Apparatus, methods and computer programs

Abstract

There is provided: means for collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of a network entity; and means for reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. Energy related information comprises information about a type of control plane transaction. A count is updated when a respective control plane transaction occurs, wherein, different types of control plane transactions cause the count to be updated by different values / weights. If the collected energy related information has reached a respective reporting threshold, and when the reporting threshold has been reached, the energy related information is reported. Also disclosed is receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions, and: using the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide charging information (charging data record, CDR); or, analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics. The control plane transactions are associated with at least one of: a user equipment; a network slice; and a data network name, and comprise information identifying at least one of: the user equipment, the given network slice, or the given data network name.

Description

Technical Field Various example embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to communication systems, and in particular - but not exclusively - to apparatus, methods and computer programs relating to energy related information. Background A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server. Such communication networks operate in according with standards, such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards include the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards promulgated by 3GPP. Summary Some example embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the various example embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of (e.g., supported at, configured to be supported at) a network entity; and reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. The energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions may comprise information about a type of one or more of the control plane transactions. The apparatus may be caused to perform updating a count when a respective control plane transaction occurs. The apparatus may be caused to perform updating the count for the one or more control plane transactions based on the type of the control plane transaction, at least two different types of the control plane transactions causing the count to be updated by different values. A respective count may be provided for a respective type of control plane transaction and the respective count may updated by the same value for each transaction of the same type. The apparatus may be caused to perform determining if the collected energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions has reached a respective reporting threshold, and when the reporting threshold has been reached, reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. The reporting threshold may comprise a count threshold associated with the or a respective count. The apparatus may be caused to perform reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions periodically. A control plane transaction of the one or more control plane transactions is associated with at least one of the following: a user equipment; a network slice; or a data network name. The energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions may comprise information identifying at least one of the following: the user equipment; the given network slice; or the given data network name associated with a respective control plane transactions. The apparatus may be providing a network function. The apparatus may be an access node. The apparatus may be providing an operations, administration and maintenance function. According to a second aspect, there is a method comprising: collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of (e.g., supported at, configured to be supported at) a network entity; and reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. The energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions may comprise information about a type of one or more of the control plane transactions. The method may comprise updating a count when a respective control plane transaction occurs. The method may comprise updating the count for the one or more control plane transactions based on the type of the control plane transaction, at least two different types of the control plane transactions causing the count to be updated by different values. A respective count may be provided for a respective type of control plane transaction and the respective count may updated by the same value for each transaction of the same type. The method may comprise determining if the collected energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions has reached a respective reporting threshold, and when the reporting threshold has been reached, reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. The reporting threshold may comprise a count threshold associated with the or a respective count. The method may comprise reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions periodically. A control plane transaction of the one or more control plane transactions is associated with at least one of the following: a user equipment; a network slice; or a data network name. The energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions may comprise information identifying at least one of the following: the user equipment; the given network slice; or the given data network name associated with a respective control plane transactions. The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be providing a network function. The apparatus may be an access node. The apparatus may be providing an operations, administration and maintenance function. According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; and using the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide charging information. The charging information may comprise a charging data record. The energy related information may be as discussed in relation to the first aspect. The apparatus may provide a charging function. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; and using the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide charging information. The charging information may comprise a charging data record. The energy related information may be as discussed in relation to the second aspect. The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may provide a charging function. According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; and means for analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics. The energy related information may be as discussed in relation to the first aspect. The apparatus may provide a network data analytics function. According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; and analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics. The energy related information may be as discussed in relation to the second aspect. The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may provide a network data analytics function. Other aspects and features may be seen from the claims. According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods set out previously. According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed. According to an aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which when cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed. According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods. According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitoiy computer readable medium comprising program instructions which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the methods set out herein. According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitoiy computer readable medium comprising program instructions which when executed cause any of the methods set out previously to be performed. According to an aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible memory medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods. In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described herein. Various other aspects are also described in the detailed description