Method or system for transmitting or using user equipment routing policy information

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing selection policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, wherein the user equipment includes access mode configuration information, the access mode configuration information relates to the configuration or operation mode of the user equipment to be allowed to access a predefined first set of telecommunications networks or a predefined second set of telecommunications networks, wherein the user equipment routing selection policy information includes an access mode-related validity element, wherein, in order to transmit and / or use specific user equipment routing selection policy information, the method comprises the following steps: - in a first step, the user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing selection policy information to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing selection policy information includes a specific access mode-related validity element, - in a second step, depending on whether the specific access mode-related validity element of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information, the user equipment potentially applies or does not apply the specific user equipment routing selection policy information.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network,

[0002] The user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology, and the access mode configuration information relates to or indicates a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that can be used alternatively by the user equipment.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for receiving and / or using user equipment routing policy information when being operated or when being operated in connection with a telecommunications network,

[0004] The user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology, and the access mode configuration information relates to or indicates a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that can be used alternatively by the user equipment.

[0005] Alternatively, the present invention relates to a system or a telecommunications network for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing selection policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, wherein the user equipment comprises access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention relates to a program and a computer-readable medium for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information according to the method according to the invention.

[0007] In conventional known telecommunication networks, in situations where uplink traffic needs to be directed, a 5G mobile communication network or a 5G system also defines a user equipment routing policy (or UE routing policy, i.e., URSP) defined in TS24.526, which allows the network to instruct the user equipment on a set of rules on how to route data packets, i.e., based on the set of rules, such rules instruct or instruct the user equipment to direct specific traffic to a given PDU (protocol data unit) session.

[0008] With the introduction of standalone non-public networks (SNPNs) as dedicated, 5G-based networks from 3GPP Release 16, a standalone non-public network access mode is introduced in addition to the normal access mode. A user equipment that enables a standalone non-public network supports the standalone non-public network access mode; when the user equipment is set to operate in the SNPN access mode, the user equipment only selects and registers with the standalone non-public network on Uu, as described in clause 5.30.2.4 of 3GPP TS23.501. This results in the user equipment (which supports a standalone non-public network) being able to switch between two operating modes - namely, such operating modes corresponding to the standalone non-public network access mode and the normal access mode (i.e., in the case where only public land mobile networks are allowed to access). When in a specific access mode, the user equipment applies a specific network selection procedure, resulting in different user equipment behaviors for a given access technology (e.g., 5G) depending on the access mode in which the user equipment is operating at that moment. Furthermore, within the system procedures, certain SNPN-specific may not be supported in normal access mode (e.g., certain authentication procedures), and PLMN-specific may not be supported in SNPN mode (e.g., inter-operator roaming). Thus, depending on the type of network that a given user equipment wishes to access, the network selection mode or network access mode can be switched or can be changed.

[0009] However, among such independent non-public network enabled user equipment that is additionally capable of connecting to a public land mobile network, potential conflict situations may arise between user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information that have been transmitted or provided to the user equipment and to be applied by such user equipment and the considered current situation or context of the user equipment, in particular the access situation of the user equipment. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a technically simple, efficient and cost-effective solution for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing selection policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, wherein the user equipment comprises access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use. A further object of the present invention is to provide corresponding user equipment, a system or a telecommunications network, and corresponding programs and computer-readable media.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network,

[0012] The user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that can be used alternatively by the user equipment,

[0013] The user equipment routing policy information includes access mode related validity elements.

[0014] In order to transmit and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information, the method comprises the following steps:

[0015] In a first step, the user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information includes a validity element related to a specific access mode,

[0016] In a second step, depending on whether the access mode-specific related validity element of the user equipment-specific routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information, the user equipment potentially applies or does not apply the user equipment-specific routing policy information.

[0017] Thus, according to the present invention, the access mode-specific validity element of the user equipment-specific routing policy information can be advantageously transmitted by the telecommunication network (or its access network component) to the user equipment as part of the user equipment-specific routing policy information.

[0018] Therefore, it is particularly advantageously possible that, according to the present invention, the user equipment applies the user equipment routing selection policy information in a flexible manner, i.e., the specific user equipment routing selection policy information is applied or not applied depending on whether a specific access mode-related validity element of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment.

[0019] Thus, in particular, potential conflict situations for standalone non-public network enabled user equipment can be avoided, in which case user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information present at such user equipment (i.e., having (previously) been transmitted or provided to the user equipment and to be applied by such user equipment) may conflict (or contradict) with the current situation or context of the user equipment.

