Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device. In the communication method, when a first operator and a second operator share an access network device, but the access network device needs to interact with a core network device of the second operator through a core network device of the first operator; at least one PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identifier, which allows an access network device to support the access of a terminal device, comprises a first PLMN identifier, so that the access network device can broadcast the first PLMN identifier, and at least one PLMN identifier, which allows a first AMF (Advanced Media Function) of a first operator to support the access of the terminal device, also comprises the first PLMN identifier. The terminal equipment of the second operator is accessed to the network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] When operators build their networks independently, they will face challenges such as high network deployment costs and the need to achieve high network coverage in a short period of time. To this end, network sharing technology is introduced, of which shared access networks are a form of sharing. When sharing access networks, it should be ensured that the terminal devices of each operator sharing access network equipment can access their respective core networks.

[0003] However, people in the field have found that when multiple operators need to share access network equipment, if the core network equipment of one operator can only interact with the shared access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators, there will be a problem that the terminal equipment of the operator cannot access the network. Among them, the core network equipment of one operator can only interact with the shared access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators, which is also called that there is no direct connection between the core network equipment of the operator and the shared access network equipment, or the core network equipment of the operator cannot directly interact with the access network equipment.

[0004] Therefore, how to allow the operator's terminal equipment to access the network when the operator's core network equipment and shared access network equipment cannot interact directly has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device for enabling an operator's terminal equipment to access the network even when the operator's core network equipment and shared access network equipment cannot directly interact.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator, and the method includes: broadcasting first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, the first information indicating at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access; wherein the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0007] In this embodiment, the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. In other words, the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. Or in other words, the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator, the core network device of the first operator can interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, but the access network device cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator.

[0008] In this embodiment, when the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator but cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, it can also be considered that the access network device has a direct connection relationship with the core network device of the first operator, but no direct connection relationship with the core network device of the second operator.

[0009] Normally, the access network device will broadcast at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier that it supports terminal device access within the coverage area, and the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device is the PLMN identifier of the operator whose core network device and the access network device have direct interaction. It should be understood that in this case, for the terminal device of the second operator, since the core network device of the second operator and the access network device cannot interact directly, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device does not include the PLMN identifier of the second operator, and the access network device cannot find the access and mobility management functions that support the access of the terminal device of the second operator, resulting in the terminal device of the second operator being unable to access the network.

[0010] In view of this, in the communication method proposed in the present application, when the access network device indicates at least one PLMN identifier to be broadcast by broadcasting the first information, the at least one PLMN identifier also includes the first PLMN identifier, and the first access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access also includes the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for terminal device access of the second operator.

[0011] It can be understood that, through the communication method proposed in the present application, since the first PLMN identifier is used for access of the terminal equipment of the second operator, when the terminal equipment of the second operator is located within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, the terminal equipment of the second operator can access by selecting the first PLMN identifier, and then carry the second information in the registration request message for requesting access to the network, and the second information indicates that the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier; accordingly, the access network device determines to use the first access and mobility management function of the first operator as the access and mobility management function supporting the access of the terminal equipment of the second operator based on the first PLMN identifier selected by the terminal equipment of the second operator and the first access and mobility management function of the first operator, which includes the first PLMN identifier in at least one public land mobile network identifier that supports the access of the terminal equipment, thereby realizing the access of the second operator to the network.

[0012] It should be noted that the first access and mobility management function of the first operator that can directly interact with the access network device will indicate to the access network device that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for terminal device access. Therefore, the access network device can know that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for terminal device access. For example, the first access and mobility management function sends a third message to the access network device, and the third message indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for terminal device access. However, it should be understood that the difference between the present application and the prior art is that the third information indicates that the at least one PLMN identifier for terminal device access supported by the first access and mobility management function includes not only the PLMN identifier of the first operator, but also the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for terminal device access of the second operator.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0014] That is, in this implementation, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal device access also includes the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0015] It should be understood that in this implementation, since the first PLMN identifier is the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, the terminal device of the second operator will give priority to accessing the first PLMN identifier based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0017] That is, in this implementation, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access also includes a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for terminal equipment access of the second operator.

[0018] It should be understood that in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers allocated to the first operator are all used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator. However, in the implementation provided in the present application, the PLMN identifier allocated to the first operator includes, in addition to the PLMN identifier used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator, a first PLMN identifier used for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator. Or to put it another way, compared with the prior art, in this implementation, a new first PLMN identifier is added for the first operator, but the newly added first PLMN identifier is not used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator, but for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0020] That is, in this implementation, the N operators can all be regarded as the second operator here, and the terminal equipment of each operator in the N operators is accessed by selecting the first PLMN identifier.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation method, when the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for terminal equipment access of the second operator, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access including the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0022] That is, in this implementation, when the access network device indicates at least one PLMN identifier to be broadcast by broadcasting the first information, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports the at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device, including the second PLMN identifier.

[0023] Optionally, the second access and mobility management function and the first access and mobility management function are different network elements. It should be understood that in this manner, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first PLMN identifier, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the second access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the second PLMN identifier.

[0024] Optionally, the second access and mobility management function and the first access and mobility management function are the same network element. It should be understood that in this manner, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

[0025] In this implementation, since the second PLMN identifier is used for access of terminal equipment of the second operator, when the terminal equipment of the third operator is within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, the terminal equipment of the third operator can access by selecting the second PLMN identifier; accordingly, the access network device determines to use the second access and mobility management function of the first operator as the access and mobility management function supporting access of the terminal equipment of the third operator based on the second PLMN identifier selected by the terminal equipment of the third operator and the fact that at least one PLMN identifier that supports access of the terminal equipment by the second access and mobility management function of the first operator includes the second PLMN identifier, thereby enabling the third operator to access the network.

[0026] Optional and scalable: If the core network equipment of a total of M operators all need to share the access network equipment with the first operator, but the core network equipment of each of the M operators cannot interact directly with the access network equipment, then M different PLMN identifiers can be added to at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network equipment for terminal equipment access, and the K access and mobility management functions of the first operator can support the M different PLMN identifiers, and the M different PLMN identifiers are used for terminal equipment access of different operators among the M operators. Among them, the M operators include the second operator and the third operator, and M and K are positive integers.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first access and mobility management function, the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator, and the method includes: sending third information to an access network device, the third information indicating that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal device access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to a terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0031] It should be understood that when the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator, that is, the newly added PLMN identifier described in the implementation method of the first aspect, it should also be ensured that the terminal equipment of the second operator only displays the name of the second operator. In view of this, in this implementation method, when the first PLMN identifier used for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator is a newly added PLMN identifier of the first operator, the first access and mobility management function will also send the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the first correspondence, the terminal equipment of the second operator displays the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator when selecting the first PLMN identifier.

[0032] It is to be noted that this embodiment does not limit the manner in which the first access and mobility management function learns the first corresponding relationship.

[0033] For example, when the second operator is any one of N operators, and the N operators do not include the first operator, that is, when the terminal equipment of each of the N operators is accessed through the first PLMN identifier, there are the following four implementation plans:

[0034] A first implementation scheme: a second correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator is configured in a unified data management function of the second operator; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information being used to request the first correspondence, the fourth information including a home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, the home public land mobile network identifier being included in at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fourth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the home public land mobile network identifier carried in the fourth information, so that the first access and mobility management function learns of the first correspondence.

[0035] The second implementation scheme: a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method also includes: sending fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fifth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator carried in the fifth information, so that the first access and mobility management function is aware of the first correspondence.

[0036] A third implementation scheme: a fourth correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator is configured in the first access and mobility management function; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, the method further comprises: obtaining a first correspondence based on the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, wherein the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator.

