipment.

[0070] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0071] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0072] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0073] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0074] The method may be executed by a device in a network entity or by the network entity.

[0075] According to another aspect, an apparatus in a network entity is provided, the apparatus comprising means for determining, when the user equipment has moved from the first geographical area to the second geographical area, that the user equipment is to move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area.

[0076] The component may be used to determine that the user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area.

[0077] The means may be configured to receive a request from a user equipment to register or connect to said first public land mobile network.

[0078] The means may be operable to cause a message to be transmitted to a user equipment, the message comprising one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0079] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0080] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0081] The means may be configured to cause validity information to be transmitted to the user equipment, the validity information being associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

[0082] The means may be used to cause the second geographical area information to be transmitted to the user equipment.

[0083] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0084] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0085] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0086] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0087] According to one aspect, a device in a network entity is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least: determine, when a user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area, that the user equipment will move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area.

[0088] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine that the user equipment has moved from the first geographical area to the second geographical area.

[0089] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive, from a user equipment, a request to register or attach to the above-mentioned first public land mobile network.

[0090] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least cause a message to be transmitted to the user equipment, the message including one or more candidate public land mobile networks.

[0091] The one or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with the second geographic area.

[0092] One or more candidate public land mobile networks may be associated with priority information.

[0093] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least cause validity information associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks to be transmitted to the user equipment.

[0094] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least cause the second geographical area information to be transmitted to the user equipment.

[0095] The message may include a registration rejection message.

[0096] The first public land mobile network may comprise a home public land mobile network.

[0097] At least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network may use satellite access technology.

[0098] Geographic regions may include countries.

[0099] According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code configured to cause any of the aforementioned methods to be performed when run on at least one processor.

[0100] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, the computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute at least one of the above methods.

[0101] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute at least one of the above methods.

[0102] According to one aspect, a non-volatile tangible storage medium is provided, the non-volatile tangible storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions for executing at least one of the above methods.

[0103] In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be understood that other aspects can be provided by combining any two or more of the above aspects.

[0104] Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0106] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example communication system including a plurality of base stations and communication devices is shown;

[0107] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device is shown;

[0108] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing an example apparatus arranged in a network entity;

[0109] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more of the method procedures of some embodiments;

[0110] Figure 5 An example apparatus that may be provided in a network entity or a communication device is shown;

[0111] Figure 6 Schematically showing various land mobile networks in two different countries;

[0112] Figure 7 A single satellite cell covering three countries is schematically shown;

[0113] Figure 8 Methods of some embodiments are shown;

[0114] Fig. 9 Methods of some embodiments are shown;

[0115] Fig.10 Methods of some embodiments are shown;

[0116] Fig.11 Methods of some embodiments are shown;

[0117] Fig.12 Methods of some embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0118] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one" or "some" embodiments in several places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference refers to the same embodiment(s) or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0119] As is well known, wireless systems can be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems. Typically, an access point such as a base station provides at least one cell. A cellular system can support communication between user equipments (UEs).

[0120] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR) (or may be referred to as 5G) as an example of an access architecture to which these embodiments may be applied, however, the embodiments are not limited to such an architecture. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that these embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communication networks with suitable components by appropriately adjusting parameters and processes. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, same as E-UTRA), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANET), cellular Internet of Things (IoT) RAN and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0121] In the following, certain embodiments are explained with reference to a communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a communication system serving such a communication device. Figures 1 to 5 Certain general principles of wireless communication systems, their access systems and communication devices are briefly explained to help understand the technology underlying the described examples.

[0122] Figure 1 A cell of a wireless communication system 100 is shown. A cell is part of a public land mobile network PLMN. A PLMN is typically composed of multiple cells. As can be seen, a communication device 102 is served by cell 1 106, which is provided by a first base station 110a, which may be a gNB.

[0123] In this document, the communication device will be referred to as UE (User Equipment), but it will be appreciated that the device may be any suitable communication device, and the term UE is intended to cover any such device. Some examples of communication devices are discussed below, and as used in this document, the term UE is intended to cover any one or more of these devices and / or any other suitable device. The communication device has a wireless connection to a base station or other access point.

[0124] The base stations are configured to communicate with a core network 110. The core network may be one or more network entities 112.

