Provisioning of LPWA carrier as a fallback for broadband services

Abstract

An apparatus, e.g. UE 110, comprising: means for receiving, in a first cell (such as cell 12 having a gNB 13 providing mobile broadband services, eMBB), a system information block SIB 710, where the s

Description

[0003] The following summary is merely intended to be an example. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: receiving, by an apparatus in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; and determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network

[0006] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; means for determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; and determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: sending a system information block from an apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: receiving, by an apparatus, a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and means, based at least partially on the received notification message, for sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0015] In accordance with another aspect, non-transitory program storage device is provided, readable by an apparatus, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable with the apparatus for performing operations, the operations comprising: receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0016] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: sending a first message, from an apparatus in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and means for receiving, based at least partially on the first message, a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0020] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: receiving, by an apparatus in a first cell, a first message, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and means for sending, based at least partially on the received first message, a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect, an example method is provided comprising: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising: means for determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; means for receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and means for using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0028] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are provided in the subject matter of the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which the example embodiments may be practiced;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user equipment (UE) in partially overlapping cells;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a UE switching from broadband with an eMBB to a fallback carrier of a LPWA where the LPWA carrier is separate from the broadband carrier of the eMBB;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a UE switching from broadband with an eMBB to a fallback carrier of a LPWA where the LPWA carrier is in-band to the broadband carrier of the eMBB;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a 6G downlink carrier and location of items, including a LPWA fallback carrier, relative to the 6G downlink carrier;

[0035] FIG. 6 is ram illustrating a 6G uplink carrier and location of items, including a LPWA fallback carrier and a notification channel in the LPWA fallback carrier, relative to the 6G uplink carrier;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0039] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0041] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0042] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0043] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example method;

[0044] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The foilowing abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined as follows: 3 GPP third generation partnership project 5 5G fifth generation 5GC 5G core 6G sixth generation AMF access and mobility management function BWP bandwidth part 10 CPE customer premise equipment CU central unit DL downlink DMRS demodulation reference signal DTX discontinuous transmission 15 DU distributed unit eMBB enhanced mobile broadband eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station) EN-DC E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity en-gNB or En-gNB node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol 20 terminations towards the UE, and acting as secondary node in EN-DC E-UTRA evolved universal terrestrial radio access, i.e., the LTE radio access technology FR1 frequency range 1 25 FR2 frequency range 2 gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC I / F interface 30 loT internet of things LPWA low power wide area LTE long term evolution MAC medium access control MIB master information block MME mobility management entity 5 ng or NG next generation ng-eNB or NG-eNB next generation eNB NR new radio N / WorNW network PBCH physical broadcast channel 10 PDCCH physical downlink control channel PDCP packet data convergence protocol PDSCH physical downlink data channel PHY physical layer PRACH physical random access channel 15 PRB physical resource block PUCCH physical uplink control channel PUSCH physical uplink shared channel RACH random access channel RAN radio access network 20 RAR random access response RE resource element RedCap reduced capacity Rei release RLC radio link control 25 RLF radio link failure RO RACH occasion RRH remote radio head RRC radio resource control RSRP reference signal received power 30 RSRQ reference signal received quality RU radio unit Rx receiver SDAP service data adaptation protocol SDT small data transmission SGW serving gateway SIB system information block SMF session management function SRS sounding reference signal SSB synchronization signal block TS technical specification Tx transmitter UE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device) UL uplink UPF user plane function

[0046] Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element(s) 190 are illustrated. Examples of network equipment, network device, or a network entity might be understood to include, at least part of, a transmission reception point or a cell or a gNB or node for example. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0047] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) 190). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit(CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0048] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor(s) 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory / memories and processor(s), and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0049] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0050] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0051] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s).

[0052] It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station’s coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So, if there are three 120-degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0053] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(S)) and / or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and / or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely exemplary functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to a network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0054] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0055] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 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, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0056] In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0057] Referring also to Fig. 2, a UE 110 relative to two cells 12 and 14 is shown. In this example the UE 110 is connected to the first cell 12 having a base station 13 (such as a gNB for example). The first cell 12 can provide broadband services for the UE 110. The second cell 14 has a base station 15 (such as a gNB for example). The second cell 14 in this example is part of a low power wide area (LPWA) network configured to provide Internet of Things (loT) services, and may be used to provide additional services as described below. In this example the two cells 12, 14 have coverage areas which at least partially overlap, but the coverage area of the second cell 14 is larger than the first cell 12. In one type of example the centers of the cells may be co-located, such as with antennas on a same tower for example. In another example the cells may be spaced from each other and do not overlap. As illustrated with arrow A, the UE may move out of the coverage area of the first cell 12 or otherwise not be able to properly communicate with the base station 13 using broadband, but might still be in the coverage area of the second cell 14. Other situations where the UE 110 is unable to communicate with the base station 13 might arise for one reason or another (such as in a deep coverage hole where broadband services cannot be supported or a radio link failure for example), but the UE can communicate with the base station 15 using the LPWA network as a fallback mode of communication because the UE is in the second cell 14. This type of fallback communication from a broadband communication to use of an LPWA network for communication is explained in further detail below.

