Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

A method for User Equipment, UE 110, 115, comprising: receiving, 501A, from a network access node, e.g. gNB 120, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels prov

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an apparatus, method, and computer program for providing information about at least one coverage enhancement level (CE level). BACKGROUND

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

[0003] The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or access parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service terrestrial radio access network (e.g., 3G radio)). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; and determining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.

[0005] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; and determining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.

[0006] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; and determining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; and determining circuitry for determining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.

[0008] The following may apply in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above first to fourth aspects.

[0009] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is configured to provide at least one CE level; or receiving, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level.

[0010] The apparatus may be caused to perform: transmitting, to the network access node, a request for said at least one parameter, wherein the receiving is performed in response to the request.

[0011] The request may comprise at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level, an identification of said one or more services to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services, a request to access an Internet-of-Things, loT, service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment, UE, an indication that the request is from an loT UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.

[0012] The request may be comprised in one of a first random access message, a first dedicated message, or a first MAC CE, and the information of the at least one parameter may be comprised in a second random access message, a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.

[0013] The information may indicate the information for a plurality of CE levels, and the apparatus may further be caused to perform, based on the received information: selecting the determined CE level of the plurality of CE levels based on the respective at least one parameter associated with each of the plurality of CE levels and based on the service to be provided via the CE level.

[0014] The apparatus may be caused to perform: proceeding with at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through the determined CE level.

[0015] For each of the one or more CE levels, the at least one parameter associated with said CE level may comprise at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the apparatus and / or the one or more services in order to access the cell using said CE level.

[0016] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the apparatus may comprise at least one of: a number of transmit chains of the apparatus, a number of receive chains of the apparatus, a type of antenna of the apparatus, a maximum transmit power of the apparatus, a receiver sensitivity of the apparatus, a receiver type of the apparatus, or duplex mode of the apparatus.

[0017] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service may comprise at least one of: a reference signal received power, a reference signal received quality, a received signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.

[0019] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform: transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.

[0021] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: transmitting circuitry for transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.

[0022] The following may apply in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above fifth to eighth aspects.

[0023] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a request for said at least one parameter, wherein the transmitting is performed in response to the request.

[0024] The request may comprise at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level, an identification of said one or more services to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services, a request to access an Internet-of-Things service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment, UE, an indication that the request is from an loT UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.

[0025] The request may be comprised in one of a first random access message, a first dedicated message, or a first MAC CE, and the indication is comprised in a second random access message, a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.

[0026] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a request for at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels.

[0027] For each of the one or more CE levels, the at least one parameter associated with said CE level may comprise at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment and / or the one or more services in order to access the cell using said CE level.

[0028] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment may comprise at least one of: a number of transmit chains of the user equipment, a number of receive chains of the user equipment, a type of antenna of the user equipment, a maximum transmit a maximum transmit power of the user equipment, a receiver sensitivity of the user equipment, a receiver type of the user equipment, or an availability of a duplex mode of communication on the user equipment.

[0029] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service may comprise at least one of: a reference signal receive power, a reference signal receive quality, a receive signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission.

[0030] The apparatus may be caused to perform: providing both a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level and a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels, or comprising means for providing only cells that are configured to provide one or more CE levels.

[0031] The following may apply in respect of any (e.g., one or more, including all) of the above first to eighth aspects.

[0032] The at least one parameter may indicate whether that CE level is usable as a fallback from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level wherein the at least one parameter of a CE level comprises at least one condition to be fulfilled in order for that CE level to be useable as a fallback cell from the cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level.

[0033] Each of the CE levels may be associated with a corresponding data rate.

[0034] The at least one service level quality may comprise values for one or more of the following characteristics: a 5G quality of service identifier, 5QI, value; a delay budget; a latency budget; a maximum supported uplink modulation and coding scheme, MCS; a maximum supported downlink MCS scheme; a maximum allowed transmit power; a maximum allowed Effective Isotropic Radiated Power, EIRP; a service type; a data rate; a data burst size; or a packet error rate.

[0035] The at least one parameter and / or at least one service level quality may be different for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level than for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels.

[0036] The at least one parameter may comprise one or more of: an indication of whether access for at least one of the one or more services is allowed; an indication of whether access from a group of user equipments, UEs, via at least one of said one or more CE level is allowed; an indication of a requirement for at least one of the one or more services or service level qualities; or a CE configuration for the one or more services, the CE configuration comprising at least one of: one or more CE level thresholds for accessing the one or more services by one or more groups of UEs; a CE configuration prioritization for the one or more of services; one or more timefrequency resource configurations corresponding to one or more CE levels usable for the one or more services; one or more maximum number of repetitions associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services; or one or more radio configurations associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services.

