Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program. For example, there is provided a user equipment comprising means for registering the user equipment to a first public land mobile network; selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user equipment based on registration of the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and registering the user equipment to the selected second public land mobile network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments of the subject disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, systems, and computer programs, and particularly (but not limited to) to performing network selection. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes, by providing a bearer between the various entities involved in the communication path. A communication system may be provided, for example, by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. For example, a communication session may include data communications for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messaging, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

[0003] In a wireless communication system, at least a portion of a communication session between at least two stations takes place over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Some wireless systems may be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access a communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. The user's communication device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device is provided with appropriate signal receiving and transmission means to enable communication, such as access to a communication network or direct communication with other users. The communication device may access a bearer provided by a station (e.g., a base station of a cell) and transmit and / or receive communications on the bearer.

[0005] A communication system and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification, which states what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. The communication protocols and / or parameters that should be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology and the so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the invention

[0006] Various exemplary embodiments disclosed in the subject matter are intended to address at least a portion of the problems and / or difficulties and disadvantages explicitly described herein or apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, so as to provide methods, apparatuses, and computer programs that can improve mechanisms and / or processes for network selection (but not limited to).

[0007] Several aspects of various example embodiments will be described relative to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of various example embodiments, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in other ways. In view of this disclosure, other features, aspects, and elements of various example embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising means for: registering the user equipment with a first network; selecting a second network to register the user equipment based on registering the user equipment with the first network; and registering the user equipment with the selected second network.

[0009] The user equipment may also include a component for: receiving information for selecting a second network, wherein: the information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, each priority set of candidate second networks may include: multiple candidate second networks, and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second network.

[0010] Selecting the second network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for user equipment to register with the first network; and selecting the second network from a plurality of candidate second networks included in the selected priority set.

[0011] Selecting the second network from the plurality of candidate second networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second networks in the selected priority set.

[0012] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0013] According to a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: receiving information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering to a first network and a second network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment according to the user equipment registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting the second network to the user equipment.

[0014] The information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second networks may include multiple candidate second networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network.

[0015] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home network or the visited network.

[0016] Determining to provide information for selecting a second network to a user device may include: based on information indicating that the user device indicates dual registration, determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user device; or based on registering the user device to the first network, receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user device; and based on the information received from the first application function, determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user device.

[0017] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0018] The apparatus may further include a component for: sending a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second network may further include sending a media access control element.

[0019] The device may be a device for a unified data management function or a device for a second application function.

[0020] According to a third aspect, a device for a first application function is provided, the device comprising components for: determining, based on a user device registering with a first network, to cause information for selecting a second network to be sent to the user device; and, based on the user device registering with the first network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0021] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving a protection request from the device based on a user device registering with a first network, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second network; based on the request, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of the second network according to the user device registering with the first network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, a home network of a user equipment is provided, comprising an apparatus according to any one of the second aspect, the third aspect and the fourth aspect.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising components for: registering the user equipment to a first public land mobile network; selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user equipment based on registering the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and registering the user equipment to the selected second public land mobile network.

[0025] The user equipment may also include a component for: receiving information for selecting a second public land mobile network, wherein: the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include: multiple candidate second public land mobile networks, and are associated with corresponding combinations of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second public land mobile network.

[0026] Selecting the second public land mobile network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks associated with a combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology for registration of the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and selecting the second public land mobile network from a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks included in the selected priority set.

[0027] Selecting the second public land mobile network from the plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second public land mobile networks in the selected priority set.

[0028] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0029] Registering the user equipment with the first public land mobile network may include sending information to the first public land mobile network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0030] According to a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: receiving information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering to a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment according to the user equipment registering to the first public land mobile network; and sending information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0031] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include multiple candidate second public land mobile networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network.

[0032] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0033] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home public land mobile network or the visited public land mobile network.

[0034] Determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment may include: determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual connectivity; or receiving information from a first application function based on the user equipment being registered with a first public land mobile network, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on the information received from the first application function.

[0035] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0036] The apparatus may further include a component for: sending a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second public land mobile network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may further include sending a media access control element.

[0037] The device may be a device for a unified data management function or a device for a second application function.

[0038] According to an eighth aspect, a device for a first application function is provided, the device comprising components for: determining, based on a user device being registered with a first public land mobile network, to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user device; and based on the user device being registered with the first public land mobile network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user device.

[0039] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0040] According to a ninth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving a protection request from the device based on a user equipment registering with a first public land mobile network, the protection request comprising information for the user equipment to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; based on the request, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network according to the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0041] According to a tenth aspect, a home public land mobile network of a user equipment is provided, comprising: an apparatus according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

[0042] According to an eleventh aspect, a user equipment is provided, comprising components for: registering the user equipment to a first network; selecting an independent non-public network to register the user equipment based on registering the user equipment to the first network; and registering the user equipment to the selected independent non-public network.

[0043] The user equipment may also include a component for: receiving information for selecting an independent non-public network, wherein: the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include: multiple candidate independent non-public networks, and may be associated with a first network and a corresponding combination of access technologies used by the user equipment to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the independent non-public network.

[0044] Selecting an independent non-public network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for user equipment to register with the first network; and selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set.

[0045] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0046] The first network may be a public land mobile network, and wherein selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include: prioritizing an independent non-public network corresponding to an identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network; and selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority list of independent non-public networks when the independent non-public network corresponding to the identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network is not available.

[0047] The first network may be another independent non-public network, and wherein selecting the independent non-public network from the plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority set of independent non-public networks.

[0048] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0049] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0050] According to a twelfth aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and an independent non-public network; based on the reception, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device.

[0051] The information for selecting an independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, and wherein each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by a user device to access the first network.

[0052] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0053] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0054] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the independent non-public network.

[0055] Determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to a user device may include: based on information indicating that the user device supports dual registration, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device; or based on the user device being registered with the first network, receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to enable the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user device; and based on the information received from the first application function, determining to provide information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0056] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0057] The device may also include a component for: sending a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting an independent non-public network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting an independent non-public network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0058] The device may be a device for a subscribed independent non-public network or a device for a credential holder network.

[0059] The certificate holder network may be another independent non-public network or a home public land mobile network.

[0060] According to the thirteenth aspect, a device for a first application function is provided, the device comprising components for: determining, based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment.