[0020] In currently known telecommunication networks (i.e. according to currently defined standards or standard documents regarding such networks), credentials of a public land mobile network (PLMN credentials) are allowed to be used to access an independent non-public network; in such situations, there may be a potential mismatch between such user equipment routing policy rules (or user equipment routing policy information) set by the public land mobile network and their application in the independent non-public network setting (i.e. the case where the same user equipment is connected to the independent non-public network) and / or vice versa: such potential conflict may, for example, be caused by the non-specificity of the application of the user equipment routing policy information (e.g. the user equipment routing policy information provided by the independent non-public network overrides the user equipment routing policy information provided by the public land mobile network, or vice versa).

[0021] According to the present invention, by means of specific user equipment routing policy information including a specific access mode-related validity element, and by applying the specific user equipment routing policy information depending on whether the specific access mode-related validity element (of the specific user equipment routing policy information) corresponds to currently applicable or suitable access mode configuration information (i.e., corresponds to or reflects the current state or situation of the user equipment under consideration), the application of enhanced user equipment routing policy information with multi-network rule support can be advantageously achieved. In particular, this allows a more flexible application of URSP and user equipment routing policy information in an independent non-public network - in particular in the case where PLMN credentials are used to access an independent non-public network.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the telecommunication network generally comprises an access network and a core network; however, the present invention also relates to the following cases: strictly speaking, the telecommunication network does not comprise both the access network and the core network, but the telecommunication network is only associated with or assigned to the access network (and in particular comprises the core network), or the telecommunication network is only associated with or assigned to the core network (and in particular comprises the access network), or the telecommunication network is only associated with or assigned to both the access network and the core network. According to the present invention, the core network in particular provides data connectivity towards the data network to the user equipment.

[0023] In conventional known telecommunication networks, user equipment is typically able to connect to a data network via a core network. User equipment typically communicates with an access network (or radio access network) via an interface (typically a radio interface or air interface). This is used to convey both signaling information and data traffic, but there is typically a logical separation (logical channels) for the transmission of these two types of traffic. Similarly, between the access network (especially the radio access network, and especially the gNB base station entity) and the core network, signaling information and user data are typically separated.

[0024] In order to establish a data connection that enables a user equipment to communicate with a data network, a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is required. A PDU session is a logical data transport channel terminated at the core network, which provides connectivity to the data network. The termination point of a given PDU session (according to, for example, a user plane function of the 5G standard) is called a PDU Session Anchor (PSA). The PDU Session Anchor is usually and typically expected to remain constant when the user equipment moves (when handover procedures occur between the user equipment and different gNB or base station entities). A PDU session may have one or more associated qualities of service for the underlying transport data (e.g., one or more QoS flows within a PDU session).

[0025] In currently known telecommunication networks and according to the present invention, user equipment routing policy information or user equipment routing policy rules are used by the telecommunication network to force the user equipment to use a set of rules to apply or guide uplink traffic, i.e. how to route data packets. In the context of the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information (stored by the user equipment or received by the user equipment) may include one or more user equipment routing policy rules. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules indicate or instruct the user equipment to guide specific traffic to a given or predetermined PDU (protocol data unit) session. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules or such user equipment routing policy information are set or defined by the core network of the telecommunication network, i.e., the telecommunication network (its core network) sets specific user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information by transmitting corresponding messages to the user equipment as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunication network and the user equipment on an air interface between the user equipment and a corresponding access network element (usually a base station entity, such as, for example, a gB node entity). As a result of the user equipment receiving such user equipment routing policy rule (or multiple rules) or user equipment routing policy information, the user equipment will apply such rule information, that is, the user equipment will route the traffic, especially application traffic (in the uplink direction toward the telecommunications network) that matches the corresponding user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information in accordance with the provisions or requirements of the user equipment routing policy rule / information.

[0026] In currently known telecommunication networks, user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information itself (i.e., in particular, its structure) are defined in 3GPP TS23.503 and are a set of one or more URSP rules, wherein the URSP rule generally consists of three parts, namely, a priority value as the first part, a traffic descriptor as the second part, and one or more routing descriptors as the third part.

[0027] The priority value of the URSP rule (as the first part of the user equipment routing policy rule) identifies the priority of the URSP rule under consideration among all existing URSP rules (already present at the user equipment or transmitted as part of the user equipment routing policy information). The traffic descriptor (as the second part of the user equipment routing policy rule) includes a full match traffic descriptor or at least one of the following components: one or more application identifiers; one or more IP 3-tuples as defined in 3GPP TS 23.503, i.e., destination IP address, destination port number, and protocol used over IP; one or more non-IP descriptors, i.e., destination information for non-IP traffic; one or more DNNs (Data Network Names); one or more connection capabilities; and one or more domain descriptors, i.e., destination FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) (s). Each routing descriptor (as the third part of the user equipment routing policy rules) includes a priority value of the routing descriptor and a non-seamless non-3GPP offload indication or a PDU session type and optionally one or more of the following: SSC mode (session and service continuity mode), one or more S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), one or more DNNs, preferred access type, multiple access preference, time window and location criteria.

