Network selection method, terminal device and network device

Abstract

This application relates to a network selection method. The method includes: a terminal device selecting at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to a first list. In embodiments of this application, the terminal device, by selecting at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to a first list, achieves the selection of access to multiple PLMNs and / or the use of multiple access technologies to access PLMNs.

Description

Network selection method, terminal device, and network device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a network selection method, a terminal device, and a network device. Background Art

[0002] When a terminal device is powered on or enters idle mode, it selects a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). A terminal device can only select one PLMN and use one access technology to access that PLMN. However, in some scenarios, a terminal device needs to select two or more PLMNs or use two or more different access technologies (ATs) to access a PLMN. In such scenarios, how a terminal device selects multiple PLMNs and / or multiple access technologies is a technical issue that needs to be addressed.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a network selection method, a terminal device, and a network device, which can select multiple PLMNs and / or multiple access technologies.

[0005] This embodiment of the present application provides a network selection method, including:

[0006] The terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list.

[0007] This embodiment of the present application provides a network selection method, including:

[0008] The first network device sends a first list to the terminal device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0009] This embodiment of the present application provides a network selection method, including:

[0010] The second network device sends a first list of terminal devices to the first network device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0011] An embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, including:

[0012] The first processing unit is configured to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list.

[0013] An embodiment of the present application provides a first network device, including:

[0014] The second transceiver unit is used to send a first list to the terminal device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies and one or more core network types.

[0015] An embodiment of the present application provides a second network device, including:

[0016] The third transceiver unit is used to send a first list of terminal devices to the first network device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies and one or more core network types.

[0017] An embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, comprising: a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the terminal device performs the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0018] An embodiment of the present application provides a network device, comprising: a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory to enable the network device to perform the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip for implementing the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0020] Specifically, the chip includes: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0021] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a device, the device executes the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0022] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions, which enable a computer to execute the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0023] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the above-mentioned network selection method.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies and one or more core network types according to the first list, thereby realizing the selection of access to multiple PLMNs and / or access to PLMNs using multiple access technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5G system architecture.

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a UE accessing a core network simultaneously through a 3GPP access technology and a non-3GPP access technology.

[0027] FIG3 is a schematic flowchart of a network selection method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an implementation manner in which a terminal device obtains a first list in a network selection method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a network selection method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a network selection method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG7 is an implementation flow chart of the first embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG8 is a flowchart of the implementation of the second embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 1000 according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a first network device 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of a second network device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a second network device 1300 according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG15 is a schematic block diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0041] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Fifth Generation (5G) system or other communication systems.

[0042] Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but will also support, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0043] In one embodiment, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, and a standalone (SA) networking scenario.

[0044] In one embodiment, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum, wherein the unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as a shared spectrum; or, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to an authorized spectrum, wherein the authorized spectrum can also be considered as an unshared spectrum.

[0045] The embodiments of the present application describe various embodiments in conjunction with network devices and terminal devices, wherein the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0046] The terminal device can be a station (STAION, ST) in a WLAN, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system such as an NR network, or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.).

[0048] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc.

[0049] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may be a device for communicating with a mobile device. The network device may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device (gNB) in an NR network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network or a network device in an NTN network, etc.

[0051] As an example and not a limitation, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device may have a mobile feature, for example, the network device may be a mobile device. Alternatively, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device may also be a base station set up in a location such as land or water.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device can provide services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell can be a cell corresponding to the network device (for example, a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cells here may include: metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0053] In an embodiment of the present application, the network equipment may include access network equipment and core network equipment. That is, the wireless communication system also includes multiple core networks for communicating with the access network equipment. The access network equipment may be an evolutionary base station (evolutional node B, referred to as eNB or e-NodeB) macro base station, micro base station (also called "small base station"), pico base station, access point (AP), transmission point (TP) or new generation Node B (gNodeB), etc. in a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a next-generation (mobile communication system) (next radio, NR) system or an authorized auxiliary access long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) system.

[0054] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, devices having communication functions in the network / system may be referred to as communication devices. Communication devices may include network devices and terminal devices having communication functions. The network devices and terminal devices may be specific devices in the embodiments of the present application and will not be described in detail here. Communication devices may also include other devices in the communication system, such as network controllers, mobility management entities, and other network entities, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0055] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" is simply a description of an association between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0056] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0057] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0058] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following relevant technologies can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0059] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5G system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, a UE accesses the core network through a base station node (i.e., a Radio Access Network (RAN) / Access Network (AN) node). In Figure 1, except for the UE, RAN / AN nodes, and data network (DN), all other nodes are core network nodes. Core network nodes are further divided into user plane function (UPF) nodes and control plane nodes.

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a UE accessing the core network simultaneously through 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access technologies and non-3GPP access technologies. As shown in Figure 2, the UE can access the core network simultaneously through 3GPP access technologies and non-3GPP access technologies, and transmit data packets through 3GPP access or non-3GPP access.

[0061] Currently, a terminal device selects a PLMN when it is powered on or enters idle mode. For example, the mobile phone chip reads files such as the "HPLMN Selector with Access Technology," "User Controlled PLMN Selector with Access Technology," "Forbidden PLMNs," "Equivalent HPLMN," and "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector with Access Technology" from the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The chip's Non-Access Stratum (NAS) triggers the Access Stratum to read system information from surrounding cells and obtain the PLMN identifiers (IDs) of the surrounding cells from this information. This system information can be broadcast directly by the base station or by satellite. The Access Stratum then reports these PLMN IDs to the NAS layer, which selects the final PLMN from the aforementioned files.

[0062] Currently, a terminal device can only select one PLMN and use one access technology to access that PLMN. However, in some scenarios, a terminal device needs to select two or more PLMNs, or use two or more different access technologies (ATs) to access the PLMN. Access technologies include 2nd Generation Wireless Telephone Technology (2G) access technology, 3rd Generation Mobile Communication Technology (3G) access technology, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) (i.e., 4th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (4G) / Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology), Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) access technology (i.e., New Radio (NR) technology), and satellite NG-RAN access technology. Satellite NG-RAN access technologies include high-orbit satellite access, medium-orbit satellite access, and low-orbit satellite access. For example, a terminal device uses NR technology to access PLMN#1 and LTE technology to access PLMN#2; or a terminal device uses NR technology to access PLMN#1 and uses satellite NG-RAN technology to access PLMN#2; or a terminal device uses NR technology and satellite NG-RAN technology to access PLMN#1, etc. In these scenarios, how a terminal device selects multiple PLMNs and / or multiple access technologies is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0063] FIG3 is a schematic flow chart of a network selection method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can optionally be applied to the system shown in FIG1 or FIG2 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0064] S310. The terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list.