[0037] A fourth implementation scheme: a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is configured in the first access and mobility management function; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: obtaining the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0038] For another example, when the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier, wherein the third operator and the first operator access the network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator, there are the following two implementation schemes:

[0039] The first implementation scheme: a first correspondence is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method also includes: sending sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, after receiving the sixth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the first public land mobile network identifier carried in the sixth information, so that the first access and mobility management function is aware of the first correspondence.

[0040] The second implementation scheme: a first correspondence is configured in the first access and mobility management function; at this time, when the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator, it includes: when the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0041] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device, wherein the terminal device belongs to a second operator, including: receiving a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function of a first operator and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator, wherein the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with a core network device of the second operator through a core network device of the first operator; based on the first correspondence, displaying the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including a first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator to access, and the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0043] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method also includes: sending a registration request message, the registration request message is used to request access to the network, the registration request message includes second information, and the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0044] It should be understood that when the terminal equipment of the second operator initially accesses the network, if the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, at this time, since the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal equipment of the second operator, there may be a problem that the terminal equipment of the second operator does not know to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, in the present application, when the first PLMN identifier is a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for the terminal equipment of the second operator to access, it also includes: the first access and mobility management function sends the seventh information to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the seventh information instructs the terminal equipment of the second operator to select the first public land mobile network identifier for access, and the first public land mobile network identifier is carried in the seventh information; accordingly, after the terminal equipment of the second operator receives the seventh information, when it wants to access the network, it selects the first PLMN identifier for access.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator, and the device includes: a sending module, which is used to broadcast first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, and the first information indicates that the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access; wherein the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0046] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device also includes a receiving module, the receiving module is used to receive a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, the registration request message is used to request access to the network, the registration request message includes second information, and the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, the sending module is also used to: send a registration request message to the first access and mobility management function.

[0047] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the receiving module is also used to: receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, the third information indicating that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access.

[0048] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0049] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0050] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0051] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a first access and mobility management function, wherein the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator; the device includes: a sending module, which is used to send third information to an access network device, the third information indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0053] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0054] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0055] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the sending module is further used to: send a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0056] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0057] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator; wherein the sending module is also used to: send fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information is used to request the first correspondence, the fourth information includes the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the home public land mobile network identifier is included in the at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; accordingly, the device also includes a receiving module, the receiving module is used to receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0058] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; wherein the sending module is also used to: send fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator; the receiving module is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0059] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; the device also includes a processing module, wherein the processing module is also used to: obtain the first correspondence based on the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

[0060] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; wherein the processing module is also used to obtain the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0061] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier.

[0062] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, a first corresponding relationship is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; the sending module is also used to: send sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; the receiving module is also used to: receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the data management function.

[0063] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the first access and mobility management function; the processing module is also used to: when the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, send the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to a terminal device, and the terminal device belongs to a second operator; specifically, a receiving module is used to: receive a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; a processing module is used to: based on the first correspondence, display the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein, at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device to access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, and at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0065] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory and a processor; the memory is used to store program instructions; the processor is used to call the program instructions in the memory to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising the communication device as described in the third aspect, and the communication devices as described in the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0068] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable medium storing a program code for computer execution, wherein the program code includes instructions for executing the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer implements the method described in any one of the first to third aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0070] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method in the fourth to ninth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first to third aspects and any possible implementation method therein, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the application scenario provided for this application;

[0072] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used by the communication method provided in this application;

[0073] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication method provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of broadcasting a PLMN identifier of a second operator provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of adding the same PLMN identifier to N operators provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of adding M PLMN identifiers for M operators provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a communication method provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in accordance with another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0083] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system or new radio access technology (NR), satellite communication system, etc.

[0084] The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0085] Before introducing the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a brief introduction to the terms involved in the embodiment of the present application is first given.

[0086] 1. Terminal equipment: may be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. In the embodiments shown below, terminal equipment, terminal, and UE may be used interchangeably, but they have the same meaning.

[0087] The terminal device can be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to users, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. At present, some examples of terminals can be: mobile phones, tablet computers (pad), computers with wireless transceiver functions (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile Internet devices (mobile internet devices, MIDs), virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) devices, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phones, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (personal digital assistants) assistant, PDA), handheld devices with wireless communication function, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile communication networks (public land mobile network, PLMN), etc.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device, that is, the terminal device, can be the terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a chip, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0089] 2. Access network (AN) equipment: The access network can provide network access functions for authorized users in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities according to the user level, business requirements, etc. The access network can be an access network that uses different access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access technology and non-3GPP (non-3GPP) access technology. 3GPP access technology refers to access technology that complies with 3GPP standards and specifications. For example, the access network equipment in the 5G system is called the next generation node base station (gNB). Non-3GPP access technology refers to access technology that does not comply with 3GPP standards and specifications, for example, air interface technology represented by access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi).

[0090] An access network that implements access network functions based on wireless communication technology can be called a radio access network (RAN). The radio access network can manage wireless resources, provide access services for terminal devices, and then complete the forwarding of control signals and user data between the terminal and the core network.

[0091] The wireless access network equipment may include, for example, but is not limited to: a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or homenode B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an AP in a Wi-Fi system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP) or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It may also be a gNB or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G (e.g., NR) system, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a BBU, or a distributed unit (DU), or a base station in a next-generation communication 6G system, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the wireless access network equipment. The wireless access network equipment may include a gNB-centralized unit (CU) and a gNB-DU. The gNB-CU and the gNB-DU are connected via an F1 interface. The CU and the core network are connected via a next generation (NG) interface. The gNB-DU includes the functions of the physical layer (PHY) / medium access control (MAC) / radio link control (RLC) layer, which are used to provide access services for the relay devices attached to the access network equipment. The gNB-DU can be connected to the gNB-CU via the F1 interface. The gNB-DU can also be connected to the mobile terminal (mobile-termination, MT) function of the terminal device or mobile relay via the Uu interface.

[0092] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem including the base station function. The control subsystem including the base station function here may be a control center in the application scenarios of the above-mentioned terminals such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The functions of the terminal may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal, or by a device including the terminal function.

[0093] 3. Core network: mainly includes user plane functions (UPF) and control plane functions of the data plane. Among them, the user plane function is mainly responsible for packet forwarding, quality of service (QoS) control, billing information statistics and connection to external networks, etc. It includes the relevant functions of the serving gateway (SGW) and public data network gateway (PDN-GW) of the long term evolution technology (LTE). The control plane function is mainly responsible for business process interaction, sending data packet forwarding strategies and QoS control strategies to the user plane. Exemplarily, the network elements in the control plane function mainly include: mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), network exposure function (NEF), etc. Among them, the AMF network element is connected to the access network equipment through the NG interface, and can manage the access of the terminal equipment to the core network, such as: access control of the terminal equipment, mobility management of the terminal equipment, attachment and detachment of the terminal equipment, triggering the LMF network element to locate the terminal equipment, and forwarding the positioning-related messages between the terminal equipment and the LMF network element, as well as the forwarding of the positioning-related messages between the access network equipment and the LMF network element. The LMF network element can locate the terminal device based on the positioning request of the AMF network element. The SMF network element is mainly responsible for managing the creation and deletion of user protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, maintaining the PDU session context and user plane forwarding pipeline information. The PCF is mainly responsible for executing policy control, similar to the policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element in the long term evolution technology (LTE), including the generation and management of users, sessions, quality of service (QoS) flow processing policies, quality of service and charging rules, and sending the corresponding rules to the UPF network element through the SMF. The AF network element is mainly responsible for providing various business service functions, and can interact with the core network through the NEF network element, and can interact with the policy management framework for policy management. NEF is used to provide frameworks, authentication and interfaces related to network capability exposure, and to transmit information between 5G system network functions and other network functions.