[0028] In this context, the time window indication and the location criteria are part of the routing descriptor (or i.e. the third part of the user equipment routing policy rules), even though they do not actually describe the traffic routing, but correspond to routing validation criteria: a given or considered routing descriptor is considered valid only if it meets all provided validation criteria, and controls the validity of said elements. The components describing the actual routing correspond to the routing components.

[0029] With respect to the application of user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information (specified in TS23.503, 6.6.2.3), for each newly detected application (i.e., an uplink data flow needs to be transmitted by the user equipment), the user equipment evaluates the available (i.e., stored or received) URSP rules in order of rule priority and determines whether the application matches the traffic descriptor of any URSP rule; when a URSP rule is determined to be applicable for a given application (clause 6.6.2.1), the user equipment shall select a routing descriptor within the URSP rule in order of routing descriptor priority; if the user equipment determines that there is more than one matching and existing PDU session (e.g., the selected routing descriptor specifies only a network slice selection, and there are multiple existing PDU sessions with different DNNs that match the network slice selection), it is up to the user equipment implementation to select one of them to use.

[0030] In conventional known telecommunications networks, there is no relationship between the access mode in which the user equipment is operating and what the user equipment routing policy rules are or how the user equipment routing policy information is applied.

[0031] Conventionally, the URSP is selectively applied when user equipment registers in a given network (applying generally regardless of whether the network is or has been identified by a PLMN ID only or by a combination of a PLMN ID and a NID).

[0032] According to the present invention, the user equipment comprises access mode configuration information for a given access technology (i.e., in particular for each access technology to which a separate non-public network may be accessible). The access mode configuration information relates to or indicates a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use.

[0033] In this respect, in particular the concept that user equipment is also allowed to access standalone non-public networks is relevant: these standalone non-public networks have the particularity of using additional network identifiers; while for public land mobile networks the PLMN ID (a combination of a public land mobile network identifier, i.e. a Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a Mobile Network Code (MNC)) is assumed to be unique, standalone non-public networks are designed to assume that the PLMN IDs they use are not (necessarily) unique (e.g. a PLMN ID of "99999" is or may be operatively used), and an additional identifier, i.e. a Network Identifier (NID), is introduced. As defined in 3GPP TS23.501, the combination of a PLMN ID and a Network Identifier (NID) identifies a standalone non-public network, and PLMN IDs reserved for use by private networks may be used for non-public networks (e.g. based on the Mobile Country Code (MCC) "999" assigned by the ITU). However, alternatively, a PLMN operator might use its PLMN ID together with the NID for SNPN(s), but using a SNPN subscription does not support registration in the PLMN and mobility between the PLMN and SNPN (especially since SNPNs generally do not rely on network functionality provided by the PLMN).

[0034] Thus, in the case where an SNPN-enabled user equipment supports the SNPN access mode, the user equipment only selects the SNPN and registers with the SNPN (as described in clause 5.30.2.4, over Uu) when such user equipment is set to operate in the SNPN access mode. This results in such user equipment (i.e., supporting SNPN) being able to switch between two operating modes (i.e., a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode) that the user equipment can alternatively use (e.g., an SNPN access mode and a normal (or PLMN) access mode (according to the present invention, more than two such different access modes are possible and not excluded)). Thus, in such scenarios, the network selection mode (i.e., the access mode configuration information, or more precisely, its content) can be switched depending on the type of network the user equipment wishes to access.

[0035] According to the present invention, the user equipment routing selection policy information comprises an access mode related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information. Thus, in the case where specific user equipment routing selection policy information is present (i.e., stored) at the user equipment (i.e., the user equipment comprises such user equipment routing selection policy information) or is received by the user equipment under consideration, the user equipment potentially applies or does not apply the specific user equipment routing selection policy information, depending on whether the specific access mode related validity element (of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information) corresponds to the access mode configuration information, i.e., whether it matches the content of the access mode configuration information.

[0036] Therefore, by virtue of the user equipment routing selection policy information including an access mode-related validity element (which is related to the content of the access mode configuration information), and by virtue of the user equipment applying the specific routing selection policy information depending on the specific access mode-related validity element, potential conflicts between the user equipment routing selection policy information (in the absence of such access mode-related validity element) and the current situation or context of the user equipment can be advantageously avoided.

[0037] According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible and preferred that, in the second step, specific user equipment routing selection policy information can be applied in a situation where the specific access mode-related validity element corresponds to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment, and wherein the specific user equipment routing selection policy information is not applied in a situation where the specific access mode-related validity element does not correspond to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment.

[0038] Thus, the method of the present invention can advantageously be realized and implemented in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0039] According to the invention, it is furthermore advantageously possible and preferred that the user equipment-specific routing policy information comprises, in addition to the priority value, the traffic descriptor and the at least one routing descriptor, a specific access mode-related validity element.