[0125] Figure 2 An example of a communication device 300 is shown, such as Figure 1 The wireless communication device 102 is shown. The wireless communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device (such as a mobile phone or so-called "smart phone"), a computer with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) device, an IoT type communication device, or any combination of these, etc.

[0126] The device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via suitable means for receiving, and may transmit signals via suitable means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 2In the mobile device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0127] The wireless communication device 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include at least one ROM 302a and / or at least one RAM 302b. The communication device may include other possible components 303, which are used in the auxiliary execution of software and hardware designed to perform tasks, including control of access and communication to the access system and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to at least one memory. At least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308 to implement one or more of the following aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in at least one memory, for example, in at least one ROM 302a.

[0128] A geographic location sensor 310 may be provided for determining the geographic location of the communication device. This may use satellite positioning technology and / or any other suitable technology. In some embodiments, the sensor may alternatively or at least partially be provided by at least one processor. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may be provided by suitable hardware or circuitry.

[0129] Some embodiments may alternatively or additionally use a software-based process to determine geographic location.

[0130] Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments may use a communication-derived UE positioning method. For example, in some embodiments, the user equipment may limit its background scanning of higher priority PLMNs to candidate PLMNs in the same country as the RPLMN (registered PLMN) based on the MCC of the RPLMN. Thus, in some embodiments, the UE's awareness of its own location may use software algorithms and / or signaling procedures.

[0131] The processor, storage device and other related control devices may be provided on a suitable circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304 .

[0132] The device may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 305, a touch-sensitive screen or tablet, a combination thereof, or the like.

[0133] Optionally, one or more of a display, a speaker, and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of device.

[0134] Communication protocols and / or parameters applied to the connection are also typically defined.Communication devices can access the communication system based on various access technologies.

[0135] Figure 3 An example arrangement is shown in FIG. Figure 3 An example of an apparatus 200 for a network entity 112 is shown. The apparatus includes at least one memory. The at least one memory may be at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a and / or at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213, and an input / output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 is coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. At least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215 to implement one or more of the following aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b.

[0136] Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of non-volatile storage media 1600a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 1600b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 1602 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform any method of any embodiment or a portion of any method of any embodiment.

[0137] Figure 5 An apparatus 148 is shown. The apparatus 148 may be arranged in a network entity or a communication device. The apparatus may include at least one processor 150 and at least one memory 152 including computer code for one or more programs.

[0138] The apparatus may be configured to cause some embodiments to be performed.

[0139] Public authorities can set regulatory requirements in each country, including the radio frequencies and channels to be used for mobile communications.

[0140] In order to respect the rights of neighbouring countries to reuse the entire spectrum within their territory, network operators aim to avoid extending the coverage area of ​​their mobile communications networks beyond the country that issued their operating license. The design of the radio network must not have sharp edges at national borders. However, the aim is to ensure that the coverage area of ​​each PLMN ends reasonably soon after crossing the border to another country.

[0141] In this regard, reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 Schematically illustrated are PLMNs located along a border 600. PLMN 1, PLMN 3, PLMN 6 and PLMN 7 are provided by one or more operators in country A, and PLMN 2, PLMN 4 and PLMN 5 are provided by one or more operators in country B. Figure 6 As schematically shown, a PLMN provided by an operator in one country may provide cell coverage in another country.

[0142] Each mobile subscriber's access rights to the network can be enforced by the network based on so-called PLMN codes and tracking areas (TAs). PLMN codes can include mobile country codes (MCCs) and mobile network codes (MNCs). The areas in which a UE is allowed to have normal service can be restricted on a per PLMN and / or per TA basis.

[0143] However, the principle of minimizing PLMN coverage areas across national borders may be difficult to apply in certain satellite deployments.The coverage area of ​​a satellite cell may span hundreds of kilometers in radius, resulting in the same cell (and therefore TA) covering parts of the land area of ​​multiple countries.

[0144] 3GPP TR 38.821 provides some examples of scenarios with wide area coverage.