[0094] 4. Data network (DN): refers to the service network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP Multimedia Service (IMS), Internet, etc. UE accesses the data network through the protocol data unit (PDU) session established between UE and DN.

[0095] 5. Terminal equipment PLMN selection priority

[0096] When a terminal device accesses the network, it will first perform a cell search and selection process, which includes searching for frequencies, obtaining the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the cell, obtaining the master information block (MIB), obtaining the system message block 1 (SIB1), selecting a PLMN, and selecting a cell. When selecting a PLMN, the terminal device will select a suitable PLMN to access according to a certain priority.

[0097] Specifically, the priority of terminal equipment in selecting PLMN is as follows:

[0098] 1)RPLMN (Registered PLMN)

[0099] Refers to the last registered PLMN, the PLMN that the terminal device registered through the tracking area update process / initial attachment (attach), with the highest priority

[0100] 2) EPLMN (Equivalent PLMN)

[0101] It is the equivalent PLMN of RPLMN, that is, a PLMN that can provide the same services as RPLMN to terminal devices.

[0102] 3)EHPLMN (Equivalent Home PLMN)

[0103] It is the equivalent PLMN of the HPLMN and is stored in the universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card. The terminal device uses the PLMN in this list to replace the HPLMN extracted from the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) code for the PLMN selection process. The EHPLMN has the same priority as the HPLMN. When the RPLMN is the HPLMN, EPLMN = EHPLMN. When the RPLMN is not the HPLMN, EPLMN is not equal to EHPLMN.

[0104] 4) HPLMN (Home PLMN)

[0105] The Home PLMN refers to the PLMN where the terminal device is registered. The terminal device has only one HPLMN, which is obtained through the IMSI.

[0106] 5) UPLMN (User Controlled PLMN)

[0107] The PLMN controlled by the user, that is, the PLMN registered by the terminal device when manually selecting the network, will be stored in the USIM card.

[0108] 6)OPLMN (Operator Controlled PLMN)

[0109] Controls the PLMN for the operator and is written in the USIM card.

[0110] 7) VPLMN (Visited PLMN)

[0111] Refers to the visited PLMN, which refers to the PLMN where the terminal device is currently located. The visited PLMN can be the same as the HPLMN.

[0112] 8) FPLMN (Forbidden PLMN)

[0113] Refers to a prohibited PLMN, a PLMN that terminal devices cannot register.

[0114] 6. Mechanism for access network equipment to broadcast PLMN identification

[0115] Access network equipment generally only broadcasts the network number of the operator to which it belongs.

[0116] In one scenario, assuming that the access network device is dedicated to one operator, the access network device will only broadcast the PLMN identity (ID) of the one operator. For example, assuming that the PLMN identity of operator 1 only includes PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2, the access network device of operator 1 will only broadcast PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2.

[0117] In another scenario, assuming that the access network device is shared by multiple operators, and each operator can directly interact with the shared access network device, then when the access network device broadcasts, the broadcast message will include the PLMN identifier of each of the multiple operators. For example, assuming that PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2 both belong to the PLMN identifier of operator 1, PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4 both belong to the PLMN identifier of operator 3, and both operator 1 and operator 3 are physically connected to the access network device, then when the access network device of the operator broadcasts, the broadcast message will include PLMN ID1, PLMN ID2, PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4.

[0118] Communication technologies are updated and replaced at a rapid pace. If each operator independently deploys a new network every time a new technology is upgraded, it will face challenges such as high network deployment costs and the need to achieve high network coverage in a short period of time. Therefore, network sharing technology has become an important way for operators to deploy networks.

[0119] Shared access network (or also called access network sharing) is a way of network sharing, which means that at least two operators share the access network line equipment and carrier resources of one operator.

[0120] For the shared access network, in most cases, the access network equipment can directly interact with the core network of each operator. In this case, the terminal equipment of different operators can directly access the core network of their respective operators through the access network equipment.

[0121] Specifically, the terminal devices of different operators are directly connected to the core network of their respective operators through access network devices as follows:

[0122] 1) The access network equipment broadcasts the PLMN identities of each operator with which it can directly interact.

[0123] 2) For the terminal equipment of each operator, when it needs to access the network, a registration request message is sent to the network side, wherein the registration request message is used to request access to the network and the registration request message includes the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal equipment.

[0124] It should be understood that in this step, when the terminal devices of each operator select the PLMN identifier, based on the priority of the PLMN selection of the terminal device, since the message broadcast by the access network device includes the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs, the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs will be selected.

[0125] 3) The access network device receives the PLMN identifier reported by the terminal device, and determines an AMF for the terminal device to access the network through the determined AMF. The selected AMF supports at least one PLMN identifier that the terminal device accesses, including the reported PLMN identifier.

[0126] Usually, the AMF is configured with a PLMN identifier, which is used by the AMF to determine the PLMN identifiers that the AMF supports terminal equipment access. Specifically, the AMF of each operator is configured with the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs. For example, assuming that PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2 belong to the PLMN identifier of operator 1, and PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4 belong to the PLMN identifier of operator 3, then at least one PLMN identifier configured in the AMF of operator 1 that the AMF supports terminal equipment access to will include PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2, and at least one PLMN identifier configured in the AMF of operator 3 that the AMF supports terminal equipment access to will include PLMN ID3 and PLMNID4.

[0127] For ease of description, in this application, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF for terminal device access is also referred to as: at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF.

[0128] Specifically, the principle of the access network device determining the AMF according to the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device is as follows: during the initialization process of the access network device (for example, when the access network device is turned on), the AMF that can directly interact with the access network device will notify the access network device of at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF. Therefore, the access network device is locally configured with PLMN identifiers supported by different AMFs, so that the access network device can determine the AMF that supports the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device according to the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device and local information.

[0129] However, people in this field have found that when an access network is to be shared, it is inevitable that the core network equipment of a certain operator can only interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators (that is, it can be considered that there is no direct connection between the core network equipment of a certain operator and the access network equipment). At this time, there will be a problem that the terminal equipment of a certain operator cannot access the network.

[0130] For ease of understanding, Figure 1Take this as an example to illustrate: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the access network equipment was originally proprietary to operator 1, and the access network equipment was connected to the core network of operator 1 to enable operator 1's terminal device 1 to access the core network of operator 1. Now operators 1, 2, and 3 are cooperating, and operator 1 shares the access network equipment with operators 2 and 3. However, operator 2's core network equipment can only interact with the access network equipment through operator 1's core network equipment (it can also be considered that there is no direct connection between operator 2's core network equipment and the access network equipment). At this time, for the Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the access network device broadcasts the PLMN identifier, it only includes the PLMN identifier of operator 1 and the PLMN identifier of operator 3. In this case, terminal device 1 of operator 1 can access the core network of operator 1, and terminal device 3 of operator 3 can access the core network of operator 3. For terminal device 2 of operator 2, if roaming is not considered (for example, there is no roaming agreement between operator 2 and operator 1), there will be a problem that terminal device 2 cannot access the network.

[0131] It is to be noted here that Figure 1 This is just an example of three operators sharing the same access network device, but it does not constitute a limitation of the present application. For example, two operators may share the same access network device, or more operators may share the same access network device.

[0132] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, so that a terminal device of a certain operator can access the network even in a scenario where there is no direct connection between the access network device and the core network of a certain operator and the shared access network.

[0133] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 , a detailed introduction is given to the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0134] like Figure 2As shown, the system architecture includes one or more of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, network storage function (NRF) network element, application function (AF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, access network (AN) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, and network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network slice admission control function (NSACF), network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network element. Among them, the functions of some network elements can refer to the description in the above network element introduction, and the specific ones can refer to the known technology, which will not be repeated here.