and in the claims. Brief Description of the Figures Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures (FIGS.) in which: FIG. 1 shows a representation of a 5th generation (5G) communication system; FIG. 2 shows a representation of an apparatus of the of the communication system of FIG. 1 according to some example embodiments; FIG. 3 shows example procedure of some example embodiments; FIG. 4 shows the interaction between some of the parts of a 5G communication system of some example embodiments; FIG. 5 shows another example procedure of some example embodiments; FIG. 6 shows a method of some example embodiments; FIG. 7 shows another method of some example embodiments; and FIG. 8 shows a further method of some example embodiments. Detailed Description In the following, some example embodiments of this disclosure are provided in a 5G system. However, this is by way of illustrative and non-limiting example only and other example embodiments of this disclosure may be provided in other systems (or combination thereof). FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a communication system operating based on a 5th generation radio access technology (generally referred to as a 5G system (5GS)) and in which some example embodiments may be implemented. The 5GS may comprise a (radio) access network ((R)AN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application functions (AF) and one or more data networks (DN). A user equipment (UE) may access or connect to the one or more DNs via the 5GS. The 5G (R)AN may comprise one or more base stations or radio access network (RAN) nodes, such as a gNodeB (gNB). A base station or RAN node may comprise one or more distributed units connected to a central unit. The 5GC may comprise various network functions, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), an authentication server function (AUSF), a location management function (LMF), a user data management (UDM), a user plane function (UPF), a network data repository (NRF), a network exposure function (NEF), a service communication proxy (SCP), edge application server discovery function (EASDF), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a policy control function (PCF), network slice access control function (NSACF), network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF), and / or network slicing selection function (NSSF). FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 may comprise or implement one or more of the network functions shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 200 may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions of one or more the network functions shown in FIG. 1 that, when executed by at least one of the at least one processor cause operations or actions of the one or more network functions to be performed. Alternatively, the apparatus 200 may comprise or implement at least a part of the radio access node shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 200 may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions of one or more the network functions shown in FIG. 1 that, when executed by at least one of the at least one processor cause operations or actions of the radio access node to be performed. Alternatively, the apparatus 200 may comprise or implement an operations, administration and maintenance function. The apparatus 200 may have at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions of an operations, administration and maintenance function that, when executed by at least one of the at least one processor cause operations or actions of the operations, administration and maintenance function to be performed. In some examples, the apparatus 200 may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, and / or at least one read only memory (ROM) 211b. The apparatus 200 may comprise at least one processor 212, 213 and / or a network interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the at least one memory which in some examples is the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may, for example, include software code of at least one of the following: the network functions, an operations, administration and maintenance function, or the radio access node. The software code may include software code that allows, enables, or otherwise facilitates the apparatus to perform one or more operations of the various example embodiments (or portion thereof) of this disclosure. 5G communication systems, and upcoming 6G communication systems, are being increasingly designed to save energy (e.g., reduce their energy consumption) and increase their energy efficiency. Some example embodiments relate to energy efficiency. This may be in a 5G network, a 6G network or beyond, or any other suitable network. In some example embodiments, a network may support energy consumption monitoring at per network slice and / or per subscriber granularity. This may be subject to the policy of an operator of the network. In some example embodiments, a network may be able to monitor energy consumption for serving a third party. This may be subject to the policy of an operator of the network and / or subject to an agreement with the third party. In some example embodiments, a network may be able to expose information on energy consumption for serving the third party. This may be subject to the policy of an operator of the network and / or subject to an agreement with the third party. In some example embodiments, a network may be able to expose information on energy consumption to authorized third parties for services. The information may comprise energy consumption information related to the condition of an energy credit limit (e.g., when the energy consumption is reaching the energy credit limit). This may be subject to the policy of an operator of the network. Some example embodiments relate to the monitoring of energy consumption at the control plane. Some example embodiments relate to the collection of energy related information. Some example embodiments relate to the collection of count information associated with control plane transactions. The count information may provide the energy related information. The control plane transactions may involve a UE or may be between two or more network functions. The control plane transactions may be of an application programming interface of (e.g., supported at, configured to be supported at) a network entity. The network entity may support or provide a network function. In some example embodiments, the 5GC may be configured to handle and / or accommodate mechanisms that allow, enable, or otherwise facilitate the CSP (communication service provider) and / or operator to have an insight on the energy consumed in the network for a specific purpose which is caused by control plane signaling. In some example embodiments, control plane transactions may be identified. The control plane transactions may be recorded. The control plane transactions may be recorded at at least one of the following: the NF level; the NF instance level; the NF service instance level; the NF / slice level; the NF / slice / DNN level; the slice level; the DNN level; or per UE level. This may depend on the required level of granularity. The network operator may assign a metric to each of these control plane transactions. This may be used to derive an overall energy consumption. This may be summarized due to NF service level transactions that are received at a particular NF or responded by the NF. This may be summarized per API transaction or per API message. For example, 0AM (operations, administration and maintenance) functions can collect information on the number of control plane transactions per service operation at one or more or all of the levels of granularity discussed above. For example, the 0AM may report a number or amount of transactions in one or more CDR (charging data record) or other reporting mechanism. The control plane transactions may be recorded at at least one of the following: the NF level; the NF instance level; the NF service instance level; the NF / slice level; the NF / slice / DNN level; the slice level; the DNN level; or per UE level. For example, the number of control plane transactions may be reported for at least one of the following: per slice; per DNN; or per UE. For example, the number of control plane transactions per slice, for a given