[0040] By virtue of the fact that the specific user equipment routing selection policy information includes, in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing selection descriptor, a specific access mode-related validity element, according to the present invention, an access mode-related validity element can be advantageously added at the root level of the corresponding user equipment routing selection policy rule, thereby causing the corresponding user equipment routing selection policy rule to be valid only when the user equipment is connected to a given network using one or more network access modes specified by the access mode-related validity element; in this way, if the criteria are not matched, the evaluation of the entire user equipment routing selection policy rule (e.g., traffic descriptor) can be skipped; therefore, processing can be faster and more efficient.

[0041] According to the invention, it is furthermore advantageously possible and preferred that the user equipment-specific routing policy information comprises, as part of at least one routing descriptor, an access mode-specific related validity element.

[0042] Advantageously, according to the present invention, it may be possible to control the validity of each routing entry by means of user equipment-specific routing policy information including an access mode-specific validity element as part of at least one routing descriptor.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the present invention it is advantageously possible and preferred that the specific user equipment routing selection policy information comprises at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule, wherein a specific access mode related validity element is part of the user equipment routing selection policy rule (in particular as part of at least one routing selection descriptor and / or in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing descriptor).

[0044] By virtue of the user equipment-specific routing policy information comprising at least one user equipment routing policy rule, the method of the present invention can advantageously be implemented using established mechanisms.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the invention it is advantageously possible and preferred that each network selection mode allows the user equipment to select a telecommunication network based on different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements identifying each telecommunication network and / or indicating the capabilities of each telecommunication network,

[0046] In particular, the network selection mode also depends on information stored in the user equipment.

[0047] In particular, the first network set is associated with a first network selection mode, and the second network set is associated with a second network selection mode.

[0048] By defining different network selection modes (at least two, but preferably more than two), such that the user equipment is allowed to select a telecommunication network based on different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements identifying each telecommunication network and / or different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements indicating the capabilities of each telecommunication network, it is advantageously possible according to the present invention to flexibly adapt the behavior of the user equipment and the telecommunication networks to their respective appropriate needs.

[0049] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined first telecommunication network set corresponds to or includes a public land mobile network (especially a public land mobile network defined only by mobile country code information and mobile network code information), wherein the predefined first telecommunication network set especially only includes such public land mobile networks, and

[0050] The predefined second telecommunication network set corresponds to or includes an independent non-public network, in particular an independent non-public network defined by mobile country code information, mobile network code information, and network identifier information, wherein the predefined second telecommunication network set in particular only includes such independent non-public networks.

[0051] This advantageously makes it possible to easily and efficiently configure different network selection modes for implementing the method of the present invention.

[0052] Thereby, it is advantageously possible to realize the method of the present invention easily and efficiently.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for receiving and / or using user equipment routing policy information when being operated or when being operated in connection with a telecommunications network,

[0054] The user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that can be used alternatively by the user equipment,

[0055] The user equipment routing policy information includes access mode related validity elements.

[0056] In order to receive and / or use specific user equipment routing selection policy information, the user equipment is configured such that:

[0057] -- the user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information includes a validity element related to a specific access mode,

[0058] --Depending on whether the specific access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information, the user equipment potentially applies or does not apply the specific user equipment routing selection policy information.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system or a telecommunications network for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network,

[0060] The user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that can be used alternatively by the user equipment,

[0061] The user equipment routing policy information includes access mode related validity elements.

[0062] Wherein, in order to transmit and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information, the system or telecommunication network is configured such that:

[0063] -- the user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information includes a validity element related to a specific access mode,

[0064] --Depending on whether the specific access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information, the user equipment potentially applies or does not apply the specific user equipment routing selection policy information.

[0065] Additionally, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer-readable program code and / or a computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, and / or on a user equipment, and / or on a network node of a telecommunications network, or partly on the user equipment, and / or partly on the network node of the telecommunications network, causes the computer and / or the user equipment and / or the network node of the telecommunications network to perform the method of the present invention.

[0066] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the principles of the present invention are illustrated in an exemplary manner. This description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The reference figures cited below are referenced to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Figure 1A telecommunication network comprising an access network, a core network and user equipment is schematically illustrated, wherein the user equipment comprises access mode configuration information for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use, and wherein the user equipment comprises user equipment routing selection policy information including access mode-related validity elements.

[0069] Figure 2 Transmission of user equipment routing policy information towards user equipment is schematically illustrated.

[0070] Figure 3 It is schematically illustrated that a user equipment can access different network selection modes.

[0071] Figure 4 An exemplary list of available public land mobile networks and independent non-public networks is schematically illustrated.

[0072] Figure 5 An embodiment of the structure of the user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0073] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the structure of the user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention is schematically illustrated.