[0065] The first list may be configured by the network device for the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first list sent by the network device; or,

[0066] The first list may be stored in a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or a non-volatile memory of the terminal device, and the terminal device reads the first list from the SIM card or the non-volatile memory.

[0067] The terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies and one or more core network types according to the first list, accesses the selected PLMN, and uses the selected access technology / or core network type for access, thereby enabling the terminal device to access multiple PLMNs and access the PLMNs using multiple different access technologies.

[0068] Because the terminal device can select two or more PLMNs using a single first list, rather than using multiple lists (i.e., each list is used to select a single PLMN), the terminal device can use the first list to select two or more PLMNs with high priority for access. Furthermore, the terminal device can also use the first list to select two or more access technologies for PLMN access.

[0069] In one example, after receiving or reading the first list, the terminal device selects two PLMNs and an access technology according to the first list, and the terminal device can access the two PLMNs using the access technology.

[0070] In another example, after receiving or reading the first list, the terminal device selects two PLMNs and two access technologies according to the first list, and each PLMN is associated with one access technology; the terminal device can respectively use the two access technologies to access the associated PLMNs.

[0071] In another example, after receiving or reading the first list, the terminal device selects one PLMN and two access technologies according to the first list, and the terminal device can simultaneously access the PLMN using the two access technologies.

[0072] In the above manner, the terminal device can select multiple PLMNs and / or multiple access technologies.

[0073] The access technology may include at least one of 2G access technology, 3G access technology, E-UTRA, NG-RAN, and satellite NG-RAN. If the access technology cannot distinguish between EPC, 5C, and 6GC, the first list includes core network type information. The terminal device selects a core network type (Core Network Type) based on the information in the first list and uses the selected access technology and core network type to access one or more PLMNs.

[0074] The terminal device can be a single-SIM phone or a dual-SIM phone. A dual-SIM phone is a phone that has two SIM cards installed, while a single-SIM phone is a phone that can only have one SIM card installed.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first list includes one or more of the following:

[0076] One or more PLMNs;

[0077] one or more access technologies;

[0078] One or more core network types.

[0079] Each of the multiple PLMNs may have a different priority, each of the multiple access technologies may have a different priority, and each of the multiple core network types may have a different priority. The terminal device may select one or more PLMNs with a high priority based on the first list; and / or, based on the first list, select at least one of the one or more access technologies and / or core network types with a high priority. The terminal device may access the selected one or more PLMNs using the selected one or more access technologies and / or core network types.

[0080] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0081] When the PLMN in the first list is the PLMN (Register PLMN, RPLMN) currently registered by the terminal device, the terminal device may select at least one of the access technologies and core network types in the first list to access the PLMN (RPLMN) currently registered by the terminal device.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first list includes information about two or more PLMNs arranged in order of priority; wherein the information about each PLMN includes a PLMN identifier and an access technology identifier and / or core network type identifier corresponding to the PLMN. Using this first list, a terminal device can select the two or more PLMNs with the highest priority from the first list and access the PLMNs using the access technology and / or core network type corresponding to each selected PLMN, thereby enabling the terminal device to access two or more PLMNs.

[0083] In other embodiments, the first list includes a PLMN identifier and two or more access technology identifiers and / or core network type identifiers arranged in order of priority. Using this type of first list, the terminal device can select two or more access technologies and / or core network types with the highest priority from the first list and access the PLMN using the selected two or more access technologies and / or core network types, thereby enabling the terminal device to access the PLMN using two or more access technologies.

[0084] In other embodiments, the first list includes two or more access technology identifiers and / or core network type identifiers arranged in order of priority. Using this type of first list, the terminal device can select two or more access technologies and / or core network types with the highest priority from the first list, and use the selected two or more access technologies and / or core network types to access the currently registered PLMN (RPLMN), thereby enabling the terminal device to access the RPLMN using two or more access technologies.

[0085] In one example, the first list contains the following:

[0086] 1 st PLMN (highest priority)

[0087] 1 st PLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite NG-RAN

[0088] 1 st PLMN Core Network type = 5GC

[0089] 2 nd PLMN

[0090] 2 nd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite E-UTRA

[0091] 2 nd PLMN Core Network type = EPC

[0092] 3 rd PLMN

[0093] 3 rd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=E-UTRA

[0094] 3 rdPLMN Core Network type = EPC

[0095] The first list above includes 3 PLMNs (i.e. 1 st PLMN, 2 nd PLMN and 3 rd PLMN), three access technologies (satellite NG-RAN, satellite E-UTRA and E-UTRA) with high to low priority, and three core network types (5GC, EPC and EPC) with high to low priority. st The access technologies corresponding to PLMN are satellite NG-RAN, 1 st The core network type corresponding to PLMN is 5GC; 2 nd The access technologies corresponding to PLMN are satellite E-UTRA, 2 nd The core network type corresponding to PLMN is EPC; 3 rd The access technologies corresponding to PLMN are E-UTRA, 3 rd The core network type corresponding to PLMN is EPC.

[0096] According to the above-mentioned first list, if the terminal device needs to stay in the currently registered PLMN, for example, the network requires the terminal device to stay in the currently registered PLMN, it can select a PLMN with high priority and covering the surrounding cells from the first list after determining the candidate PLMN to which the surrounding cells belong, and use the access technology and core network type corresponding to the selected PLMN to access the PLMN.

[0097] Specifically, the terminal device may select one PLMN from the first list, and access the PLMN using the access technology and / or core network type corresponding to the PLMN; at the same time, the terminal device maintains the PLMN that has been accessed before.