[0135] In the above architecture, the part except AN and DN can be called the core network part. Figure 1 In the network shown, each network element can communicate based on a service-based interface, where: Figure 2 Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Naf, Nusf, Namf, and Npcf are the service-oriented interfaces of each network element.

[0136] Specifically, for Figure 2 In the architecture shown, HPLMN is the PLMN of the operator to which the terminal device belongs (i.e., the home PLMN of the terminal device), and VPLMN is the PLMN of the operator in the visited area (i.e., the visited PLMN). More specifically:

[0137] The VPLMN exchanges signaling with the HPLMN through a security edge protection proxy (SEPP).

[0138] HPLMN is responsible for managing the subscription information and session policies of terminal devices, and the session anchor point is located in the HPLMN. Terminal devices access the data network (DN) of the HPLMN, and the HPLMN provides business services for roaming terminal devices.

[0139] Both the visited location and the home location have billing capabilities, and both the visited location and the home location have the ability to legally obtain information about the terminal device.

[0140] Combine the following Figure 3 , describes in detail the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0141] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0142] S301, an access network device broadcasts first information within a coverage area of ​​the access network device, where the first information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the access network device supports access by a terminal device.

[0143] In this embodiment, the access network device is shared by the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. In other words, the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. In other words: the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator, the core network device of the first operator can interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, but the access network device cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator.

[0144] In this embodiment, when the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator but cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, it can also be considered that the access network device has a direct connection relationship with the core network device of the first operator, but no direct connection relationship with the core network device of the second operator.

[0145] Typically, the access network device is locally configured with at least one PLMN identifier that supports the access of the terminal device, and broadcasts the at least one PLMN identifier within the coverage area.

[0146] In the present application, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access is also referred to as at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device.

[0147] At present, the at least one PLMN identifier configured by the shared access network device is all the PLMN identifier of the operator with which the core network device and the access network device have direct interaction. For example, if the access network device can directly interact with the core network device of operator 1 and the core network device of operator 3, that is, operator 1 and operator 3 are the first operator described here, then, in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers that can be supported by the local configuration of the access network device include the PLMN identifier of operator 1 and the PLMN identifier of operator 3. Accordingly, the PLMN broadcasted by the access network device includes the PLMN identifier of operator 1 and the PLMN identifier of operator 3.

[0148] In this case, for the terminal equipment of the second operator that cannot directly interact with the access network device, when the terminal equipment of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, since at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device does not include the PLMN identifier of the second operator, at this time, without considering roaming, there may be a problem that the terminal equipment of the second operator cannot select a suitable PLMN identifier and thus cannot access the network.

[0149] In view of this, in the present application, in order to allow the terminal equipment of the second operator to access the network in a shared scenario, when the access network device indicates at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device to the terminal equipment of each operator by broadcasting the first information, the at least one PLMN identifier indicated also includes the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for access of the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0150] That is to say, in the present application, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device includes, in addition to the PLMN identifier of the first operator, a first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator. Or to put it another way, in the prior art, when the access network device broadcasts at least one PLMN identifier supported, it only broadcasts the PLMN identifier of the first operator with which the core network device can directly interact, and does not broadcast the first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator. However, in the present embodiment, when the access network device broadcasts at least one PLMN identifier that it can support, it not only broadcasts the PLMN identifier of the first operator of the core network device, but also broadcasts the first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator.

[0151] In a specific implementation, the first information may be, for example, a Broadcast PLMN list sent by the access network device, where the Broadcast PLMN list includes the PLMN identifier of the first operator and the first PLMN identifier.

[0152] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the first PLMN identifier.

[0153] For example, in the first implementation manner, the first PLMN identifier may be a PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0154] For another example, in the second implementation, the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by terminal equipment of the second operator. It should be understood that in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers allocated by the first operator are all used for access by terminal equipment of the first operator. However, in this implementation, the PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator includes, in addition to the PLMN identifier for access by terminal equipment of the first operator, a first PLMN identifier for access by terminal equipment of the second operator. Or to put it another way, in this implementation, a new first PLMN identifier is added for the first operator, but the newly added first PLMN identifier is not used for access by terminal equipment of the first operator, but for access by terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0155] S302, the terminal equipment of the second operator sends a registration request message, the registration request message is used to request access to the network, the registration request message includes second information, and the second information indicates that the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0156] In this embodiment, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, the terminal device of the second operator can obtain at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device by acquiring the first information broadcast by the access network device.

[0157] In this embodiment, since at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device includes a first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator, the terminal device of the second operator can select the first PLMN identifier and then carry second information indicating that the first PLMN identifier is selected in the registration request message used to request access to the network, so as to inform the access network device that it has selected the first PLMN identifier for access.

[0158] Next, the implementation method of the second operator allowing the terminal device to select the first PLMN identity for access is described.

[0159] As described in S301, there are two ways to identify the first PLMN:

[0160] The first way is: the first PLMN identifier is the PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0161] The second manner is: the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, that is, the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier.

[0162] It should be understood that for the first method, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the shared access network device, since the first PLMN identifier is the PLMN identifier of the second operator, based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier, the terminal device of the second operator can give priority to accessing the first PLMN identifier.

[0163] As for the second method, since the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, at this time, for the terminal device of the second operator, when it initially wants to access the network, because the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal device of the second operator (the network may also have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, for example, the newly added first PLMN identifier has been configured when the terminal device leaves the factory), the terminal device of the second operator will not know whether to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, in the specific implementation, the first access and mobility management function of the first operator sends the seventh information to the terminal device of the second operator, and the seventh information instructs the terminal device of the second operator to select the first PLMN identifier for access, and the first PLMN identifier is carried in the seventh information; accordingly, after the terminal device of the second operator receives the seventh information, when it wants to access the network, it selects the first PLMN identifier for access. That is to say, under this implementation scheme, the first PLMN identifier can be configured for the terminal device of the second operator by sending the seventh information to the terminal device of the second operator on the network side. In this way, when the terminal equipment of the second operator needs to access the network again, since the first PLMN identifier has been configured and the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast includes the first PLMN identifier, the first PLMN identifier will be selected.

[0164] Further, after the terminal device of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier, it may send a registration request message for requesting access to the network to the access network device, wherein the registration request message carries the first PLMN identifier.

[0165] S303, the access network device sends a registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator to the first access and mobility management function; accordingly, the first access and mobility management function receives the registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator, wherein the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device including the first PLMN identifier.

[0166] The first access and mobility management function may be, for example, an AMF in a 5G communication system, or an MME in a 4G communication system, and its specific name is not limited. For example, it may also be called by other names in future systems.

[0167] For ease of description, the following embodiments of the present application refer to the first access and mobility management function as the first AMF.

[0168] Typically, when the first AMF can interact directly with the access network device, during the initialization process of the access network device (for example, when the access network device is turned on), the first AMF will notify the access network device of at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF for access of terminal devices of the operator to which it belongs, so that when the terminal device of the operator to which the first AMF belongs accesses to the network, the access network device can select the first AMF.

[0169] In this application, for the sake of ease of description, the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF for terminal device access is also referred to as at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF.