[0061] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0062] According to a fourteenth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising components for: based on a user device registering with a first network, receiving a protection request from the device, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of an independent non-public network; based on the request, according to the user device registering with the first network, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of an independent non-public network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0063] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a subscribed independent non-public network or a voucher holder network of a user equipment, comprising an apparatus according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects.

[0064] According to a sixteenth aspect, a user device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the user device to at least: register the user device to a first network; based on registering the user device to the first network, select a second network to register the user device; and register the user device to the selected second network.

[0065] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: receive information for selecting a second network, wherein: the information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, each priority set of candidate second networks may include: multiple candidate second networks, and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network, and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to also select the second network based on the information for selecting the second network.

[0066] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: select one of one or more priority sets of candidate second networks associated with a combination of a first network and an access technology for registering the user equipment to the first network; and select a second network from a plurality of candidate second networks included in the selected priority set.

[0067] The at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to select the second network from the plurality of candidate second networks based on a priority order of the candidate second networks in the selected priority set.

[0068] The at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to send information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0069] According to a seventeenth aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: receive information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering to a first network and a second network; based on the reception, determine to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment according to the user equipment registering to the first network; and send information for selecting the second network to the user equipment.

[0070] The information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second networks may include multiple candidate second networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network.

[0071] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home network or the visited network.

[0072] At least one processor may be configured to cause the device to: determine, based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration, to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; or, based on the user equipment registering with the first network, receive information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; and determine, based on the information received from the first application function, to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment.

[0073] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0074] At least one processor can be configured to cause the device to: send a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second network; receive a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein at least one processor can be configured to cause the device to send the media access control element to a user device.

[0075] The device may be a device for a unified data management function or a device for a second application function.

[0076] According to an eighteenth aspect, a device for a first application function is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: determine, based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; and, based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, send information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment.

[0077] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0078] According to the nineteenth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: receive a protection request from the device based on a user device being registered with a first public land mobile network, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second network; based on the request, determine a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of the second network according to the user device being registered with the first network; and send a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0079] According to the twentieth aspect, a home network of a user equipment is provided, comprising an apparatus according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects.

[0080] According to a twenty-first aspect, a user device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the user device to at least: register the user device to a first public land mobile network; based on registering the user device to the first public land mobile network, select a second public land mobile network to register the user device; and register the user device to the selected second public land mobile network.

[0081] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: receive information for selecting a second public land mobile network, wherein: the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include: a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks, and associated with a corresponding combination of a first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second public land mobile network.

[0082] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: select one of one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks associated with a combination of a first public land mobile network and an access technology for registration of the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and select a second public land mobile network from a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks included in the selected priority set.

[0083] The at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to select the second public land mobile network from the plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks based on a priority order of the candidate second public land mobile networks in the selected priority set.

[0084] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0085] The at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to send information to the first public land mobile network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0086] According to the twenty-second aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering to a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the reception, determine to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment according to the user equipment registering to the first public land mobile network; and send information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0087] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include multiple candidate second public land mobile networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network.

[0088] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0089] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home public land mobile network or the visited public land mobile network.

[0090] At least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to: determine, based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration, to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; or, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, receive information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and determine, based on the information received from the first application function, to provide information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0091] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0092] At least one processor can be configured to cause the device to: send a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second public land mobile network; receive a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein at least one processor can be configured to cause the device to send the media access control element to a user device.

[0093] The device may be a device for a unified data management function or a device for a second application function.

[0094] According to the twenty-third aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first application function, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the apparatus to at least: determine, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, send information to the apparatus, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0095] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0096] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: receive a protection request from the device based on a user device being registered with a first public land mobile network, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; based on the request, determine a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of a second public land mobile network according to the user device being registered with the first public land mobile network; and send a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising a media access control element.

[0097] According to the twenty-fifth aspect, a home public land mobile network of a user equipment is provided, comprising: an apparatus according to any one of aspects from the twenty-second aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect.

[0098] According to the twenty-sixth aspect, a user device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the user device to at least: register the user device to a first network; based on registering the user device to the first network, select an independent non-public network to register the user device; and register the user device to the selected independent non-public network.

[0099] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: receive information for selecting an independent non-public network, wherein: the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the independent non-public network.

[0100] At least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: select one of one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks associated with a combination of a first network and an access technology for registering the user equipment to the first network; and select an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set.

[0101] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0102] The first network may be a public land mobile network, and wherein the at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: prioritize an independent non-public network corresponding to an identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network; and select the independent non-public network based on a priority list of independent non-public networks when the independent non-public network corresponding to the identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network is not available.

[0103] The first network may be a further independent non-public network, and wherein the at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: select the independent non-public network based on the priority set of independent non-public networks.

[0104] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0105] The at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to send information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0106] According to the twenty-seventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: receive information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and an independent non-public network; based on the reception, determine to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first network; and send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device.

[0107] The information for selecting an independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, and wherein each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by a user device to access the first network.

[0108] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0109] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0110] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the independent non-public network.

[0111] At least one processor may be configured to cause the device to: determine, based on information indicating that the user device supports dual registration, to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device; or, based on the user device registering with the first network, receive information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user device; and determine, based on the information received from the first application function, to provide information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0112] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0113] At least one processor can be configured to cause the device to: send a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting an independent non-public network; receive a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein at least one processor can be configured to cause the device to send the media access control element to a user device.

[0114] The device may be a device for a subscribed independent non-public network or a device for a credential holder network.

[0115] The certificate holder network may be another independent non-public network or a home public land mobile network.

[0116] According to the twenty-eighth aspect, a device for a first application function is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: determine, based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment; and send information to the device, based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment.

[0117] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0118] According to the twenty-ninth aspect, a device for authenticating a server function is provided, the device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: receive a protection request from the device based on a user device registering with a first network, the protection request comprising information for selecting an independent non-public network; based on the request, determine a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of an independent non-public network according to the registration of the user device with the first network; and send a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising a media access control element.

[0119] According to a thirtieth aspect, there is provided a subscribed independent non-public network or voucher holder network of a user equipment, comprising an apparatus according to any one of aspects twenty-seven to twenty-ninth.

[0120] According to a thirty-first aspect, a method performed by a user device is provided, the method comprising: registering the user device to a first network; based on registering the user device to the first network, selecting a second network to register the user device; and registering the user device to the selected second network.

[0121] The method may further include: receiving information for selecting a second network, wherein: the information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, each priority set of candidate second networks may include: multiple candidate second networks, and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by a user equipment to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second network.