[0098] Alternatively, if the terminal device can access two different PLMNs, it reselects the first two PLMNs with higher priorities and covering surrounding cells from the first list, and accesses the PLMN using the access technology and core network type corresponding to each PLMN. If the two PLMNs selected by the terminal device do not include RPLMN, the terminal device disconnects from the previously connected PLMN. If the two PLMNs selected by the terminal device include RPLMN, the terminal device remains in the RPLMN.

[0099] In another example, the first list contains the following:

[0100] PLMN#1

[0101] 1 st PLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite NG-RAN

[0102] 1 st PLMN Core Network type = 5GC

[0103] 2 nd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite E-UTRA

[0104] 2 nd PLMN Core Network type = EPC

[0105] 3 rd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=E-UTRA

[0106] In the first list above, there is one PLMN, PLMN#1, which is the PLMN (RPLMN) currently registered by the terminal device. PLMN#1 corresponds to three "Access Technology + Core Network Types" in descending order of priority: "Satellite NG-RAN + 5GC," "Satellite E-UTRA + EPC," and "E-UTRA." This first list implicitly indicates that the network only allows the terminal device to use the same PLMN.

[0107] The terminal device can select the two "access technologies + core network types" with the highest priority in the first list to access PLMN#1 (that is, the PLMN currently registered by the terminal device) based on factors such as the access technologies it supports. If the access technology with the highest priority and supported by the terminal device is already used by the terminal device to access the network, the terminal device uses another access technology to access the PLMN. Otherwise, the terminal device uses two access technologies to access the PLMN.

[0108] In another example, the first list does not include PLMNs. Instead, it only includes multiple "access technologies + core network types" ranked from high to low in priority. The terminal device can select the two "access technologies + core network types" with the highest priority in the first list to access the currently registered PLMN (RPLMN) based on factors such as the access technologies it supports. If the access technology with the highest priority and supported by the terminal device has already been used by the terminal device to access the network, the terminal device uses another access technology to access the PLMN. Otherwise, the terminal device uses two access technologies to access the PLMN.

[0109] The first list may be configured for the terminal device by the network device; alternatively, the contents of the first list may be stored in the terminal device's Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or non-volatile memory. The terminal device reads the first list from the SIM card or non-volatile memory and then selects one or more PLMNs to access, as well as the access technology and / or core network type used to access the PLMNs, based on the first list. The following describes the two aforementioned scenarios separately.

[0110] (1) The first list is configured by the network device for the terminal device:

[0111] In this manner, the terminal device may send a first message to the first network device, where the first message includes a capability indication of the terminal device;

[0112] The terminal device receives a second message sent by the first network device, where the second message includes the first list.

[0113] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an implementation manner in which a terminal device obtains a first list in a network selection method according to an embodiment of the present application, including all or part of the following steps:

[0114] S410. The terminal device sends a first message to the first network device, where the first message includes a capability indication of the terminal device. The capability indication of the terminal device can be used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access. The terminal device supports dual 3GPP access, which may include: the terminal device has the ability to access two or more PLMNs; and / or the terminal device has the ability to access PLMNs using two or more access technologies (including access to one PLMN, two or more PLMNs). The first network device may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0115] S420. The first network device sends a first signaling to the second network device. The first signaling includes a capability indication of the terminal device.

[0116] S430: The second network device sends a second signaling to the first network device, where the second signaling includes the first list.

[0117] The second network device may include a unified data management function (UDM) or a unified data repository function (UDR). When the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access and the network also supports dual 3GPP access, the second network device determines whether the first list can be configured for the terminal device (that is, whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access); the second network device may make the judgment by checking the contract information of the terminal device, the operator policy, etc. If the second network device determines that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access, that is, if it determines that the first list can be configured for the terminal device, the second network device sends a second signaling containing the first list to the first network device.

[0118] The second signaling may include a first list and a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access. For example, the length of the first indication is 1 bit, and when the value of the first indication is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access; when the value of the first indication is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use dual 3GPP access. Alternatively, when the value of the first indication is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use dual 3GPP access; when the value of the first indication is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access. Alternatively, the second signaling may include a first indication, and the first indication may include a first list and an indication for indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0119] Whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access includes one or more of the following:

[0120] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access two or more PLMNs;

[0121] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access the PLMN using two or more access technologies (including access to one PLMN, two or more PLMNs).

[0122] Among them, the situation of "allowing terminal devices to use dual 3GPP access" may include: allowing terminal devices to access two or more PLMNs, and / or allowing terminal devices to access PLMNs using two or more access technologies; the situation of "not allowing terminal devices to use dual 3GPP access" may include: not allowing terminal devices to access two or more PLMNs, and not allowing terminal devices to access PLMNs using two or more access technologies.

[0123] In some implementations, the second message signaling includes the first list but does not include the first indication; the first list included in the second message may implicitly indicate that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0124] S440. The first network device sends a second message to the terminal device. The second message includes a first list. The first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0125] The second message may include the first indication, indicating whether the terminal device is permitted to use dual 3GPP access. For example, the second message includes the first list and the first indication. Alternatively, the second message includes the first indication, which may include the first list and an indication indicating whether the terminal device is permitted to use dual 3GPP access.

[0126] Furthermore, the second message may include a second instruction for instructing the terminal device to perform network selection after entering the idle state. For example, when the value of the second instruction is 0, the terminal device is instructed to perform network selection after entering the idle state; or when the value of the second instruction is 1, the terminal device is instructed to perform network selection after entering the idle state.

[0127] For example, the second message may include the first list and the second indication. Alternatively, the second message may include the second indication, which may include the first list and an indication for instructing the terminal device to perform network selection after entering the idle state.

[0128] The first message may include at least one of a registration request message, a security mode completion message, and a registration completion message.

[0129] The second message may include at least one of a registration accept message, a registration reject message, and a downlink (DL) NAS transport message (DL NAS transport).

[0130] For example, if there is no security requirement for the capability indication of the terminal device, the first message may be a registration request message (Registration request); accordingly, the second message may be a registration accept message (Registration accept) or a registration reject message (Registration reject). That is, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the first network device, and the registration request message carries the capability indication of the terminal device; after the first network device obtains the first list from the second network device, the first network device sends a registration accept message or a registration reject message to the terminal device, and the registration accept message or the registration reject message carries the first list and the first indication, and may also carry the above-mentioned second indication. Alternatively, if there is no security requirement for the capability indication of the terminal device, the first message may be a registration complete message (Registration complete); accordingly, the second message may be a downlink NAS transport message (DL NAS transport). That is, the terminal device sends a registration complete message to the first network device, and the registration request message carries the capability indication of the terminal device; after the first network device obtains the first list from the second network device, the first network device sends a downlink NAS transport message to the terminal device, and the downlink NAS transport message carries the first list and the first indication, and may also carry the above-mentioned second indication.