[0145] A so-called static TA model has been proposed. In this model, the satellite cells project a cell coverage area that appears static on the surface of the Earth. In the static TA deployment model, the TA boundaries appear to be fixed when viewed from the ground. However, since the satellite cell coverage area can be large, a single cell can span multiple countries. In this regard, reference Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a satellite cell 700 covering parts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

[0146] The 3GPP PLMN selection paradigm relies on the country code (MCC) part of the available PLMNs to inform the UE of its current country accurately enough. This principle of the UE considering the country based on the available MCC code is generally applicable to terrestrial networks with limited coverage areas (across national borders), even in border areas.

[0147] However, the larger coverage area of ​​satellite cells will extend the coverage area of ​​a single satellite PLMN to other countries.

[0148] If a roaming user can remain registered in the PLMN 1 in country A long after crossing the border to country B, one or more disadvantages may result.

[0149] For example, when a PLMN 1 subscriber in country A can use spectrum in country B that is allocated to an operator in country B, a roaming agreement may be violated.

[0150] The UE may receive a Public Warning System (PWS) message for the wrong area.

[0151] The UE may not be able to receive Public Warning System (PWS) messages in the affected area.

[0152] Emergency calls need to be routed to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the user's country, and this needs to be the correct country. Neighboring country police do not have the authority to act "across borders".

[0153] Currently, a UE roaming to a VPLMN (Visited PLMN) performs periodic background scans to check if a higher priority PLMN is available. The HPLMN is currently the highest priority PLMN. Therefore, a UE registered to the HPLMN does not currently need to perform any background scans. Therefore, a UE crossing the border to another country while registered to its HPLMN will not initiate background scans or PLMN selection for a local PLMN as long as it remains within the HPLMN coverage area. In the case of satellite access, this coverage area may be relatively large. Some embodiments may address this issue or at least mitigate it.

[0154] A UE roaming to a VPLMN may be restricted in the way it can select an alternative PLMN. The current restriction is that the UE only considers other VPLMNs in the same country as the current RPLMN (Registered PLMN) determined by the MCC.

[0155] consider Figure 7 Scenario shown. For example, a UE 702 registered in a French satellite network moves to the Netherlands via Belgium. Using existing procedures, the UE remains in the HPLMN coverage area throughout the entire process and does not need to select any other PLMN.

[0156] Currently, there is a concept of equivalent PLMNs. In case the UE has stored a list of equivalent PLMNs, the UE only selects PLMNs with a higher priority than those stored in the equivalent PLMN list and in the same country as the currently serving PLMN. Currently there is an additional MCC-based country restriction applied to equivalent PLMNs. The UE only considers the priority of equivalent PLMNs in the same country.

[0157] There are many different ways to determine the geographic location of the UE. This information may be available to the UE and / or the network. Some embodiments may use any one or more suitable methods to determine the geographic location of the UE. For example, satellite positioning technology such as GPS technology may be used, or any other suitable technology may be used. The UE may use a map application to determine its geographic location. Alternatively or additionally, the UE may use network-based information to determine its location. Alternatively or additionally, the location of the UE may be determined by the network.

[0158] Embodiments may use any technique that allows the geographic location of the UE to be determined to the required accuracy. Some embodiments may require that the technique be robust enough to ensure that the UE does not attempt to spoof the system by registering to a network in one country while in another.

[0159] When PLMN selection is limited to a certain country (e.g., for selecting the highest priority VPLMN), according to current 3GPP requirements, the UE must consider PLMNs in the same country based on the MCC broadcast by the available networks. This means that the UE determines its location based on the network topology. This approach works well when the PLMN coverage area is a reasonable estimate of the borders of the PLMN's home country corresponding to the PLMN's MCC. For satellite access with larger cell coverage areas, this may be difficult for the reasons mentioned above. Some embodiments may address one or more of these issues.

[0160] Some embodiments use the UE's geographic location to determine PLMN selection. This is in contrast to approaches that use network topology UE location to determine PLMN selection.

[0161] In some embodiments, the UE uses its awareness of its geographic location to restrict its PLMN selection to PLMNs in the same country as the UE's current geographic location. If the UE moves to another country, the UE will attempt to select a PLMN in this new country.

[0162] In some embodiments, this behavior may be used for a specific RAT (Radio Access Technology) type. The RAT may be satellite access and / or any other suitable RAT type. In some embodiments, the modified behavior may only apply to one type of RAT, and the currently defined behavior or any other suitable behavior may be used for one or more other types of RATs.