[0037] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0038] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0039] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0040] Figure 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

[0041] Figure 2 shows a representation of a control apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0042] Figure 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

[0043] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate random access procedures;

[0044] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate example methods performed by apparatus described herein; and

[0045] Figures 6 to 9 illustrate example signalling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following describes operations that may be performed in relation to coverage enhancement levels, CE levels.

[0047] CE levels, also referred to as CE modes, are modes of different coverage and / or service levels that are provided by a same cell. Before describing CE levels in more detail, a brief overview will be provided of an example communication environment and example apparatus in which CE levels may be implemented.

[0048] Figure 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0049] Figure 1 shows an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0050] In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, comprising user devices 110 and 115 (also referred to herein as a “terminal” or “terminal device”) and a network device 120 (also referred to herein as a “network access node”), can communicate with each other. The network device 120 may serve a coverage area, called a cell 125. The user device 110 may have access to a communication network via the cell 125. In some example embodiments, both the user device 110 and the network device 120 may be configured to implement a beamforming technique and communicate with each other via a plurality of beams.

[0051] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a mobile device, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user device”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0052] As used herein, the term “network device” is used interchangeably with “network access node”, and refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an IAB node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0053] In some example embodiments, a link from the network device 120 to the user device 110 or 115 is referred to as a DL, while a link from the user device 110 or 115 to the network device 120 is referred to as a UL. Links are also referred to herein as “channels”. In DL, the network device 120 is a Tx device (or a transmitter), and the user device 110 or 115 is a Rx device (or a receiver). In UL, the user device 110 or 115 is a Tx device (or a transmitter), and the network device 120 is a Rx device (or a receiver). A link between the user device 110 and another user device (not shown) is referred to as a sidelink (SL). In SL, one of the user devices is a Tx device (or a transmitter), and the other of the user devices is a Rx device (or a receiver).

[0054] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s) comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0055] Reference in the below is made to random access procedures and initial access signalling. As an example, the following provide an overview of such systems in a 3GPP context. It is understood that the following is understood as providing an illustrative overview of how some systems may operate, and that the actual connection and random access procedures may vary.

[0056] In 5G New Radio (NR), initial cell search, and initial time and frequency synchronization acquisition are based on a UE (such as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3) searching and detecting a synchronisation signal block (SSB) from a network access node (such as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2).

[0057] The SSB comprises a synchronisation signal part and a broadcast part. The synchronisation signal part comprises a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) and a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), which are collectively referred to herein as synchronisation signals. The broadcast part comprises a Physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for PBCH demodulation. Demodulation of the PBCH may comprise a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1.

[0058] In more detail, performing, by a UE, a cell search on parts of an SSB may comprise performing at least one of the following features:

[0059] PSS detection: A PSS is a predetermined sequence modulated with a predetermined binary phase shift keying (BPSK) scheme. The PSS serves as a flag that shows where to find network access node information in the time-frequency grid. Therefore, a UE may use a detected PSS to assist in locating network access node information in the time-frequency grid.

[0060] SSS detection: An SSS is another predetermined sequence modulated using a BPSK scheme. The time-frequency location of the SSS can be determined from information gathered from the PSS reception. The UE may also use a detected SSS to assist in locating network access node information in the time-frequency grid.

[0061] DMRS detection for physical broadcast channel (PBCH): The DMRS is a type of signal whose time-frequency position and content are known at both the network access node and UE sides, once the physical cell identity (PCI) of a cell on which the SSB is transmitted is known at the UE side. The PBCH allows the UE to determine the effect of the wireless channel on a signal’s amplitude and phase so that it can be predicted and reverted for related received signals of unknown content. DMRS detection helps the UE to correctly demodulate signals on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0062] PBCH demodulation: The PBCH physical channel comprises information / signals located in multiple locations of time and frequency. By using the estimations of the wireless channel computed from the PBCH DM-RSs, information broadcast on the PBCH may be demodulated and decoded. This information may comprise a master information block (MIB), and at least one System information block (SIB).

[0063] The MIB and at least one SIB are cumulatively referred to as “system information” (SI).

[0064] In more detail, system Information (SI) may be considered to comprise a MIB and a number of SIBs, which are divided into Minimum system information and Other system information (OSI).

[0065] Minimum system information comprises basic information required by a UE for initial cell access and information for acquiring the Other system information. The Minimum system information comprises both the MIB and a first SIB (SIB1).

[0066] The MIB comprises cell barred status information and essential physical layer information of the cell required to receive further system information, e.g. CORESET#0 configuration. MIB is periodically broadcast on the cell’s broadcast channel (BCH).

[0067] SIB1 defines the scheduling of other system information blocks and comprises information required by a UE for initially accessing the cell. SIB1 is also referred to as Remaining Minimum SI (RMSI) and is periodically broadcast on the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) or sent in a dedicated manner on the DL-SCH to UEs that are in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) with the network access node.