[0074] Detailed Description

[0075] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are merely schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes.

[0076] When referring to a singular noun an indefinite or definite article is used, for example "a", "an", "the" include plural forms of that noun unless something else is stated.

[0077] In addition, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in a sequence different from that described or illustrated herein.

[0078] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a telecommunication network 100 is schematically shown, comprising an access network 110 and a core network 120. The access network 110 comprises a plurality of radio cells 11, 12. Figure 1In the exemplary situation or scenario shown, the first base station entity 111 generates or is associated with or spans the first radio cell 11, and the second base station entity 112 generates or is associated with or spans the second radio cell 12. The user equipment 20 includes access mode configuration information 22 for a given access technology, and the access mode configuration information 22 relates to or indicates a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can use alternatively. In addition, the user equipment 20 includes user equipment routing selection policy information 400 including access mode related validity elements.

[0079] The user equipment 20 is typically, but not necessarily, mobile, ie is capable of moving relative to the (typically, but not necessarily, static) radio cells 11, 12 or corresponding base station entities 111, 112 of the access network 110. Figure 1 In the exemplary illustration of , the core network 120 includes or is connected to the data network 130. The core network 120 provides data connectivity toward the data network 130 to the user equipment 20.

[0080] exist Figure 2, the transmission of user equipment routing policy information 400 (or specific user equipment routing policy information 401) toward the user equipment 20 is schematically illustrated by means of a communication diagram between the user equipment 20, the access network 110 and the core network 120. According to the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information 400 (or user equipment routing policy rules 400) is used by the telecommunication network 100 to force the user equipment 20 to use a set of rules to apply to or direct uplink traffic, i.e. how to route data packets to the core network 120 and / or the data network 130. In particular, such user equipment routing policy information or rules 400 (or such specific user equipment routing policy information or rules 401) indicates or instructs the user equipment 20 to direct specific traffic to a given or predetermined PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session. In particular, such (specific) user equipment routing selection policy rules or information 400 or 401 are set or defined by the core network 120 of the telecommunication network 100, i.e. the telecommunication network 100 (or its core network 120) sets the specific user equipment routing selection policy rules or information 401 by means of transmitting a corresponding message to the user equipment 20 (during or using the first processing step 201) as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunication network 100 and the user equipment 20 over the air interface between the user equipment 20 and the corresponding access network element (typically a base station entity 111, 112, such as for example a gB node entity). As a result of the user equipment 20 receiving a specific user equipment routing selection policy rule (or multiple rules) 401 or a specific user equipment routing selection policy information 401, the user equipment 20 applies such rule information (during the second processing step 202), that is, the user equipment 20 routes the traffic, in particular the application traffic (in the uplink direction toward the telecommunications network 100), that matches the corresponding (specific) user equipment routing selection policy rule or information 400, 401 (in or during the third processing step 203) in accordance with the provisions or requirements of the (specific) user equipment routing selection policy rule / information 400, 401.

[0081] According to the invention, the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 itself (i.e. in particular its structure) is defined in a different way than its currently known definition in the current version of 3GPP TS23.503, because according to the invention it also comprises an access mode related validity element 441.

[0082] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Different embodiments of the structure of the user equipment routing selection policy information 400 (or the specific user equipment routing selection policy information 401) according to the present invention are schematically shown, wherein Figure 5 and Figure 6The exemplary representation shows that the user equipment routing selection policy information 400 includes multiple user equipment routing selection policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490 (i.e., a first user equipment routing selection policy rule 460, a second user equipment routing selection policy rule 470, a third user equipment routing selection policy rule 480, and a fifth user equipment routing selection policy rule 490), and wherein, for simplicity, the structure of only one of these rules (i.e., the user equipment routing selection policy rule 460 or the first user equipment routing selection policy rule 460) is schematically shown; however, it should be understood that the other user equipment routing selection policy rules 470, 480, 490 can be similarly constructed.

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, in addition to the priority value 461, the traffic descriptor 462 and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, the access mode-related validity element 441 of the user equipment routing policy rule 460 is also a part thereof, that is, the user equipment routing policy rule 460 includes the specific access mode-related validity element 441 in addition to the priority value 461, the traffic descriptor 462 and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463. In addition, the routing descriptor (list) 463 includes a routing component 464 and a routing validation criterion 465.

[0084] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 As shown, the access mode-related validity element 441 of the user equipment routing policy rule 460 is part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, that is, the user equipment routing policy rule 460 includes a specific access mode-related validity element 441 as part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463 (in addition to the routing component 464 and the routing validation criteria 465, or as part of the routing validation criteria 465).