[0163] In some embodiments, if the UE attempts to register to a PLMN using MCC A when the UE's geographic location is actually in a country using MCC B, the network may force the UE to select among PLMNs in the UE's current geographic location country (possibly on a per RAT type basis) by rejecting the registration request.

[0164] Optionally, in some embodiments, the network may publish a recommended PLMN code or a list of recommended PLMNs for the UE to attempt to register with in order of priority for the current UE location. If coverage is provided by satellite and the network knows the availability and PLMN configuration of satellites in the constellation, the network may additionally associate a validity period with the recommended PLMN to inform the UE how long the recommendation is valid.

[0165] Non-geostationary low (LEO) or medium (MEO) earth orbits may sometimes be used. They may have lower latency due to the lower altitude. They may be associated with cheaper operating costs. Using such satellites, a stationary UE may move out of the coverage of a given serving cell over time. The validity period may provide an indication of the length of time a UE can use a serving cell before movement in the serving cell causes the UE to no longer be in the serving cell.

[0166] Other embodiments may use geosynchronous satellites instead or in addition. In these cases, a validity period may not be required.

[0167] refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 Methods of some embodiments are shown.

[0168] In some embodiments, the method may be used for initial PLMN selection.The method may alternatively or additionally be used for PLMN selection in other scenarios.

[0169] In A1, the UE's device determines or receives information about the UE's geographical location. The geographical location will at least include country information.

[0170] In A2, the UE's apparatus may perform PLMN selection. When performing PLMN selection, the UE's apparatus may limit its selection to the available PLMNs in the country where the current UE's geographical location is located. This means that if the UE is not in its home country but can still receive its HPLMN, the UE's apparatus will select a VPLMN in the country where the UE is physically located. In some embodiments, this behavior may be specific to one or more specific RAT types. For example, the specific RAT type may be satellite access.

[0171] refer to Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 A method performed by an apparatus of a UE is shown.

[0172] This method may be used in the event that a UE that has registered with an RPLMN finds that it has moved to a different country.

[0173] In B1, the UE's device determines or receives information related to the UE's geographical location. The geographical location will at least include country information.

[0174] In B2, the country in which the UE's device determines its geographical location is different from the country of the PLMN to which the UE is currently subscribed.

[0175] In B3, the UE's device may select a new PLMN selection. When performing the PLMN selection, the UE's device may limit its selection to the available PLMNs in the country of the current UE's geographic location. In some embodiments, this behavior may be specific to one or more specific RAT types. For example, the specific RAT type may be satellite access.

[0176] The selection of a new PLMN may involve one or more exchanges with a network entity. For example, the apparatus of the UE may cause a request to be sent to the network entity, the request indicating that the UE wants to change to a particular PLMN. Alternatively, the apparatus may cause a request to be sent to the network entity, the request indicating that the UE wants to change the PLMN. This may include an indication of the reason for the request and / or information associated with the geographic location. The information associated with the geographic location may include country information, such as an MCC. The network entity may provide a response. The response may include any information, such as information discussed with respect to C4 and / or C5 in the figures described below.

[0177] Thus, in some embodiments, when the UE's apparatus observes or determines that it has moved from the country of the current RPLMN to another country, the UE's apparatus may initiate PLMN selection. In this selection, the UE's apparatus will only consider the available PLMNs in the country corresponding to the current geographic location of the user equipment. In some embodiments, this behavior may be specific to one or more specific RAT types. For example, the specific RAT type may be satellite access.

[0178] refer to Fig.10 , Fig.10 Methods of some embodiments are shown. C1, C5 and C6 may be executed in a device of a UE. C2, C3 and C4 may be executed in a device in a network entity.

[0179] In some embodiments, Fig.10 The method may be used for network implementation of country based PLMN selection. The method may be used during an initial registration to an RPLMN. Alternatively or additionally, the method may be used at least in part during a registration update. The registration update may be any suitable update and may, for example, be a mobility update or a periodic update or any other suitable update. In some embodiments, when a UE performs a NAS (Non Access Stratum) level registration, the core network may check whether it is from a legitimate geographical location.

[0180] In C1, the UE's apparatus may be configured to cause a registration request to be sent to request registration with the PLMN. This may be when registering with the network for the first time, or when attempting to change from one PLMN to another, or when performing an update using the same PLMN. This request may be sent to a network entity.