[0068] After the cell search procedure has been performed, the UE may initiate a random access procedure to the network access node. The random access procedure may be a contention based random access (CBRA) procedure or a contention free random access (CFRA) procedure. Although these are described further below, it is understood that the presently described techniques may be applied in respect of any of these types of random access procedures.

[0069] Some random access procedure configuration information may be provided via an SIB. For example, a second SIB (SIB2) comprises random access configuration information (e.g., a random access configuration) that indicates the resources that the UE is to use to communicate with the network access node during a random access procedure. The random access configuration information may indicate, for example, the resources allocated by the network access node for a Physical random access channel (PRACH) procedure. For example, the random access configuration may indicate the resources allocated by the network for the UE to transmit a PRACH preamble and to receive a random access response. The random access configuration may also indicate the size of a random access response window during which the UE is to monitor for a response to a PRACH preamble. The random access configuration may further specify that the random access response window starts a certain number of sub-frames after the end of the PRACH preamble in some examples. After obtaining the MIB, the RMSI and / or the OSI, the UE may thus perform a random access procedure for initial access to the RAN.

[0070] Example random access procedures are illustrated with respect to Figures 4A and 4B. In more detail, Figure 4A illustrates a 4 step random access procedure, and Figure 4B illustrates a 2 step random access procedure.

[0071] Figure 4A illustrates signalling that may be performed between a UE 401 and a network access node 402.

[0072] During 4001, the UE 401 signals the network access node 402. This signalling may comprise a message known as “message 1” (Msg1) of a random access procedure. In some examples, Msg1 is a Physical RACH (PRACH) preamble. RACH Msg1 may be referred to as PRACH. As mentioned above, the UE 504 may transmit a PRACH preamble on resources specified by a RACH configuration included in SIB2. Throughout the following, the terms “RACH” and “random access” (RA) will be used interchangeably.

[0073] During 4002, the network access node 402 signals the UE 401. This signalling may comprise a response to the PRACH preamble. The signalling of 4002 may comprise a message known as a message 2 (Msg2) of the random access procedure. The RACH Msg2 may be referred to as a random access response (RAR). The time difference between the network access node 402 receiving Msg 1 and transmitting Msg2 is known as a RAR window.

[0074] In some examples, the UE monitors for the RACH Msg2 on resources specified by the random access configuration during the RAR window specified by the random access configuration. In some examples, the UE 401 may decode a downlink control information (DCI) signalling carried on a Physical downlink control Channel (PDCCH) that includes scheduling information of RAR information, in RAR information such as, for example, an UL grant for the UE to transmit a message 3 (Msg3) of the random access procedure during 4003. The UE 401 receives RAR information for transmitting Msg 3, which provides an uplink grant.

[0075] During 4003, the UE 401 signals the network access node 402. This signalling may comprise a message known as a message 3 (Msg3) of the random access procedure. In some examples, the RACH Msg3 is a connection request.

[0076] During 4004, the network access node 402 signals the UE 401. This signalling may be a response to Msg3. This signalling may comprise a message known as a message 4 (Msg4) of the random access procedure. In some examples, the Msg 4 is a contention resolution message. The time between receipt of Msg3 at the network access node and transmission of Msg 4 by the network access node is known as a contention resolution window.

[0077] Although not shown, subsequent to Msg4 being received by the UE 401, the UE 401 and the network access node 402 may establish an RRC connection and enter an active operational phase where data may be exchanged. Stated differently, after Msg4 is received by the UE, the network access node may schedule the UE for UL communication and / or DL communication on the cell through which the UE connects to the network access node.

[0078] Further, for the Random Access procedure of Figure 4A, as part of during transmission of msg1 there are certain access parameters that the UE uses to determine the target power. These include, for example, a time to wait for a response from the network (ra-ResponseWindow), a maximum number of retransmissions of Msg1 (preambleTransMax), a power ramping factor between retransmissions of Msg1 (powerRampingStep), and a target receive power of Msg1 (preambleReceivedTargetPower).

[0079] Figure 4B illustrates another type of random access procedure that may be performed between a UE 401’ and a network access node 402’.

[0080] During 4001, the UE 401 ’ signals the network access node 402’. This signalling may comprise a first message known as a “Message A” (MsgA). This signalling may be sent on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). This signalling on 4001’ may comprise a payload transmission.

[0081] During 4002’, the network access node 402’ signals the UE 401 ’. This signalling may comprise a message known as a “Message B” (MsgB). MsgB may be considered as a contention resolution message in that it distinguishes between UE accessing the cell. MsgB may be signalled in response to the signalling of 4001’. MsgB may be considered as a combination of Msg2 and Msg4 in that it responds to a MsgA, and performs a contention resolution function.

[0082] The time taken between receive of MsgA during 4001’ and transmission, by the network access node, of MsgB during 4002’, is the sum of an RAR window and a contention resolution window, and is normally less that the time between 4001 and 4004 in Figure 4A.