[0122] Selecting the second network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for user equipment to register with the first network; and selecting the second network from a plurality of candidate second networks included in the selected priority set.

[0123] Selecting the second network from the plurality of candidate second networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second networks in the selected priority set.

[0124] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0125] According to the thirty-second aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and a second network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0126] The information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second networks may include multiple candidate second networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network.

[0127] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home network or the visited network.

[0128] Determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment may include: determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration; or receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; and determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment based on the information received from the first application function.

[0129] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0130] The method may also include: sending a protection request to the authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting the second network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second network may also include sending the media access control element.

[0131] The method may be executed by the unified data management function or the second application function.

[0132] According to the thirty-third aspect, a method performed by a first application function is provided, the method comprising: based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, determining so that information for selecting a second network is sent to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting the second network to the user equipment.

[0133] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0134] According to the thirty-fourth aspect, a method performed by an authentication server function is provided, the method comprising: based on a user device registering with a first network, receiving a protection request from a device, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second network; based on the request, according to the user device registering with the first network, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of the second network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0135] According to a thirty-fifth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a home network of a user equipment, the method comprising a method according to any one of aspects thirty-second to thirty-fourth.

[0136] According to aspect thirty-six, a method performed by a user device is provided, the method comprising: registering the user device to a first public land mobile network; based on registering the user device to the first public land mobile network, selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user device; and registering the user device to the selected second public land mobile network.

[0137] The method may further include: receiving information for selecting a second public land mobile network, wherein: the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include: a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks, and are associated with respective combinations of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by a user device to access the first public land mobile network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second public land mobile network.

[0138] Selecting the second public land mobile network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks associated with a combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology for registration of the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and selecting the second public land mobile network from a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks included in the selected priority set.

[0139] Selecting the second public land mobile network from the plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second public land mobile networks in the selected priority set.

[0140] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0141] Registering the user equipment with the first public land mobile network may include sending information to the first public land mobile network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0142] According to aspect thirty-seven, a method is provided, comprising: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first public land mobile network; and sending information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user device.

[0143] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include multiple candidate second public land mobile networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network.

[0144] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0145] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home public land mobile network or the visited public land mobile network.

[0146] Determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment may include: determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration; or receiving information from a first application function based on the user equipment being registered with a first public land mobile network, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on the information received from the first application function.

[0147] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0148] The method may also include: sending a protection request to the authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second public land mobile network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0149] The method may be executed by the unified data management function or the second application function.

[0150] According to the thirty-eighth aspect, there is provided a method executed by a first application function, the method comprising: determining, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0151] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0152] According to the thirty-ninth aspect, a method performed by an authentication server function is provided, the method comprising: based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, receiving a protection request from the device, the protection request comprising information for the user equipment to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, determining, based on the request, a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0153] According to the fortieth aspect, there is provided a method performed by a home public land mobile network of a user equipment, the method comprising the method according to any one of aspects from the thirty-seventh to the thirty-ninth aspect.

[0154] According to a forty-first aspect, a method performed by a user device is provided, the method comprising: registering the user device to a first network; based on registering the user device to the first network, selecting an independent non-public network to register the user device; and registering the user device to the selected independent non-public network.

[0155] The method may also include: receiving information for selecting an independent non-public network, wherein: the information for selecting an independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include: multiple candidate independent non-public networks, and may be associated with a first network and a corresponding combination of access technologies used by a user device to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting an independent non-public network.

[0156] Selecting an independent non-public network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for user equipment to register with the first network; and selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set.

[0157] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0158] The first network may be a public land mobile network, and wherein selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include: prioritizing an independent non-public network corresponding to an identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network; and selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority list of independent non-public networks when the independent non-public network corresponding to the identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network is not available.

[0159] The first network may be another independent non-public network, and wherein selecting the independent non-public network from the plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority set of independent non-public networks.

[0160] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0161] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0162] According to the forty-second aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and registering to an independent non-public network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device.

[0163] The information for selecting an independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, and wherein each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by a user device to access the first network.

[0164] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0165] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0166] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the independent non-public network.

[0167] Determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to a user device may include: based on information indicating that the user device supports dual registration, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device; or based on the user device being registered with the first network, receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user device; and based on the information received from the first application function, determining to provide information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0168] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0169] The method may also include: sending a protection request to the authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting an independent non-public network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting an independent non-public network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0170] The method may be performed by a device for a subscribed independent non-public network or a device for a credential holder network.

[0171] The certificate holder network may be another independent non-public network or a home public land mobile network.

[0172] According to the forty-third aspect, a method performed by a first application function is provided, the method comprising: based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, determining to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, sending information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment.

[0173] The method may be executed by a roaming guidance application function.

[0174] According to the forty-fourth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: based on a user device registering with a first network, receiving a protection request from a device, the protection request comprising information for selecting an independent non-public network; based on the user device registering with the first network, determining, based on the request, a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of an independent non-public network; and sending a protection response to the device, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0175] According to a 45th aspect, there is provided a method performed by a subscribed independent non-public network or a voucher holder network of a user device, the method comprising a method according to any one of aspects 42 to 44.

[0176] According to the forty-sixth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a user device, causes the user device to perform at least the following items: registering the user device to a first network; selecting a second network to register the user device based on registering the user device to the first network; and registering the user device to the selected second network.

[0177] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the user equipment to further execute: receiving information for selecting a second network, wherein: the information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, each priority set of candidate second networks may include multiple candidate second networks, and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second network.

[0178] Selecting the second network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for registering the user equipment to the first network; and selecting the second network from a plurality of candidate second networks included in the selected priority set.

[0179] Selecting the second network from the plurality of candidate second networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second networks in the selected priority set.

[0180] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0181] According to the forty-seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and a second network; based on the reception, determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0182] The information for selecting the second network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second networks may include multiple candidate second networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first network.

[0183] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home network or the visited network.

[0184] Determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment may include: determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration; or receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; and determining to provide information for selecting a second network to the user equipment based on the information received from the first application function.

[0185] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0186] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the device to further execute: sending a protection request to the authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0187] The means may include means for unified data management function or means for second application function.

[0188] According to the forty-eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device for a first application function, causes the device to perform at least the following items: based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, determine to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, send information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user equipment.