[0131] For another example, if there are security requirements for the capability indication of the terminal device, the first message may be a security mode complete message following the registration request message. That is, the terminal device sends a security mode complete message to the first network device, and the security mode complete message carries the capability indication of the terminal device; specifically, the capability indication of the terminal device may be placed in a NAS message container (NAS message container) in the security mode complete message, or in an information element (IE) in the security mode complete message, or in a Steering of Roaming (SOR) container in the security mode complete message. After obtaining the first list of the terminal device from the second network device, the first network device sends a registration accept message or a registration reject message to the terminal device, and the registration accept message or the registration reject message carries the first list and the first indication, and may also carry the above-mentioned second indication.

[0132] In this way, embodiments of the present application enable the network to control whether the UE is allowed to register with two PLMNs simultaneously. If the UE can only register with one PLMN, the network configures the order in which the UE selects two access technologies (ATs). If the UE can register with two PLMNs, the network configures the order in which the UE selects networks. The UE selects one or more PLMNs to access based on the configuration of the network device and uses the selected one or more access technologies to access the corresponding PLMNs (including one or more PLMNs).

[0133] (2) The first list is stored in the SIM card or non-volatile memory of the terminal device, and the terminal device reads the first list from the SIM card or non-volatile memory:

[0134] In this manner, when the terminal device needs to select a network, the first list can be read from the SIM card or the non-volatile memory.

[0135] Furthermore, the terminal device may also read a third indication from the SIM card or non-volatile memory, where the third indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access. Whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access includes one or more of the following:

[0136] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access two or more PLMNs;

[0137] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access the PLMN using two or more access technologies (including access to one PLMN, two or more PLMNs).

[0138] The first list and the third indication may be included in the same file or in different files.

[0139] In this way, embodiments of the present application can pre-configure whether a terminal device is allowed to register with two PLMNs simultaneously; and, if the terminal device is pre-configured to only register with one PLMN, configure the order in which the terminal device selects two access technologies (ATs); and, if the terminal device is pre-configured to register with two PLMNs, configure the network to select the network in which the terminal device selects. Based on the pre-configured configuration, the terminal device selects to access one or more PLMNs and uses the selected one or more access technologies to access the corresponding PLMNs (including one or more PLMNs).

[0140] For the above-mentioned first situation, that is, the first list is configured by the network device for the terminal device, the embodiment of the present application also proposes a network selection method, and the first network device uses this network selection method to configure the first list for the terminal device.

[0141] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a network selection method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can optionally be applied to the system shown in FIG1 or FIG2 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0142] S510. A first network device sends a first list to a terminal device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0143] The first list includes one or more of the following:

[0144] One or more PLMNs;

[0145] one or more access technologies;

[0146] One or more core network types.

[0147] The first network device may include an AMF.

[0148] In some implementations, multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities, multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities, and multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0149] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0150] For an example of the first list, reference may be made to the relevant content in the network selection method 300 shown in FIG3 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0151] In some implementations, before the first network device sends the first list to the terminal device, the method further includes: the first network device receives a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message includes a capability indication of the terminal device.

[0152] The first message may include at least one of a registration request message, a security mode completion message, and a registration completion message.

[0153] Among them, the capability indication of the terminal device can be used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

[0154] When the first network device receives a capability indication of the terminal device, and the capability indication includes an indication that the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access, the first network device may obtain a first list of the terminal device from the second network device. The second network device may include a unified data management function (UDM) or a unified data repository function (UDR).

[0155] For example, in some embodiments, after the first network device receives the first message sent by the terminal device, it also includes: the first network device sends a first signaling to the second network device, and the first signaling includes a capability indication of the terminal device; the first network device receives a second signaling sent by the second network device, and the second signaling includes a first list.

[0156] The second network device can check the contract information, operator policy and other information of the terminal device when the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access and the network also supports dual 3GPP access, and determine whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access based on the inspection result; if the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access, the first list of the terminal device is fed back to the first network device.

[0157] In some implementations, the second signaling includes a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access. The first indication may include a first list and an indication indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0158] If the second signaling includes the first list but does not include the first indication, the first list implicitly indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0159] In some implementations, the first network device sends the first list to the terminal device, including: the first network device sends a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes the first list and the first indication.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first network device sends a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes the first list but does not include the first indication, and the first list included in the second message implicitly indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0161] The second message may include at least one of a registration accept message, a registration reject message, and a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0162] Furthermore, the second message may include a second indication, and the second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to perform network selection after entering the idle state.

[0163] The first network device in the embodiment of the present application can obtain the first list of the terminal device from the second network device according to the capability indication of the terminal device, and configure the first list for the terminal device so that the terminal device can select one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list, thereby enabling the terminal device to register two PLMNs at the same time and access the PLMN using one or more access technologies.

[0164] For a specific example of the first network device executing the method 500 of this embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant description of the first network device in the above method 300 , which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0165] For the above-mentioned first (a) situation, that is, the first list is configured by the network device for the terminal device, the embodiment of the present application also proposes a network selection method, and the second network device uses this network selection method to configure the first list for the terminal device, and sends the first list configured for the terminal device to the first network device.

[0166] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of a network selection method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method can optionally be applied to the system shown in FIG1 or FIG2 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0167] S610: The second network device sends a first list of terminal devices to the first network device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0168] The second network device may include a UDM,

[0169] The first list includes one or more of the following:

[0170] One or more PLMNs;

[0171] one or more access technologies;

[0172] One or more core network types.

[0173] The first network device may include an AMF, and the second network device may include a UDM or a UDR.