[0085] According to the present invention, the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 may include one user equipment routing policy rule 460 or a plurality of user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In any case, according to the present invention, the access mode related validity element 441 is preferably part of one (i.e., only) user equipment routing policy rule 460 (in the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401), or, in case a plurality of user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490 (in the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401) exist, the access mode related validity element 441 is part of one of these user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490; alternatively, the access mode related validity element 441 is part of more than one of these user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In the case where a user equipment routing policy rule is present as part of a (specific) user equipment routing policy element 400, 401, or in the case where more than one rule is present, the (specific) access mode related validity element 441 is in particular part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463 of one or more user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490, and / or in addition to the priority value 461, the traffic descriptor 462 and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463.

[0086] Apart from the access mode related validity element 441, the structure of the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 corresponds to the definition in the current version of 3GPP TS23.503, i.e. it is or corresponds to a set of one or more URSP rules 460, 470, 480, 490, wherein the URSP rules 460, 470, 480, 490 or each URSP rule 460, 470, 480, 490 typically comprises three parts: a priority value, a traffic descriptor and one or more routing descriptors.

[0087] about Figure 1 and Figure 2, assuming that a standalone non-public network (SNPN) is indeed accessible, for example according to a 5G radio access technology. For a given access technology where a standalone non-public network is possible, the user equipment 20 comprises access mode configuration information 22, which relates to (or indicates) a first network selection mode or a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use; in addition to the first and second network selection modes, further network selection modes are preferably (but not necessarily) possible, for example a third network selection mode (obtained from a combination of available networks in the first and second network selection modes).

[0088] For example, the user equipment 20 is an SNPN-enabled user equipment 20 that supports an SNPN access mode (eg, corresponding to a first network selection mode). This is illustrated in FIG. Figure 3 Schematically illustrated in . The user equipment 20 comprises a universal integrated circuit card or USIM 21 (including user or subscriber credentials) and access mode configuration information 22, the content of which defines or indicates whether the user equipment 20 is in SNPN mode or in PLMN mode (normal mode) with respect to network selection at a considered point in time. For example, in the case where the access mode configuration information 22 indicates (or has content) "PLMN mode" or "normal mode" (e.g., second network selection mode), the user equipment 20 accesses a telecommunication network 100 identified, for example, by means of a PLMN ID "232 01", while in the case where the access mode configuration information 22 indicates (or has content) "SNPN mode" (e.g., first network selection mode), the user equipment 20 accesses another telecommunication network 101 identified, for example, by means of a PLMN ID and a network ID "99999+00007ed9".

[0089] When in the first network selection mode (SNPN access mode), the user equipment 20 exclusively selects SNPN and registers with SNPN; when in the second network selection mode (normal network selection mode or PLMN access mode), the user equipment 20, for example, exclusively selects PLMN and registers with it.

[0090] According to the present invention, the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 includes an access mode related validity element 441 that is related to the content of the access mode configuration information 22 and matches or does not match the access mode configuration information 22. Therefore, in the case where the specific user equipment routing policy information 401 is present (i.e., stored) at the user equipment 20 (i.e., the user equipment 20 includes such specific user equipment routing policy information 401) or is received by the user equipment 20, the specific user equipment routing policy information 401 is applied or not applied (depending on whether (the content of) the specific access mode related validity element 441 corresponds to (or matches) the access mode configuration information 22).

[0091] In a conventionally known telecommunication network 100, credentials can be used in the following scenarios (hereinafter, 5G nomenclature is used):

[0092] - Access to the telecommunication network: This is typically the case (PLMN) of registering in the telecommunication network 100, in particular via an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), using the subscription data of the user equipment 20 stored in the USIM 21 of the user equipment 20;

[0093] --Access to a given network slice: In addition to the above, the 5G network may require authentication and provide / deny authorization to access a specific network slice or multiple specific network slices;

[0094] --Establishment of PDU session.

[0095] In particular, for the second and third possibilities, an external credential server can be used. Although it is also possible with respect to the first possibility (for example, in the case of a 5G-based private network, i.e., SNPN), it is not currently commonly used in public mobile networks (PLMNs). As defined by the 3GPP standard, the credentials for granting access to the PLMN are stored in the USIM 21 of the user equipment 20 (either a physical UICC or in electronic form, e.g., an eSIM). Other types of credentials may be stored elsewhere, but are ultimately used in communications between the user equipment 20 and the core network 120 to grant access to, for example, a given network slice and / or as part of a PDU establishment procedure.

[0096] An important scenario to consider is when the user equipment 20 needs to access a network other than the one for which the credentials are held (e.g., in the case of roaming between networks (e.g., PLMNs)). In such a scenario, the core network 120 in the subscriber network communicates with the core network in the visited network. Both data flows directly via the visited network towards the data network 130 and data flows via the home network 100 are possible deployment options.