[0170] It should be understood that even if the terminal device of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier through the methods of S301 and S302, the access network device cannot find the AMF that supports the first PLMN identifier, so the terminal device of the second operator will still be unable to access the network. In view of this, in this embodiment, in order to allow the terminal device of the second operator to access the network in a shared scenario, the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of the first operator is also configured to include the first PLMN identifier. In other words, in this embodiment, the first AMF of the first operator includes the first PLMN identifier in addition to the PLMN identifier of the first operator. In this way, when the first AMF of the first operator indicates to the access network device through the third information at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF, the access network device can know that the first AMF also supports the first PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0171] Or in other words, in the prior art, the first AMF of the first operator only includes the PLMN identifier used for terminal equipment access of the first operator, but does not include the first PLMN identifier used for terminal equipment access of the second operator; accordingly, when the first AMF of the first operator indicates at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF to the access network device, the at least one PLMN identifier indicated does not include the first PLMN identifier used for terminal equipment access of the second operator.

[0172] Exemplarily, assuming that the PLMN identifier of the first operator is PLMN ID1, in the prior art, when the first AMF indicates to the access network device at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF, the at least one PLMN identifier includes PLMN ID1. However, in the technical solution of the present application, when the first AMF indicates to the access network device at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF, the at least one PLMN identifier includes, in addition to PLMN ID1, PLMN ID2, wherein PLMNID2 is used for access of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0173] In a specific implementation, the third information may be, for example, a PLMN Support list sent by the first AMF to the access network device, where the PLMN Support list includes at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF.

[0174] It should be understood that when at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF includes the first PLMN identifier and the first AMF notifies the access network device through the third information that at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF also includes the first PLMN identifier, at this time, if the terminal device of the second operator chooses to access with the first PLMN identifier, the access network device can determine that the first AMF is the AMF used to complete the second operator's access to the network, and send a registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator to the first AMF; accordingly, the first AMF receives the registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator and completes the registration process of the second operator, thereby realizing the access of the terminal device of the second operator to the network.

[0175] That is, in the communication method provided in this embodiment, when the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator, the terminal device of the second operator is connected to the network by including the first PLMN identifier in at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device broadcast by the access network device, and also including the first PLMN identifier in at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first AMF of the first operator.

[0176] Below, in order to make the technical solution provided by the present application more clear, three detailed embodiments are combined to illustrate an embodiment of how to enable the terminal equipment of the second operator to access the network when the second operator and the first operator share access network equipment, but the core network equipment of the second operator cannot directly interact with the access network equipment.

[0177] Embodiment 1: Using the PLMN identifier of the second operator as the first PLMN identifier.

[0178] Specifically, when implementing Example 1, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by an AMF of the first operator (the AMF can be considered as the first AMF) also includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator. Correspondingly, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier. It should be understood that in this first implementation scheme, if the first PLMN identifier is the identifier of the PLMN of the second operator, then, for the terminal device of the second operator, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, since at least one PLMN identifier broadcast includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator, based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier, the terminal device of the second operator will give priority to accessing the PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0179] For example, Figure 4 As shown in the figure, assume that there are three operators, namely Operator 1, Operator 2 and Operator 3. The PLMN identifier of Operator 1 is 123000, the PLMN identifier of Operator 2 is 123100, and the PLMN identifier of Operator 3 is 123200. If the access network equipment of Operator 1 is shared with Operator 2 and Operator 3, but the core network equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 cannot interact directly with the access network equipment. At this time, if the terminal equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 is to be connected to the network, then during implementation:

[0180] 1) Configure the access network device to support PLMN identifiers including 123000, 123100, and 123200.

[0181] 2) Configure the PLMN identities supported by AMF of operator 1 to include 123000, 123100 and 123200.

[0182] Exemplarily, only one AMF of operator 1 may be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000, 123100 and 123200.

[0183] For example, if operator 1 has multiple AMFs, one of the AMFs can be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000 and 123100, and another AMF can be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000 and 123200.

[0184] Afterwards, each AMF of operator 1 notifies the access network device of the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1 through the third information, so that the access network device knows the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1.

[0185] Optionally, the access network device may also notify the AMF of operator 1 that the access network device supports 123000, 123100 and 123200.

[0186] It is understandable that for this Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, when the access network device supports 123000, 123100 and 123200 and the AMF of operator 1 supports 123000, 123100 and 123200, the PLMN identifiers broadcast by the access network device include 123000, 123100 and 123200. At this time:

[0187] For the terminal equipment of operator 2, based on the PLMN selection priority, 123100 is selected and 123100 is carried in the registration request message (that is, it can be considered as the second information); accordingly, after the access network device receives the registration request message from operator 2, it can determine that an AMF of operator 1 (supporting 123100) is the appropriate AMF.

[0188] Similarly, for the terminal equipment of operator 3, based on the PLMN selection priority, 123200 is selected and 123200 is carried in the registration request message (that is, it can be considered as the second information); accordingly, after the access network device receives the registration request message from operator 3, it can determine that an AMF of operator 1 (supporting 123200) is the appropriate AMF.

[0189] Below, Figure 4 As an example, combined with Figure 5 , using a flowchart to illustrate how to allow the terminal equipment of operator 2 to access the network. The process of allowing the terminal equipment of operator 3 to access the network can be analogous to Figure 5 , I will not go into details here.

[0190] like Figure 5 As shown, including:

[0191] 0-1: configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to 123000 and 123100.

[0192] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123100.

[0193] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123100.

[0194] Optionally, it may also include: 0-31: the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123100. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123100. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0195] When conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal equipment of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0196] S501, the access network device broadcasts 123000 and 123100 within the coverage area.

[0197] S502, the terminal equipment of operator 2 located within the access network range will preferentially select 123100 for access based on PLMN priority, and carry 123100 in the registration request message.

[0198] S503, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 according to 123100 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1 including 123100.

[0199] S504: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0200] S505: The first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 and obtains the subscription and authorization information from the HPLMN to complete the registration of the terminal device.

[0201] S506: The first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0202] It can be seen that the Figure 5In the example, by means of the access network device also supporting the PLMN identification of operator 2 and the first AMF of operator 1 also supporting the PLMN identification of operator 2, it is possible to allow the terminal device of operator 2 to access the network even in the scenario where the core network device of operator 2 cannot interact directly with the access network device.

[0203] It should be noted that in the first implementation, only operator 2 and operator 3 are used as examples for description, but it should be understood that this does not constitute a limitation of the present application. For example, terminal devices of more operators whose core network devices and access network devices cannot directly interact can also be referred to. Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, if in addition to Operator 2 and Operator 3 wanting to share access network equipment with Operator 1, Operator 4 also wants to share access network equipment with Operator 1, then at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network equipment can include the PLMN identifier of Operator 4, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of Operator 1 can include the PLMN identifier of Operator 4, thereby completing the network access of Operator 4's terminal equipment.

[0204] Embodiment 2: The first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, and the second operator is any one of the N operators. In other words, in Embodiment 2, the first PLMN identifier is a PLMN identifier newly added by the first operator, and the first PLMN identifier is used for access by terminal devices of the N operators.

[0205] Among them, the N operators do not include the first operator, the N operators share access network equipment with the first operator, and the core network equipment of each operator among the N operators needs to interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0206] It should be understood that in the second embodiment, each operator among the N operators may be considered as a second operator.

[0207] Specifically, when implementing Example 2, at least one PLMN identifier that the access network device needs to support includes the newly added first PLMN identifier, and at least one PLMN identifier that needs to be supported by an AMF of the first operator (the AMF can be considered as the first AMF) also includes the newly added first PLMN identifier; accordingly, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier, and the terminal devices of N operators are all accessed through the first PLMN identifier.