[0174] In some implementations, multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities, multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities, and multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0175] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0176] For an example of the first list, reference may be made to the relevant content in the network selection method 300 shown in FIG3 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0177] In some embodiments, before the second network device sends the first list of terminal devices to the first network device, it also includes: the second network device receives the first signaling sent by the first network device, the first signaling includes a capability indication of the terminal device; the second network device determines the first list of terminal devices based on the first signaling.

[0178] Specifically, when the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access and the network also supports dual 3GPP access, the second network device can check the contract information, operator policy and other information of the terminal device, and determine whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access based on the inspection results; if the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access, the first list of the terminal device is fed back to the first network device.

[0179] Among them, the capability indication of the terminal device can be used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

[0180] In some implementations, the second network device sends the first list of terminal devices to the first network device, including: the second network device sends a second signaling to the first network device, where the second signaling includes the first list.

[0181] Furthermore, the second signaling may include a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0182] In some implementations, the second signaling sent by the second network device to the first network device includes the first list but does not include the first indication, and the first list included in the second signaling implicitly indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0183] The second network device in the embodiment of the present application can configure a first list for the terminal device according to the capability indication of the terminal device, and send the first list to the terminal device through the first network device, so that the terminal device can select one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list, thereby enabling the terminal device to register two PLMNs at the same time and access the PLMN using one or more access technologies.

[0184] For a specific example of the second network device executing the method 600 of this embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant description of the second network device in the above method 300 , which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0185] The present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to specific embodiments.

[0186] Example 1:

[0187] In this embodiment, the network side controls whether the UE is allowed to register with two PLMNs at the same time; if the UE can only register with one PLMN, the network side configures the order in which the UE selects two access technologies (ATs); if the UE can register with two PLMNs, the network side configures the order in which the UE selects the network, and each PLMN can also correspond to a corresponding access technology.

[0188] In this embodiment, the first list configured by the first network device for the terminal device is called the PLMN+AT list. In this embodiment, the first network device is an AMF and the second network device is a UDM as an example for introduction.

[0189] FIG7 is a flowchart of an implementation of the first embodiment of the present application, including:

[0190] Step 701: The UE sends a registration request message to the AMF. The registration request message includes the UE capabilities and the network slice requested by the UE (representing the services that the UE needs to use). The UE capabilities indicate whether the UE supports dual 3GPP access.

[0191] Alternatively, if there are security requirements for UE capabilities, the UE may not send the UE capabilities using a Registration Request message, but may send the UE capabilities using a Security Mode Complete message. That is, after the UE sends the Registration Request message, the UE sends a Security Mode Complete message to the AMF, which contains the UE capabilities and the network slice requested by the UE (representing the services that the UE needs to use). Specifically, the content sent by the UE can be placed in the NAS message container of the Security Mode Complete message, in an IE of the Security Mode Complete message, or in the SOR container of the Security Mode Complete message.

[0192] Step 702: AMF sends signaling to UDM, which includes UE capabilities and the network slice requested by the UE.

[0193] Step 703: If the UE supports dual 3GPP access and the network also supports dual 3GPP access, the UDM determines whether the parameters for dual 3GPP access (such as PLMN+AT list) can be configured for the UE. The UDM can make this determination by checking the UE's subscription information, operator policy, etc. The determination can be made in the following ways:

[0194] First, the UDM determines whether the UE is allowed to use dual 3GPP access. If the UE is not allowed to use dual 3GPP access, the UDM does not send the PLMN+AT list.

[0195] If the UE is allowed to use dual 3GPP access, the UDM then determines whether dual 3GPP access to two PLMNs is allowed. If only one PLMN can be accessed, the UDM sends a PLMN+AT list to the AMF. The PLMNs in the PLMN+AT list can all be currently registered PLMNs (RPLMNs). The PLMN+AT list can also include access technologies (ATs) and core network types (Core Network types) arranged in order of priority.

[0196] An example of the PLMN+AT list is as follows:

[0197] RPLMN

[0198] 1 st Access Technology Identifier=satellite NG-RAN

[0199] 1 st Core Network type = 5GC

[0200] 2 nd Access Technology Identifier=satellite E-UTRA

[0201] 2 nd Core Network type=EPC

[0202] 3 rd Access Technology Identifier=E-UTRA

[0203] 3 rd Core Network type=EPC

[0204] Alternatively, the PLMN+AT list is as follows:

[0205] 1 stPLMN=RPLMN

[0206] 1 st Access Technology Identifier=satellite NG-RAN

[0207] 1 st Core Network type = 5GC

[0208] 2 nd PLMN=RPLMN

[0209] 2 nd Access Technology Identifier=satellite E-UTRA

[0210] 2 nd Core Network type=EPC

[0211] 3 rd PLMN=RPLMN

[0212] 3 rd Access Technology Identifier=E-UTRA

[0213] 3 rd Core Network type=EPC

[0214] Among them, 1 in the above PLMN+AT list st PLMN, 2 nd PLMN and 3 rd PLMNs are all RPLMNs.

[0215] If two or more PLMNs can be accessed, the UDM sends a PLMN+AT list to the AMF. The PLMN+AT list can arrange the PLMNs and ATs in order of priority. In the case where the AT cannot distinguish between the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core (5GC) or 6G Core (6GC), the PLMN+AT list can also include the Core Network type (Core Network type) arranged in order of priority. An example of the PLMN+AT list is as follows:

[0216] 1 st PLMN (highest priority)

[0217] 1 stPLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite NG-RAN

[0218] 1 st PLMN Core Network type = 5GC

[0219] 2 nd PLMN

[0220] 2 nd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=satellite E-UTRA

[0221] 2 nd PLMN Core Network type = EPC

[0222] 3 rd PLMN

[0223] 3 rd PLMN Access Technology Identifier=E-UTRA

[0224] 3 rd PLMN Core Network type = EPC

[0225] In addition, the UDM may also send an indication to the UE, indicating that it needs to enter the idle state and then perform network selection.

[0226] The UDM can send a response to the AMF, which includes the above PLMN+AT list and instructions. The UDM can put the sent content in a container and protect the container. The AMF will not read the contents of the container.

[0227] Step 704: The AMF sends a registration accept message or a registration reject message to the UE. The registration accept message or the registration reject message includes the received PLMN+AT list and indication, and may also include an indication authorizing the UE to use dual 3GPP access.