[0058] Internet of Things (loT) refers to the interconnection and the autonomous exchange of data between devices. Three main loT categories include massive loT, critical loT, and broadband loT. Of the three loT categories, massive loT has the widest application with use cases such as smart meter, asset tracking and management, fleet management, sensors, remote monitoring, smart cities, etc. In cellular systems, massive loT deployment is supported via low power wide area (LPWA) network. In 4G LTE, LPWA network based on NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies were introduced. They have the following characteristics: • Low device complexity / cost • Low device power consumption enabling long battery life of greater than 10 years • Enhanced coverage compared to broadband services (up to 20-25 dB enhanced coverage) • Support for massive number of devices • Delay tolerant data transmission • Infrequent data transmissions

[0059] In 5G, no new LPWA technology was specified as NB-IoT and LTE-M continue to be supported for massive loT use cases. Features as described herein may be used to introduce a new lightweight radio protocol for LPWA. For example, some motivations for introducing 6GLPWA may include: • Sunset of 4G LTE - replacement technology will be needed when 4G LTE carriers are no longer supported • Further improve on 4G LTE solutions by introducing a simple lightweight radio protocol with essential features all in the same release • Single solution to address massive loT use cases

[0060] In addition, as described herein, one new use case may comprise the use of LPWA technology as a fallback for mobile broadband devices. The “fallback” for the mobile broadband device is intended to allow for use of the mobile device, when the full broadband communication is not available, with some type of communication (albeit more limited than a full broadband type of communication). This type of “fallback communication” allows the mobile device to still be used as a communication device, but with a limited or reduced communication. A 6G LPWA carrier can have significantly enhanced coverage compared to an eMBB carrier (up to 20 - 25 dB greater coverage). For a mobile device in a fallback mode (comprising use of LPWA technology), the carrier (such as a 6G LPWA carrier for example) can support basic voice, data and messaging services. The LPWA carrier, although it cannot be used for all of the same communication capacities as a broadband communication such as 5G or 6G, can be used for relatively reduced forms of communication, such as for emergency services for example.

[0061] In one type of envisioned scenario, the UE can switch from a broadband carrier to an LPWA carrier when the cell can no longer support broadband services. One example of this switching is shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) carrier is separate from LPWA carrier. LPWA is used as a fallback carrier for broadband UE. The UE may switch to a LPWA carrier for emergency services for example. In one example the LPWA carrier can be deployed in-band to the eMBB carrier as shown in FIG. 4. This allows for efficient spectral usage, especially in the early LPWA deployment stage where there might not be a large number of LPWA devices in the system.

[0062] Currently, to use LPWA cell as fallback for mobile broadband device, the device can undergo cell selection and reselection procedures as described in TS 38.304. The UE will search for the strongest suitable cell on each RF channel in the NR bands according to its capabilities. Once a suitable cell is found, the cell can be selected. To minimize the search time, the UE can use stored information from previously detected cells. However, for the UE to be able to detect the LPWA cell during cell search procedure, the LPWA cell will have to transmit a comprehensive set of signals and channels for the UE to perform measurements on. However, this results in high overhead for the fallback LPWA cell.

[0063] A 6G LPWA carrier can have significantly enhanced coverage compared to an eMBB carrier (up to 20 - 25 dB greater coverage). As described herein, one new use case for 6G LPWA is the use of LPWA as fallback for a mobile broadband device when the device is in deep coverage hole (i.e. where broadband services cannot be supported). This is shown, for example, in Fig. 2 when the UE 110 is no longer in the coverage area of the cell 12 as shown moved with arrow A. In fallback mode, such as when cell 14 is part of a LPWA network, basic voice and messaging services should be supported for the broadband UE 110. For instance, the fallback mode can be used for emergency services for the broadband users.

[0064] However, with conventional systems, operators that do not support LPWA services would have to deploy an LPWA carrier solely to support fallback services for broadband devices. This can introduce high overhead since all the associated LPWA signals and channels would have to be transmitted, even though, most of the time, there is no out of coverage broadband UE requiring services. This is especially true if fallback is only used for an emergency. Generally, the number of devices that are both out of broadband coverage and requiring emergency services is expected to be small. Features as described herein may be used where the fallback services can be provided via an LPWA network with minimal overhead and network impact.

[0065] With features as described herein, a lean type of LPWA carrier / cell with minimum signaling is proposed for deploying a system that support fallback LPWA carrier / cell, but which avoids excessive overhead. The proposed solution is summarized as follows: • A LPWA carrier is provisioned with no associated channels and signals for initial access (e.g. SSB, SIBs, reference signals, etc.). a. The LPWA carrier may use a narrow bandwidth (as low as 180 kHz). The carrier may be deployed in-band, on the guard-band of the eMBB carrier, or as a standalone carrier. b. Only a notification channel might be configured in the LPWA carrier (e.g. PRACH channel and / or PUCCH channel) for the uplink, and a LPWA setup channel (e.g., PDCCH) may be configured for the downlink to be used in response to a notification. In case the LPWA carrier is deployed as a stand-alone carrier, a synchronization signal may also be used. With this example only the notification channel is active (i.e. being monitored by the gNB) until there is access by the UE. • A new system information block (SIB) may be introduced in the eMBB carrier to provide information about the LPWA carrier to be used for fallback / emergency services (e.g. carrier location and bandwidth, initial access info, coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria, cell barring, etc.).

[0066] For a UE that can access the broadband cell: • The UE may access the broadband cell and acquire an LPWA SIB in the eMBB carrier. The SIB is broadcast by the eMBB for any UE to receive. If the UE has also established an indirect path such as via a sidelink relay for example, the UE may acquire the LPWA SIB also over the indirect path. • The UE determines switching criteria (via SIB) between the broadband carrier, such as in the cell 12, and the LPWA carrier such as in the cell 14. • In one example embodiment, the UE is provided with cell reselection criteria or a preference configuration for operation in RRC IDLE / RRC INACTIVE state. For example, the UE may search for another broadband cell first before switching to the fallback LPWA cell 14. In one type of alternate example, the UE may attempt to communicate indirectly with the network, such as via a sidelink relay for example, provided that such an indirect path exists, before switching to the fallback LPWA cell. This may depend, for example, on the battery level. The UE may also still connect to the LPWA cell over the direct path and to another broadband cell over the indirect path. • In another example embodiment, the LPWA cell may be selected when the UE encounters a radio link failure condition in RRC CONNECTED state and / or indirect communication with the network is not possible. For example, an indirect communication with the network may not be possible due to unavailability of sidelink relays. • In another example embodiment, the LPWA cell may be selected based on higher layer information. For example, the LPWA cell may be selected based on input from an application, or an energy level measurement to using the LPWA cell for emergency, or low energy level measured from UE power source causing the UE to support only emergency service. • After determining that the UE should switch to the fallback LPWA carrier, the UE may send a message on the notification channel to request access (e.g. PRACH preamble or indicator sent on PUCCH / PUSCH). • Note that if the configurations are already provided to the UE, the UE may just send a RRC-config complete message to the LPWA carrier. • If UE has also established indirect communication with the network via a sidelink relay, UE may use the indirect communication to request access. • The network may respond to the message with a configuration set-up for the UE for the LPWA setup channel, and for an indirect path via a sidelink relay in case such an indirect path exists. For example, the configuration set-up in the message may comprise control channel configuration, RRC configuration setup, SDT configuration setup, etc.