[0189] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0190] According to the forty-ninth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by an apparatus for authenticating a server function, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: based on a user device registering with a first network, receiving a protection request from the apparatus, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second network; based on the request, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of the second network according to the user device registering with the first network; and sending a protection response to the apparatus, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0191] According to the fiftieth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a user device, causes the user device to perform at least the following items: registering the user device to a first public land mobile network; selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user device based on registering the user device to the first public land mobile network; and registering the user device to the selected second public land mobile network.

[0192] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the user equipment to further execute: receiving information for selecting a second public land mobile network, wherein: the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include: multiple candidate second public land mobile networks, and are associated with corresponding combinations of the first public land mobile network and the access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting the second public land mobile network.

[0193] Selecting the second public land mobile network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks associated with a combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology for registration of the user equipment to the first public land mobile network; and selecting the second public land mobile network from a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks included in the selected priority set.

[0194] Selecting the second public land mobile network from the plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks may be based on a priority order of the candidate second public land mobile networks in the selected priority set.

[0195] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0196] Registering the user equipment with the first public land mobile network may include sending information to the first public land mobile network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0197] According to the fifty-first aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the reception, determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user device according to the user device registering to the first public land mobile network; and sending information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user device.

[0198] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks may include multiple candidate second public land mobile networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of the first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network.

[0199] The information for selecting the second public land mobile network may include one or more of the following items: an operator-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled second public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; a user-controlled public land mobile network selector with an access technology list; or a home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

[0200] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the home public land mobile network or the visited public land mobile network.

[0201] Determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment may include: determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration; or receiving information from a first application function based on the user equipment being registered with a first public land mobile network, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment based on the information received from the first application function.

[0202] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0203] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the device to further execute: sending a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting a second public land mobile network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending the information for selecting the second public land mobile network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0204] The means may include means for unified data management function or means for second application function.

[0205] According to the fifty-second aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device for a first application function, causes the device to perform at least the following items: based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, determine to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, send information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0206] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0207] According to the fifty-third aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by an apparatus for authenticating a server function, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: based on a user device being registered with a first public land mobile network, receiving a protection request from the apparatus, the protection request comprising information for the user device to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; based on the request, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user device to perform selection of a second public land mobile network according to the user device being registered with the first public land mobile network; and sending a protection response to the apparatus, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0208] According to the fifty-fourth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a user device, causes the user device to perform at least the following items: registering the user device to a first network; selecting an independent non-public network to register the user device based on registering the user device to the first network; and registering the user device to the selected independent non-public network.

[0209] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the user device to further execute: receiving information for selecting an independent non-public network, wherein: the information for selecting an independent non-public network may include information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks, and may be associated with a first network and a corresponding combination of access technologies used by the user device to access the first network, and the selection may also be based on the information for selecting an independent non-public network.

[0210] Selecting an independent non-public network may include: selecting one of one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks associated with a combination of the first network and an access technology for user equipment to register with the first network; and selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set.

[0211] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0212] The first network may be a public land mobile network, and wherein selecting an independent non-public network from a plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include: prioritizing an independent non-public network corresponding to an identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network; and selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority list of independent non-public networks when the independent non-public network corresponding to the identifier of the subscribed independent non-public network is not available.

[0213] The first network may be another independent non-public network, and wherein selecting the independent non-public network from the plurality of candidate independent non-public networks included in the selected priority set may include selecting the independent non-public network based on the priority set of independent non-public networks.

[0214] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0215] Registering the user equipment with the first network may include sending information to the first network indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration.

[0216] According to the fifty-fifth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: receiving information indicating that a user device supports dual registration for registering to a first network and registering to an independent non-public network; based on the reception, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device in accordance with the user device registering to the first network; and sending information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device.

[0217] The information for selecting an independent non-public network may include: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate independent non-public networks, and wherein each priority set of candidate independent non-public networks may include multiple candidate independent non-public networks and may be associated with a corresponding combination of a first network and an access technology used by a user device to access the first network.

[0218] Each priority set may include: an identifier of a subscribed independent non-public network; and a prioritized list of candidate independent non-public networks for second independent non-public network selection.

[0219] The user device may have a registration associated with a public land mobile network subscription, and wherein the information for selecting the independent non-public network may include one or more of: a user-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; a credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred independent non-public networks; and a credential holder-controlled priority list of group identifiers for network selection.

[0220] The information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration may be received during registration of the user equipment with the independent non-public network.

[0221] Determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to a user device may include: based on information indicating that the user device supports dual registration, determining to provide information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user device; or based on the user device being registered with the first network, receiving information from a first application function, the information being used to enable the device to send information for selecting a second network to the user device; and based on the information received from the first application function, determining to provide information for selecting the second network to the user device.

[0222] The first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0223] When the instruction is executed, the instruction may cause the device to further execute: sending a protection request to an authentication server function, the protection request including information for selecting an independent non-public network; receiving a protection response from the authentication server function, the protection response including a media access control element; wherein sending information for selecting an independent non-public network may also include sending a media access control element.

[0224] The means may include means for a subscribed independent non-public network or means for a credential holder network.

[0225] The certificate holder network may be another independent non-public network or a home public land mobile network.

[0226] According to the fifty-sixth aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device for a first application function, causes the device to perform at least the following items: based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, determine to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment; and based on the user equipment being registered with the first network, send information to the device, the information being used to cause the device to send information for selecting an independent non-public network to the user equipment.

[0227] The device may be a device for a roaming guidance application function.

[0228] According to the fifty-seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed by an apparatus for authenticating a server function, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following items: receiving a protection request from the apparatus, the protection request comprising information for selecting an independent non-public network; based on the request, determining a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform the selection of the independent non-public network according to the registration of the user equipment with the first network; and sending a protection response to the apparatus, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0229] According to a fifty-eighth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, causes the device to at least perform a method according to any one of the preceding aspects.

[0230] In the above (and as provided herein), many different example embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that other example embodiments may be provided by a combination of any two or more of the example embodiments described above (and further described herein). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0231] In the following, some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0232] Figure 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

[0233] Figure 2 shows a representation of a control device according to some example embodiments;

[0234] Figure 3 shows representations of apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0235] Figure 4 Methods according to some examples are shown;

[0236] Figure 5 and 6 An example structure of information for selecting a second network is shown;

[0237] Figure 7 Signaling exchanges according to some examples are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0238] In the following, certain example embodiments are explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of any example embodiments is provided by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples only and is by no means intended to be construed as limiting.

