Selecting a communication network for managing paging collisions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed In an example, a method of a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks is disclosed. Each of the communication networks is associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs. The method comprises receiving one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks. The method also comprises selecting at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria, and triggering a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network.

Description

[0001] SELECTING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK FOR MANAGING PAGING COLLISIONS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communication. More particularly, it relates to selecting a communication network for managing paging collisions, for example in a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs).

[0004] Background

[0005] Multi-USIM (Multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Module), or MUSIM, is a term used to describe a feature wherein Multiple USIMs (Universal Subscriber Identity Modules) can be used at a single User Equipment (UE), such as a single Smartphone. The multi-USIM feature has been commercialized for more than 10 years with a large range in worldwide markets covering all major smart phone brands. When introduced, it became a great success in some markets, e.g. in China. Since then, it has become a common feature supported by a lot of major smartphone brands worldwide. For example, the Apple iPhone 12 supports multi-USIM with 2 physical SIM cards in China, while supporting one physical SIM card and one embedded-SIM (eSIM) in all the other regions. In this disclosure, the terms MUSIM, multi-USIM and multi-SIM are used interchangeably. Similarly, the terms USIM and SIM are used interchangeably. Also, the terms terminal, communication device and UE may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0006] The MUSIM function allows the UE to be connected to several different network operators, where each network / operator is associated with a respective USIM of the UE. A UE with multiple valid USIMs is hence capable of initiating and maintaining simultaneous separate registration states over 3GPP (3rdGeneration Partnership Project) access with PLMN(s) using identities and credentials associated with those USIMs and supporting one or more of: NAS signaling connection release, paging indication for voice services, reject paging request, paging restriction, and paging timing collision control.

[0007] Typically, when a UE registers to a network, the network configures the UE with Paging Occasions (POs) that indicate to the UE when the network may page the UE, i.e. , when the UE needs to monitor paging messages sent by the network. Thereby, a UE configured in RRCJDLE and / or RRCJNACTIVE state may go into sleep mode in between the POs and save battery power. The paging configuration typically describes (at least) the following features: when (in time) the POs occur; the periodicity of the PO reoccurrence; and the duration time of the POs (e.g. 1 subframe of 1ms). When the terminal / UE (it should be noted that the terms terminal, communication device and UE may be used interchangeably in this disclosure) uses multiple USIMs it should be contactable by each network associated with a respective IISIM, even though the networks typically are not aware that the UE is equipped with another PLMN’s USIM. Typically, if the UE is equipped with two USIMs, the UE in IDLE state in a first PLMN receives a paging configuration enabling the UE to calculate PO(s) for the PLMN associated with the first USIM, and also receives in a second PLMN a Paging configuration enabling the UE to calculate PO(s) for the PLMN associated with the second USIM. As 3GPP standards had not defined any coordination to support MUSIM operation, PO overlaps between both networks may happen.

[0008] Paging Occasion (PO) overlapping may cause several problems, such as the UE failing to monitor a PO in the first PLMN when the first PLMN is trying to reach the UE. This leads to that the UE fails to be reached by the network (in this case the first PLMN). When the UE fails to receive a paging message, paging escalation occurs, i.e. , the paging message may be repeated and after several repetitions, the paging will stop. This causes a so-called paging failure. Paging failures may also occur for other reasons, for example poor network planning, and the operator typically cannot know what caused the failures. The amount of paging failures is therefore one of the metrics that the network operator wants to minimize. Furthermore, it is also desirable to minimize the amount of paging failures caused by conditions that the operator cannot control. What is more serious here is that the operator may not even be able to easily perform a root cause analysis to understand why the paging failure occurred, as the first PLMN does not have control over the UE actions regarding the second PLMN or is not aware of the UE’s configuration associated to the second PLMN.

[0009] Another problem is that sending paging messages several times also consumes radio resources, which reduces the amount radio resources available for other UEs. Furthermore, repeated paging also increases the energy consumption on the network side.

[0010] Yet another problem, which occurs even if the UE eventually responds to a later paging, is the delay, e.g., session setup delay, caused by being forced to repeat the paging several times. If the paging escalation is not successful, then this can also cause session setup failures. Both session setup delays and session setup failures are important metrics (Key Performance Indicators, KPIs) that the network operator wants to optimize. That is, the operator may wish to minimize or maximize certain KPIs.

[0011] In order to reduce or avoid PO overlapping, the support of MUSIM UEs with UE assistance for a better coordinated Multi-SIM operation was standardized in the Rel-17 multi- SIM Working Item (Wl) when a UE uses two (or more) USIMs, i.e., physical SIM cards and / or eSIMs. An example of such assistance is paging timing collision control. To try to avoid possible paging occasion collisions and to enhance the likelihood that paging is received successfully for different networks, a Multi-USIM UE may provide, for at least one IISIM, a Requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (I MSI) Offset value that is used for the determination of paging occasions. Upon reception of a Requested IMSI Offset value from UE in Attach Request or Tracking Area Update Request, a supporting Mobility Management Entity (MME) provides an Accepted IMSI Offset value to the UE in the Attach Accept or Tracking Area Update Accept message to acknowledge it supports the feature and provide the accepted value. The Accepted IMSI Offset Value may be different from the Requested IMSI Offset provided by the UE. The UE and the network use the Accepted IMSI Offset to determine the paging occasions for that network.

[0012] For UEs in 4G (i.e. connected to Evolved Packet System (EPS) Core Network (ON)), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications define the signaling mechanisms the UE may use to indicate to the network a Requested IMSI Offset value for calculating paging occasions, which may be used to avoid possible PO collision and to enhance the likelihood that paging is received successfully for different PLMNs associated with different USIMs.

[0013] For UEs in 5G CN, the UE may perform a new Non Access Stratum (NAS) Mobility Registration to receive a new 5G Global Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI) to update the POs for that network. In this case, the UE cannot send a Requested IMSI offset, instead the newly allocated 5G-GUTI differs in each NAS Mobility Registration procedure, so it is possible that a new procedure will lead a new 5G-GUTI that resolves the PO overlapping.

[0014] Patent application US 2015 / 0163827 A1 describes solutions on how to detect paging occasion overlapping in various conditions, with consideration of paging repetition times, for monitoring paging for two USIMs with certain priority. Various processes for altering paging when paging collisions are detected are also described. However, it may not always be beneficial to try to alter the paging occasions whenever an overlap / collision is detected, as this may lead to a large signaling overhead while still not improving actual performance.