[0067] For UE that cannot access the broadband cell: • The UE may acquire a master information block (MIB) and the LPWA SIB from the broadband cell. For example, this may be accomplished by combining multiple copies for enhanced coverage. In an alternative example, the UE may have acquired this information earlier (e.g., from previous access to the cell). If an indirect path via a sidelink relay is established between the UE and the network, the UE may acquire the MIB and the LPWA SIB over the indirect path. • The UE may send a message on the notification channel to request access (e.g. PRACH preamble). If the UE has also an indirect path using a sidelink relay, it may use that indirect path to transmit the access request to the network. • The network may respond to the message with configuration set-up for the UE (e.g. control channel configuration, RRC configuration setup, SDT configuration setup, etc.) on the LPWA setup channel or / and on the indirect path via a sidelink relay in case it exists. • The UE may perform uplink and downlink communication on the LPWA carrier based on that configuration.

[0068] A “lean” LPWA carrier may be provisioned with no associated channels and signals for initial access (e.g. SSB, SIBs, reference signals, etc.). • The LPWA carrier may use a narrow bandwidth (as low as 180 kHz for example). The carrier may be provisioned as in-band to eMBB carrier, on the guard-band of the eMBB carrier, or as a stand-alone carrier. An example of in-band deployment is shown in FIG. 5. • Lean LPWA carrier can only be accessed via information obtained from the eMBB carrier as previously described. This significantly reduces the overhead and resources being reserved for LPWA carrier can be re-used by eMBB carrier in case of in-band provisioning. FIGS 5-6 illustrate examples of LPWA fallback carrier provisioning in-band to 6G carrier. In FIGS 5-6, all time-frequency resources reserved for LPWA fallback carrier can be re-used by eMBB carrier except for the notification channel. • In this example, only a notification channel is configured in the LPWA carrier. In a case of the LPWA being deployed as stand-alone carrier, a synchronization signal may also be provided. o The notification channel may be, for example, a 6G LPWA PRACH channel or a PUCCH / PUSCH channel. In the case where the LPWA carrier is deployed in-band or guard-band, or stand-alone but co-located with eMBB carrier, the UE may have a valid timing advance from the eMBB carrier and, therefore, notification can be sent using the PUCCH / PUSCH channel and the PRACH channel may not be required. o In an alternative example embodiment, the notification channel may be configured separately from the LPWA carrier. For example, the configuration for the notification channel may be provided as a separate PRACH configuration or PUCCH configuration outside the LPWA carrier. This can provide flexibility to the network for configuration of the notification channel. • For in-band and guard-band deployment, UE can obtain synchronization using the eMBB synchronization signals. Even in poor coverage, synchronization can be achieved by using multiple copies (i.e. repetition) of the synchronization signals, similar to the approach as used in LTE-M / NB-IoT. For a stand-alone deployment, the UE may still be able to obtain synchronization using the eMBB synchronization signals if the center frequency of the LPWA carrier is within a certain range of the eMBB synchronization signals. Otherwise, synchronization signals may need to be transmitted on the LPWA carrier, e.g. NCD-SSBs. Synchronization signals on the LPWA carrier may be activated or their periodicity could be updated only after link degradation or link failure is detected by the network. The trigger may be the same as the one triggering SIB provision via RRC signaling. Alternatively, the UE may be triggered to send a request to the network for activation of synchronization signals in the LPWA carrier, based on certain criteria. The criteria may be, for example, RSRP or RSRQ below a threshold. The trigger may be the same as the one for triggering LPWA SIB acquisition by the UE.

[0069] A new SIB may be provided in the eMBB carrier to provide information about the LPWA carrier to be used for emergency services. • The new SIB can be sent using coverage enhancements (e.g. multiple copies of the new SIB can be sent). This would allow a UE that cannot access the eMBB cell to still acquire this information. • The new SIB can be sent with a very long periodicity (e.g. seconds). Additional SIB copies can be sent on demand such as, for example, when the UE supporting emergency services access the cell and indicates support of the corresponding capability to the network. • Example information parameters may include, for example, carrier location and bandwidth, initial access info, coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria, cell barring, QoS or data features (or services) for which the UE can switch or use the LPWA carrier, indication to receive emergency message conveyed in LPWA setup channel, etc. • SIB acquisition can be based on UE capability or type. For example, a UE not requiring emergency services (e.g. loT device, CPE, etc.) do not have to acquire this SIB. • The new SIB acquisition can be triggered. For example, the trigger may be based on certain criteria such as RSRP or RSRQ below a threshold. • In an alternate example, this information can be provided via RRC signaling. The signaling may be triggered based on certain criteria such as, for example, RSRP or RSRQ below a threshold.