[0239] The terms used herein are generally provided for describing only certain example embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, all technical terms and scientific terms used herein may have the same meanings as those generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject disclosure belongs.

[0240] References in this disclosure to "example embodiments," "some example embodiments," "certain example embodiments," "various example embodiments," and the like indicate that the referenced embodiment(s) described may include particular feature(s), structures(s), or characteristics(s), but not every example embodiment described herein includes the particular feature(s), structures(s), or characteristics(s). Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same example embodiment. Further, when particular feature(s), structures(s), or characteristics(s) are described in conjunction with an example embodiment, whether or not such combination is explicitly described, it is asserted that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to combine such feature(s), structures(s), or characteristics(s) in conjunction with any other example embodiment described herein.

[0241] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "having", "having", "including" and / or "containing" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0242] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "A" occurs, and one or more intermediate steps may be included between "A" and the step.

[0243] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the expression "first X" and "second X" include options where "first X" is the same as "second X" and "first X" is different from "second X". Therefore, it should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a "first element" may be referred to as a "second element", and similarly, a "second element" may be referred to as a "first element".

[0244] Before explaining various exemplary embodiments in detail, Figure 1 , 23 briefly explain certain aspects of a wireless communication system, its access system, and a mobile communication device to assist in understanding the underlying technologies of the described example embodiments.

[0245] Figure 1 A schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) is shown. The 5GS may consist of a terminal or user equipment (UE), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application functions (AFs), and one or more data networks (DNs).

[0246] The 5G-RAN may include one or more gNodeBs (GNBs) connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized unit functions or one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed unit functions.

[0247] 5GC may include the following entities: network slice selection function (NSSF); network exposure function; network repository function (NRF); policy control function (PCF); unified data management (UDM); application function (AF); authentication server function (AUSF); access and mobility management function (AMF); and session management function (SMF). Figure 1 Also shown are various interfaces (N1, N2, etc.) that may be implemented between the various elements of the system.

[0248] Figure 2 The diagram shows the Figure 1 An example of a control device 200 for the functions of the illustrated 5GRAN or 5GC. The control device may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. At least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may, for example, allow one or more steps to be executed to perform one or more aspects of the present aspect. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 that controls another function of the 5GRAN or 5GC. In some example embodiments, each function of the 5GRAN or 5GC includes a control device 200. In an alternative example embodiment, two or more functions of the 5GRAN or 5GC may share a control device.

[0249] Figure 3 An example of a terminal 300 is shown, such as Figure 1The illustrated terminal. The terminal 300 can be provided by any device configured to send and receive radio signals. Non-limiting and illustrative examples include user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smart phone"), a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) device, an Internet of Things (IoT) type communication device, or any combination of these, etc. The terminal 300 can provide, for example, data communication for bearer communication. The communication can be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data, etc.

[0250] The terminal 300 may receive signals via an air interface or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for reception, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmission of radio signals. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the transceiver arrangement is schematically indicated by block 306. For example, the transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided by means of a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0251] The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks designed to be performed, including controlling access to access systems and other communication devices and communication with access systems and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302b and ROM 302a. At least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may, for example, allow execution of one or more aspects of the present aspect. The software code 308 may be stored in ROM 302a.

[0252] The processor, storage and other related control means may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 305, a touch sensitive screen or pad, a combination thereof, etc. Optionally, one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of device.

[0253] In some example embodiments, the UE may have dual connectivity capabilities, for example, the UE may be able to simultaneously maintain registration with a first network and a second network. The two networks may be managed by the same operator or different operators. The networks may be, for example, a public land mobile network (PLMN), a non-public network (NPN), or a stand-alone NPN (SNPN).

[0254] Mechanisms are in place to define how the UE selects the first network, for example using lists specified in existing standards, such as "HPLMN selector with access technology" for registering to a Home PLMN (HPLMN), or "operator-controlled PLMN selector with access technology" and "user-controlled PLMN selector with access technology" for selecting a PLMN when the HPLMN is not available.

[0255] However, when the UE has registered with the first network, a mechanism needs to be provided to define how the UE selects the second network. Specifically, the UE needs a mechanism to select the second PLMN or SNPN for the second registration.

[0256] Some example embodiments may address this issue.Some example embodiments may provide a mechanism for a UE to select a second network for registration when the UE has an existing registration at a first network.

[0257] Reference Figure 4 , which illustrates methods according to some example embodiments.

[0258] At 400, a method includes registering a user equipment with a first public land mobile network.

[0259] At 402, the method includes selecting a second public land mobile network to register a user equipment based on registering the user equipment with the first public land mobile network.

[0260] At 404, the method includes registering the user equipment with the selected second public land mobile network.

[0261] In some example embodiments, steps 400 to 404 may be performed at or by a user device.

[0262] At 406, a method includes receiving information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering with a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network.

[0263] At 408, the method includes determining, based on the receiving, to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment in accordance with the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network.

[0264] In 410, the method includes sending information for selecting a second public land mobile network to a user equipment.

[0265] In some example embodiments, steps 406 to 410 may be performed at or by an apparatus, such as an apparatus for UDM or an apparatus for application functionality.

[0266] At 412, the method includes determining, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, to cause information for selecting a second public land mobile network to be sent to the user equipment.

[0267] At 414, the method includes sending information to the apparatus based on the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0268] In some example embodiments, steps 412 to 414 may be performed at or by a device for the first application function.In some example embodiments, the first application function may be a roaming guidance application function.

[0269] At 416, the method includes receiving, from the apparatus, a protection request based on the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network, the protection request including information for the user equipment to perform selection of a second public land mobile network.

[0270] At 418, the method includes determining, based on the request and in accordance with registration of the user equipment with the first public land mobile network, a medium access control element associated with information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network.

[0271] At 420, the method includes sending a protection response to the device, the protection response including a media access control element.

[0272] In some example embodiments, steps 416 to 420 may be performed at or by an apparatus for authenticating server functionality.

[0273] In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured with information for selecting a second network to register with. The UE may select the second network to register with based on the information.

[0274] For example, the UE may be configured with information for selecting the second network by a home network (e.g., a home network in India). The UE may then register with the first network (e.g., the UE may travel from India to the United States and register with the first network while in the United States). The UE may then select the second network based on the UE's registration with the first network and the information for selecting the second network.