[0228] Step 705: The UE uses the received PLMN+AT list to select a network. The UE selects a PLMN and access technology according to the priority in the PLMN+AT list. If the PLMN+AT list includes a core network type, the UE selects a PLMN, access technology, and access network according to the priority in the PLMN+AT list.

[0229] For example, the UE first determines whether the PLMN with the first priority in the PLMN+AT list is an RPLMN, or the UE determines whether the PLMN with the first priority and the second priority in the PLMN+AT list is an RPLMN;

[0230] If yes, the UE does not need to select a network and only needs to use the second access technology in the PLMN+AT list to connect to the RPLMN, thereby enabling the UE to access the RPLMN using two access technologies;

[0231] If not, the UE triggers upper layers to perform PLMN selection. If the UE receives an instruction to enter the idle state before performing network selection, it can enter the idle state immediately or later to release the access layer for subsequent network selection. The UE can select two or more high-priority PLMNs based on the PLMN+AT list and access them using the access technology corresponding to the PLMN.

[0232] Example 2:

[0233] In this embodiment, the network side controls whether the UE is allowed to register with two PLMNs at the same time; if the UE can only register with one PLMN, the network side configures the order in which the UE selects two ATs; if the UE can register with two PLMNs, the network side configures the order in which the UE selects networks.

[0234] In this embodiment, the first list configured by the first network device for the terminal device is called the PLMN+AT list. In this embodiment, the first network device is an AMF and the second network device is a UDM as an example for introduction.

[0235] This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the message for transmitting the UE capability and the PLMN+AT list in this embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0236] FIG8 is a flowchart of the implementation of the second embodiment of the present application, including:

[0237] Step 801: The UE sends a registration complete message to the AMF. The registration request message includes the UE capabilities and the network slice requested by the UE (representing the services that the UE needs to use). The UE capabilities indicate whether the UE supports dual 3GPP access.

[0238] Step 802: AMF sends signaling to UDM, which includes UE capabilities and the network slice requested by the UE.

[0239] Step 803: If the UE supports dual 3GPP access and the network also supports dual 3GPP access, the UDM determines whether dual 3GPP access parameters (such as the PLMN+AT list) can be configured for the UE. The UDM can make this determination by checking the UE's subscription information, operator policies, etc. Based on the determination results, the UDM generates a PLMN+AT list for the UE and sends the generated PLMN+AT list and other instructions to the AMF. For details, see step 703 of Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0240] Step 804: The AMF sends a downlink NAS transport message to the UE. The downlink NAS transport message includes the received PLMN+AT list and indication, and may also include an indication authorizing the UE to use dual 3GPP access.

[0241] Step 805: The UE uses the received PLMN+AT list to select a network. For details, please refer to step 705 of the first embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0242] Example 3:

[0243] In this embodiment, the first list is pre-stored in the SIM card or non-volatile memory of the UE. In this embodiment, the first list is called a PLMN+AT list.

[0244] In one example, a file 1 is stored in the SIM card or non-volatile memory of the UE. The file 1 includes an indication for indicating whether the UE is allowed to access a PLMN using two access technologies. An example of the content of the file 1 is shown in Table 1:

[0245] Table 1

[0246] If the UE is allowed to access one PLMN using two access technologies, the UE's SIM card or non-volatile memory also stores file 2, which contains the identifiers of multiple access technologies arranged in order of priority. If the core network cannot be distinguished by access technology, file 2 also contains the core network type. An example of the content of file 2 is shown in Table 2:

[0247] Table 2

[0248] The above-mentioned file 1 and file 2 can be the same or different files. That is, the contents of file 1 and file 2 can be stored in two files respectively or in one file.

[0249] When the UE needs to select a network, the UE reads a file from the SIM card or non-volatile memory, determines based on the indication information that only two 3GPP accesses under one PLMN can be used, and selects the access technology with the highest priority to connect to the PLMN based on the access technology detected by the access layer.

[0250] In another example, the UE's SIM card or non-volatile memory stores file 3, which includes an indication for indicating whether the UE is allowed to access two PLMNs using two access technologies. The contents of file 1 are shown in Table 3:

[0251] Table 3

[0252] If the UE is allowed to access two PLMNs using two access technologies, the UE's SIM card or non-volatile memory also stores file 4, which contains the PLMNs and access technologies arranged in order of priority. If the core network cannot be distinguished using the access technology, file 4 also contains the core network type. The contents of file 4 are shown in Table 4:

[0253] Table 4

[0254] The above-mentioned file 3 and file 4 can be the same or different files. That is, the contents in file 3 and file 4 can be stored separately in two files or stored in one file.

[0255] When the UE needs to select a network, it reads the file from the SIM card or non-volatile memory, and determines that two PLMNs can be used for access based on the indication information. The UE can select a network based on the content in the PLMN+ access technology list. For example:

[0256] The UE maintains the currently connected PLMN; at the same time, the UE selects the PLMN with the highest priority as the second PLMN based on the PLMN and access technology detected by the access layer, and connects to the PLMN using the access technology corresponding to the PLMN; or

[0257] If two PLMNs are selected together, for example, two PLMNs are directly selected when the UE is turned on, the UE selects the two PLMNs with the highest priority based on the PLMNs and access technologies detected by the access layer, and uses the access technologies corresponding to each PLMN to connect to the PLMN.

[0258] For a detailed introduction to the network selection performed by the UE, please refer to the relevant contents in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] The present application also provides a terminal device. FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 900 may include:

[0260] The first processing unit 901 is configured to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first list includes one or more of the following:

[0262] One or more PLMNs;

[0263] one or more access technologies;

[0264] One or more core network types.

[0265] In some implementations, the multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0266] In some implementations, the multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0267] In some implementations, multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0268] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first processing unit 901 is configured to:

[0270] Select one or more PLMNs with high priority according to the first list; and / or,

[0271] According to the first list, at least one of the one or more access technologies and core network types with high priority is selected.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first processing unit 901 is used to select at least one of the access technologies and core network types in the first list to access the PLMN currently registered by the terminal device when the PLMN in the first list is the PLMN currently registered by the terminal device.