[0070] For a UE that can access the broadband cell: • The UE may access the broadband cell. • The UE may receive switching criteria between broadband and LPWA carrier. The switching criteria may be received such as via SIB for example. o In one example embodiment, the UE is provided with cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in RRC IDLE / RRC INACTIVE state. For example, the preference configuration may comprise the UE searching for another broadband cell first before switching to the fallback LPWA cell. o In another example embodiment, the LPWA cell may be selected when the UE encounters a radio link failure condition in RRC CONNECTED state or when also indirect communication via a sidelink (SL) relay is not possible such as, for example, due to unavailability of suitable SL relays. o In an example variant, a SIB includes the conditions or criteria for the UE to revert back to the broadband mode of operation. • In an example embodiment, for switching back from LPWA to broadband (or vice versa), the conditions / criteria may be evaluated multiple times (as per the configuration), and consistent positive determination may be required to perform the switching. This may be used to avoid very frequent back-and-forth switching (and hence e.g., frequent RLF in the broadband mode) particularly during mobility at the cell edge. o In another example embodiment, the UE may receive a switching trigger from the network. This may be particularly relevant during the uplink transmission, where the network may observe degradation of uplink quality and may trigger the UE to switch to the LPWA carrier before the RLF occurs on the broadband carrier. o In another example embodiment, the conditions / criteria may include allowing switching to a LPWA carrier based on certain higher layer information. For example, a SIB may inform if the UE can switch to a LPWA cell based on user input through an application. As another example, a SIB may inform that the UE should switch to a LPWA cell when a battery level is below a certain threshold. o In another example embodiment, in a case where a SIB includes an indication to receive an emergency message, the UE may determine to switch to the LPWA carrier for receiving data in the LPWA setup channel.

[0071] After determining that the UE should switch to a fallback LPWA carrier, UE may send a message on the notification channel to request access (e.g. PRACH preamble or indicator sent on PUCCH or PUSCH). • A dedicated preamble / sequence / signal may be assigned. For example, if the LPWA carrier configuration is via RRC signaling, a dedicated preamble can be pre-allocated. • In an alternate embodiment, the UE can send a data message together with, or instead of, an access request. This may be conditioned to a configurable criteria. For example, the UE may be pre-configured or informed via a SIB about the maximum payload size and / or priority of the data that can be sent in the notification channel.

[0072] The Network may respond to the notification message with a configuration set-up for the UE on the LPWA setup channel. The configuration set-up or message may comprise, for example, control channel configuration, RRC configuration setup, SDT configuration setup, etc., for operation on the LPWA carrier. • In an example variant, the network may include in the response message to the UE the criteria to revert back to the broadband mode of operation. • The LPWA setup channel may be configured in the LPWA carrier. Alternatively, the LPWA setup channel may be configured separately from the LPWA carrier, e.g., in resources outside the LPWA carrier.

[0073] The UE may perform uplink and downlink communication on the LPWA carrier based on the configuration until the UE determines to revert back to broadband operation. For example, the UE may monitor the control channel or performs SDT only on the LPWA carrier. The network may blank or reserve the PRBs on a 6G carrier that are utilized by the LPWA carrier. In one example embodiment, the network may activate this PRB blanking only when at least one is using the LPWA carrier for emergency services.

[0074] The UE may revert back to the broadband operation following the configuration criteria. • In an example variant, the broadband mode of operation follows criteria pertaining to the perceived strength of the broadband cell / broadband carrier. For example, the UE may be configured to periodically check whether the broadband cell associates with RSRP which is above a threshold, and switch accordingly. • In another example variant, the broadband mode of operation follows criteria pertaining to both the broadband cell / carrier and the LPWA cell / carrier. As an example, the UE may revert to broadband if the difference on the perceived RSRP of the respective carriers is offset larger than a predefined value. • In another example variant, the UE may be configured to search for a broadband cell / carrier only if the strength of the LPWA cell / carrier drops below a predefined value. • In another example variant, the network may trigger the UE to attempt a switch back to broadband carrier. This may be based on a high RSRP observed at the network on the LPWA carrier.

[0075] For a UE that cannot access the broadband cell: • The UE may acquire MIB and LPWA SIB from the broadband cell (e.g. by combining multiple copies). Alternately, the UE may have acquired this information earlier (from previous access to the cell). o Alternately, UE can use MIB / SIB information acquired from previous access to the broadband cell. • The UE may send a message on the notification channel to request access (e.g. PRACH preamble). • The Network may respond to the message with a configuration set-up for the UE (e.g. control channel configuration, RRC configuration setup, SDT configuration setup, etc.) on the LPWA setup channel.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 7, an example embodiment is shown. In this example embodiment, the LPWA configuration is sent via a SIB. In one example, the SIB may be sent periodically. In another example, the SIB may be sent on demand when UE accesses the cell). For example, the network can determine, such as based on UE capability reporting when the UE accesses the cell for example, whether to transmit this SIB.

[0077] As seen in FIG. 7, an initial access procedure 706 is performed between the UE 110 and the gNB 13 after the SSB 702 and essential SIBs 704 are received by the UE 110. The SIBs at 704 should not be confused with the LPWA fallback SIB indicated at 710. Optionally, as shown with 708, the UE may determine whether the UE supports LPWA fallback mode. The gNB 13 may transmit a SIB which comprises LPWA fallback information as indicated with 710. As noted above, this may be automated, or may be on demand. Normal data transmissions may occur between the UE and the gNB 13 as indicated by 712. When a radio link failure is detected by the UE as indicated by 714, the UE may determine whether one or more criteria for the LPWA fallback mode are fulfilled in order to use the LPWA fallback mode as indicated by 716. If the criteria are fulfilled, the UE 110 may send a notification message 718 to the LPWA gNB 15. The LPWA gNB 15 may respond to the UE with a configuration message 720. Based on the two messages 718 and 720, one or more fallback services may be provided as indicated with 722. This may be, for example, voice or messaging. This may also comprise a RRC connection setup; such as enabled based on 718-720.