[0015] Therefore, there is a need for methods an apparatus for managing paging collisions between POs associated with multiple USIMs in a single UE, and in particular for selecting suitable networks from the available SIMs for managing paging collisions.

[0016] Summary

[0017] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises / comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. It is an object of some embodiments to obviate at least some of the above disadvantages and to provide methods and apparatus for managing paging collisions in a wireless communication device such as a UE.

[0018] One aspect of this disclosure provides a method of a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks. Each of the communication networks is associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs. The method comprises receiving one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks. The method also comprises selecting at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria, and triggering a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network.

[0019] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium has stored there on a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is configured to be loadable into a data-processing unit, comprising a processor and a memory associated with or integral to the data-processing unit. When loaded into the data-processing unit, the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory, wherein the computer program, when loaded into and run by the processor, is configured to cause the processor to execute method steps according to the above aspect.

[0020] A further aspect of this disclosure provides apparatus for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks. Each of the communication networks associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs. The apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause reception of one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks. The apparatus also comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause selection of at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria, and triggering of a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network.

[0021] An advantage of some embodiments may include reducing or avoiding paging occasion collisions between networks in a UE and / or enhancing the likelihood that paging is received successfully for different USIMs in a UE. Another advantage of some embodiments may include reduction of signaling in a communication network, and this may lead for example to improved network efficiency and / or improvement of power consumption for the UE or the network.

[0022] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating example method steps according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c are schematic drawings illustrating example paging configurations according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figs. 3a, 3b are schematic drawings illustrating example paging configurations according to some embodiments

[0027] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus according to some embodiments; and

[0028] Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer program product according to some embodiments.

[0029] Detailed Description

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0031] In the following, embodiments will be described where selection of one or more networks are determined in order to trigger a procedure with the selected one or more networks for avoiding paging occasion collisions (also referred to herein interchangeably as PO overlaps).

[0032] Generally, it should be noted that the terms (communication) network, (network) operator and PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network; Private or Non-Public Network) may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. A network may also in some examples be a private network, non-public network or non-public land mobile network (NPLMN).

[0033] Similarly, the terms terminal, UE, (wireless) device, and (wireless) communication device may be used interchangeably herein.

[0034] Furthermore, a UE performing USIM selection may correspond to the UE performing a PLMN selection (and vice versa), as a USIM is associated with at least one PLMN. Thus, the UE may have / comprise a plurality of USIM(s), wherein each of the USIM(s) is associated to at least one PLMN. Hence, selecting a USIM may be equivalent to selecting (at least one) PLMN.

[0035] Hence, a typical scenario, in which embodiments described herein are applicable, is when a communication device is equipped with multiple USIMs (e.g. two or more). Where each USIM is associated with a respective network. The communication device will typically receive a paging configuration from each of the networks, where the paging configurations will indicate paging occasions (POs) to the wireless communication device when it can expect, and thus should listen for, paging from each of the networks, although a person skilled in the art would recognize that other scenarios are possible.

[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates an example method 100 of a wireless communication device according to some embodiments, the wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks. Each of the communication networks is associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs.

[0037] The method may start in step 110 with receiving one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks. Then, in step 120, the method 100 comprises selecting at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria.

[0038] In step 130, the method 100 comprises triggering a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network. This may for example result in the number or amount of paging occasion collisions being reduced, or collisions being avoided altogether.

[0039] A paging occasion it typically positioned in a Paging Frame, identified by a Serial Frame Number (SFN, i.e. the radio frame number), and by an index i_s as specified in 3GPP TS 36.304 V8.10.0 (2011-06) and 3GPP TS 38.304 v17.0.0. In some examples, the wireless communication device may derive the SFN and index i_s from the received paging configuration. Based on this configuration, the communication device may calculate when the paging occasions occur, e.g. where there may be P-RNTI transmitted on PDCCH for the wireless communication device.

[0040] A paging occasion may typically have a time duration or correspond to a time-domain unit, which in some embodiments comprises the paging occasion as configured by a network. The time duration / time-domain unit may in some examples, be a subframe, time slot, radio frame etc. A paging occasion may, in some examples, be used by a network to transmit a paging message that includes an identifier, such as a Paging-Radio Network Identifier (P-RNTI) transmitted on a control channel, such as a CORESET and / or Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), addressing the communication device. A network may not transmit a paging message to the communication device in every PO configured in the communication device for that network in some examples.

[0041] In some examples, a paging occasion overlap comprises at least one of:

[0042] • a full paging occasion overlap, wherein a first duration of a paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network completely overlaps in time with a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks;

[0043] • a partial paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks; or

[0044] • a close paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and the second duration of the paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second IISIM to receive a paging.

[0045] In some examples, a paging occasion may experience a full paging occasion overlap with time aligned PO(s) of other networks. This may occur, for example, when multiple PLMNs are in sync in the time domain and have time aligned structures for the PO(s) which overlap, e.g. two subframes of 1ms which fully overlap in the time domain. Thus, for example, a full paging occasion overlap between two paging occasions may mean that the two paging occasions start at the same time, and also end at the same time. An example of full paging occasion overlap is illustrated by Fig. 2a, where the horizontal axis represents time. In Fig. 2a, a first paging configuration 210 indicating a first paging occasion 211 associated with a first communication network is illustrated together with a second paging configuration 220 indicating two paging occasions 221 and 222 associated with a second communication network. Paging occasion 211 and paging occasion 221 are fully overlapping each other. That is, the start time of the paging occasions 211 and 221 are aligned, and the end time of the paging occasions 211 and 221 are also aligned.

[0046] Fig. 2a further illustrates a close paging occasion overlap. Paging occasion 222 of the second paging configuration 220 is not actually overlapping in time with paging occasion 211. However, various factors may affect the time it takes the communication device to switch between the different USIMs and networks in order to monitor the paging occasions between different networks. This switching time 230 is shown in Fig. 2a. The start of paging occasion 222 of the second paging configuration 220 is scheduled within the switching time of the paging occasion 211 of the first paging configuration 210. As a result, time period 232 between the first duration and the second duration (i.e. between the end of PO 211 and the start of PO 222) is shorter than a switching time 230 for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second IISIM to receive a paging. Hence, for example, if the communication device is monitoring the paging occasion 211 of the first network, it will not be able to transfer to the second USIM in time to monitor the whole paging occasion 222 of the second network.