[0273] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 1000 according to another embodiment of the present application. The device may include one or more features of the above-mentioned device. In some embodiments, the device further includes:

[0274] The first transceiver unit 1002 is configured to send a first message to the first network device, where the first message includes a capability indication of the terminal device;

[0275] The first transceiver unit 1002 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the first network device, where the second message includes the first list.

[0276] In some implementations, the capability indication of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

[0277] In some implementations, the second message includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0278] In some implementations, the second message includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to perform network selection after entering the idle state.

[0279] In some implementations, the first message includes at least one of a registration request message, a security mode complete message, and a registration complete message.

[0280] In some implementations, the second message includes at least one of a registration accept message, a registration reject message, and a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0281] In some implementations, the first processing unit 901 is further configured to read the first list from a subscriber identity module card or a non-volatile memory.

[0282] In some implementations, the first processing unit 901 is further configured to read a third indication from a subscriber identity module card or a non-volatile memory, where the third indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0283] In some implementations, whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access includes one or more of the following:

[0284] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access two or more PLMNs;

[0285] Whether the terminal device is allowed to access the PLMN using two or more access technologies.

[0286] In some embodiments, the access technology includes one or more of the following: 2G access technology, 3G access technology, E-UTRA, NG-RAN access technology, and satellite NG-RAN access technology.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first network device includes an AMF.

[0288] The terminal devices 900 and 1000 of the embodiments of the present application can implement the corresponding functions of the terminal devices in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processes, functions, implementation methods and beneficial effects corresponding to the various modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) in the terminal devices 900 and 1000 can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the functions described in the various modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) in the terminal devices 900 and 1000 of the application embodiments can be implemented by different modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) or by the same module (sub-module, unit or component, etc.).

[0289] The embodiment of the present application further provides a first network device. FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a first network device 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The first network device 1100 may include:

[0290] The second transceiver unit 1101 is configured to send a first list to a terminal device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first list includes one or more of the following:

[0292] One or more PLMNs;

[0293] one or more access technologies;

[0294] One or more core network types.

[0295] In some implementations, the multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0296] In some implementations, the multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0297] In some implementations, multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0298] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0299] In some implementations, the second transceiver unit 1101 is further configured to receive a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message includes a capability indication of the terminal device.

[0300] In some implementations, the capability indication of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

[0301] In some implementations, the second transceiver unit 1101 is further configured to:

[0302] Sending a first signaling to the second network device, where the first signaling includes a capability indication of the terminal device;

[0303] A second signaling sent by the second network device is received, where the second signaling includes the first list.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0305] In some implementations, the second transceiver unit 1101 is configured to send a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes the first list and the first indication.

[0306] In some implementations, the second message includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to perform network selection after entering the idle state.

[0307] In some implementations, the first message includes at least one of a registration request message, a security mode complete message, and a registration complete message.

[0308] In some implementations, the second message includes at least one of a registration accept message, a registration reject message, and a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first network device includes an AMF.

[0310] In some implementations, the second network device includes a UDM.

[0311] The first network device 1100 of the embodiment of the present application can implement the corresponding functions of the first network device in the aforementioned method embodiment. The corresponding processes, functions, implementation methods and beneficial effects of each module (sub-module, unit or component, etc.) in the first network device 1100 can be found in the corresponding description in the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the functions described in the various modules (sub-module, unit or component, etc.) in the first network device 1100 of the embodiment of the application can be implemented by different modules (sub-module, unit or component, etc.) or by the same module (sub-module, unit or component, etc.).

[0312] The embodiment of the present application further provides a second network device. FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of a second network device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The second network device 1200 may include:

[0313] The third transceiver unit 1201 is configured to send a first list of terminal devices to the first network device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first list includes one or more of the following:

[0315] One or more PLMNs;

[0316] one or more access technologies;

[0317] One or more core network types.

[0318] In some implementations, the multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0319] In some implementations, the multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0320] In some implementations, multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

[0321] In some implementations, the PLMNs in the first list are associated with access technologies, and / or the PLMNs in the first list are associated with core network types.

[0322] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a second network device 1300 according to another embodiment of the present application. The device may include one or more features of the above-mentioned devices. In some embodiments, the second network device further includes a second processing unit 1302; wherein,

[0323] The third transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to receive a first signaling sent by the first network device, where the first signaling includes a capability indication of the terminal device;

[0324] The second processing unit 1302 is configured to determine a first list of terminal devices based on the first signaling.

[0325] In some implementations, the capability indication of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

[0326] In some implementations, the third transceiver unit 1201 is configured to send a second signaling to the first network device, where the second signaling includes the first list.

[0327] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

[0328] In some implementations, the second network device includes a UDM.

[0329] In some embodiments, the first network device includes an AMF.

[0330] The second network devices 1200 and 1300 of the embodiments of the present application can implement the corresponding functions of the second network devices in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processes, functions, implementation methods and beneficial effects corresponding to the various modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) in the second network devices 1200 and 1300 can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the functions described in the various modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) in the second network devices 1200 and 1300 of the application embodiments can be implemented by different modules (sub-modules, units or components, etc.) or by the same module (sub-module, unit or component, etc.).

[0331] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to enable the communication device 1400 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0332] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1420. The processor 1410 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1420 to enable the communication device 1400 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0333] The memory 1420 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1410 , or may be integrated into the processor 1410 .

[0334] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1430 , and the processor 1410 may control the transceiver 1430 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 1430 may send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0335] The transceiver 1430 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1430 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0336] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 may be the first network device of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first network device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0337] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 may be the second network device of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second network device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0338] In one embodiment, the communication device 1400 may be a terminal device of an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0339] 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 1500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 1500 includes a processor 1510, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0340] In one embodiment, the chip 1500 may further include a memory 1520. The processor 1510 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 1520 to implement the method executed by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0341] The memory 1520 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1510 , or may be integrated into the processor 1510 .

[0342] In one embodiment, the chip 1500 may further include an input interface 1530. The processor 1510 may control the input interface 1530 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0343] In one embodiment, the chip 1500 may further include an output interface 1540. The processor 1510 may control the output interface 1540 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0344] In one embodiment, the chip can be applied to the first network device in the embodiment of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first network device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0345] In one embodiment, the chip can be applied to the second network device in the embodiment of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second network device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0346] In one embodiment, the chip can be applied to the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device in each method of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0347] The chips used in the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device may be the same chip or different chips.