[0181] In C2, the apparatus of the network entity receives a registration request from the UE.

[0182] In C3, the apparatus of the network entity will determine whether the UE has a geographical location in a country different from the country of the PLMN. The apparatus of the network entity may have received the geographical location from the UE, and / or has determined the geographical location of the UE, and / or obtained the geographical location in any other suitable manner. In the case where the geographical location of the UE is received from the UE, the geographical location may be part of the registration request or may be provided separately. In some embodiments, the country of the geographical location of the UE may simply be provided to the network entity.

[0183] In C4, when the means of the network entity determines in the registration request that the country of the geographical location of the UE is different from the country of the PLMN, the means is configured to cause a request rejection to be sent to the UE.

[0184] The request rejection may include an indication of the reason for rejecting the request. In some embodiments, the request rejection may indicate that the UE is attempting to register with a PLMN in the wrong country.

[0185] In some embodiments, the request rejection provides country information, such as MCC, in the registration rejection message. Alternatively or additionally, the information may be provided in another message.

[0186] In some embodiments, the request rejection may include one or more candidate PLMNs that may be selected by the UE. It should be understood that the candidate PLMNs may be limited to those PLMNs in the country corresponding to the geographical location of the UE. Alternatively or additionally, this information may be provided in another message.

[0187] In some embodiments, where more than one candidate PLMN is provided, a priority order may be indicated.Alternatively or additionally, this information may be provided in another message.

[0188] In some embodiments, where more than one candidate PLMN is provided, one PLMN may be recommended.Alternatively or additionally, this information may be provided in another message.

[0189] In some embodiments, where one or more candidate or recommended PLMNs are provided, a validity period may be associated with the one or more candidate PLMNs.Alternatively or additionally, this information may be provided in another message.

[0190] In C5, the apparatus of the UE receives a request rejection. This may indicate to the apparatus of the UE that the UE will attempt to select another PLMN.

[0191] In C6, the UE's device selects a PLMN in the same country as the UE's geographical location.

[0192] The UE apparatus may consider the network-indicated PLMN(s), if provided, when attempting to select a PLMN for the country corresponding to the current UE geographic location.

[0193] In some embodiments, this may not have any candidate PLMNs where the network entity has provided country information (e.g., MCC). The UE device may perform PLMN selection among the available PLMNs, but the PLMN selection is limited to the country indicated by the country information or MCC provided by the network in the rejection message.

[0194] In some embodiments, in addition to meeting national requirements, the selection of the PLMN may generally be consistent with a common priority order. TS 23.122 provides an example of a common priority order.

[0195] In some embodiments, the UE apparatus may use the one or more candidate PLMNs in the rejection message or any other suitable message from the network entity in selecting a PLMN.

[0196] In some embodiments, the UE's device may attempt to select a PLMN among the PLMNs indicated by the network. This may be provided in a registration rejection message and / or any other suitable message. In some embodiments, the UE's device may attempt to select a PLMN with the highest priority among the PLMNs indicated by the network. All (multiple) candidate PLMNs may be used in the country of the UE's geographic location. In other embodiments, one or more candidate PLMNs may be associated with other countries other than the country of the UE's geographic location. In this case, the UE's device may be arranged to select a candidate PLMN associated with the same country as the UE's geographic location.

[0197] In some embodiments, there is a validity period for a PLMN recommendation provided by a network entity to a UE. In some embodiments, a validity period may be provided for two or more candidate PLMNs. In some embodiments, the same validity period may apply to multiple candidate PLMNs. An apparatus of the UE may cause the UE to stop using the recommended PLMN at the end of the validity period. The validity period may be controlled by a timer. When the timer expires, the validity period may expire.

[0198] Embodiments may be specific to a particular RAT type as previously described.The RAT type may be a satellite RAT.

[0199] In some embodiments, registration is a NAS process. In 5G systems, Fig.10The network entity in the 4G system can be AMF (Access and Mobility Function). Fig.10 The network entity in the UE may be an MME (Mobility Management Entity). The radio access network may detect that the content of the UE request is a NAS request and send the entire NAS header to the serving MME / AMF without opening the envelope.

[0200] In other embodiments, the network entity may be any other suitable entity.