[0047] Thus, in some examples, a switching time characterized as the time needed by the wireless communication device to switch from one network to another may be added to the PO duration of a network. This may be taken into account when determining whether a PO overlaps with another or not because in some scenarios, as exemplified in Fig. 2a, two or more PO(s) from a first and second network (or more) may not overlap in their PO duration, however if the end of the PO of the first network is too close in time to the start of the second paging occasion of the second network, the communication device may not have enough time to switch from the PO of the first network to the PO of the second network. Hence, in some examples of this disclosure, a paging occasion overlap is considered to include a close paging occasion overlap, such as is the case for example between POs 211 and 222, for the purposes of triggering the procedure in step 130 of the method 100.

[0048] In some examples, a large overlap for POs (e.g. more than 25%, more than 40%, more than 50%, or any other large amount of overlap) with similar duration(s), e.g. both 1ms, may be expressed in terms of the time between the start time of both subframes. Thus, in some embodiments, the communication device considers a PO overlap when the delta time duration (e.g. in seconds, milliseconds, etc.) between the end of the PO of the first network and the beginning of the PO of the second network is shorter than the switching time, i.e. shorter than the time the communication device would need to switch networks. If that delta time is shorter than the switching time, although the PO durations do not actually overlap, in practice the effect is the same as if they did, as the communication device would not have time to switch between PO(s) of the different networks.

[0049] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a paging occasion may experience a partial PO overlap with time aligned PO(s) of other networks. For example, when the communication device is configured with paging occasions from multiple PLMNs, a partial PO overlap may occur where two (or more) POs of different networks overlap in the time domain only partially, e.g. by a certain percentage. The term “partial” relates in some embodiments to a percentage, which could be a full overlap if the percentage is 100% or partial if the overlap is less than 100%. Hence, it may be noted that a partial overlap may in some embodiments be seen as a full overlap. That is, for example, a count of “partial” overlaps by the UE may include full overlaps where the “partial” overlap percentage is 100%.

[0050] An example of a partial paging occasion overlap is illustrated in Fig. 2b, where the horizontal axis represents time. Similar to Fig.2a, Fig. 2b illustrates a first paging configuration 210 associated with a first network indicating a first paging occasion 211. Fig. 2b further illustrates a second paging configuration 220 associated with a second network indicating a second paging occasion 221. The partial paging occasion overlap is illustrated by first paging occasion 211 of the first network and second paging occasion 221 of the second network, where the duration of the first paging occasion 211 partially overlaps in time with the duration of the third paging occasion 221. A partial paging occasion overlap may hence in some examples be defined as when a first duration of a paging occasion associated with the first communication network partially overlaps in time with a second duration of a paging occasion associated with the one or more second communication networks.

[0051] In some embodiments, the PO overlapping may be referred to as not time aligned. For example, a time-domain unit, e.g. a subframe A, configured as a PO for a first network (associated to a first IISIM), partially overlaps but not fully with the time-domain unit, e.g, a subframe B, configured as a PO for a second network (associated to a second IISIM). Even if they are not time aligned, a PO of a first PLMN and a PO of a second PLMN may still have a similar time-domain unit with similar extension, e.g., that PO is a subframe of 1ms.

[0052] A paging occasion non overlap may in some embodiments comprise where a first duration of a paging occasion associated with a first communication network and a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more second communication networks do not overlap in time, and further in some examples that a time period between the first duration and the second duration is at least as long as a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second IISIM to receive a paging the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second IISIM to receive (or at least monitor for) paging.

[0053] Fig. 2c illustrates an example of a scenario where both a partial and a full paging occasion overlap occurs, where the horizontal axis represents time. Fig. 2c illustrates a first paging configuration 210 associated with a first network and indicating a first paging occasion 211. Also illustrated is a second paging configuration 220 associated with a second network and indicating a second paging occasion 221. From the perspective of the first network, the first paging occasion 211 is partially overlapped by the second paging occasion 221. From the perspective of the second network, the second paging occasion 211 is fully overlapped by the first paging occasion 211. In any case, a paging occasion overlap occurs and the communication device will not be able to monitor the full duration of both occasions, and may even not be able to monitor any part of at least one of the occasions.

[0054] Hence, in some embodiments, the PO is considered overlapped when there is a partial PO overlap for the first network and a possibly full PO overlap for the second network, when one PO has shorter duration than the other and is within the other. In such examples, the multiple networks may have different PO(s) durations. For example, a first network has 1ms duration for POs while a second network has 0.5ms duration for POs. This leads to that the second PO can fall completely within the first PO in the time domain.

[0055] It should be noted that Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c are purely illustrative examples and the definitions provided for the various types of paging occasion overlaps and non overlaps may extend to when more than two USIMs and networks are involved. Hence, when more than two USIMs, networks and paging configurations are involved, one paging occasion for a first network may overlap with a third network but not with a second, or with POs of multiple networks etc. Similarly, different networks may have a different frequency of POs scheduled, i.e. in a time period there may be more POs for one network than for another network.

[0056] In some scenarios, two or more of the networks are not time aligned, leading to that frames are not aligned between networks and the SFNs from the networks are completely independent. Even if the two networks are time aligned, the SFN still may not align in time. In this situation, the values of the SFNs are not enough to indicate if the POs are overlapped. In such cases, the communication device may in some examples correlate in time the SFN of the networks, to determine if the POs are overlapped (or partially overlapped), or not overlapped but within the transit time of each other (i.e. closely overlapped). In some examples, the communication device may convert the SFNs related to the POs to a corresponding absolute time relative the communication device. For example, the absolute time may be a subframe number or number of seconds since the UE was powered on. By comparing the absolute time values, the communication device can determine, in advance, if the POs are overlapped, partially overlapped or closely overlapped (e.g. not overlapped but within the transit time of each other).

[0057] In some examples, the communication device may try using the receiver to monitor the Paging at the PO occurrence in one network. If the receiver is “busy”, for example because it is already in use for monitoring the paging in another network, this is an indication that the two POs are overlapped (or partially overlapped) or closely overlapped.

[0058] There are prior art solutions that focus on detecting paging occasion collisions (e.g. US 2015 / 0163827 A1, mentioned earlier) and applying counteractive procedures to reduce or remove the collisions. However, in the prior art, once a collision is detected, counter measures are applied directly. This may not always be beneficial as it may lead to unnecessary signaling overhead and may increase energy consumption in the network, as well as in some cases increase delay and negatively affect network performance. Furthermore, there are additional benefits in taking additional care when selecting what network to target in order to change paging configuration.