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 8, another example embodiment is shown. In this example embodiment, the LPWA configuration is sent via dedicated signaling. This reduces the overhead further as only UEs that are in degraded radio conditions would be sent this information. The initial access procedure 806 is performed between the UE 110 and the gNB 13 after the SSB 802 and essential SIBs 804 are received by the UE 110. Normal data transmissions may occur between the UE and the gNB 13 as indicated by 808. When the UE 110 determines that it may need to switch or fallback to a LPWA mode as indicated at 810, the UE may send an event reporting or LPWA configuration request to the gNB 13 as indicated with 812. The gNB 13 may respond by transmitting a LPWA fallback configuration information as indicated with 814. After the UE 110 detects a radio link failure as indicated at 816, the UE 110 may determine whether criteria for the LPWA fallback are fulfilled as indicated at 818. If the criteria are fulfilled, the UE 110 may send a notification message 820 to the LPWA gNB 15. The LPWA gNB 15 may respond to the UE with a configuration message 822. Based on the two messages 820 and 822, one or more fallback services may be provided as indicated with 824. This may be, for example, voice or messaging. This may also comprise a RRC connection setup; such as enabled based on 820-822.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 9, another example embodiment is shown. In this example embodiment, the UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. The UE is in the idle state when there is no RRC connection established (RRC IDLE). The UE is in an inactive state when there is an RRC connection that has been suspended (RRC INACTIVE). In inactive mode, the UE performs all of the functions that are part of the idle state. In this example, the UE acquires synchronization, MIB, and LPWA SIB before it switches over to LPWA fallback carrier. LPWA SIB can be sent using multiple repetitions to enhance coverage. The UE 110 will have received the SSB from the gNB 13 as indicated at 902. The UE 110 can determine if it needs to use the LPWA communication as a fallback communication mode as indicated at 904. The LPWA fallback SIB may be received by the UE 110 from the gNB 13 as indicated at 906. This may be automated as explained above. While in the idle or inactive state, after the UE 110 determines that it needs to use the LPWA communication as a fallback communication mode, the UE 110 may send a notification message 908 to the LPWA gNB 15. The LPWA gNB 15 may respond to the UE with a configuration message 910. Based on the two messages 908 and 910, one or more fallback services may be provided as indicated with 912. This may be, for example, voice or messaging. This may also comprise a RRC connection setup; such as enabled based on 908-910.

[0080] Features as described herein may be used to provide a way for a network to efficiency provision an LPWA carrier for emergency services. In the case where the emergency LPWA carrier is provided in-band to the eMBB carrier, this may be provided with a low overhead and small impact to the eMBB carrier.

[0081] Features may be used to provide a new signaling method for accessing a cell in fallback mode, wherein the cell is, for example, an LPWA cell. A new use case for 6G LPWA is the use of LPWA as fallback for normal 6G operation (mobile broadband services), wherein in the fallback mode basic voice and messaging services (e.g. emergency services) were supported. LPWA is expected to be a good fallback option since it can have much larger coverage compared to normal 6G broadband coverage. If LPWA were to be deployed solely to support fallback (e g. for emergency service), it would be power and spectrum consuming if the LPWA cell would transmit all the time periodic information like SS / MIB / SIBs - to support known methods for intra / inter-RAT neighboring cell selection / reselection. Features as described herein help to prevent this excessive power and spectrum consumption.

[0082] Features may comprise: • receiving, from a first cell, cell access configuration for a second cell, where the cell access configuration is for accessing the second cell in fallback mode; • determining the criteria for accessing the second cell based on the cell access configuration, • determining that the criteria for accessing the second cell in fallback mode is fulfilled, • transmitting, to a second cell, access notification message, • receiving, from a second cell, cell configuration setup.

[0083] The cell access configuration may comprise frequency location of the fallback cell. The cell access configuration may comprise BWP information, notification channel configuration, and control channel configuration. The second cell may use a narrower bandwidth than the first cell. The method may comprise transmitting, to a first cell, a message indicating request for cell access configuration, and receiving the cell access configuration in response to transmitting the message.

[0084] Conventionally, for intra / inter-RAT neighboring cell selection / reselection, the current cell provides information about a neighboring cell’s frequency location and criteria for cell reselection. The UE performs measurements on neighboring cells and switches over when conditions are satisfied. When it switches over, it obtains SS / MIB / SIBs from the neighboring cell to figure out how to access the cell. All the access information is obtained from the neighbor cell itself. With features as described herein, no SS / MIB / SIBs transmission is needed on the fallback cell for the UE to read. So, the current cell may provide some of this information such as, for example, a minimum set comprising a frequency location of the fallback cell, BWP information, notification channel configuration, and control channel configuration. When conditions in the current cell degrades such that the switching criteria is met, the UE may switch to the fallback cell by transmitting a notification message. Upon receiving this information, the fallback cell can configure the UE with needed SIBs. This way, the fallback cell does not have to transmit any periodic information such as SS / MIB / SIBs which would otherwise be overhead. With features as described herein, overhead may be reduced because the fallback cell will not be used frequently. So, in effect the fallback cell stays dormant until it is needed (i.e. the fallback cell receives the access notification message). This may be used for when a fallback cell is deployed in-band to e.MBB cell, so UE can use eMBB cell’s synchronization signal (SS). If deployed otherwise, the network may need to transmit the SS on the fallback cell.

[0085] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; and determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0086] The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining the one or more criteria, based at least partially on the received fallback communication information, for accessing the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The received fallback communication information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the second cell, or a data message for the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The transmission may comprise a transmission via a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a message indicating completion of radio resource control (RRC) configuration. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based on the transmission to the second cell, receiving of a cell configuration setup message from the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the system information block may be from at least one of: the first cell, or a sidelink relay. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration provided for operation in a RRCIDLE state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise the apparatus communicating indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met may be based, at least partially, on determining at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode, where the determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met is based, at least partially, on the determining that the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode. The received fallback communication information may comprise information for use by the apparatus to revert from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The received fallback communication information may comprise a switching trigger information for use by the apparatus to trigger the apparatus to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0087] Referring also to Fig. 10, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: receiving, by an apparatus in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication as illustrated with block 1002; and determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1004. The method may further comprise determining the one or more criteria, based at least partially on the received fallback communication information, for accessing the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The received fallback communication information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The method may further comprise, based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the second cell, or a data message for the second cell. The received fallback communication information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The transmission may comprise a transmission via a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a message indicating completion of radio resource control (RRC) configuration. The method may further comprise, based on the transmission to the second cell, receiving of a cell configuration setup message from the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the system information block may be from at least one of: the first cell, or a sidelink relay. The method may further comprise determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration provided for operation in a rrC idle state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise the apparatus communicating indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The method may further comprise determining whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met may be based, at least partially, on determining at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The method may further comprise determining whether the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode, where the determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met is based, at least partially, on the determining that the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode. The received fallback communication information may comprise information for use by the apparatus to revert from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The received fallback communication information may comprise a switching trigger information for use by the apparatus to trigger the apparatus to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0088] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: means for receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; and means for determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0089] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; and determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0090] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network. The fallback communication information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the user equipment and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The fallback communication information may comprise access information for the user equipment to send to the second cell at least one of: an access notification message, or a data message. The fallback communication information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the user equipment switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the user equipment to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The fallback communication information may be configured to cause the user equipment to transmit an access notification message to the second cell. The fallback communication information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The access notification message may be received via a sidelink relay. The access notification message may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The fallback communication information may comprise switch criteria information for use at the user equipment for determining whether to switch between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell or a fallback carrier of the second cell. The switch criteria information comprises a cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRC_IDLE state or a RRC1XACT1VE state.