[0083] Assuming the contention resolution of 4002’ is successful, the UE 401’ and the network access node 402’ may establish an RRC connection and enter an active operational phase where data may be exchanged. Stated differently, after MsgB is successfully received by the UE, the network access node may schedule the UE for UL communication and / or DL communication on the cell through which the UE connects to the network access node.

[0084] In the event that the procedure of Figure 4B is unsuccessful, the UE may instead be caused to perform the procedure of Figure 4A. For example, the UE may, in response to (e.g., based on) determining that a preconfigured number of MsgA transmissions have been performed without successfully receiving a Msg B, switch to transmitting a Msg1. As another example, the network access node may instruct the UE to switch to transmitting a Msg1 when the network access node determines that there is a problem in transmitting a MsgB and / or in receiving MsgA.

[0085] Reference is also made in the below to low power wide area (LPWA) cells (of which Internet of Things (loT) is a type). A brief overview is provided herein to provide greater context.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In cellular systems, massive loT deployment is supported via a Low power wide area (LPWA) network. Moreover, in 4G LTE, LPWA networks were introduced (e.g., narrowband-loT and Long Term Evolution- (LTE-) Machine-type communications). They had 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

[0088] In 5G, no new LPWA technology was specified as NB-loT and LTE-M continued to be supported and used for massive loT use cases. For 6G, it is envisioned that new types of LPWA technologies may be introduced. Some motivations for introducing 6G LPWA include - * Providing a replacement technology for when 4G LTE carriers are no longer supported; ® Improving on 4G LTE solutions by introducing a simple lightweight radio protocol with essential features all in the same release; and * Providing a single solution to address massive loT use cases.

[0089] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for causing a network device 120 (such as the network device described in Figure 1) to perform its operations. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the network device. In some embodiments, each function of the network device comprises a control apparatus 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 200 may be implemented at the network device 120 or may be the network device 120.

[0090] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a terminal 300, such as the user device 110, 115 illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals, such as the user device described herein. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0091] The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0092] The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems (such as a network access system provided by the network device described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2) and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0093] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

[0094] In some exemplary embodiments, the terminal 300 may be an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause a user device 110,115 to perform examples or embodiments described in this document.

[0095] The network access nodes of Figures 1 and 2 may be configured to provide different types of cells. For example, the network access nodes of Figures 1 and 2 may be configured to provide different carriers for different coverage levels.

[0096] It is understood that a same network access node made provide cells of different types, or may provide cells of only a single type. For example, a first network access node may be configured to provide only a first type of cell (e.g., a broadband cell, which is a cell through which broadband services are provided) while a second network access node is configured to provide only a second (another) type of cell (e.g., a low power wide access (LPWA) cell). As another example, at least one network access node may be configured to provide both the first type of cell and a second (different) type of cell. It is understood that references to a type of cell may also refer to the type of UE supported by the cell. For example, a first type of cell may be configured to support a broadband UE while a second type of cell may be configured to support an Internet of Things, loT, UE.

[0097] There may be situations in which a UE that is currently receiving a service via a first type of cell needs to switch to receiving that service via a second type of cell. This may occur, for example, when the first type of cell can no longer fulfil at least one quality of service requirement (e.g., a service level quality) corresponding to that service, such as when the UE moves out of range or coverage of the first type of cell. In these situations, the second type of cell may be labelled as a “fallback” cell.

[0098] The first and / or second type of cell may be configured to provide one or more so-called “coverage enhancement” level (CE level). A CE level is not a network slice. A CE level may also be known as a “coverage enhancement mode”. In general, a cell (although not all cells) may support a plurality of CE levels, each of which are associated with a different size of coverage area and / or a different level of service provision (e.g., more reliable, less reliable, greater throughput, less throughput, etc.).

[0099] However, it is possible that the second type of cell is not configured to support (or, in certain configurations such as in coverage enhancement mode, cannot support) the service that the UE was previously receiving via the first type of cell. This can lead to issues in which services are dropped and / or in which a user of the user equipment experiences a drop in quality of the provided service.

[0100] This is illustrated herein with reference to a broadband cell (e.g., a cell that is configured to support broadband services, such as an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) service) as the first type of cell, and with reference to a low power wide area (LPWA) cell (e.g., a cell that is configured to support LPWA services, such as Internet of Things).

[0101] It is understood that, although in the following, the present discussion considers two different types of cells in the context of broadband cells and LPWA cells, that this is merely for clarity and brevity. In particular, it is understood that the presently described techniques are not limited to only these two types of cells. In particular, it is understood that the presently described methods and examples may be applied to any two cells in which fallback from a first cell (e.g., that does not provide one or more CE levels) is provided to another cell (that is configured to provide one or more CE level).