[0059] For example, in current 3GPP standardization, there is no consideration of network selection for a network on which to reconfigure paging occasions in the event of overlaps. This may in some examples result in that the paging configuration for a network is changed unnecessarily, or at least in a non-optimal manner. One example may be when two networks have configured paging collisions, and the device requests both networks to change paging configuration. However, in some examples of this disclosure, it may be determined that there is actually no need to request a new paging configuration, or it is sufficient to request it for a particular one of the networks (e.g. to select only one of the networks in step 120 of the method 100). Hence both network resources and UE energy may be utilized more efficiently in examples of this disclosure.

[0060] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is less than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period. The times of paging occasions associated with the selected network(s) may in some examples be compared to the times of paging occasions of all the other networks associated with a respective USIM comprised in the device, but which are not selected. By not selected it is meant that the network is not currently a candidate for being selected to trigger the procedure to reconfigure the paging occasions associated with that particular network. However, this does not mean that a network which is not selected may not be selected at another time instance in some examples. Furthermore, if a first network is configured with fewer paging occasions than one or more second networks, it may be beneficial to select the first network to reconfigure the paging occasions, since the likelihood of successfully receiving paging on the first network compared to the one or more second networks may be smaller. Hence, by reconfiguring the paging occasions for the first network, the chances of successfully receiving paging in this network may be increased.

[0061] As another example, in some examples, the device may select the network for which fewer PO(s) have been configured in a time period, compared to the number of PO(s) of the one or more other networks. Fig. 3a illustrates an example of paging occasions according to some embodiments, where the horizontal axis represents time.

[0062] In Fig. 3a, a first paging configuration 310 comprising a first paging occasion 311, a second paging occasion 312 and a third paging occasion 313 is illustrated together with a second paging configuration 320 comprising a fourth paging occasion 321 and a fifth paging occasion 322.

[0063] Hence, according to Fig. 3a, in a time period, the device is configured with three POs for a first network and 2 POs for a second network, where the two paging occasions 321 and 322 of the second network overlap with two of the paging occasions of the first network (POs 311 and 313). The device may then select the second network to trigger the procedure for altering paging configuration, as the second network meets the one or more network selection criteria, that is, the criteria that the second network has fewer POs in the time period compared to the first network.

[0064] One benefit of selecting the second network may be that the time between two sequential POs of the second network is longer than the time between two sequential POs of the first network, and so this may allow better flexibility for moving the paging occasions for the second network instead of the first network.

[0065] Another possible advantage may be if the first network is considered a network with higher priority or has been set as a primary network, for which performance needs to be prioritized. In such case, selecting the second network for reconfiguring paging occasions avoids a reconfiguration of the paging occasions for the first network. A reconfiguration of the first network may in some examples reduce the number of paging occasions of the first network, and for a prioritized network this should typically be avoided. Thus, in some examples, the network selection criteria may include a priority of each of the networks, where one or more lower priority network(s) may be selected in step 120 over higher priority network(s). In other examples, the opposite may apply, i.e. it may be beneficial to select the higher priority network(s) in order to ensure that reconfigured paging occasions of the higher priority network(s) do not experience overlaps, or experience fewer overlaps. In some examples, it may be the case that a network having more paging occasions compared to other networks may result in the highest benefit for having its paging configuration changed. This may be the case for example because the larger number of paging occasions for the first network increases the chance (compared to the other networks) that at least some of the reconfigured paging occasions (or more paging occasions than before the reconfiguration) will be able to be monitored by the wireless communication device.

[0066] In a particular example, during a time period (such as a paging cycle or subframe or similar), the device may be configured with three POs for a first network and two POs for a second network (e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 3a), where it is determined that both of the paging occasions of the second network overlap with two of the paging occasions of the first network. The device may in step 120 of the method 100 select the first network to trigger the procedure for reconfiguring paging occasions.

[0067] In some examples, in response to the triggering of the procedure in step 130 of the method 100, the wireless communication device may receive a PO configuration which reconfigures the POs for the selected network(s), and may reduce the number of PO(s) for the selected network(s). Hence, one benefit in selecting the network with more POs within the time period is that it may create fairness with the other network(s) with regard to their paging performance. The end result after the procedure may be that the multiple networks may have a smaller difference in terms of number of PO(s) configured for each network, which may result in for example a more balanced performance among the networks in terms of latency to read and respond to a paging message from one of the networks. Another benefit here may be that the likelihood that paging for the device on the POs of the network with less frequent POs is successfully received by the device is increased.

[0068] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is higher than each of one or more second numbers of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

[0069] In some examples, the device may trigger the procedure in step 130 of the method 100 with the selected network that has more PO overlaps in relation to its total number of POs (e.g. overlapping and non-overlapping). As an example, in Fig. 3a, the first network 310 has three PO(s) 311, 312 and 313 out of which two paging occasions (311 and 313) overlap with the two paging occasions 321 and 322 of the second network associated with the second paging configuration 320. In this particular example, the second network only has two paging occasions (both overlapping with the first network). This results in that the second network has more PO overlaps than the first network in relation to their respective number of POs. The device may select the second network to reconfigure paging occasions, as the second network may benefit more from being reconfigured than the first network, as the result of the reconfiguring may be that the second network has fewer PO overlaps in relation to the total number of POs for the second network compared to before the reconfiguring. The action of the second network (i.e. triggering the procedure with the second network) may furthermore increase the number of (total, or at least for one of the networks) POs which do not overlap. Thus, in some examples, the network selection criteria may include that the selected network(s) has a higher ratio of PO overlaps to total number of POs for that network as compared to other networks.

[0070] The advantage of the scheme is the fairness in terms of paging performance for the different networks and possibly better avoidance of PO overlapping. Selecting the second network increases the chances of reducing / mitigating PO overlapping(s) since when the second network receives a request to alter paging configuration it may reduce the number of PO(s) which do not overlap when it re-configures its PO(s) as a possible action.

[0071] As an alternative, in some examples, for the at least one selected communication network, the network selection criteria comprise a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is less than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period. Thus, for example, if instead the first network is selected in the above example, the paging occasions of the first network may be reduced as a result of the reconfiguration. This may in some examples result in fewer PO overlaps, either due to a smaller number of POs for the first network and / or due to the existing POs for the first network being moved in time.