[0201] In some embodiments, communication between the UE and the network entity may be conducted via a radio access network.

[0202] It is mentioned above that ensuring that the PLMN country and the geolocation type are the same. In other embodiments, other geographical requirements may be applied. For example, the geographical requirement may apply to a group of two or more countries or any other geographical requirement. For example, the geographical requirement may be for a portion of a country. Just as an example, the geographical requirement may be that the PLMN is associated with the same island where the UE is located.

[0203] In some embodiments, the UE's apparatus is configured to periodically determine its geographic location. This may use a mapping application or any other suitable technique. As part of the geographic location, the country may be determined. When the UE's apparatus determines that the country has changed, this may cause the UE's apparatus to trigger a re-registration process to change to a different PLMN.

[0204] In some embodiments, the UE's apparatus may provide the network entity with an MCC code associated with the country of the geographic location. This may be compared with the MCC of the PLMN to determine if there is a discrepancy or to recommend one or more PLMNs.

[0205] The UE device may determine or obtain its location prior to a registration or update procedure. This may be to ensure that it is still in the country associated with the RPLMN.

[0206] In some embodiments, the UE's device may alternatively or additionally verify its location before requesting an RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection to ensure that it is accessing from the correct country.

[0207] When a UE needs to register (for any reason), it first checks its geographical location. For example, when switched on in Finland, the UE only considers PLMNs broadcasting the Finnish MCC, and ignores all Swedish, Norwegian and Russian PLMNs (if any) until the border is crossed. When selection is required in any way (e.g. for an update), the PLMN selection is limited to the available PLMNs in the country of the UE's location.

[0208] In some embodiments, the UE or a device of the UE may use knowledge of its geographical location to restrict its PLMN selection candidates to select a PLMN of its current country.

[0209] In some embodiments, the network entity or a device of the network entity may use knowledge of the UE's geographical location to force the UE to register to the correct country.

[0210] This ensures that, for example, no registration is attempted in an area where satellite phones are not legally permitted. After moving to another country, the same user may be allowed to register via satellite, depending on the laws of that country.

[0211] refer to Fig.11 , Fig.11 A method performed by an apparatus in a user equipment is shown. In D1, when the user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area, the method includes causing the user equipment to move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area.

[0212] refer to Fig.12 , Fig.12 A method that may be performed in an apparatus of a network entity is shown. In E1, when the user equipment has moved from a first geographical area to a second geographical area, the method comprises causing the user equipment to move from a first public land mobile network associated with the first geographical area to a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area.

[0213] Some embodiments may have the following advantage: The UE is registered with the same PLMN as the country where the UE is located.

[0214] Some embodiments may prevent or reduce roaming agreement violations where a PLMN1 subscriber in country A may use spectrum in country B allocated to an operator in country B.

[0215] Some embodiments may prevent or reduce the likelihood that a UE may receive a Public Warning System (PWS) message for the wrong area.

[0216] Some embodiments may prevent or reduce the likelihood that a UE may not receive a Public Warning System (PWS) message for an affected area.

[0217] Some embodiments may prevent or reduce the likelihood that an emergency call will be routed to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in a country different from the country in which the UE is located.

[0218] Some embodiments may address the difficulty of ensuring that the UE geographical location country is the same as the PLMN's geographical location country in situations where a cell may be large enough to cover satellite communications in two or more countries.

[0219] Note that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several variations and modifications may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, different embodiments have been described. Different features from different embodiments may be combined.

[0220] Therefore, the embodiments may vary within the scope of the appended claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. Although various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0221] The embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further, in this regard, it should be noted that any of the above processes may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media, such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs.

[0222] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0223] Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method processes. The circuit system may be disposed in a network entity and / or a communication device.

[0224] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0225] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation using only analog and / or digital circuit systems);

[0226] (b) A combination of hardware circuits and software, such as:

[0227] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0228] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to cause an apparatus (such as a communications device or network entity) to perform the various previously described functions; and

[0229] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not required for operation.