[0102] The following discussion assumes that a broadband UE is a device that supports regular broadband carrier(s) as well as LPWA carrier(s) (at least as a fallback). Stated differently, the following discussion assumes that a broadband UE is a device that is able to access services and / or that has the capability to access services through a broadband cell and / or through an LPWA cell. Moreover, the following discussion assumes that an LPWA UE is a device that only supports LPWA carrier(s) (e.g., a device that only accesses services through LPWA cells) or a device that can only access a cell that supports LPWA UE capability.

[0103] To efficiently support UEs at various radio link coverage conditions, an LPWA cell may be configured to support multiple Coverage Enhancement (CE) levels. This then allows the UE to access the cell at the suitable coverage enhancement level. For instance, long term evolution (LTE) machine type communications (LTE-M) and narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) are examples of LPWA cells that support up to 3 different CE levels that can be configured by the network.

[0104] Table 1 illustrates one example of the CE level configuration by the network based on the Maximum Coupling Loss (MCL) determined based on RSRP measurement by the UE. Coverage Enhancement Level Configuration CEO Normal (e.g. for UE with MCL up to 144 dB) CE1 Enhanced (e.g. for UE with MCL between 144 and 154 dB) CE2 Extreme (e.g. for UE with MCL between 154 and 164 dB) Table 1 CE mode configuration by a network

[0105] In the example of Table 1, CEO is used by UE in normal coverage (i.e. UE with RSRP measurement above a configured threshold). CE1 is used by UE requiring up to 10 dB enhancement from normal coverage, while CE2 is used by UE requiring from 10 to 20 dB coverage enhancement. For each CE level, the network may configure different resources (e.g. time-frequency resources for PRACH, PDCCH), different number of maximum repetitions (e.g. for PRACH, PUSCH, PDCCH, PDSCH), and different radio configurations (e.g. MCS table, resource allocation schemes, modulation schemes, number of re-transmissions, etc.).

[0106] When a broadband UE accesses the LPWA cell in fallback mode from a broadband cell, the types of services that can be supported can vary significantly among the different CE levels of the LPWA cell.

[0107] Table 2 illustrates the possible LPWA data rates at different coverage enhancement levels based on NB-loT technology. For example, voice can be supported at CEO but not at CE1 or CE2 (e.g., the AMR codec encodes voice at a minimum bit rate of 4.75 kbps at the application layer). Text messaging can be supported at all CE levels. Conversely, high definition streaming cannot be supported at all in this cell. Coverage Enhancement Level Configuration Data rate CEO Normal (e.g. for UE with MCL up to 144 dB) 68 - 127 kbps DL / 31-159 kbpsUL CE1 Enhanced (e.g. for UE with MCL between 144 and 154 dB) 5.3 - 68 kbps DL / 3 2 - 31 kbps UL CE2 Extreme (e.g. for UE with MCL between 154 and 164 dB) 0.7 - 5.3 kbps DL / 0.4-3.2 kbpsUL Table 2 Data rates at different coverage enhancement leve s (NB-loT).

[0108] At least one problem that arises in such a fallback scenario is that the broadband UE wants to use a service that cannot be supported by the LPWA cell. Consequently, the UE will either (1) be rejected by the cell during connection set-up / service bearer establishment, or (2) be accepted into the cell but the quality of service will be extremely poor. In the case of (1), network resources are wasted in attempting a call set-up procedure. In the case of (2), this not only results in unsatisfactory user experience, but also takes away large amount of resources from LPWA users.

[0109] Therefore, a method is needed to address at least one of the above-mentioned issues.

[0110] To address at least one of these issues, the following proposes methods in which there is provided, for each coverage level of a plurality of coverage levels provided by a cell, at least one access parameter that defines, for a service (e.g., a predefined service and / or a preconfigured set of service characteristics) whether (or not) a UE currently receiving a service via another cell or intending to use the service can use the cell as a fallback cell. The predefined service and / or the preconfigured set of service characteristics may be based on service access parameters (such as, for example, a 5G quality of service (QoS) Identifier or a similar 6G metric, data rates, etc.).

[0111] In more detail, the following proposes to define respective access parameters for controlling access to a CE level for each CE level provided by a network access node. These respective access parameters may be labelled as “cell access parameters” or “cell barring parameters”. These three terms are used interchangeably throughout the following.

[0112] The access parameters may indicate a plurality of different factors.

[0113] For example, the access parameters may indicate whether that CE level allows different types and / or categories of UEs to access it. For example, the access parameters may indicate whether a UE that is currently attached to a non-CE level providing a serving cell (e.g., a broadband UE) is allowed to access the cell via that CE level.