[0072] Fig. 3b illustrates an example of when such examples may be beneficial, where the horizontal axis represents time. In Fig. 3b, a first paging configuration (associated with a first network) 310, a second paging configuration (associated with a second network) 320 and a third paging configuration (associated with a third network) 330 are illustrated. The first paging configuration 310 comprises five paging occasions (311 , 312, 313, 314 and 315) in a time period. The second paging configuration 320 comprises two paging occasions (321 and 322) in the time period. The third paging configuration 330 comprises three paging occasions (331, 332 and 333) in the time period. The second paging configuration comprises the least amount of paging occasions in comparison to the first and third configurations. Hence, the one or more network selection criteria may in some examples be fulfilled for the second network, which may thus be selected for reconfiguring paging occasions.

[0073] In some examples, the network selection criterium may further relate to other parameters than what has so far been described. In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria comprises at least one of the following:

[0074] • radio access technology, RAT, of the communication networks;

[0075] • Radio Resource Control (RRC) state of the wireless communication device in each of the communication networks;

[0076] • serving cell frequency of each of the communication networks;

[0077] • network type of each of the communication networks;

[0078] • a preference of the selected communication network. That is, for example, the UE or user may have a preference as to which communication network is selected;

[0079] • a reoccurrence rate of system information updates for the at least one communication network;

[0080] • one or more capabilities of the communication networks. These may include for example whether each network supports the capability to change the paging occasions for the UE;

[0081] • a service type of each of the communication networks;

[0082] • a latency and / or load associated with each of the communication networks;

[0083] • whether each network of the plurality of communication networks was previously selected;

[0084] • a supported network slice of the communication networks; and / or

[0085] • a performance of each of the communication networks.

[0086] For example, different RATs may have different characteristics which may be taken into consideration when determining which network to select for reconfiguring paging occasions. A device can for example typically only perform a new Non Access Stratum (NAS) Mobility Registration on a 5G to get a new 5G Global Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI) to update the POs for that network. The device is not able to indicate any preference for the 5G-GUTI or reconfigured PO positions on the 5G network. Thus, in some examples, where the selected network is a 5G network, triggering the procedure in step 130 of the method 100 may comprise performing a Non Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration to a 5G Core Network (5G CN) associated with the selected communication network.

[0087] However, in some examples, if the device comprises a USIM that is associated with an LTE network, the device can propose a new PO location through a Requested IMSI Offset of its own preference. This may for example allow for more control on the reconfigured PO positions of the LTE network on the device side. Hence, in some embodiments it may be preferable to select an LTE network rather than a 5G network, and therefore the network selection criteria may include that the selected network is a 4G / LTE network instead of another network that is a 5G network. Thus, in some examples, where the selected network is a 4G / LTE network, triggering the procedure in step 130 of the method 100 may comprise transmitting a requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the selected communication network, for example in an Attach Request or in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request to the EPS CN.

[0088] In some examples, the device may select a network having a RAT for which the device has implemented and / or configured the procedure to notify the network of a detected or determined PO overlapping. For example, the device may be able to request reconfiguration of paging occasions only for certain RATs, such as for example for 5G networks. However, the device may still be capable of detecting PO overlaps in both 5G and LTE networks. Thus, in such cases, the device may still select a 5G network as the network for reconfiguring paging occasions.

[0089] In some examples, the device may select a network that provides a faster transition from idle to connected state, as it may be beneficial in some examples for the device to enter the connected state as soon as possible in order to trigger the procedure to reconfigure paging occasions for the selected network(s).

[0090] For example, if the device has multiple USIMs where at least one is associated with a 5G network and another with an LTE network, and the device is in idle mode in both networks, the device may select the 5G network for reconfiguring paging occasions, as in the 5G network the transition to connected mode may be faster than the transition to the connected mode in the LTE network. The advantage may be that the PO overlapping may be reduced or resolved more quickly than if the device would have selected the LTE network. In addition, less energy may be consumed by the device, and / or the chance of paging failures may be reduced. Thus, in some examples, the network selection criteria may include that the transition to the connected state is faster in the selected network(s) than in other networks (and this may be an example of the performance of each of the communication networks).

[0091] Similarly, in some examples, the network selection criteria may take into consideration the RRC state of the wireless communication device in each of the communication networks. For example, the network selection criteria may include that the transition to the connected state is faster in the selected network(s) than in other networks, as the selected network(s) may already be in a RRC connected state or may be in a state from which the device can transition to the RRC connected state more quickly.

[0092] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that the selected network(s) is based on the oldest technology. For example, in some areas, a GSM / GPRS may have the best coverage or robustness. The technology of each network may in some examples be considered the following order, from oldest to newest: 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G / LTE, 5G, nG, wherein nG is one or more yet to be standardized wireless communication technology.

[0093] Another example is GSM / GPRS, UTRAN, E-UTRAN, 5G, wherein 5G is the newest and GSM is the oldest. Hence for example if the device is configured with two networks, one for 5G and the other for LTE, the oldest technology is LTE.

[0094] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that the selected network is based on the latest (newest) technology. For example, in some areas, 5G networks may have a higher chance for better network capacity and service support. In addition, another benefit may be that the procedure in 5G is likely to be faster than in older technology, e.g. the transition from idle to connected mode in 5G is faster than in LTE, as suggested above. Thus, selecting the newest / latest technology may in some examples lead to a shorter interruption time to reconfigure POs for the selected network than if a different network (with older technology) is selected by the device.

[0095] In some examples, the network selection criteria may result in selecting a network based on RAT priority. For example, the device may select a network having a higher priority RAT, wherein the higher priority RAT may have a higher chance for better network capacity and service support.

[0096] Alternatively, or in addition, in some examples, the network selection criteria may be based on the serving cell frequencies and / or frequency bands. For example, in some examples, the device may select a network based on the serving frequency and / or frequency bands which are more robust in network performance. For example, the network selection criterion may comprise selecting a network comprised in the current camping cell of the device and which has the most robust Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) frequency, (i.e. point A, as defined in TS 38.331), compared to the frequencies of the other networks. For example, the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) band may be selected as it is generally seen as being more robust from interference when it comes to certain type of communication e.g. Vehicle-to- Everything (V2X), and / or the C band (e.g. 4.0 8.0 GHz, or 3.7 to 4.2 GHz, depending on region) is not preferably selected as it may interfere with e.g. airplane radios and as a result is banned near airport areas in certain regions in e.g. the United States of America.

[0097] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may result in selecting a network associated with a cell which the device is camping on that has the least robust Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) frequency (point A, as defined in TS 38.331), compared to the frequencies of the other networks.