[0230] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0231] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of some embodiments by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a communication network, comprising: causing a user equipment (102, 300, 702) to send a request to register with a network entity (110a) of a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographical area; receiving a request rejection message from the network entity of the first public land mobile network, the request rejection message comprising an indication of a reason why the request was rejected, wherein the indication of the reason why the request was rejected comprises: an indication that the user equipment attempts to register with the first public land mobile network when the user equipment is located in a second geographic area; as well as In response to receiving the request rejection message, causing the user equipment to select a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area and to send a request to register with the second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a request to register the user equipment with the first public land mobile network, or a request to update registration of the user equipment with the first public land mobile network. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the request rejection message includes second geographical area information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second geographical area information comprises a mobile country code of the second geographical area.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the request rejection message includes one or more candidate public land mobile networks in the second geographical area.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein selecting the second public land mobile network comprises selecting the second public land mobile network from one or more candidate public land mobile networks, each candidate public land mobile network of the one or more candidate public land mobile networks being associated with the second geographic area.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one or more candidate public land mobile networks are associated with priority information, and the selecting comprises selecting the candidate public land mobile network having a highest priority as the second public land mobile network.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, comprising means for receiving validity information indicating a validity period associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein in a case where the second public land mobile network is associated with validity information, use of the second public land mobile network is stopped at the end of a validity period associated with the validity information.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the causing the user equipment to select a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area comprises: The user equipment is caused to select the second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area using the second geographical area information.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network uses satellite access technology, and the first geographic area includes a first country and the second geographic area includes a second country.

12. An apparatus for communication, comprising means for: receiving, at a network entity (110a) of a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographic area, a request from a user equipment (102, 300, 702); determining that the user equipment is in a second geographic area; as well as In response to determining that the user equipment is in the second geographic area, causing a request rejection message to be sent from the network entity of the first public land mobile network to the user equipment, the request rejection message including an indication of a reason why the request was rejected, wherein the indication of the reason why the request was rejected includes an indication that the user equipment attempted to register with the first public land mobile network when the user equipment is located in the second geographic area.

13. A method of communication, comprising: causing a user equipment (102, 300, 702) to send a request to a network entity (110a) of a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographical area; receiving a request rejection message from the network entity of the first public land mobile network, the request rejection message comprising an indication of a reason why the request was rejected, wherein the indication of the reason why the request was rejected comprises an indication that the user equipment attempted to register with the first public land mobile network when the user equipment is located in a second geographical area; and In response to receiving the request rejection message, causing the user equipment to select a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area and to send a request to register with the second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request comprises a request to register the user equipment with the first public land mobile network or a request to update registration of the user equipment with the first public land mobile network.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the request rejection message includes second geographical area information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second geographic area information comprises a mobile country code of the second geographic area.

17. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the request rejection message includes one or more candidate public land mobile networks in the second geographical area.

18. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein selecting the second public land mobile network comprises selecting the second public land mobile network from one or more candidate public land mobile networks, each candidate public land mobile network of the one or more candidate public land mobile networks being associated with the second geographic area.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more candidate public land mobile networks are associated with priority information, and the selecting comprises selecting the candidate public land mobile network having the highest priority as the second public land mobile network.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising receiving validity information indicating a validity period associated with one or more of the candidate public land mobile networks.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein in a case where the second public land mobile network is associated with validity information, use of the second public land mobile network is stopped at the end of a validity period associated with the validity information.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the causing the user equipment to select a second public land mobile network associated with the second geographic area comprises: The user equipment is caused to select the second public land mobile network associated with the second geographical area using the second geographical area information.

23. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein at least one of the first public land mobile network and the second public land mobile network uses satellite access technology, and the first geographic area includes a first country and the second geographic area includes a second country.

24. A method of communication, comprising: receiving, at a network entity (110a) of a first public land mobile network associated with a first geographic area, a request from a user equipment (102, 300, 702); determining that the user equipment is in a second geographic area; as well as In response to determining that the user equipment is in the second geographical area, causing a request rejection message to be sent from the network entity of the first public land mobile network to the user equipment, the request rejection message including an indication of a reason why the request was rejected, wherein the indication of the reason why the request was rejected includes an indication that the user equipment attempted to register with the first public land mobile network when the user equipment was located in the second geographical area.

25. A computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to perform the method of any one of claims 13-23.

26. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a user device, cause the user device to execute the method of any one of claims 13-23.

27. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment, cause the user equipment to perform the method of any one of claims 24.

28. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a user device, cause the user device to perform the method of any one of claims 24.

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