[0114] As another example, the access parameters may indicate whether that CE level excludes specific types and / or categories of UEs to access it. For example, a cell may be configured to not provide access to an LPWA UE at (e.g., via) a CE level (i.e., to a UE that is already connected to an LPWA cell). This may be useful so that some CE levels always have capacity for providing access to a network for other types of UEs (e.g., broadband UEs) as a fallback in order to provide greater differentiation among different services.

[0115] As another example, the access parameters may indicate whether only certain types of communications are able to be communicated via that coverage level. For example, that coverage level may only be available for emergency communications services (e.g. text messages). These types of access parameters may be useful when the CE level provide so-called “extreme coverage” (e.g., covers a large area (more than a threshold amount of area)) as this type of coverage can consume significant amount of network resources.

[0116] Analogously, the access parameters may indicate whether only UEs currently operating in certain types of communication modes (such as an emergency mode) are able to be communicated via that coverage level.

[0117] The access parameters may also be configured into subsets, such that each subset provides access parameters for only specific type(s) (e.g., one or more than one type) of UEs and / or a specific types of communications. This would mean that different categories of UEs and / or different categories of communications are subject to different access requirement. Stated differently, cell barring access parameters can be associated for certain UE groups (e.g., indicated to certain UE IDs, or for certain UE types) that have more (or, conversely, less) privilege than other UE groups to use the LPWA carrier on the certain CE levels. For example, a public safety UE may be allowed to use any CE level for an LPWA carrier, while a weather meter UE may be barred.

[0118] The access parameters may comprise an indication of the communication access parameters and / or service access parameters that are supported within that coverage level. Communication access parameters and / or service access parameters may comprise, for example, at least one of: 5G quality indicator (5QI) value, a delay budget, a delay latency, a maximum supported uplink modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a maximum supported downlink MCS, a maximum allowed transmit power, a maximum allowed Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), a service type, a data rate, a data burst size, or a packet error rate.

[0119] For this example, a UE can check the communication parameters and / or service access parameters against corresponding metrics that need to be fulfilled and / or that are preferred for services being provided via the UE to determine whether that CE level supports the UE’s provided services. When the UE’s provided services are not supported, the UE may still access the cell at that CE level if the UE can accept the reduced services.

[0120] As another example, the access parameters may indicate at least one temporary cell access condition to UEs with certain service access parameters other than the default supported service access parameters. Stated differently, each CE level may be associated with a default supported service access parameters, and may further be configured to support one or more different service access parameters for a limited duration to provide a temporary access condition. The limited duration may comprise a preconfigured number of transmissions and / or a preconfigured time duration. For example, a UE may be supported temporarily / briefly with high data rate (at the expense of high resources) in the CE level that has a lower default supported data rate.

[0121] As mentioned above, different CE levels may be configured for specific types of UEs and / or specific types of communications using access parameters. This may be performed by setting at least one threshold for each access parameter, where access is controlled based on whether a UE and / or a communication has a property that fulfils that threshold. Stated differently, a network may configure different CE level access parameter thresholds for access by broadband UE in fallback mode (versus LPWA UE, for example). The thresholds may be configured to reflect different UE capabilities (e.g. a number of transmit and / or receiver chains, antenna type, duplexing mode, maximum transmit power, receiver sensitivity, receiver type, etc.). In addition of in the alternative, the thresholds may be based on signal level e.g. RSRP / RSRQ / RSSI etc. Alternately, a different metric can be used e.g. how many repetitions are needed for the UE to decode a predefined transmission such as MIB, SIB, DCI.

[0122] Moreover, as different CE level mode configurations can be defined for broadband UE in fallback mode separate from LPWA UE, a number of different advantages may be realised. For example, this may allow differentiation and prioritization for specific types of services e.g. for emergency services where latency can be minimized. It can also be used to limit the impact to LPWA UE e.g. by configuring longer control channel monitoring period for broadband UE.

[0123] A CE level mode configuration may comprise different resources (e.g. timefrequency resources for physical random access channel (PRACH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH)), different number of maximum repetitions (e g. for PRACH, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), PDCCH, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)), and different radio configurations (e.g. modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table, resource allocation schemes, modulation schemes, number of retransmissions, etc). Also note that broadband UE may not support all the different LPWA features (e.g. single-tone transmission, low-power wake-up receiver, etc.).

[0124] The PRACH configuration (e.g. time-frequency resource or preamble partitioning) or Msg3 may be used by the LPWA cell for early identification of a broadband UE, a non-loT UE, and / or a non-LPWA UE requesting emergency services. In another variant, an identification of broadband UEs and / or LPWA UEs may be based on group identifiers.

[0125] The broadband UE may indicate the purpose of accessing the LPWA cell (e.g., for emergency fallback or LPWA access) in the connection request message or connection resume request message (e.g., sent in Msg3). This may allow the LPWA network to prioritize different types of UEs or UEs accessing the LPWA carrier for different purposes.