[0098] Alternatively, or additionally, in some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may be based on the network type. For example, the device may select a network based on whether the network type provides more capacity or robustness in network performance in order to provide different service or support. For example, a private network may be selected over a public network, as it has a higher chance for better network capacity and service support than e.g. a public network. However, in some examples a public network may be selected over a private network as it may have a better coverage or robustness of the network than the private network.

[0099] Alternatively, or additionally, in some examples, the network selection criterion may be based on a user preference. For example, the device may select a network based on a user’s selection of a primary IISIM. The user of the device may for example input preferences which may affect which network is selected. One benefit of this is that the network of the user’s preferred IISIM can in some examples be optimized for better performance.

[0100] In some examples, the device may select a network based on a user’s selection of the preferred operator in the current region / area. One benefit may be that the network of the user’s preferred operator can be optimized for better performance.

[0101] In some examples, the device may select a network based on an indication of an associated IISIM being for a primary network or a secondary network. For example, for a device provided by an employer, a company or private network IISIM could be regarded as primary during working hours while a personal IISIM for a public network could be regarded as primary outside working hours. The switching between which IISIM is primary, and which is secondary, may for example be done automatically based on, e.g., time of day, weekday or weekend / holiday, geographical location, etc., or by a user’s preference.

[0102] In one or more of the above examples, a benefit of not performing PO reconfiguration on a network that is not selected may include for example that it avoids signaling failure.

[0103] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may be based on the capabilities of the networks for multiple IISIM support, e.g. the ability to request reconfiguration of PO. For example, the UE may selects a network which supports the reconfiguration of the POs for that network. The device may in some examples be aware of whether the network supports PO reconfiguration, since the device typically will receive this information from the network or the information may be standardized. In some examples, the device may indicate to each network that it supports the MllSIM feature, and the network may reply indicating whether it supports the feature and / or the reconfiguration procedure. If the device does not receive an indication from a network that the network supports the procedure, the device may assume that the network does not support PO reconfiguration in some examples.

[0104] In some examples, the procedure in step 130 of the method 100 may be triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period:

[0105] • each of at least half of the plurality of communication networks have one or more paging occasion overlaps with at least one other of the communication networks; • a number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold number;

[0106] • a number of paging occasion non overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks is less than a non overlap threshold number; and / or

[0107] • the number of paging occasion non overlaps is zero.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively, the procedure in step 130 of the method 100 may be triggered in some examples when at least one of the following applies during a time period:

[0109] • the number of paging occasion non overlaps for each of the communication networks is less than a first threshold number;

[0110] • a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the communication networks exceeds a second threshold number;

[0111] • a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for each of the communication networks exceeds a third threshold number; and / or

[0112] • the number of paging occasion overlaps reaches a threshold percentage of a total number of paging occasions configured for the plurality of communication networks.

[0113] In some examples, the time period is at least one paging cycle or a Discontinuous Reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, e.g. an RRCJDLE or RRCJNACTIVE mode, or is otherwise in a non-connected mode such as a mode other than RRC_CONNECTED. Alternatively, in some examples, the time period is a first paging cycle (or multiple paging cycles) of the first communication network. The first paging cycle may be longer than a second paging cycle associated with the one or more second communication network.

[0114] In some examples, the time period is a time domain unit. The time period may e.g. be 1ms, 10ms, 1 second or any other time period suitable in communication systems.

[0115] In some examples of the method 100, triggering the procedure in step 130 may comprise for example reconfiguring paging occasions for the at least one selected communication network based on a parameter value for reconfiguring paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce the number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps. That is, for example, a respective parameter may be used by the wireless communication device to attempt to obtain reconfigured POs for each of the selected network(s). The parameter may for example have a value that would result in a reduction in the number of paging occasion overlaps (if allowed by the selected network(s)). In some examples, the wireless communication device may determine, calculate or select a parameter for reconfiguring paging occasions with the selected communication network to reduce the number of paging occasion overlaps.

[0116] For example, the parameter value may be a value sent to the selected network. The parameter value may be for example the Requested IMSI Offset value referred to above. Thus, in some examples, the method 100 may comprise receiving, from the first communication network, the parameter value or an alternative parameter value (e.g. if the selected network will not allow the requested parameter value from the device, and provides the alternative value, for example if the requested value would cause PO collisions on the selected network between the device and one or more other devices on the selected network).

[0117] The method 100 may thus also include using reconfigured paging occasions for the selected communication network based on the parameter value (or the alternative parameter value returned by the selected network). Here, the selected network is referred to as merely an example, and a respective (potentially different) parameter value may be sent to each of multiple selected networks. The parameter value may be for example the Requested IMSI Offset value referred to above, and the alternative parameter value may be for example the Accepted IMSI Offset referred to above.

[0118] The parameter value may in some examples be based on alternative paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce the number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps. That is, for example, the device may calculate desired POs as an alternative to already configured POs for the selected communication network, and then use the desired POs to calculate the parameter value that, if allowed by the first network, would result in the desired POs being the reconfigured POs for the first network.

[0119] In some examples, the parameter value is different to one or more of the following:

[0120] • a parameter value currently used by the wireless communication device, to ensure for example that reconfigured POs for the first network are different to those already configured;

[0121] • a parameter value previously received from the first wireless communication network; and / or

[0122] • an excluded parameter value, for example one or more parameter values that the first network as indicated cannot be chosen by the device.

[0123] Fig. 4 illustrates an example apparatus 400 according to some embodiments. The apparatus 400 may e.g. be comprised or be comprisable in a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 is a wireless communication device. The apparatus 400 may further be configured to carry out the method 100 described in conjunction with Fig. 1 as well as the embodiments described so far. The apparatus 400 is for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) (e.g. USIMs 401, 402, 40N) for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks, each of the communication networks associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs. The apparatus comprises controlling circuitry (CNTR) 410 configured to cause reception of one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks.

[0124] The controlling circuitry 410 is further configured to cause selection of at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria, and triggering a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network. The apparatus 400 may further comprise a calculating circuit (CALC) 411 configured to determine paging occasion overlaps and non overlaps from the received paging configurations.

[0125] In some examples, a paging occasion overlap comprises at least one of the following:

[0126] • a full paging occasion overlap, wherein a first duration of a paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network completely overlaps in time with a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks;

[0127] • a partial paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks; or

[0128] • a close paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and the second duration of the paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive a paging.

[0129] A paging occasion non overlap may in some examples comprise a first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and a second duration of the paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration at least as long as a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second IISIM to receive a paging.