[0091] The switch criteria information may be configured to cause the user equipment to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The switch criteria information may comprise information regarding at least one of: input from an application of the user equipment for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the user equipment, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the user equipment to allow, at least temporarily, only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the user equipment, or a battery level of the user equipment. The fallback communication information may comprise information for the user equipment to determine whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The fallback communication information may be for the user equipment to use when at least one of: a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The fallback communication information may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The fallback communication information may comprise switching trigger information for use at the user equipment for triggering the user equipment to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0092] Referring also to Fig. 11, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: sending a system information block from an apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1102. The fallback communication information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the user equipment and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The fallback communication information may comprise access information for the user equipment to send to the second cell at least one of: an access notification message, or a data message. The fallback communication information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the user equipment switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the user equipment to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The fallback communication information may be configured to cause the user equipment to transmit an access notification message to the second cell. The fallback communication information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The access notification message may be received via a sidelink relay. The access notification message may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The fallback communication information may comprise switch criteria information for use at the user equipment for determining whether to switch between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell or a fallback carrier of the second cell. The switch criteria information may comprise a cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRC IDLE state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The switch criteria information may be configured to cause the user equipment to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The switch criteria information may comprise information regarding at least one of: input from an application of the user equipment for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the user equipment, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the user equipment to allow, at least temporarily, only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the user equipment, or a battery level of the user equipment. The fallback communication information may comprise information for the user equipment to determine whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The fallback communication information may be for the user equipment to use when at least one of: a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The fallback communication information may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The fallback communication information may comprise switching trigger information for use at the user equipment for triggering the user equipment to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0093] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising means for sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0094] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell, where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

[0095] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0096] The notification message may be received via a sidelink relay. The notification message may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The configuration message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The configuration message may be sent by the apparatus to the user equipment from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The configuration message may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication.

[0097] Referring also to Fig. 12, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: receiving, by an apparatus, a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell as illustrated with block 1202, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1204. The notification message may be received via a sidelink relay. The notification message may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The configuration message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The configuration message may be sent by the apparatus to the user equipment from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The configuration message may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication.

[0098] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising means for receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and means, based at least partially on the received notification message, for sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0099] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

[0100] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network. The first information may comprise at least one of an event reporting or a low power wide area configuration request. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to send the first message based on the apparatus determining to switch communications from a broadband communication in the first cell to the fallback communication in the second cell. The second information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The second information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the second cell. The second information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether one or more criteria of the received second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell of the low power wide area network. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining the one or more criteria, based at least partially on the received second information, for accessing the second cell. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the second cell, or a data message for the second cell. The received second information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The transmission may comprise a transmission via a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: causing, based on the transmission to the second cell, reception of a cell configuration setup message from the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRCIDLE state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise the apparatus attempting to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The determining of whether the one or more criteria of the second information is met may be based, at least partially, on determining at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The second information may comprise information for use by the apparatus to revert from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The second information may comprise switching trigger information for triggering the apparatus to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0101] Referring also to Fig. 13, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: sending a first message, from an apparatus in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication as illustrated with block 1302; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1304. The first information may comprise at least one of an event reporting or a low power wide area configuration request. The method may further comprise sending the first message based on the apparatus determining to switch communications from a broadband communication in the first cell to the fallback communication in the second cell. The second information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The second information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the second cell. The second information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The method may further comprise determining whether one or more criteria of the received second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell of the low power wide area network. The method may further comprise determining the one or more criteria, based at least partially on the received second information, for accessing the second cell. The method may further comprise based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the second cell, or a data message for the second cell. The received second information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The transmission may comprise a transmission via a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The method may further comprise causing, based on the transmission to the second cell, reception of a cell configuration setup message from the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The method may further comprise determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRCIDLE state or a RRC_INACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise the apparatus attempting to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The method may further comprise determining whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The determining of whether the one or more criteria of the second information is met may be based, at least partially, on determining at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The second information may comprise information for use by the apparatus to revert from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The second information may comprise switching trigger information for triggering the apparatus to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0102] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising means for sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and means for receiving, based at least partially on the first message, a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0103] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: sending a first message, from the apparatus, in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information for a fallback communication in a second cell, where the fallback communication comprises a low power wide area fallback communication; and based at least partially on the first message, receiving a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information for establishing the low power wide area fallback communication in the second cell of a low power wide area network.