[0126] The CE level configurations for broadband UE and LPWA UE may be assigned dynamically. Stated differently, a LPWA network may adapt the CE level configurations depending on the number of broadband UEs using the fallback mechanism. In such a case, a broadband UE accessing the LPWA cell in a fallback mode indicates during the access procedure that this is a fallback access situation. When there is a failure in a broadband cell, leading to a large number of fallback situations being indicated to the LPWA cell, the CE level configurations may be updated accordingly to accommodate the increased fallback access attempts.

[0127] To provide an overview of the above, there are provided cell access parameters that, for a coverage area based on at least one specific service and / or service qualities, may define one or more of: • Whether fallback mode from broadband UE is allowed. ® Whether only emergency fallback mode from broadband UE is allowed. • Whether an LPWA UE is barred from using this CE level. • Which service access parameters are supported by the cell (e.g., 5QI value, delay budget / latency, maximum supported UL / DL MCS, maximum allowed transmit power (or EIRP), service type, data rate, data burst size, packet error rate, etc.).

[0128] Moreover, the LPWA network may provide different CE level thresholds for access by different types of UE (e.g., different CE parameters may be provided to broadband UE in fallback mode in contrast to the CE parameters provided to a LPWA UE). This can be due to different UE capabilities (e.g. no. of transmit / receiver chains, antenna type, duplexing mode, maximum transmit power, receiver sensitivity, receiver type, etc.).

[0129] Moreover, different CE mode configurations can be defined for different types of UEs (e.g., a broadband UE in fallback mode separate from a LPWA UE). This may allow differentiation and prioritization e.g. for emergency services. It can also be used to limit the impact to LPWA UE.

[0130] The presently described principles are illustrated with respect to the examples of Figures 6 to 9, before Figures 5A and 5B highlight various features that may be performed by different apparatus described herein.

[0131] In more detail, in the examples of Figures 6 to 7, the network broadcasts the above-mentioned access parameters for each CE level, which may subsequently be received by a UE. The UE then determines whether the cell is a suitable cell based on the UE’s intended services.

[0132] Figure 6 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a UE 601 and a network access node 602. In this example of Figure 6, the network access node 602 may be configured to provide only LPWA cells. In this configuration, the UE 601 may be connected to a network through another cell (e.g., a broadband cell) of another network access node. As a variation, in the example of Figure 6, the network access node 602 may be configured to provide at least one LPWA cell and at least one other type of cell (e.g., a broadband cell) to which the UE is already connected.

[0133] During 6001, the network access node 602 signals the UE 601. This signalling may comprise a synchronisation signal block, SSB. The UE 601 may use information acquired from this SSB to decode a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1, during 6002. The SIB may comprise, for each of multiple configured CE levels of an LPWA cell, at least one access parameter for controlling access to that LPWA cell. The at least one access parameter may be as described herein.

[0134] During 6003, the UE 601 determines that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell. Stated differently, the UE may determine during 6001 that the UE should fallback from a first cell (e.g., a broadband cell) provided by the network access node 602 to another cell.

[0135] The UE may determine that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell in response to a measured value of a channel quality metric of a channel between the UE and the network access node 602 falling below a preconfigured threshold. The channel quality metric may be, for example, any of a reference signal received power, a minimum throughput, an available bandwidth for the channel, etc. The preconfigured threshold may depend on the service requirements associated with services being received via that channel.

[0136] During 6004, the UE 601 determines, for at least one of said CE levels, a condition of the channel (e.g., link) that would be used for communications between the UE 601 and the LPWA cell for that CE level.

[0137] During 6005, the UE 601 determines which of the CE levels are usable for providing at least one service currently being provided to the UE 601. This determination of 6005 may be determined using the respective access parameters for the different CE levels, the requirements of the at least one service, and the determined channel conditions of 6004.

[0138] During 6006, the UE 601 selects one of the CE levels that was determined as being usable during 6005. This selection may be performed using any of a plurality of different methods. For example, the selection may be performed based on which of the CE levels provides a “best” match to the service requirements of the at least one service, where “best" is determined based on criteria configured at the UE. As another example, the selection may be performed using a random (or pseudorandom) selection method amongst the available CE levels.

[0139] During 6007, the UE 601 and the network access node 602 perform a random access procedure through the selected CE level of 6006. The random access procedure may be as described in connection with Figures 4A and / or 4B.

[0140] Figure 7 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a UE 701 and a network access node 702. In this example of Figure 7, the network access node 702 may be configured to provide only LPWA cells. In this configuration, the UE 701 may be connected to a network through another cell (e.g., a broadband cell) of another network access node. As a variation, in the example of Figure 7, the network access node 702 may be configured to provide at least one LPWA cell and at least one other type of cell (e.g., a broadband cell) to which the UE is already connected.