DNN and for a given UE A CDR or other report may report the identities and / or types of the control plane transactions. This may be per UE. The CDR or other report may alternatively or additionally report the related number of control plane transactions. One or more functions, for example an 0AM function or system or any other suitable “back office” system or function may assign a weight to each control plane transaction. Alternatively, the NF which provides the number of control plane transactions may send a weighted average or count for the control plane transactions. The NF may determine the weighted count or average. The weights per control plane transaction may be provided at the NF providing the weighted average or count. In some examples, the type and / or identity of the control plane transaction types may be omitted. In some example embodiments, the weighted average may be sent to the CHF and / or NWDAF. In some example embodiments, a respective count may be determined for each type of control plane transaction. In other example embodiments, a single count may be provided. The amount by which the count is updated may depend on the type of control plane transaction. By way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, a weight for using the Npcf AM Policy Association - Create control plane transaction may be 2 points. A weight for using the Npcf AM Policy Association - Update control plane transaction may be 1 point. Each control plane transaction type may be associated with a respective weight. The respective weight is applied to a count for a respective control plane transaction depending on the type of the control plane transaction. In some example embodiments, alternatively or additionally, a respective weight may depend on at least one of the following: the NF instance; the slice; the AF instance identity; or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the count information may alternatively or additionally be reported to the NWDAF or other consumers of this information. For example, the PCF may register for updates from the NWDAF to understand the energy consumption limits that may have been defined for a 3rd party. An NF profile may provide information of an NF instance. The NF profile may be stored in the NRF and obtained from the NRF during, for example, NF discovery. The NF profile for an NF may include an energy profile that is assigned to a service provided by the NF. This energy profile may indicate that the number of control plane transactions are to be collected. The energy profile may indicate if weighting is to be applied by the NF. The energy profile may indicate the energy related information which is to be reported by the NF. The energy profile may indicate a reporting trigger or a reporting frequency. The energy provide may define units of measurements (for example the weight) for control plane transactions of the service and / or or service instance and / or NF. The units of measurements may be dependent on the time of day and / or the location of the NF instance of associated with the control plane transactions and / or other factors that may influence the cost of the control plane transactions. The profile may provide an identity of the NF instance. The identity may be unique. The profile may provide the type of the NF. The profile may provide the status of the instance. For example, the NF profile may be as defined in the table below. Attribute name Data type P Cardinality Description nflnstanceld Nflnstanceld M 1 Unique identity of the NF Instance. nfType NFType M 1 Type of Network Function nfStatus NF Status M 1 Status of the NF Instance energyProfile EnergyProfile 0 1 Energy Profile assigned to the NF Service. An NF service definition for an NF service my provide information about a given NF service instance and may be retrieved from, for example, the NRF The NF service definition may be part of the NF profile of an NF instance. The NF service definition for an NF service 5 may include an energy profile that is assigned to a service provided by the NF. This energy profile may indicate that the number of control plane transactions are to be collected. The energy profile may indicate if weighting is to be applied by the NF. The energy profile may indicate the information which it to be reported by the NF. The energy profile may indicate a reporting trigger or a reporting frequency. The energy provide may define units of 10 measurements (for example the weight) for control plane transactions of the service and / or or service instance and / or NF. The units of measurements may be dependent on the time of day and / or the location of associated with the control plane transactions. The definition may provide an identity of service instance within a given NF instance. The identity may be unique. The definition may provide the name of the service instance. For 15 example, the NF service definition may be as defined in the table below. Attribute name Data type P Cardinality Description serviceinstance Id string M 1 Unique ID of the service instance within a given NF Instance serviceName ServiceName M 1 Name of the service instance (e.g. “nudm-sdm”) energyProfile EnergyProfile 0 1 Energy Profile assigned to the NF Service. The NWDAF (or other function) may register with the NRF to learn or determine the status and the latest updated NF profile and / or NF service definition. The NF profile and / or NF service definition may be as previously described. The NF profile and / or NF service definition may allow, enable, or otherwise facilitate the NWDAF (or other function) to be aware of the energy profile. An NF load level information definition is used by the NWDAF when providing a consumer of the analytics, for example the PCF, with the energy usage information. The NWDAF provides "NF Load level Information", and when the NDWAF provides "NF Load level Information", this includes energy usage information, The NWDAF may provide the "NF Load level Information" to, for example, the PCF. An NF load level information definition for an NF service may include an energy profile usage that is assigned to a service provided by the NF from which the data has been collected. This would provide information related to the energy usage associated with the control plane transactions associated with the NF. This may, for example, be in the form of a count, such as previously described. The definition may provide a type of NF instance. The definition may provide an identity of the NF instance. The definition identity of the NF instance set. The definition may provide an identity of a Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information S-NSSAI. This is provided if the S-NSSAI was provided during the subscription for the event notification procedure. The definition may comprise an application function identifier which identifies an application function (e.g., third party) associated with the service. For example, the NF load level information definition may be as defined in the table below. Attribute name Data type P Cardinality Description nffype NFType M 1 Type of the NF instance nflnstanceld Nflnstanceld M 1 Identification of the NF instance nfSetld NfSetld 0 0..1 Identification of the NF instance set snssai Snssai C 0..1 Identifies an S-NSSAI. Shall be present if the "snssais" was provided within EventSubscription during the subscription for event notification procedure. AF identifier Afld 0 1 AflD of the Application Function energyProfil eU sage EnergyProfil eUsage 0 1 Energy Profile usage Reference is made to FIG. 3 which schematically shows a method of some example embodiments. As referenced at SI, an AF and / or NEF provide parameters related to traffic influence, AM (access and mobility policy), and / or the like. These parameters may comprise one or more of the profiles or definitions described herein. The parameters may comprise energy profile parameters relating to control plane transactions. These parameters may be provided to the NWDAF, the PCF and / or the UDM. Such requests too could be monitored by the 5GC An AF is, in some example embodiments, an external entity to 5GC. The 5GC may consider analysis and identification of energy consumption for transactions with an AF. As referenced at S2, the NWDAF may determine a load or energy usage associated with control plane transactions. This may be based on