[0130] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is less than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

[0131] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is higher than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

[0132] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is higher than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

[0133] In some examples, the one or more network selection criteria may include that a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is less than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

[0134] The procedure may in some examples be triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period:

[0135] • each of at least half of the plurality of communication networks have one or more paging occasion overlaps with at least one other of the communication networks;

[0136] • a number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold number;

[0137] • a number of paging occasion non overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks is less than a non overlap threshold number; and / or

[0138] • the number of paging occasion non overlaps is zero.

[0139] The procedure may in some examples be triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period:

[0140] • the number of paging occasion non overlaps for each of the communication networks is less than a first threshold number; • a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the communication networks exceeds a second threshold number;

[0141] • a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for each of the communication networks exceeds a third threshold number; and / or

[0142] • the number of paging occasion overlaps reaches a threshold percentage of a total number of paging occasions configured for the plurality of communication networks.

[0143] In some examples, the time period is at least one paging cycle or a Discontinuous Reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode, or the time period is for example a first paging cycle of the selected at least one communication network and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks.

[0144] The one or more network selection criteria may comprise or include at least one of the following examples:

[0145] • radio access technology, RAT, of the communication networks;

[0146] • radio Resource Control, RRC, state of the wireless communication device in each of the communication networks;

[0147] • serving cell frequency of each of the communication networks;

[0148] • network type of each of the communication networks;

[0149] • a preference of the selected communication network;

[0150] • a reoccurrence rate of system information updates for the at least one communication network;

[0151] • one or more capabilities of the communication networks;

[0152] • a service type of each of the communication networks;

[0153] • a latency associated with each of the communication networks;

[0154] • a previously selected communication network of the plurality of communication networks;

[0155] • a supported network slice of the communication networks; and / or

[0156] • a performance of each of the communication networks.

[0157] In some examples, the apparatus 400 comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by performing a Non Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration to 5G Core Network (5G CN) associated with the selected communication network. Alternatively, in some examples, the apparatus 400 comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by transmitting requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the selected communication network, for example in an Attach Request or in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request to the EPS CN.

[0158] The apparatus may in some examples comprise controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by triggering a procedure for reconfiguring paging occasions for the at least one selected communication network based on a parameter value for reconfiguring paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce a number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps. The parameter value may for example be based on alternative paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce the number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps, e.g. the alternative paging occasions may be the desired paging occasions referred to above.

[0159] The parameter value may be different to one or more of the following in some examples:

[0160] • a parameter value currently used by the wireless communication device;

[0161] • a parameter value previously received from the selected wireless communication network; and / or

[0162] • an excluded parameter value.

[0163] The apparatus may in some examples comprise controlling circuitry configured to cause, after triggering the procedure: reception, from the selected communication network, of the parameter value or an alternative parameter value; and use of reconfigured paging occasions for the selected communication network based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value.

[0164] Fig. 5 illustrates a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium 500, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium 500 has stored thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is configured to be loadable into a data-processing unit 510, comprising a processor (PROC) 520 and a memory (MEM) 530 associated with or integral to the data-processing unit. When loaded into the data-processing unit 510, the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory 530, wherein the computer program, when loaded into and run by the processor 520 is configured to cause the processor to execute method steps according to the method 100 described in conjunction with Fig. 1.

[0165] The described embodiments and their equivalents may be realized in software or hardware or a combination thereof. They may be performed by general-purpose circuits associated with or integral to a communication device, such as digital signal processors (DSP), central processing units (CPU), co-processor units, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable hardware, or by specialized circuits such as for example applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASIC). All such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0166] Embodiments may appear within an electronic apparatus (such as a wireless communication device) comprising circuitry / logic or performing methods according to any of the embodiments. The electronic apparatus may, for example, be a portable or handheld mobile radio communication equipment, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile telephone, a base station, a base station controller, a pager, a communicator, an electronic organizer, a smartphone, a computer, a notebook, a USB-stick, a plug-in card, an embedded drive, or a mobile gaming device.

[0167] According to some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable medium such as, for example, a diskette or a CD-ROM. The computer readable medium may have stored thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program may be loadable into a data-processing unit, which may, for example, be comprised in a mobile terminal. When loaded into the data-processing unit, the computer program may be stored in a memory associated with or integral to the data-processing unit. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the data-processing unit, cause the data-processing unit to execute method steps according to, for example, the method 100 shown in Fig. 1.

[0168] Reference has been made herein to various embodiments. However, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the claims. For example, the method embodiments described herein describes example methods through method steps being performed in a certain order. However, it is recognized that these sequences of events may take place in another order without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel even though they have been described as being performed in sequence.

[0169] In the same manner, it should be noted that in the description of embodiments, the partition of functional blocks into particular units is by no means limiting. Contrarily, these partitions are merely examples. Functional blocks described herein as one unit may be split into two or more units. In the same manner, functional blocks that are described herein as being implemented as two or more units may be implemented as a single unit without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0170] Hence, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are merely for illustrative purpose and by no means limiting. Instead, all variations that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

Claims1. A method of a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks, each of the communication networks associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs, the method comprising: receiving one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks; selecting at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria; and triggering a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a paging occasion overlap comprises at least one of: a full paging occasion overlap, wherein a first duration of a paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network completely overlaps in time with a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks; a partial paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks; or a close paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and the second duration of the paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first USIM to the second USIM to receive a paging.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion non-overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a paging occasion non overlap comprises a first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and a second duration of the paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration at least as long as a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second USIM to receive a paging.

5. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is less than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is higher than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

7. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is higher than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

8. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is less than one or more secondnumber of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

9. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the procedure is triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period: each of at least half of the plurality of communication networks have one or more paging occasion overlaps with at least one other of the communication networks; a number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold number; a number of paging occasion non overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks is less than a non overlap threshold number; and / or the number of paging occasion non overlaps is zero.

10. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the procedure is triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period: the number of paging occasion non overlaps for each of the communication networks is less than a first threshold number; a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the communication networks exceeds a second threshold number; a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for each of the communication networks exceeds a third threshold number; and / or the number of paging occasion overlaps reaches a threshold percentage of a total number of paging occasions configured for the plurality of communication networks.

11. The method according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the time period is at least one paging cycle or a Discontinuous Reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode.

12. The method according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of the selected at least one communication network and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks.

13. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the one or more network selection criteria comprises at least one of the following: radio access technology, RAT, of the communication networks; radio Resource Control, RRC, state of the wireless communication device in each of the communication networks; serving cell frequency of each of the communication networks; network type of each of the communication networks; a preference of the selected communication network; a reoccurrence rate of system information updates for the at least one communication network; one or more capabilities of the communication networks; a service type of each of the communication networks; a latency associated with each of the communication networks; a previously selected communication network of the plurality of communication networks; a supported network slice of the communication networks; and / or a performance of each of the communication networks.

14. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein triggering the procedure comprises performing a Non Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration to 5G Core Network (5G CN) associated with the selected communication network.

15. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein triggering the procedure comprises transmitting requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (I MSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the selected communication network.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising transmitting the requested IMSI offset in an Attach Request or in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request to the EPS CN.

17. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein triggering the procedure comprises: triggering a procedure for reconfiguring paging occasions for the at least one selected communication network based on a parameter value for reconfiguring paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce a number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the parameter value is based on alternative paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce the number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the parameter value is different to one or more of: a parameter value currently used by the wireless communication device; a parameter value previously received from the selected wireless communication network; and / or an excluded parameter value.

20. The method according to any of claims 17 to 19, comprising, after triggering the procedure: receiving, from the selected communication network, the parameter value or an alternative parameter value; and using reconfigured paging occasions for the selected communication network based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value.

21. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium 700, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium 700 has stored there on a computer program comprising program instructions, wherein the computer program is configured to be loadable into a data-processing unit 710, comprising a processor 730 and a memory 720 associated with or integral to the data-processing unit, wherein when loaded into the data-processing unit 710, the computer program is configured to be stored in the memory 720, wherein the computer program, when loaded into and run by the processor 730 is configured to cause the processor to execute method steps according to any of the methods described in conjunction with the claims 1-20.

22. An apparatus for a wireless communication device equipped with a plurality of Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) for selecting a communication network associated with a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, USIM, of the plurality of USIMs for managing paging collisions between a plurality of communication networks, each of the communication networks associated with a respective USIM of the plurality of USIMs, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause:reception of one or more paging configuration messages indicative of upcoming paging occasions for each of the plurality of communication networks, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks; selection of at least one of the communication networks based on one or more network selection criteria; and triggering of a procedure with the selected at least one communication network for reconfiguring paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a paging occasion overlap comprises at least one of: a full paging occasion overlap, wherein a first duration of a paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network completely overlaps in time with a second duration of a paging occasion associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks; a partial paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network partially overlaps in time with the second duration of a paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks; or a close paging occasion overlap, wherein the first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and the second duration of the paging occasion associated with the one or more other communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration is shorter than a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second IISIM to receive a paging.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the upcoming paging occasions for the communication networks include one or more paging occasion non-overlaps between the upcoming paging occasions for at least one of the communication networks and the upcoming paging occasions for one or more other communication networks.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein a paging occasion non overlap comprises a first duration of the paging occasion associated with the at least one selected communication network and a second duration of the paging occasion associated with one or more othercommunication networks of the plurality of communication networks does not overlap in time and a time period between the first duration and the second duration at least as long as a switching time for the wireless communication device to switch from the first IISIM to the second USIM to receive a paging.

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-25, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is less than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

27. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-25, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasions associated with the selected at least one communication network is higher than a number of paging occasions associated with each of one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

28. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-27, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the one or more network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is higher than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-27, wherein for the at least one selected communication network, the network selection criteria comprises a number of paging occasion overlaps for the at least one selected communication network is less than one or more second number of paging occasion overlaps associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks during a time period.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-29, wherein the procedure is triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period: each of at least half of the plurality of communication networks have one or more paging occasion overlaps with at least one other of the communication networks; a number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks exceeds an overlap threshold number;a number of paging occasion non overlaps for at least one of the plurality of communication networks is less than a non overlap threshold number; and / or the number of paging occasion non overlaps is zero.

31. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-30, wherein the procedure is triggered when at least one of the following applies during a time period: the number of paging occasion non overlaps for each of the communication networks is less than a first threshold number; a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for at least one of the communication networks exceeds a second threshold number; a ratio defined as the number of paging occasion non overlaps in relation to the number of paging occasion overlaps for each of the communication networks exceeds a third threshold number; and / or the number of paging occasion overlaps reaches a threshold percentage of a total number of paging occasions configured for the plurality of communication networks.

32. The apparatus according to any of claims 26 to 31 , wherein the time period is at least one paging cycle or a Discontinuous Reception, DRX, cycle of the wireless communication device, when the wireless communication is in an idle or inactive mode.

33. The apparatus according to any of claims 26 to 31 , wherein the time period is a first paging cycle of the selected at least one communication network and wherein the first paging cycle is longer than a second paging cycle associated with one or more other communication networks of the plurality of communication networks.

34. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 33, wherein the one or more network selection criteria comprises at least one of the following: radio access technology, RAT, of the communication networks; radio Resource Control, RRC, state of the wireless communication device in each of the communication networks; serving cell frequency of each of the communication networks; network type of each of the communication networks; a preference of the selected communication network; a reoccurrence rate of system information updates for the at least one communication network;one or more capabilities of the communication networks; a service type of each of the communication networks; a latency associated with each of the communication networks; a previously selected communication network of the plurality of communication networks; a supported network slice of the communication networks; and / or a performance of each of the communication networks.

35. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-34, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by performing a Non Access Stratum (NAS) mobility registration to 5G Core Network (5G CN) associated with the selected communication network.

36. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-34, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by transmitting requested International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) offset to an Evolved Packet System Core Network (EPS CN) associated with the selected communication network.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause transmission of the requested IMSI offset in an Attach Request or in a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request to the EPS CN.

38. The apparatus of any of claims 22-37, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause triggering of the procedure by: triggering a procedure for reconfiguring paging occasions for the at least one selected communication network based on a parameter value for reconfiguring paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce a number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the parameter value is based on alternative paging occasions for the selected communication network to reduce the number of the one or more paging occasion overlaps.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 or 39, wherein the parameter value is different to one or more of: a parameter value currently used by the wireless communication device;a parameter value previously received from the selected wireless communication network; and / or an excluded parameter value.

41. The apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 40, wherein the apparatus comprises controlling circuitry configured to cause, after triggering the procedure: reception, from the selected communication network, of the parameter value or an alternative parameter value; and use of reconfigured paging occasions for the selected communication network based on the parameter value or the alternative parameter value.

42. A wireless communication device comprising the apparatus of any of claims 22 to41.

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