[0097] In the case of roaming, conventional telecommunication networks generally operate as follows: the user equipment 20 can be supplied with URSP rules by the policy and charging function (PCF) of the home network (HPLMN). When the user equipment 20 is roaming, the policy and charging function in the home network (HPLMN) can update the URSP rules in the user equipment 20. For the URSP rules, the user equipment 20 should support the supply from the policy and charging function in the home network (HPLMN), as specified in TS24.501. In addition, the UE can also be pre-configured with URSP rules (e.g., by an operator).

[0098] Since Release 16, the possibility of supporting multiple network selection modes exists in 5G networks (and with respect to 5G user equipment 20). Currently, only the possibility of SNPN access mode and "normal mode" (or "PLMN mode") is mentioned in the corresponding standardization documents; however, according to the present invention, more than two network selection modes are possible (i.e., the access mode configuration information 22 can be set to more than two values ​​or different contents). In the context of the present invention, "network selection mode" should not be confused with "access technology" (e.g., "RAT" conditions (also mentioned in user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information): with respect to the present invention, PLMNs and SNPNs that can be accessed differently depending on the access mode configuration information 22 of the user equipment 20 are considered to use the same (radio) access technology (e.g., 5G NR) but are accessible via different access modes.

[0099] Thus, using the same set of credentials (e.g., PLMN credentials), the user equipment 20 is able to switch between different network selection modes, wherein for each network selection mode, a different set of parameters is considered for network selection (e.g., the access network is identified by a different set of identifiers). The network selection mode (defined or determined by the access mode configuration information 22) is a matter of whether the user equipment 20 is in a roaming state.

[0100] about Figure 4 , provides an example of a list of different networks that are available, at least in principle (ie with respect to their physical radio coverage), for use by the user equipment 20:

[0101] Before the introduction of SNPN mode, Figure 4 Of the seven networks exemplarily provided in FIG, a user equipment supporting 5G in a given location of a broadcast network identifier selects only from the first three networks, which are public land mobile networks with PLMN IDs “232 01”, “232 02” and “232 03”.

[0102] For example, when the user equipment is powered on (other conditions may also be possible), the corresponding user equipment applies the network selection as defined in TS23.122, selects one of the available networks, and sends a registration request. Which available network is actually selected depends mainly on the HPLMN ID stored in the user equipment credentials, but may also depend on additional parameters.

[0103] Available in SNPN and Figure 4 In the case where the seven networks listed in (i.e., with PLMN IDs "232 01", "232 02" and "232 03", "232 06 000 014C601", "232 06 000 001F701", "999 99 000 014C602" and "99999 000 06D2401") are available. All of these networks are based on 5G-NR; it's just that the SNPN supports an additional identifier (i.e., the network identifier NID) that the PLMN does not support. In this sense, a specific 5G variant supported by a specific network selection mode can now be implemented.

[0104] The networks that the user equipment 20 considers for network selection are (regardless of the home network identifier specified by the location or its subscription(s):

[0105] -- In PLMN (or normal) access mode (second network selection mode): only the first three (PLMN) networks (with PLMN IDs "232 01", "232 02" and "232 03") are considered for network selection;

[0106] -- In SNPN access mode (first network selection mode): only networks 4 to 7 (with PLMN ID or PLMNID+NID "232 06 000 014C601", "232 06 000 001F701", "999 99 000 014C602" and "999 99000 06D2401") are considered for network selection.

[0107] It is important to emphasize that the concept of "roaming" is not a factor in network selection, but rather "how authorization / authentication is performed in the PLMN, i.e. in PLMN (or normal) access mode, when the PLMN ID stored in the UE credentials and the PLMN ID of the network are not the same". Regardless of the access mode (i.e., the access mode configuration information 22 stored in the user equipment 20), the PLMN ID stored in the UE credentials as "home" is always a factor that the network selection algorithm takes into account when performing network selection. However, the set of parameters considered for network selection and how these parameters are considered (e.g., network prioritization) are typically different for PLMN and SNPN access modes.

[0108] Currently, when in SNPN access mode, the PLMN network (i.e. Figure 4 In the example of , the first three networks) are not considered for network selection, however, according to the present invention, it is conceivable and possible that when the user equipment 20 is in PLMN access mode or in SNPN access mode, SNPN and PLMN may be able to be accessed, in particular when in SNPN access mode, a first set of combinations of PLMN and SNPN may be able to be accessed, and when in PLMN access mode, a second set of combinations of PLMN and SNPN may be able to be accessed.

[0109] Thus, according to the present invention, an indication (in the form of an access mode dependent validity element 441) may advantageously be added to the user equipment routing policy information 400, in particular as part of the routing descriptor list 363, for indicating the validity of the URSP rules (as part of the user equipment routing policy information 400) when a given network selection mode is used (e.g. when in SNPN access mode or when in PLMN (or normal) access mode). In particular, it is proposed to add the access mode dependent validity element 441 according to at least two variants: adding to the URSP rules at the root level (see Figure 5 ) or added to the routing validation criteria 465 (see Figure 6 ).