the energy profile usage information. As referenced at S3, during registration and / or PDU (protocol data unit) session procedures, the AMF and / or SMF may subscribe for notifications from the NWDAF. The notifications may comprise information relating energy usage associated with control plane transactions. For example, a count (such as previously discussed) or units consumed may be provided on a per slice and / or AF basis. Based on the notifications, the AMF and / or the SMF may implement associated policies for the AM and / or SMF. Some example embodiments may allow, enable, or otherwise facilitate the 5GC, for example the NWDAF, to learn or determine the energy consumption based on control plane signalling. The 5GC, for example the NWDAF, may dynamically learn the energy consumption. Some example embodiments may allow, enable, or otherwise facilitate the 5GC, for example the NWDAF, to learn or determine if there are more reports being exchanged between UPF and SMF. The reports may be provided via the control plane. In some example embodiments, if the control plane reports relate to location updates to a NWDAF associated with a UE, the NDWAF may disarm a location update trigger by updating the subscription. Alternatively, the NWDAF may reduce the number of location reports to only X in Y minutes. These could be enhanced at the AMF to extend or limit the number of UE location reports towards the NF consumers based on the energy consumption status based on various levels such slice, UE, and / or the like. The 0AM and / or NWDAF may be configured to provide information relating to energy consumption associated with control plane transactions dynamically. Reference is made to FIG. 4 which schematically illustrates the interaction between some of the parts of a 5G communication system of some example embodiments. In FIG. 4, a count of the number of control plane transactions is collected or determined by a network function NF (for example an AMF or an SMF) and / or by a radio access node RAN. A report on the count is provided to at least one of the following: the charging function CHF; or the network data analytics function NWDAF. It should be appreciated that in some example embodiments, the count is only reported to the CHF and in other example embodiments, the count is only reported to the NWDAF. The NWDAF may perform energy analytics using the received reports. For example, the NWDAF may determine the more costly control operations for a UE , or for a slice or for a DNN. For example, the NWDAF may determine the energy load consumed by a slice to serve during peak hours or off-peak hours and accordingly define the SLA (service level agreement) for the corresponding slice. For example, the NWDAF may determine the load consumed at the 5GS to serve a specific AF which has been implemented for traffic influencing scenarios. The NWDAF may provide an output to NFs that subscribe to this information for charging, exposure, trend analysis or policy actions. The NWDAF may provide an output to the OSS. The OSS may decide if an NF is underutilized and could be shut down or if an NF is overutilized and requires further network resources. The NWDAF may provide an output to the network exposure function NEF for exposure of the analytics. The CHF may provide an output to the NEF for exposure of billing related information. The CHF may provide an output to a billing entity. Reference is made to FIG. 5 which shows a method of some example embodiments. As referenced at 1, a network function producer provides a service. This may be provided by a service operation or by other signalling. The network function may provide a control plane network function for a service. The service may be provided by means of network slice, for example. As referenced at 2, it is determined if the network function is configured to report control plane transaction counts. This determination may be based on the network function profile, or the definition of the network function service. This network function profile, or the definition of the network function service may be as previously discussed. If it is determined that the network function is not configured to report control plane transaction counts for the service, the method reverts to the part of the method referenced at 1. If it is determined that the network function is configured to report control plane transaction counts, then the part of the method referenced at 3 is performed. In this part of the method, the network function will update a count for the control plane transactions. For example, a counter may be provided. The counter may be incremented with each control plane transaction or decremented. The counter may be implemented as a hardware counter, as a software counter or by a combination of hardware and software. In some example embodiments, each control plane transaction causes the counter to change the count by 1. This may be used where the network function does not report the count of the counter in a weighted manner. In other example embodiments, the amount by which the counter is changed will depend on the type of the control plane transaction. This may be used where the network function reports the count of the counter in a weighted manner. As referenced at 4, it is determined if the count is to be reported. The count of the counter may be reported periodically. A reporting frequency may be defined. The count may be associated with a time window. Alternatively, the counter may be reported when the count reaches a given threshold. In some examples, report may include information on the time taken to reach the threshold count. In some example embodiments, the count may be reported with other information, unrelated to the control plane transaction counts. This may be to reduce signalling. In some examples, information about the time period associated with the count may be reported with the count. If it is determined that the counter is not to be reported, the method reverts to the part of the method referenced at 1. If it is determined that the counter is to be reported, then, as referenced at 5, a determination is made as to whether the counter is to be reported in a weighted manner. If it is determined that the counter is not to be reported in a weighted manner, then as referenced at 6, the network function reports information relating to the count and information on the type of the control plane transaction. The method then reverts to the part of the method referenced at 1. If it is determined that the counter is to be reported in a weighted manner, then as referenced at 7, the network function reports the weighted count value. In this case, there is no need to include information on the type of control plane transaction. The method then reverts to the part of the method referenced at 1. The NF or RAN can be configured or requested on the control plane to report the count. The count can be provided by: providing a control plane transaction count per service type / control plane transaction type. For example, each control plane transaction may increment the count by one; or a weighted count. For example, each control plane transaction increments the count by a weight for the control plane transaction type. The NF / RAN may receive a request to report the count either by configuration or via subscribe / notify procedure. The CHF may report the information to billing and / or exposure functions. The NWDAF may provide an output to the NEF for exposure of analytics. The NWDAF may provide an output to the PCF (for example so that the PCF can take policy actions based on the analytics performed by the NWDAF) or to the OSS (for example so that the OSS can decide whether a function is underutilized and could be shut down). Reference is made to FIG. 6 which shows a method of some example embodiments. This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be configured to implement a network function (or part of a network function), an operations, administration and maintenance function (or part of an operations, administration and maintenance function), an access node (or part of an access node). The access node may be a centralized unit in some example embodiments. The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2. The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions. The method may comprise as referenced at Al, collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of (e.g., supported at, configured to be supported at) a network entity. The method may comprise as referenced at A2, reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions. It should be appreciated that the method outlined in FIG. 6 may be modified to include any of the previously described features. Reference is made to FIG. 7 which shows a method of some example embodiments. This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may provide a network function. The network function may comprise a charging function. The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method and / or the network function. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below and / or the network function. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2. The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions. The method may comprise as referenced at Bl, receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions. The method may comprise as referenced at B2, analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics. It should be appreciated that the method outlined in FIG. 7 may be modified to include any of the previously described features. Reference is made to FIG. 8 which shows a method of some example embodiments. This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may provide a network function. The network function may comprise a network data analytics function. The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method and / or the network function. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below and / or the network function. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to FIG. 2. The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions. The method may comprise as referenced at Cl, receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions. The method may comprise as referenced at C2, analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics. It should be appreciated that the method outlined in FIG. 8 may be modified to include any of the previously described features. Computer program code may be downloaded and stored in one or more memories of the apparatus described herein. Therefore, although certain example embodiments were described above, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example and with reference to certain example architectures for communication systems operated by mobile network operators, technologies and standards, further example embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein. For example, some example embodiments have been described in relation to a 5G communication system (5GS). It should be appreciated that other example embodiments may be provided in any other suitable communication system(s) or in any suitable combination with a 5GS. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. As used herein, “and / or” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is joined by “and / or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements. As used herein and unless stated explicitly, performance of a respective feature, step, or functionality “in response to A” does not indicate that the respective feature, step, or functionality is performed immediately after “A” occurs as one or more intervening features, steps, or functionalities may be performed (at least in part) between an occurrence of the respective feature, step, or functionality and “A”. Analogously, performance of a respective feature, step or functionality “based on A” does not indicate that the respective feature, step, or functionality is performed solely based on “A” as the respective feature, step, or functionality may further be based at least in part on one or more other features, steps, or functionalities in addition to “A”. In general, the various example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting and illustrative examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor!s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.” This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, an integrated circuit such as a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device. The various example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computerexecutable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out any of the various example embodiments of this disclosure (or portion(s) thereof). The one or more computer-executable components may include software code, or portion(s) thereof. Further in this regard, it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media, such as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media (e.g., DVD and the data variants thereof, CD). The physical media is a non-transitory media. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise at least one of the following: general-purpose computers; special purpose computers; microprocessors; digital signal processors (DSPs); application specific integrated circuits (ASIC); FPGA; gate level circuits; or processors (based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting and illustrative examples). Example embodiments of this disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. The foregoing description has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative 20 examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the drawings and the claims. Indeed, there are further example embodiments comprising a 5 combination of one or more example embodiments with any of the other example embodiments described herein. The scope of protection sought for some of the various example embodiments of this disclosure is set out by the claims. The various example embodiments in addition to its respective aspects and features thereof described herein that do not fall under the scope of the claims (if any) are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various example 10 embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that different claims with differing claim scope may be pursued in related applications, such as divisional or continuation applications.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:means for collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of a network entity; andmeans for reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions comprises information about a type of one or more of the control plane transactions.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for collecting energy related information is configured to update a count when a respective control plane transaction occurs.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for collecting energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions is configured to update the count for the one or more control plane transactions based on the type of the control plane transaction, at least two different types of the control plane transactions causing the count to be updated by different values.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein a respective count is provided for a respective type of control plane transaction and the respective count is updated by the same value for each transaction of the same type.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for determining if the collected energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions has reached a respective reporting threshold, and when the reporting threshold has been reached, the means for reporting is configured to report the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 when appended to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the reporting threshold comprises a count threshold associated with the or a respective count.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, means for reporting is configured to report the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions periodically.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a control plane transaction of the one or more control plane transactions is associated with at least one of the following:a user equipment; a network slice; or a data network name.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions comprises information identifying at least one of the following: the user equipment, the given network slice, or the given data network name associated with a respective control plane transactions.

11. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; andmeans for using the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide charging information.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claims 11, wherein the charging information comprises a charging data record.

13. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; andmeans for analysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the information relating to the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions comprises information about a type of one or more of the control plane transactions.

15. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, wherein one or more control planetransactions is associated with at least one of the following:a user equipment; a network slice; and a data network name.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions comprises information identifying at least one of the following: the user equipment, the given network slice, or the given data network name associated with a respective control plane transactions.

17. A method comprising:collecting energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions of an application programming interface of a network entity; andreporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions comprises information about a type of one or more of the control plane transactions.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17 or 18, comprising updating a count when a respective control plane transaction occurs.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, comprising updating the count for the one or more control plane transactions based on the type of the control plane transaction, at least two different types of the control plane transactions causing the count to be updated by different values.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein a respective count is provided for a respective type of control plane transaction and the respective count is updated by the same value for each transaction of the same type.

22. The method as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, comprising determining if the collected energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions has reached a respective reporting threshold, and when the reporting threshold has beenreached, reporting the energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions.

23. A method comprising:5 receiving energy related information associated with one or more control planetransactions; andusing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide charging information.10 24. A method comprising:receiving energy related information associated with one or more control plane transactions; andanalysing the received energy related information associated with the one or more control plane transactions to provide energy related information analytics.1525. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions, which when run, perform the method of any of claims 17 to 24.

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