[0348] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0349] The processor mentioned above may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor mentioned above may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0350] The memory mentioned above may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM).

[0351] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0352] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function in accordance with the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center by wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0353] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0354] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0355] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A network selection method, comprising: The terminal device selects at least one of one or more Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to a first list.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first list includes one or more of the following: One or more PLMNs; One or more access technologies; One or more core network types.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 - 5, wherein, There is an association relationship between the PLMNs and the access technologies in the first list, and / or there is an association relationship between the PLMNs and the core network types in the first list.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein, The terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list, including: The terminal device selects one or more PLMNs with high priority according to the first list; and / or, The terminal device selects at least one of one or more access technologies and core network types with high priority according to the first list.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The terminal device selects at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to the first list, including: When the PLMNs in the first list are the PLMNs currently registered by the terminal device, the terminal device selects at least one of the access technologies and core network types in the first list to access the PLMNs currently registered by the terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 8, further comprising: The terminal device sends a first message to a first network device, and the first message includes an indication of the capabilities of the terminal device; The terminal device receives a second message sent by the first network device, and the second message includes the first list.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The indication of the capabilities of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The second message includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use dual 3GPP access.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 - 11, wherein, The second message includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to indicate that the terminal device performs network selection after entering the idle state.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 - 12, wherein, The first message includes at least one of a registration request message, a security mode completion message, and a registration completion message.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, wherein, The second message includes at least one of a registration acceptance message, a registration rejection message, and a downlink non-access stratum (NAS) transport message.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, further including: The terminal device reads the first list from a user identity module (SIM) card or a non-volatile memory.

16. The method according to claim 15, further including The terminal device reads a third indication from a user identity module (SIM) card or a non-volatile memory, where the third indication is used to indicate whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access.

17. The method according to claim 11 or 16, wherein, Whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access includes one or more of the following: Whether to allow the terminal device to access two or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs); Whether to allow the terminal device to access a PLMN using two or more access technologies.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein, The access technology includes one or more of the following: 2G access technology of the second-generation mobile communication technology specification, 3G access technology of the third-generation mobile communication technology, evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) access technology, and satellite NG-RAN access technology.

19. The method according to any one of claims 9-14, wherein, The first network device includes an access and mobility management function (AMF).

20. A network selection method, including: A first network device sends a first list to a terminal device, where the first list is used to select at least one of one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs), one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The first list includes one or more of the following: One or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs); One or more access technologies; One or more core network types.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, Multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein, Multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein, Multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21-24, wherein, There is an association relationship between the PLMN and the access technology in the first list, and / or, there is an association relationship between the PLMN and the core network type in the first list.

26. Before the first network device sends the first list to the terminal device according to any one of claims 20-25, further including: The first network device receives a first message sent by the terminal device, where the first message contains an indication of the terminal device's capabilities.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, ​ The capability indication of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, after the first network device receives the first message sent by the terminal device, further comprises: The first network device sends a first signaling to a second network device, and the first signaling contains the capability indication of the terminal device; The first network device receives a second signaling sent by the second network device, and the second signaling contains the first list.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The second signaling contains a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein, The first network device sending the first list to the terminal device includes: The first network device sends a second message to the terminal device, and the second message contains the first list and the first indication.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein, The second message contains a second indication, and the second indication is used to indicate that the terminal device performs network selection after entering the idle state.

32. The method according to any one of claims 26 - 31, wherein, The first message includes at least one of a registration request message, a security mode completion message, and a registration completion message.

33. The method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein, The second message includes at least one of a registration acceptance message, a registration rejection message, and a downlink NAS transmission message.

34. The method according to any one of claims 20 - 33, wherein, The first network device includes an AMF.

35. The method according to any one of claims 28 - 31, wherein, The second network device includes a Unified Data Management UDM or a Unified Data Repository Function UDR.

36. A network selection method, comprises: A second network device sends a first list of a terminal device to a first network device, and the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein, The first list contains one or more of the following: One or more PLMNs; One or more access technologies; One or more core network types.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, Multiple PLMNs in the first list correspond to different priorities.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein, Multiple access technologies in the first list correspond to different priorities.

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein, Multiple core network types in the first list correspond to different priorities.

41. The method according to any one of claims 37 - 40, wherein, There is an association relationship between the PLMN and the access technology in the first list, and / or there is an association relationship between the PLMN and the core network type in the first list.

42. For the method according to any one of claims 36 - 41, before the second network device sends the first list of terminal devices to the first network device, further comprising: The second network device receives a first signaling sent by the first network device, and the first signaling contains an indication of the capabilities of the terminal device; The second network device determines the first list of terminal devices based on the first signaling.

43. For the method according to claim 42, wherein, The indication of the capabilities of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports dual 3GPP access.

44. For the method according to claim 42 or 43, wherein, The second network device sending the first list of terminal devices to the first network device includes: The second network device sends a second signaling to the first network device, and the second signaling contains the first list.

45. For the method according to claim 44, wherein, The second signaling contains a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate whether to allow the terminal device to use dual 3GPP access.

46. For the method according to any one of claims 36 - 45, wherein, The second network device includes a UDM or a UDR.

47. For the method according to any one of claims 36 - 45, wherein, The first network device includes an AMF.

48. A terminal device, comprising: A first processing unit, configured to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types according to a first list.

49. A first network device, comprising: A second transceiver unit, configured to send a first list to a terminal device, and the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

50. A second network device, comprising: A third transceiver unit, configured to send a first list of terminal devices to a first network device, and the first list is used to select at least one of one or more PLMNs, one or more access technologies, and one or more core network types.

51. A terminal device, comprising: A transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the terminal device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

52. A first network device, comprising: A transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the first network device executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 35.

53. A second network device, comprising: A transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program, the transceiver being configured to communicate with other devices, and the processor being configured to call and run the computer program stored in the memory so that the second network device executes the method according to any one of claims 36 to 47.

54. A chip, comprising: a processor configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, such that a device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

55. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which when run on a device causes the device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

56. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions that cause a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

57. A computer program that causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

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