[0275] In some example embodiments, the information for selecting the second network may be provided in a new list, such as "second HPLMN selector with access technology", "operator-controlled second PLMN selector with access technology" and / or "user-controlled second PLMN selector with access technology", or may be a modified version of an existing list, such as "HPLMN selector with access technology", "operator-controlled PLMN selector with access technology" and "user-controlled PLMN selector with access technology", which is modified to include information for selecting the second network to be registered with.

[0276] In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured with a “Subscriber Data List” which may include (per subscriber SUPI) additional information for selecting a second network to register with (e.g. a “prioritized list of SNPNs for second SNPN selection”).

[0277] In some example embodiments, information for selecting a second network may be provided in a new list, such as a “second user-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs,” “second credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs,” and / or “second credential holder-controlled priority list of GINs” (group identifiers for network selection), or in a modified version of an existing list, such as a “user-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs,” “credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs,” and / or “credential holder-controlled priority list of GINs,” which is modified to include information for selecting a second network to register with.

[0278] In some example embodiments, the UE may receive information for selecting the second network from a "home" network, such as a home PLMN (HPLMN). For example, the UE may receive one or more of the following from the home network: a "second HPLMN selector with access technology", a "operator-controlled second PLMN selector with access technology", a "user-controlled second PLMN selector with access technology", a "second user-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs", a "second credential holder-controlled priority list of preferred SNPNs", and / or a "second credential holder-controlled priority list of GINs".

[0279] In some example embodiments, the UE may provide an indication of whether it supports multi-access registration. In some example embodiments, this may be an explicit indication, or by including additional information (e.g., "Registration Id") in the registration request when registering with the home network. When the UE registers with the first network and / or the home network, the indication may be sent by the UE to the first network and / or the home network.

[0280] Based on this indication, the UDM or other AF of the home network may store data in a flag in the UE subscription, which indicates whether the UE supports multiple 3GPP access registrations.

[0281] An application function at the home network, such as a Steering of Roaming (SoR) application function (AF), may determine whether the UE supports multiple access registration by checking information associated with the UE stored in the UDM or other AF. In some example embodiments, in response to determining that the UE supports multiple access registration, the UE may be configured with information for selecting a second network to register with.

[0282] In some example embodiments, the information for selecting the second network may include one or more priority sets of candidate second networks. Each priority set may include one or more candidate second networks and a priority associated with each candidate second network. Each priority set of candidate second networks may be associated with the user equipment registration to the first network, and the access technology or access type used to access the first network. In some example embodiments, the first network may be a home network, or in other example embodiments may be a different network (e.g., the home network may be a HPLMN and the first network may be a visited PLMN (VPLMN)). The home network may be a PLMN, an NPN, or an SNPN.

[0283] In some example embodiments, the UE may select a candidate second network based on the UE being registered with the first network. For example, the UE may select a priority set of candidate second networks associated with the first network to which the UE is registered. The UE may then select the second network from the selected priority set of candidate second networks. The UE may select the second network in the priority order indicated in the priority set.

[0284] Figure 5 An example structure of information for selecting a second network is shown. Figure 5 In the example, the first network and the second network are PLMNs. Figure 5 The example shown in may represent a new list, such as the previously mentioned "second PLMN selector with operator control of access technology".

[0285] like Figure 5 As illustrated in , if the user equipment is registered to the first network is the first combination 500, the user equipment may select the first priority set of candidate second networks 502. If the user equipment is registered to the first network is the second combination 504, the user equipment may select the second priority set of candidate second networks 506.

[0286] exist Figure 5In the example shown, the first combination is "ATT" (indicating that AT&T is the PLMN provider) and the access technology / type is "NR", and the first priority set of candidate second networks includes "PLMN=ATT, Access Technology=NR" with a priority of 1 and "PLMN=ATT, Access Technology=NR" with a priority of 2.

[0287] That is, if the UE registers to a first network using AT&T using NR access, the UE may select a second network provided by AT&T using NR access.

[0288] like Figure 5 As further illustrated in the figure, the second combination is "T-Mobile US" and the access technology / type is "NR", and the second priority set of candidate second networks includes "PLMN=ATT, Access Technology=NR" with a priority of 1 and "PLMN=TMOBILE, Access Technology=SAT" with a priority of 2.

[0289] That is, if the UE registers to a first network with T-Mobile US using NR access, the UE may prioritize a second network provided by AT&T using NR access, and if this is not available, the UE may fall back to selecting a second network provided by T-Mobile using satellite access.

[0290] Figure 6 Another example structure of information for selecting a second network is shown. Figure 6 In the example, the first network and the second network are PLMNs. Figure 6 The example shown may represent a modified version of an existing list, such as the previously mentioned "Operator controlled PLMN selector with access technology".

[0291] like Figure 6 As shown in , the information may include multiple combinations of candidate first networks and access technologies / types for accessing the associated first networks 608. For each candidate first network, there is an associated prioritized set of candidate second networks provided in a nested manner.

[0292] For example, Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , there are two candidate first network combinations—the first candidate 600 (“PLMN=ATT, access technology=NR”) has a higher priority than the second candidate 604 (“PLMN=TMobile, access technology=NR”). Depending on the candidate first network combination selected for the user equipment to register with the first network, the user equipment may have a different priority set of candidate second networks.

[0293] like Figure 6As shown in , if the user equipment selects the first candidate first network combination 600 ("PLMN=ATT, access technology=NR"), then the first priority set of candidate second networks 602 ("PLMN=ATT, access technology=NR" with a priority of 1 and "PLMN=ATT, access technology=NR" with a priority of 2) is presented to the user equipment.

[0294] However, if the user device cannot access the first candidate first network using the first candidate first network combination 600, the user device may select the second candidate first network combination 604 ("PLMN=TMobile, access technology=NR"), and then present a second priority set of candidate second networks 606 to the user device ("PLMN=ATT, access technology=NR" with a priority of 1 and "PLMN=TMobile, access technology=SAT" with a priority of 2).

[0295] It should be understood that although Figure 5 and 6 The example embodiments shown in relate to "operator-controlled PLMN selector with access technology", but the above principles can be applied to other lists, such as but not limited to "HPLMN selector with access technology" and "user-controlled PLMN selector with access technology". It should be further understood that the above concepts related to PLMN selection can be applied to SNPN selection, as will be described in further detail below.

[0296] Furthermore, it should be understood that in some example embodiments, the Figure 5 and 6 It should be understood that in some example embodiments, there may be a first priority set of candidate second networks for a first combination of a first network and an access type, and a second priority set of candidate second networks for a second combination of a first network and an access type. The candidate second networks in the first priority set and the second priority set may be different or may be the same. When selecting a first network to register with, there may be another priority order for different combinations of first networks and access types for a user device.