[0208] For example, Figure 6As shown, it is assumed that there are three operators, namely, operator 1, operator 2 and operator 3, and the PLMN identifier of operator 1 is 123000. If the access network equipment of operator 1 is shared with operator 2 and operator 3, the core network equipment of operator 2 and operator 3 cannot directly interact with the access network equipment. At this time, if the terminal equipment of operator 2 and operator 3 is to be connected to the network, then when configuring the PLMN identifier supported by the access network equipment, in addition to 123000, a first PLMN identifier 123001 is added, and when configuring the PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1, in addition to 123000, a first PLMN identifier 123001 is also added; then the first AMF of operator 1 notifies the access network equipment that the first AMF of operator 1 supports 123000 and 123001 through the third information, so that the access network equipment knows that the first AMF of operator 1 supports 123000 and 123001. Afterwards, when the access network device broadcasts the supported 12300 and 123001, the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 are both accessed through 123001.

[0209] However, as described in S302, if the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, at this time, for the terminal devices of each of the N operators, when initially wanting to access the network, the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal devices of the N operators, and there will be terminal devices of the N operators who do not know whether to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, when the second embodiment is specifically implemented, the first AMF of operator 1 can instruct the terminal devices of the N operators to select the first PLMN identifier for access. The first AMF of operator 1 can send the seventh information to the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 through the access network device to instruct the selection of 123001 access, and accordingly, the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 select 123001 access when selecting the PLMN identifier.

[0210] Typically, after selecting a PLMN identifier, the terminal device determines the PLMN name to be displayed based on the selected PLMN identifier. More specifically, when displaying, the terminal device determines the PLMN name based on the following priorities: the PLMN name in the USIM, the PLMN name provided by the network identity and time zone (NITZ), and the PLMN name stored in the mobile equipment (ME). In addition, the terminal device determines whether to display the PLMN name, the name of the operator to which it belongs (service provider name, SPN), or both according to the configuration. As shown in Table 1, two bits in the terminal device configuration file indicate the conditions for displaying the SPN and PLMN:

[0211] Table 1: Comparison of different network sharing technology functions

[0212]

[0213]

[0214] It should be understood that for the terminal device, it is necessary to satisfy the requirement of displaying only the name of the operator to which it belongs. In this embodiment, since the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier for the first operator, how to make the terminal device of the second operator display only the name of the second operator becomes a problem that needs to be solved.

[0215] In view of this, in this embodiment, if the access network device broadcasts a newly added first PLMN identifier, and the terminal device of the second operator selects the newly added first PLMN identifier to access, in order to enable the terminal device of the second operator to display the name of the second operator, the technical solution of the present application also includes: the first AMF of the first operator sends a first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after the terminal device of the second operator receives the first correspondence, it updates the configuration based on the first correspondence (for example, updating the PLMN ID associated with the SPN in the USIM, that is, configuring the first PLMN identifier as the PLMN ID associated with the SPN; for another example, configuring the PLMN name corresponding to the first PLMN identifier as SPN), and displays the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first PLMN identifier.

[0216] It is to be noted that this embodiment does not limit how to obtain the first corresponding relationship between the first PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0217] For example, the first implementation scheme: configure the second correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator in the UDM of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator sends a fourth message to the UDM of the second operator, and the fourth message is used to request the first correspondence, and the fourth message includes the home PLMN identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the home PLMN identifier is included in the at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fourth message, the UDM of the second operator determines the first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator based on the home PLMN identifier carried in the fourth message and the stored second correspondence, and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0218] That is, in the first implementation scheme, the second correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one PLMN identifier included in the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the UDM of the second operator. Then, if the first AMF of the first operator determines that the first correspondence should be obtained from the UDM of the second operator based on the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, then the first AMF of the first operator requests the first correspondence from the UDM of the second operator and carries the home PLMN identifier of the second operator in the fourth information used for the request. Accordingly, when the UDM of the second operator receives the fourth information, since the home PLMN identifier carried in the fourth information is included in the at least one PLMN identifier included in the second operator, the first correspondence is sent to the first AMF of the first operator.

[0219] For example, the second implementation scheme: configure the third correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator in the UDM of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator sends the fifth information to the UDM of the second operator, and the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fifth information, the UDM of the second operator sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator carried in the fifth information, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0220] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the third corresponding relationship may be replaced by a terminal device list, where the terminal device list includes the identifiers of the terminal devices of the second operator; or,

[0221] The identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the third correspondence may also be replaced by a user group identifier (UE Group ID). In this case, the first AMF may determine that the terminal device of the second operator belongs to the UE Group ID, and then include the UE Group ID in the request message sent to the UDM, and the UDM determines the first correspondence based on the UE Group ID and the third correspondence.

[0222] That is, in the second implementation scheme, by configuring the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the second correspondence between the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator in the UDM of the second operator, the first AMF of the first operator determines that the first correspondence should be obtained from the UDM of the second operator through the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and requests the first correspondence from the UDM of the second operator, and carries the identifier of the second operator in the fifth information used for the request. Accordingly, when the UDM of the second operator receives the fifth information, since the identifier of the terminal device carried in the fifth information is the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the second correspondence, the first correspondence is sent to the first AMF of the first operator.

[0223] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the second implementation scheme. For example, it can be a permanent equipment identifier (PEI) of the terminal device of the second operator, or it can be a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0224] For example, in the third implementation scheme: a fourth correspondence between a first PLMN identifier, at least one home PLMN identifier included in the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the first AMF of the first operator; then, the first AMF of the second operator obtains the first correspondence based on the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, wherein the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the at least one home PLMN identifier included in the second operator.

[0225] It should be understood that the difference between the third implementation scheme and the first implementation scheme is that the correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one home PLMN identifier included by the second operator, and the SPN of the second operator is configured in the first AMF of the first operator, rather than in the UDM of the second operator. Under this scheme, if the home PLMN identifier determined by the first AMF of the first operator is the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, since the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the fourth correspondence, the first correspondence can be determined based on the fourth correspondence.

[0226] For example, in the fourth implementation scheme, the first AMF of the first operator is configured with the fifth correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the second operator obtains the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0227] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the fifth corresponding relationship may be replaced by a terminal device list, where the terminal device list includes the identifiers of the terminal devices of the second operator; or,

[0228] The identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the fifth correspondence may also be replaced by a user group identifier (UE Group ID). In this case, the first AMF may determine that the terminal device of the second operator belongs to the UE Group ID, and the fifth correspondence determines the first correspondence.

[0229] It should be understood that the difference between the fourth implementation scheme and the second implementation scheme is that the correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the AMF of the first operator, rather than in the UDM of the second operator. In this scheme, since the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the fifth correspondence, the first correspondence can be determined based on the fifth correspondence.

[0230] Below, for ease of understanding, combined Figure 6 In the example, the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 all use the same newly added first PLMN identification 123001 scenario, and a flowchart is used to illustrate how to ensure that the terminal device of operator 2 can access the network and that the terminal device of operator 2 displays the SPN of operator 2.

[0231] like Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0232] 0-1: configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to 123000 and 123001.

[0233] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123001.

[0234] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123001.

[0235] Optionally, the access network device may also indicate to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0236] When conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal equipment of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0237] S701, the access network device broadcasts 123000, 123001 within the coverage area.

[0238] S702, the terminal device of operator 2 located within the access network range selects 123001 for access, and carries 123001 in the registration request message.

[0239] Similarly, since 123001 is a newly added PLMN identifier, for the terminal device of operator 2, when it initially wants to access the network, because the network may not have configured the newly added PLMN identifier for the terminal device of operator 2, the terminal device of operator 2 will not be able to select 123001. In this case, in this example, the first AMF of operator 1 can send information indicating the selection of 123001 access (which can be considered as the seventh information) to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device. Accordingly, after the terminal device of operator 2 receives the information indicating the selection of 123001 access, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 access.

[0240] S703, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 according to 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1 including 123001.

[0241] S704: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0242] S705, the first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 (for example, its HPLMN ID is 123100) according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2, and obtains the contract and authorization information from the HPLMN to complete the registration of the terminal device.