[0104] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell. The first information may comprise at least one of an event reporting or a low power wide area configuration request. The first information may indicate that the user equipment has determined to switch communications from a broadband communication in the first cell to the fallback communication in the second cell. The second information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the user equipment, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The second information may comprise access information for the user equipment to send an access notification message to the second cell. The second information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The second information may be configured to be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining whether one or more criteria of the second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell of the low power wide area network. The second information may be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining the criteria, based at least partially on the second information, for accessing the second cell. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based at least partially on the sending of the second message, receiving at least one of: an access notification message from the user equipment, or a data message from the user equipment. The second information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message may comprise receiving via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message may comprise receiving a RRC-config complete message. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based on the receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message, transmitting a cell configuration setup message for the user equipment. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be transmitted via at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The second message may comprise switching criteria configured to be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining whether to switch between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback nonbroadband carrier of the second cell. The switching criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRCIDLE state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The switching criteria may comprise information for the user equipment to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to use, for determining whether to switch, at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to determine at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The second information may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The second information may comprise switching trigger information for use at the user equipment for triggering the user equipment to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0105] Referring also to Fig. 14, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: receiving, by an apparatus in a first cell, a first message, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1402; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell as illustrated with block 1404. The first information comprises at least one of an event reporting or a low power wide area configuration request. The first information may indicate that the user equipment has determined to switch communications from a broadband communication in the first cell to the fallback communication in the second cell. The second information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the user equipment, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The second information may comprise access information for the user equipment to send an access notification message to the second cell. The second information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the second cell, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The second information may be configured to be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining whether one or more criteria of the second information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the second cell of the low power wide area network. The second information may be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining the criteria, based at least partially on the second information, for accessing the second cell. The method may further comprise based at least partially on the sending of the second message, receiving at least one of: an access notification message from the user equipment, or a data message from the user equipment. The second information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell. The receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message may comprise receiving via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message may comprise receiving a RRC-config complete message. The method may further comprise based on the receiving of the at least one access notification message or data message, transmitting a cell configuration setup message for the user equipment. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the second cell, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell. The cell configuration setup message may be transmitted via at least one of: a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay. The second message may comprise switching criteria configured to be used at the user equipment for at least partially determining whether to switch between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback non-broadband carrier of the second cell. The switching criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRC IDLE state or a RRC INACTIVE state. The switching criteria may comprise information for the user equipment to communicate indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to use, for determining whether to switch, at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The second information may comprise an indication for the user equipment to determine at least one of: that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, or that an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible. The second information may comprise information for use at the user equipment for reverting from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication. The second information may comprise switching trigger information for use at the user equipment for triggering the user equipment to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

[0106] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising means for receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and means for sending, based at least partially on the received first message, a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0107] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, by the apparatus, a first message in a first cell, where the first message comprises first information from a user equipment for a fallback communication in a second cell of a low power wide area network; and based at least partially on the received first message, sending a second message by the apparatus, where the second message comprises second information to be used at the user equipment for establishing the fallback communication in the second cell.

[0108] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether one or more criteria of the received information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining the criteria, based at least partially on the received fallback information, for accessing the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the cell of the low power wide area network, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The received information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the cell of the low power wide area network, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the cell of the low power wide area network, or a data message for the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the cell of the low power wide area network. The transmission may comprise a transmission to a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: based on the transmission to cell of the low power wide area network, receiving of a cell configuration setup message from the cell of the low power wide area network. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the cell of the low power wide area network on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the cell of the low power wide area network via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the system information block may be from at least one of: the first cell, or a sidelink relay. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of a first cell and a fallback carrier of the cell of the low power wide area network. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRCIDLE state or a RRCINACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to at least temporarily allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, may cause the apparatus to perform: determining whether to connect to the cell of the low power wide area network with a direct path, or to connect to the cell of the low power wide area network with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The received information may comprise information to be used by the apparatus to determine whether to switch from the fallback communication to a broadband communication.

[0109] Referring also to Fig. 15, an example embodiment may be provided with a method comprising: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode as illustrated with block 1502; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1504; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network as illustrated with block 1506. The method may further comprise determining whether one or more criteria of the received information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network. The method may further comprise determining the criteria, based at least partially on the received fallback information, for accessing the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the cell of the low power wide area network, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier. The received information may comprise access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise at least one of: coverage enhancement information, cell access criteria for access the cell of the low power wide area network, cell barring information, quality of service (QoS) information, data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, or an indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel. The method may further comprise based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received information is met for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network, causing transmission of at least one of: an access notification message for the cell of the low power wide area network, or a data message for the cell of the low power wide area network. The received information may comprise fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the cell of the low power wide area network. The transmission may comprise a transmission to a sidelink relay. The transmission may comprise a RRC-config complete message. The method may further comprise based on the transmission to cell of the low power wide area network, receiving of a cell configuration setup message from the cell of the low power wide area network. The cell configuration setup message may comprise at least one of: control channel configuration information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network, radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network, or small data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the cell of the low power wide area network. The cell configuration setup message may be received by the apparatus from at least one of: a direct path from the cell of the low power wide area network on a fallback setup channel, or an indirect path from the cell of the low power wide area network via a sidelink relay. The receiving of the system information block may be from at least one of: the first cell, or a sidelink relay. The method may further comprise determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of a first cell and a fallback carrier of the cell of the low power wide area network. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration for operation in a RRC IDLE state or a RRC INACTIVE state. The determining of the switch criteria may comprise use of at least one of: input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network, an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus, a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to at least temporarily allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, or a battery level of the apparatus. The method may further comprise determining whether to connect to the cell of the low power wide area network with a direct path, or to connect to the cell of the low power wide area network with an indirect path via a sidelink relay. The received information may comprise information to be used by the apparatus to determine whether to switch from the fallback communication to a broadband communication.

[0110] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising means for determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; means for receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and means for using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0111] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining, by the apparatus in an inactive state or an idle state, to establish a fallback communication using a low power wide area fallback communication mode; receiving a system information block, by the apparatus in the inactive state or idle state, where the system information block comprises information for establishing the fallback communication with a cell of a low power wide area network; and using the received information for establishing the fallback communication with the cell of the low power wide area network.