[0297] In some example embodiments, the home network (eg, UDM / AF / SoR AF) may provide the UE with information for selecting the second network data. The UE may then select the second network based on the received information.

[0298] In some example embodiments, to perform SNPN selection, the UE may be configured with a list, such as a “Subscriber Data List.” Each entry in the list may include a subscriber identity (e.g., in the form of a SUPI) and an SNPN ID corresponding to the subscribed SNPN, and optionally additional information.

[0299] In some example embodiments, if the UE has a USIM that has a first network (e.g., PLMN) subscription, the UE may be configured with SNPN selection parameters associated with the first network subscription. For example, the UE may be configured with information indicating one or more of: a user-controlled priority set of preferred SNPNs, a credential holder-controlled priority set of preferred SNPNs, and / or a credential holder-controlled priority set of GINs.

[0300] In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured with a list, such as a modified version of the "Subscriber Data List", including information for selecting the second network. In some example embodiments, the information for selecting the second network may include a "prioritized set of SNPNs for second SNPN selection".

[0301] In some example embodiments, each entry in the list may include a SUPI, a subscribed SNPN ID, and a prioritized set of SNPN IDs for second SNPN selection.

[0302] In some example embodiments, when the UE is performing network selection for a first registration (e.g., registering to a first network), the UE may give highest priority to the SNPN corresponding to the subscribed SNPN ID. If the SNPN corresponding to the subscribed SNPN ID is not available, the UE may search for available SNPNs (in priority order) based on the priority set of SNPN IDs for the second SNPN selection associated with the subscription (SUPI) of the first registration.

[0303] In some example embodiments, when the UE is performing network selection for a second network registration, if the UE is already registered to the SNPN corresponding to the subscribed SNPN ID (due to the first registration), the UE may search for an available SNPN (in order of priority) from the prioritized set of SNPN IDs for the second SNPN selection associated with the subscription (SUPI). If the UE is registered to the PLMN (due to the first registration), the UE may give the highest priority to the SNPN corresponding to the subscribed SNPN ID for the second network registration. If the SNPN corresponding to the subscribed SNPN ID is not available, the UE may search for an available SNPN (in order of priority) from the prioritized set of SNPN IDs for the second SNPN selection for the second network registration.

[0304] Reference Figure 7 , which shows an example signaling exchange for performing network selection. Specifically, Figure 7 An example is shown where the UE is configured for use by the home network (in Figure 7 In the example of , the UE selects information of a second network (PLMN) and the UE is selecting a second PLMN to register with. Figure 7 In the examples shown in and described below, reference is made to the UDM - it should be understood that in some example embodiments, the UDM may be replaced by another AF that performs the same function as the UDM. It should be understood that, as previously described, Figure 7 The example signaling exchange shown in may be applicable to SNPN selection. In the case of SNPN selection, the home network may be a subscribed SNPN (eg, a SNPN subscribed to by the UE), or may be a voucher holder network (eg, a SNPN or a PLMN).

[0305] In 700, during registration to the home network, the UE may provide an indication that it supports dual registration. The indication may be sent from the UE to the home network in a registration message. Alternatively, the UE may provide a registration identifier as part of the registration. The home UDM may store the indication that the UE supports dual registration.

[0306] In 702, the AF of the home network (e.g., SoR AF) may determine to send information for selecting the second network to the UE. For example, the AF may check whether the UE supports multiple access registration by checking a flag in the UDM. When the AF determines that the UE supports multiple access registration, the AF may provide the UDM with information for selecting the second network.

[0307] Alternatively, the UDM may determine to send information for selecting the second network to the UE. For example, the UDM may determine whether the UE supports multiple access registration by checking the flag bit, and based on the flag bit, the UDM may determine that the information for selecting the second network is to be delivered to the UE.

[0308] The information used to select the second network may be as previously described.

[0309] In 704, the UDM may determine to use a security group mechanism (eg, as defined in 3GPP TS 31.115), and send a protection request (eg, SoR protection request) to the AUSF. The protection request may include information for selecting the second network.

[0310] In 706, the AUSF may generate a MAC-I including information for selecting the second network. AUSF (e.g. SOR-MAC-I AUSF), and sends the generated MAC-I to UDM AUSF AUSF can also send a response with MAC-I AUSF The associated counter information.

[0311] In 708, the UDM may send information for selecting a second network to the UE via one or more intermediate nodes (such as AMF). In some example embodiments, the UDM may transmit the MAC-I received from the AUSF to the UE. AUSF The UE may generate its own MAC-I based on the received information for selecting the second network. AUSF version, and the MAC-I generated by the UE AUSF Received from UDM MAC-I AUSF When two MAC-I AUSF At the same time, the UE may determine that the information used to select the second network is not modified by the intermediate node.

[0312] In 710, the UE may store information for selecting the second network. For example, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) may store the information.

[0313] In some example embodiments, if the home network has requested re-registration (eg, due to a new configuration update), the UE may trigger a registration request using the updated information.

[0314] In 712, the UE may select a secondary PLMN based on the provided information for selecting the second network and the user equipment being registered with the first network. The information for selecting the second network may be as previously described.

[0315] Various example embodiments have been described in which a UE may select a second network for secondary registration based on the UE registering with a first network. The home network may configure the UE with information for selecting the second network. For example, the UE may be configured with multiple priority sets of candidate second networks, each set being associated with a different combination of a first network and an access technology for accessing the first network. The UE may select a priority set associated with a combination of a first network and an access technology for registering the UE with the network, and then select the second network based on the selected priority set.

[0316] In some example embodiments, a user device is provided that includes components for: registering the user device with a first public land mobile network; selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user device based on the user device registering with the first public land mobile network; and registering the user device with the selected second public land mobile network.

[0317] In some example embodiments, a user device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user device to at least: register the user device to a first public land mobile network; select a second public land mobile network to register the user device based on registering the user device to the first public land mobile network; and register the user device to the selected second public land mobile network.

[0318] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes means for: receiving information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering with a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the receiving, determining to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment in accordance with the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; and sending information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0319] In some example embodiments, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive information indicating that a user equipment supports dual registration for registering with a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; based on the receiving, determine to provide information for selecting a second public land mobile network to the user equipment in accordance with the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; and send information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0320] In some example embodiments, the apparatus may be implemented as an apparatus for a UDM. For example, the apparatus may be configured to operate as a UDM. Specifically, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of a UDM.