[0243] S706, the first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0244] Furthermore, in order for the terminal device of operator 2 to display the name of operator 2 after selecting 123001, the first AMF of operator 1 needs to obtain the first corresponding relationship.

[0245] In the first method, if Figure 7 As shown, <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> or <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is pre-configured in the UDM of operator 2, where 123001 is the newly added first PLMN identifier, <123100, 123101> is at least one PLMN identifier included in operator 2, SUPI2 is the SUPI of the terminal device of operator 2, and SPN2 is the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of operator 2. Then, the UDM of operator 2 determines to send the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> to the first AMF of operator 1 based on the request of the first AMF of operator 1. Further, the first AMF of operator 1 obtains the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> and sends the first corresponding relationship to the terminal device of operator 2.

[0246] Specifically, Figure 7 As shown in S707 and S708, the logic of the UDM of operator 2 determining to send the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> to the first AMF of operator 1 based on the request of the first AMF of operator 1 includes:

[0247] 1) If <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is configured in the UDM of operator 2, the first AMF of operator 1 may send a fourth message for requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2, and carry the home PLMN identifier (for example, 123100) of the terminal device of operator 2 in the fourth message; accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> of the response and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of operator 1 ( Figure 7 S709 in ).

[0248] 2) If <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is configured in the UDM of operator 2, the first AMF of operator 1 may send a fifth message for requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2 and carry SUPI2 in the fifth message; accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> of the response and sends the first correspondence to the AMF of operator 1 ( Figure 7 S711 in ).

[0249] In the second method, if Figure 7 As shown, <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is pre-configured in the AMF of operator 1 or <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is pre-configured in the first AMF of operator 1. Then, the first AMF of operator 1 executes S709: determining the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> according to the local configuration.

[0250] Specifically, the logic of the first AMF of operator 1 determining the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> according to the local configuration is as follows:

[0251] 1) If <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is configured in the first AMF of operator 1, then the first AMF of operator 1 can obtain the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> according to the HPLMN identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 (for example, 123100), where the HPLMN identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 is included in <123100, 123101>.

[0252] 2) If <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is configured in the first AMF of operator 1, then the first AMF of operator 1 can obtain the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> according to SUPI2 of the terminal device of operator 2.

[0253] After the first AMF of operator 1 obtains the first corresponding relationship through the above two methods, S710 can be executed: sending the <123001, SPN2> to the terminal device of operator 2.

[0254] It can be seen that in the communication method provided in this embodiment, in addition to enabling the terminal device of operator 2 to access the network, the terminal device of operator 2 can also correctly display the name of operator 2 when selecting 123001.

[0255] Embodiment 3: M PLMN identities are allocated to a first operator, and different PLMN identities among the M PLMN identities are used for access of terminal devices of different operators among the M operators.

[0256] The core network equipment of each of the M operators shares the same access network equipment, but the core network equipment of the M operators needs to interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of the first operator, and M is a positive integer.

[0257] That is to say, in this embodiment, when M operators need to share access network equipment with the first operator, but the core network equipment of the M operators cannot directly interact with the access network equipment, M new PLMN identifiers are added to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network equipment, wherein different PLMN identifiers among the M PLMN identifiers are used for terminal equipment access of different operators among the M operators; and, the same M PLMN identifiers are also added to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF of the first operator.

[0258] It is to be noted that this embodiment does not restrict the method of adding M PLMN identifiers to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF of the first operator.

[0259] For example, M new PLMN identifiers are added only in one AMF of the first operator; or, a total of the M different PLMN identifiers are supported in K AMFs of the first operator, where K is a positive integer.

[0260] As an example, Figure 8 As shown in the figure, assume that there are three operators, namely Operator 1, Operator 2 and Operator 3, and the PLMN identifier of Operator 1 is 123000. If the access network equipment of Operator 1 is shared with Operator 2 and Operator 3, the core networks of Operator 2 and Operator 3 cannot directly interact with the access network equipment. At this time, if the terminal equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 is to be connected to the network, then during implementation:

[0261] 1) When configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device, in addition to the PLMN identifier 123000 of operator 1, a first PLMN identifier 123001 and a second PLMN identifier 123002 are also added.

[0262] 2) When configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by the AMF of operator 1, in addition to 123000, a first PLMN identifier 123001 and a second PLMN identifier 123002 are also added.

[0263] Exemplarily, only one AMF supported PLMN identifier is configured including 123000, 1230001 and 123002.

[0264] Exemplarily, if operator 1 has multiple AMFs, the PLMN identifiers supported by one of the AMFs are configured to include 123000 and 123001, and the PLMN identifiers supported by another AMF include 123000 and 123002.

[0265] Then, each AMF of operator 1 notifies the access network device of the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1 through the third information, so that the access network device knows the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1. Further, when the access network device broadcasts supported 123000, 123001 and 123002, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 for access, and the terminal devices of operator 3 all access through 123002.

[0266] Similar to the second embodiment, when initially accessing the network, because the network may not have configured the PLMN identifier selected when accessing the network for each operator, there will also be a problem that the terminal devices of each operator cannot select the corresponding PLMN identifier to access. Therefore, when implementing the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, each AMF of the first operator can indicate the selected PLMN identifier information to the terminal device of the corresponding operator.

[0267] by Figure 8 For example, assuming that there is only one AMF of operator 1, and the PLMN identifiers supported by this AMF include 123000, 1230001 and 123002, at this time, the AMF can send an indication message to the terminal device of operator 2 to select access through 123001, and send an indication message to the terminal device of operator 3 to select access through 123002; accordingly, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 when selecting the PLMN identifier, and the terminal device of operator 3 selects 123002 when selecting the PLMN identifier.

[0268] Similar to the second embodiment, when implementing the third embodiment, it is also necessary to consider how to make the terminal equipment of each operator only display the name of the operator to which it belongs.

[0269] Below, for ease of understanding, the problem of only displaying the name of the operator provided in this embodiment is explained by taking M operators as two operators, respectively referred to as the second operator and the third operator, and the first AMF of the first operator supports the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

[0270] Specifically, during implementation, the first AMF of the first operator may send a first correspondence between a first PLMN identifier and an SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to a terminal device of the second operator, so as to instruct the terminal device of the second operator to display the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first PLMN identifier; and the first AMF of the first operator may send a sixth correspondence between a second PLMN identifier and an SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the third operator to a terminal device of the third operator, so as to instruct the terminal device of the third operator to display the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the third operator when the terminal device selects the second PLMN identifier.

[0271] It is understandable that the difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that the PLMN identifiers selected when the terminal devices of different operators access are different. Therefore, in the specific implementation, the first corresponding relationship of the second operator can be obtained by the following two implementation methods:

[0272] In a first implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the UDM of the second operator; then the first AMF of the first operator sends a sixth message to the UDM of the second operator, where the sixth message is used to request the first correspondence, and the sixth message includes a first PLMN identifier; accordingly, after receiving the sixth message, the UDM of the second operator determines to send the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator based on the first PLMN identifier carried in the sixth message, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0273] In a second implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the first AMF of the first operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator determines the first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier sent to the terminal device of the second operator and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator based on the first PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device of the second operator.

[0274] Below, for ease of understanding, combined Figure 8 In the example, the scenario where the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 for access and the terminal device of operator 3 selects 123002 for access is described in the form of a flowchart how to ensure that the terminal device of operator 2 can access the network and that the terminal device of operator 2 displays the SPN of operator 2.

[0275] like Fig. 9 As shown, the method includes:

[0276] 0-1: Configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to be 123000, 123001, and 123002.

[0277] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123001.