[0110] In the case where the access mode-related validity element 441 is part of a root-level user equipment routing policy rule (e.g., 460), the user equipment routing policy rule 460 is only valid when the user equipment 20 is connected to a given network using one or more network access modes specified by the access mode-related validity element 441. As such, if the criteria are not matched, evaluation of the entire user equipment routing policy rule 460 (e.g., traffic descriptor) may be skipped.

[0111] In the case where the access mode-related validity element 441 is part of the user equipment routing policy rules (eg, 460) as part of the routing validation criteria 465, the validity of each routing entry may be controlled.

[0112] According to the invention, the validity of the network or user equipment routing policy information 400 (or user equipment routing policy rules 460) can thus advantageously be evaluated depending on the network selection mode of the user equipment 20 (ie whether the user equipment 20 is in SNPN access mode).

[0113] It will be appreciated that whether the user equipment 20 is currently connected via roaming (understood in a general sense as "connected to a network other than the one having the subscription") can also apply to both SNPN access mode and PLMN (normal) access mode.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating a user equipment (20) or when operating a user equipment (20) connected to a telecommunications network (100), in, The user equipment (20) comprises access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, wherein each network selection mode allows the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunication network based on different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements identifying each telecommunication network and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunication network, wherein a predefined first set of networks is associated with the first network selection mode and a predefined second set of networks is associated with the second network selection mode, wherein the predefined first set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes a public land mobile network, wherein the predefined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes an independent non-public network, wherein the user equipment routing policy information (400) includes an access mode related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information (22), In order to transmit and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information (401), the method is characterized by the following steps: In a first step, the user equipment (20) includes or receives the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) includes a validity element (441) related to a specific access mode, --In a second step, in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) associated with the specific access mode corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) by routing the traffic matching the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) in accordance with the provisions or requirements of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401), and wherein, in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) associated with the specific access mode does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: In addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing descriptor, the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) also includes a validity element (441) associated with the specific access mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: The user equipment specific routing policy information (401) includes, as part of at least one routing descriptor, a validity element (441) associated with the specific access mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) comprises at least one user equipment routing policy rule, wherein: The access mode specific related validity element (441) is part of the user equipment routing policy rules.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the specific access mode related validity element (441) is included in the user equipment routing policy rule as part of at least one routing descriptor or in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing descriptor.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network selection mode is further dependent on information stored in the user equipment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined first telecommunication network set corresponds to or includes public land mobile networks defined only by mobile country code information and mobile network code information, wherein the predefined first telecommunication network set in particular includes only such public land mobile networks, and in, The predefined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or comprises independent non-public networks defined by mobile country code information, mobile network code information, together with network identifier information, wherein the predefined second set of telecommunication networks in particular comprises only such independent non-public networks.

8. A user equipment (20) for receiving and / or using user equipment routing policy information (400) when being operated or when being operated in connection with a telecommunications network (100), in, The user equipment (20) comprises access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, wherein each network selection mode allows the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunication network based on different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements identifying each telecommunication network and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunication network, wherein a predefined first set of networks is associated with the first network selection mode and a predefined second set of networks is associated with the second network selection mode, wherein the predefined first set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes a public land mobile network, wherein the predefined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes an independent non-public network, wherein the user equipment routing policy information (400) includes an access mode related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information (22), In order to receive and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information (401), the user equipment (20) is characterized in that it is configured such that: the user equipment (20) comprising or receiving the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) comprises a validity element (441) related to a specific access mode, --In response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) related to the specific access mode corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) by routing the traffic matching the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) in accordance with the provisions or requirements of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401), and wherein, in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) related to the specific access mode does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401).

9. A system for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating a user equipment (20) as claimed in claim 8 or when operating a user equipment (20) as claimed in claim 8 connected to a telecommunications network (100), wherein the system comprises the telecommunications network (100) and the user equipment (20), in, The user equipment (20) comprises access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, wherein each network selection mode allows the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunication network based on different kinds of information elements or different sets of information elements identifying each telecommunication network and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunication network, wherein a predefined first set of networks is associated with the first network selection mode and a predefined second set of networks is associated with the second network selection mode, wherein the predefined first set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes a public land mobile network, wherein the predefined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes an independent non-public network, wherein the user equipment routing policy information (400) includes an access mode related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information (22), Therein, in order to transmit and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information (401), the system or telecommunication network (100) is characterized in that it is configured such that: the user equipment (20) comprising or receiving the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) comprises a validity element (441) related to a specific access mode, --In response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) related to the specific access mode corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) by routing the traffic matching the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401) in accordance with the provisions or requirements of the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401), and wherein, in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the validity element (441) related to the specific access mode does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the specific user equipment routing selection policy information (401).

10. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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