[0321] Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, the device may be implemented as a device for an application function. For example, the device may be configured to operate as an application function. Specifically, the device may be configured to perform one or more functions of the application function.

[0322] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for a first application function is provided, the apparatus comprising components for: determining, based on a user equipment being registered with a first public land mobile network, to cause information for selecting a second public land mobile network to be sent to the user equipment; and, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, sending information to the apparatus, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0323] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for a first application function is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine, based on a user equipment being registered with a first public land mobile network, to cause information for selecting a second public land mobile network to be sent to the user equipment; and, based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, send information to the apparatus, the information being used to cause the apparatus to send information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment.

[0324] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for authenticating a server function is provided, the apparatus comprising components for: receiving a protection request from the apparatus based on a user equipment registering with a first public land mobile network, the protection request including information for the user equipment to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; determining, based on the request, a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network in accordance with the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; and sending a protection response to the apparatus, the protection response including the media access control element.

[0325] In some example embodiments, an apparatus for authenticating a server function is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: receive a protection request from an apparatus based on a user equipment registering with a first public land mobile network, the protection request comprising information for the user equipment to perform selection of a second public land mobile network; based on the request, determine a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network according to the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; and send a protection response to the apparatus, the protection response comprising the media access control element.

[0326] It is to be understood that the references to various network functions (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) above may include devices that perform at least some functionality associated with these network functions. Further, the device including the network function may include a virtual network function instance of the network function.

[0327] It should be understood that the device may include or be coupled to other units or modules, such as a radio part or a radio head, for use in transmission and / or reception or for transmission and / or reception. Although the device has been described as one entity, the different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0328] It should be noted that while some example embodiments have been described with respect to 5G networks, similar concepts may also be applied with respect to other networks and communication systems (such as 4G, 6G, 7G, etc., and / or in other wireless or wired communication networks). Therefore, while certain example embodiments are described above by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples with reference to certain example architectures of wireless networks, technologies, and standards, the example embodiments may be applied to any other suitable form of communication system in addition to the communication system illustrated and described herein.

[0329] It is also noted herein that while various example embodiments are described above, there are several changes and modifications that may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0330] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions (wherein a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) mean at least any one element, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all elements. As used herein, the expression “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items.

[0331] In general, various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some example embodiments of the subject disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various example embodiments of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is fully understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0332] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following example embodiments:

[0333] (a) hardware circuit implementations only (such as implementations using only analog and / or digital circuitry); and

[0334] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0335] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0336] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions and (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), which requires software (e.g. firmware) to operate, but which may be absent when not required for operation.

[0337] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry would also cover an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0338] The various example embodiments disclosed in the subject matter may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device (such as in a processor entity), or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets and / or macros) may be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions to perform specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components, which are configured to perform any example embodiment (or some combination thereof) when the program is run. One or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or part thereof.

[0339] Further, in this regard, it should be noted that any box of the logic flow in the accompanying drawings can represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, boxes and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, boxes and functions. The software can be stored in such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented in processors, magnetic media (such as hard disks or floppy disks), and optical media (such as, for example, DVDs and data variants thereof, CDs). Physical media are non-transient media.

[0340] The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a restriction on the medium itself (eg, tangible, not a signal), not on the persistence of data storage (eg, RAM vs. ROM).

[0341] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting and illustrative examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0342] The exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be practiced in various components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0343] The scope of protection sought by various exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure is defined by the independent claims. The exemplary embodiments described herein and their aspects, features, etc. (if any) that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims will be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0344] The subject disclosure provides a complete and informative description of various example embodiments herein by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples. However, in view of the foregoing description, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such modifications and similar modifications of the teachings of the various example embodiments will still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, there are additional example embodiments, including combinations of one or more example embodiments with any other example embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A user equipment comprising components for: registering the user equipment with a first public land mobile network; selecting a second public land mobile network to register the user equipment based on registering the user equipment with the first public land mobile network; and The user equipment is registered with the selected second public land mobile network.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, further comprising means for: receiving information for selecting the second public land mobile network, wherein: The information for selecting the second public land mobile network comprises: information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks comprises a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks and is associated with a respective combination of a first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network, and The selecting is also based on the information used to select the second public land mobile network.

3. The user equipment of claim 2, wherein selecting the second public land mobile network comprises: selecting one of the one or more prioritized sets of candidate second public land mobile networks associated with the combination of a first public land mobile network and an access technology for registration of the user equipment with the first public land mobile network; as well as The second public land mobile network is selected from the plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks included in the selected priority set.

4. An apparatus for use in a communication network, comprising means for: receiving information indicating that the user equipment supports dual registration for registering with a first public land mobile network and a second public land mobile network; determining, based on the receiving, in accordance with the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, to provide information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment; as well as The information for selecting the second public land mobile network is sent to the user equipment.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the information for selecting the second public land mobile network comprises: Information indicating one or more priority sets of candidate second public land mobile networks, wherein each priority set of candidate second public land mobile networks comprises a plurality of candidate second public land mobile networks and is associated with a respective combination of a first public land mobile network and an access technology used by the user equipment to access the first public land mobile network.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the information for selecting the second public land mobile network comprises one or more of the following: an operator controlled second public land mobile network selector having an access technology list; a second home public land mobile network selector having an access technology list; a user controlled second public land mobile network selector having an access technology list; an operator-controlled public land mobile network selector with a list of access technologies; a user controlled PLMN selector with a list of access technologies; or A home public land mobile network selector with an access technology list.

7. An apparatus for a first application function, the apparatus comprising means for: Based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, determining to cause information for selecting a second public land mobile network to be sent to the user equipment; and Based on the user equipment being registered with the first public land mobile network, information is sent to a device, the information being used to cause the device to send the information for selecting the second public land mobile network to the user equipment. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the first application function is a roaming guidance application function.

9. An apparatus for authenticating server functionality, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from the apparatus, a protection request based on registration of the user equipment with the first public land mobile network, the protection request including information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network; determining, based on the request, a media access control element associated with the information for the user equipment to perform selection of the second public land mobile network in accordance with the user equipment registering with the first public land mobile network; as well as A protection response is sent to the device, the protection response including the medium access control element.

10. A home public land mobile network of a user equipment, comprising: The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6; The device according to claim 7 or 8; as well as The device according to claim 9.

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