[0278] Optionally, 123002 may also be included in the first AMF.

[0279] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123001.

[0280] Optionally, the access network device may also indicate to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0281] When conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal equipment of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0282] S901, the access network device broadcasts 123000, 123001 and 123002 within the coverage area.

[0283] S902, the terminal device of operator 2 located within the access network range selects 123001 for access, and carries 123001 in the registration request message.

[0284] A detailed description of this step can be found in Figure 7 The description in S702 will not be repeated here.

[0285] S903, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 based on 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1 including 123001.

[0286] S904: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0287] S905, the first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2, and obtains the contract and authorization information from the HPLMN to complete the registration of the terminal device.

[0288] S906, the first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0289] Furthermore, in order to enable the terminal device of operator 2 to display the name of operator 2 after selecting 123001, there are two ways as follows:

[0290] In the first method, if Fig. 9 As shown, <123001, SPN2> is pre-configured in the UDM of operator 2, where 123001 is the newly added first PLMN identifier, and SPN2 is the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of operator 2. Then the first AMF of operator 1 can send the sixth information for requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2, and the 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 is carried in the sixth information (S907); accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> of the response and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of operator 1 ( Fig. 9 S908 in the ).

[0291] In the second method, if Fig. 9 As shown, <123001, SPN2> is pre-configured in the first AMF of operator 1, and then S909 is executed: the first AMF of operator 1 determines the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> according to 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2.

[0292] After the first AMF of operator 1 obtains the first corresponding relationship through the above two methods, S910 can be executed: sending the <123001, SPN2> to the terminal device of operator 2.

[0293] It can be seen that in the communication method provided in this embodiment, in addition to enabling the terminal device of operator 2 to access the network, the terminal device of operator 2 can also correctly display the name of operator 2 when selecting 123001.

[0294] Combined with the above Figures 5 to 9 , describes in detail the communication method of the embodiment of the present application, and will now be combined with Fig.10 and Fig.11 The communication device provided by the present application is described in detail.

[0295] Fig.10 The structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application is as follows. Fig.10 As shown, the device 1000 includes: a sending module 1001.

[0296] In a first embodiment, the communication device is applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device interacts with a core network device of the second operator through a core network device of the first operator.

[0297] Specifically, in the first embodiment, the sending module 1001 is used to broadcast first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, and the first information indicates that the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0298] In one possible implementation, the device 1000 also includes a receiving module 1002, which is used to receive a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, where the registration request message is used to request access to the network, and the registration request message includes second information, which indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, the sending module 1001 is also used to: send a registration request message to the first access and mobility management function.

[0299] In a possible implementation, the receiving module 1002 is further used to: receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, where the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the first access and mobility management function supports the terminal device to access.

[0300] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0301] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0302] In a possible implementation manner, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0303] In one possible implementation, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0304] In the second embodiment, the apparatus 1000 may be applied to a first access and mobility management function, wherein the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator.

[0305] Specifically, the sending module 1001 is used to: send third information to the access network device, the third information indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0306] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0307] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0308] In a possible implementation manner, the sending module 1001 is further used to: send a first corresponding relationship between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0309] In a possible implementation manner, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0310] In a possible implementation manner, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator;

[0311] Among them, the sending module 1001 is also used to: send fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, the fourth information includes the public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the public land mobile network identifier is included in at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the unified data management function.

[0312] In one possible implementation, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; wherein the sending module 1001 is also used to: send fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0313] In a possible implementation, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; the device 1000 also includes a processing module 1003, wherein the processing module 1003 is also used to: obtain the first correspondence according to the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

[0314] In one possible implementation, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; wherein the processing module 1003 is also used to obtain the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0315] In one possible implementation, at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the second access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access also includes the second public land mobile network identifier.

[0316] In one possible implementation, a first corresponding relationship is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; the sending module 1001 is also used to: send sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the data management function.

[0317] In one possible implementation, a first corresponding relationship is configured in the first access and mobility management function; the processing module 1003 is also used to: when the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, send the first corresponding relationship between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0318] In a third embodiment, the communication device can be applied to a terminal device, and the terminal device belongs to a second operator. Specifically, the receiving module 1002 is used to: receive a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with a core network device of the second operator through a core network device of the first operator; the processing module 1003 is used to: based on the first correspondence, display the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein, at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device to access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator to access, and at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for the terminal device to access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0319] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0320] Fig.11 A structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 The device shown can be used to execute the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0321] like Fig.11 As shown, the apparatus 1100 of this embodiment includes: a memory 1101 and a processor 1102. Optionally, the apparatus 1100 further includes a communication interface 1103 and a bus 1104. The memory 1101, the processor 1102, and the communication interface 1103 are connected to each other through the bus 1104.

[0322] The memory 1101 may be a read only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1101 may store a program. When the program stored in the memory 1101 is executed by the processor 1102, the processor 1102 is used to execute the program. Figures 5 to 9 The individual steps of the method are shown.

[0323] The processor 1102 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for executing related programs to implement the present application. Figures 3 to 9 The method shown.

[0324] The processor 1102 may also be an integrated circuit chip having the ability to process signals. Figures 5 to 9 Each step of the method may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 1102 or by instructions in the form of software.

[0325] The processor 1102 may also be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or executed. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0326] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1101, and the processor 1102 reads the information in the memory 1101 and completes the functions required to be executed by the units included in the device of the present application in combination with its hardware. For example, it can execute Figures 3 to 9 The various steps / functions of the illustrated embodiment.

[0327] The communication interface 1103 may use, but is not limited to, a transceiver or other transceiver device to implement communication between the apparatus 1100 and other devices or a communication network.

[0328] The bus 1104 may include a path for transmitting information between various components of the device 1100 (eg, the memory 1101 , the processor 1102 , and the communication interface 1103 ).

[0329] It should be understood that the device 1100 shown in the embodiment of the present application may be an electronic device, or may also be a chip configured in an electronic device. The device 1100 may be deployed in a terminal device, or may also be deployed in a network device.

[0330] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any other combination. When implemented by software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state hard disk.

[0331] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship, but it may also indicate an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for specific understanding.

[0332] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be represented by: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0333] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0334] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0335] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0336] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0337] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0338] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0339] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0340] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to an access network device, the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator, and the method includes: Broadcasting first information within a coverage area of ​​the access network device, wherein the first information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for access by the terminal device; Among them, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the first access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, where the registration request message is used to request access to a network, and the registration request message includes second information, where the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier; The registration request message is sent to the first access and mobility management function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, where the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the first access and mobility management function supports terminal equipment to access.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access and mobility management function, the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator, the method comprising: Sending third information to the access network device, where the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the first access and mobility management function supports the terminal device to access, where the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; Among them, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a second operator, and the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information being used to request the first corresponding relationship, the fourth information including a home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, the home public land mobile network identifier being included in at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the unified data management function.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: Sending fifth information to the unified data management function, where the fifth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the fifth information includes an identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the unified data management function.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: The first correspondence is obtained according to the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: The first corresponding relationship is obtained according to the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth corresponding relationship.

17. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first corresponding relationship is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: Sending sixth information to the unified data management function, where the sixth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the data management function.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with the first corresponding relationship; The sending, to the terminal equipment of the second operator, a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator, comprises: When the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the terminal device belongs to a second operator, including: receiving a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function of a first operator and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with a core network device of the second operator through a core network device of the first operator; Based on the first corresponding relationship, displaying the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; Among them, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a second operator, and the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processor coupled to the memory; The memory is used to store program instructions; The processor is configured to call the program instructions in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 21.

23. A computer readable medium, characterized in that The computer-readable medium stores a program code for computer execution, the program code comprising instructions for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 21.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 21.

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