[0112] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from a first cell, cell access configuration for a second cell, where the cell access configuration is for accessing the second cell in a fallback mode; determining, based at least partially on the cell access configuration, criteria for accessing the second cell; determining that the criteria for accessing the second cell in the fallback mode is fulfilled; transmitting, to a second cell, an access notification message; receiving from the second cell, based at least partially on the transmitted access notification message, a cell configuration message, wherein the cell access configuration comprises frequency location of the second cell as a fallback cell, wherein the cell access configuration comprises bandwidth part information, a notification channel configuration, and a control channel configuration.

[0113] An example embodiment may be provide with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from a first cell, cell access configuration for a second cell, where the cell access configuration is for accessing the second cell in a fallback mode; determining, based at least partially on the cell access configuration, criteria for accessing the second cell; determining that the criteria for accessing the second cell in the fallback mode is fulfilled; transmitting, to a second cell, an access notification message; receiving from the second cell, based at least partially on the transmitted access notification message, a cell configuration message, wherein, in the fallback mode, the second cell uses a narrower bandwidth than the first cell.

[0114] Features as described herein may be used as a way for a network to efficiency provision an LPWA carrier for emergency services. This method has low overhead and small impact to the eMBB carrier in the case that the emergency LPWA carrier is provided in-band to the eMBB carrier. Features may be used for 6G standardization, and targeted for 3GPP Rel-20 or beyond. Features as described herein may be used to significantly expand the number devices supporting LPWA feature and ensure commercial success of 6G LPWA.

[0115] 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).

[0116] As used in this application, 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 (iii) 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.”

[0117] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, 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, 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.

[0118] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving, in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; andmeans for determining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for determining the one or more criteria, based at least partially on the received fallback communication information, for accessing the second cell.

3. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-2 where the received fallback communication information comprises carrier information regarding a fallback carrier for the fallback communication between the apparatus and the second cell, where the carrier information comprises location and bandwidth information of the fallback carrier.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 where the received fallback communication information comprises access information for the apparatus to send an access notification message to the second cell.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 where the received fallback communication information comprises at least one of:coverage enhancement information,cell access criteria for access the second cell,cell barring information,quality of service (QoS) information,data features information or services information for which the apparatus switches or uses a fallback carrier, oran indication for the apparatus to receive an emergency message conveyed in a fallback setup notification channel.

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 further comprising means for, based at least partially on the determining of whether one or more of the criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell, causing transmission of at least one of:an access notification message for the second cell, ora data message for the second cell.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 where the received fallback communication information comprises fallback carrier information for the fallback communication, and channel information for a notification channel in the fallback carrier, where the notification channel is monitored in the second cell.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6-7 where the transmission comprises a transmission via a sidelink relay.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6-8 where the transmission comprises a message indicating completion of radio resource control (RRC) configuration.

10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6-8 further comprising means for causing, based on the transmission to the second cell, receiving of a cell configuration setup message from the second cell.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 where the cell configuration setup message comprises at least one of:control channel configuration information regarding the second cell,radio resource control (RRC) configuration setup information regarding the second cell, orsmall data transmission (SDT) configuration setup information regarding the second cell.

12. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10-11 where the cell configuration setup message is received by the apparatus from at least one of:a direct path from the second cell on a fallback setup channel, oran indirect path from the second cell via a sidelink relay.

13. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 where the receiving of the system information block is from at least one of:the first cell, ora sidelink relay.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-13 further comprising means for determining switch criteria between use of a broadband carrier of the first cell and a fallback carrier of the second cell.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 where the determining of the switch criteria comprises use of cell reselection criteria or preference configuration provided for operation in a RRC IDLE state or a RRCIXACTIVE state.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 where the determining of the switch criteria comprises the apparatus communicating indirectly with a network before switching from the broadband carrier of the first cell to the fallback carrier of the second cell.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 where the determining of the switch criteria comprises use of at least one of:input from an application of the apparatus for using the fallback communication with the difference second cell,an energy level measurement for using the fallback communication by the apparatus,a low energy level measurement from a power source of the apparatus to allow only the fallback communication as a communication mode of the apparatus, ora battery level of the apparatus.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-17 further comprising means for determining whether to connect to the second cell with a direct path, or to connect to the second cell with an indirect path via a sidelink relay.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18 where the determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met is based, at least partially, on determining at least one of:that a radio link failure in the first cell has occurred, orthat an indirect communication via a sidelink relay in the first cell is not possible.

20. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-19 further comprising means for determining whether the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode, where the determining of whether the one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met is based, at least partially, on the determining that the apparatus supports a low power wide area fallback mode.

21. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-20 where the received fallback communication information comprises information for use by the apparatus to revert from the fallback communication back to a broadband communication.

22. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-21 where the received fallback communication information comprises a switching trigger information for use by the apparatus to trigger the apparatus to switch to the fallback communication before a radio link failure occurs on a broadband carrier of the first cell.

23. A method comprising:receiving, by an apparatus in a first cell, a system information block, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information for the apparatus to use a low power wide area network for a fallback communication; anddetermining whether one or more criteria of the received fallback communication information is met for establishing the fallback communication with a second cell of the low power wide area network.

24. An apparatus comprising:means for sending a system information block from the apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell,where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

25. A method comprising:sending a system information block from an apparatus, where the system information block comprises fallback communication information to be used at a user equipment for establishing a second communication of the user equipment in a second cell,where the fallback communication information is for a low power wide area fallback communication in a low power wide area network.

26. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises a request for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; andmeans, based at least partially on the received notification message, for sending from the apparatus a configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing thefallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.

27. A method comprising:receiving, by an apparatus, a notification message from a user equipment in a first cell, 5 where the apparatus is in a second cell, where the notification message comprises arequest for a fallback communication of the user equipment with the apparatus from a broadband communication of the user equipment in the first cell, where the fallback communication comprises use of the second cell, and where the second cell is part of a low power wide area network; and10 based at least partially on the received notification message, sending from the apparatusa configuration message for the user equipment, where the configuration message comprises information for the user equipment to use for establishing the fallback communication with the apparatus using the second cell of the low power wide area network.15

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