[0141] During 7001, the network access node 702 signals the UE 701. This signalling may comprise a synchronisation signal block, SSB. The UE 701 may use information acquired from this SSB to decode a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1, during 7002. The SIB may comprise, for each of multiple configured CE levels of an LPWA cell, at least one access parameter for controlling access to that LPWA cell. The at least one access parameter may be as described herein.

[0142] During 7003, the UE 701 determines that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell. Stated differently, the UE may determine during 7001 that the UE should fallback from a first cell (e.g., a broadband cell) provided by the network access node 702 to another cell.

[0143] The UE may determine that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell in response to a measured value of a channel quality metric of a channel between the UE and the network access node 702 falling below a preconfigured threshold. The channel quality metric may be, for example, any of a reference signal received power, a minimum throughput, an available bandwidth for the channel, etc. The preconfigured threshold may depend on the service requirements associated with services being received via that channel.

[0144] During 7004, the UE 701 determines, for at least one of said CE levels, a condition of the channel (e.g., link) that would be used for communications between the UE 701 and the LPWA cell for that CE level.

[0145] During 7005, the UE 701 determines which of the CE levels are usable for providing at least one service currently being provided to the UE 701. This determination of 7005 may be determined using the respective access parameters for the different CE levels, the requirements of the at least one service, and the determined channel conditions of 7004.

[0146] During 7006, the UE 701 selects one of the CE levels that was determined as being usable during 7005. This selection may be performed using any of a plurality of different methods. For example, the selection may be performed based on which of the CE levels provides a “best” match to the service requirements of the at least one service, where “best” is determined based on criteria configured at the UE. As another example, the selection may be performed using a random (or pseudorandom) selection method amongst the available CE levels. The selection of 7006 may be performed based on thresholds for fallback that are specific for that CE level.

[0147] During 7007, the UE 701 determines, based on a fallback configuration corresponding to the selected CE level of 7006, at least one set of resources to be used for communication via the selected CE level.

[0148] During 7008, the UE 701 and the network access node 702 perform a random access procedure through the selected CE level of 7006. The random access procedure may be as described in connection with Figures 4A and / or 4B.

[0149] In the examples of Figures 8 to 9, the access parameters are not necessarily, but are instead provided to a UE in response to a request from that UE. In the example of Figure 8, the access parameters may be provided, for example, via a cell in which the CE level is not provided (referred to herein as “the broadband cell”) while the UE is in coverage of the broadband cell. The access parameters may be provided through radio resource control and / or medium access control control element signalling. As a variation to this, in the example of Figure 9, the access parameters may be provided through the cell providing the CE level (e.g. referred to herein as a LPWA cell). In this case, the access parameters may be provided using a message of a random access procedure (e.g., the UE sends a query for the access parameters using Msg3 / MsgA, and receives a response along Msg4 / MsgB). In both of the examples of Figures 8 and 9, the UE uses the provided access parameters to determine whether the LPWA cell is a suitable fallback cell for UE’s intended services or cell access. When it is, the UE may continue with connection set-up / service bearer establishment procedure with the LPWA cell. When it is not, the UE may terminate any connection set-up and / or service bearer establishment procedure with the LPWA ceil.

[0150] Further, in the examples of Figures 8 and 9, when the UE requests the access parameters, these may be requested in respect of at least one CE level identified in the request. Stated differently, the request may comprise at least one field in which an identifier of the at least one CE level is enumerated. The identifier of the at least one CE level may be provided to the UE as part of, for example, initial signalling (e.g., as part of an MIB and / or part of an SIB).

[0151] Figure 8 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a UE 801, a broadband carrier cell 802, and a LPWA carrier cell 803. The broadband carrier cell 802 and the LPWA carrier cell 803 may be provided by a same network access node or by respective network access nodes. The LPWA carrier cell 803 may be configured to provide one or more CE levels.

[0152] During 8001, the UE 801 receives an SSB from the broadband carrier cell 802.

[0153] During 8002, the UE 801 receives an SSB from the LPWA carrier cell 803.

[0154] During 8003, the UE determines that the UE 801 may need to access at least one service via the LPWA carrier cell 803. Stated differently, the UE may determine during 8001 that the UE should fallback from the broadband carrier cell 802 to the LPWA carrier cell 803.

[0155] The UE may determine that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA carrier cell 803 in response to a measured value of a channel quality metric of a channel between the UE and the broadband carrier cell 802 falling below a preconfigured threshold. The channel quality metric may be, for example, any of a reference signal received power, a minimum throughput, an available bandwidth for the channel, etc. The preconfigured threshold may depend on the service requirements associated with services being received via that channel.

[0156] During 8004, the UE 801 determines, for at least one of said CE levels, a condition of the channel (e.g., link) that would be used for communications between the UE 801 and the LPWA carrier cell 803 for that CE level.

[0157] During 8005, the UE 801 signals the broadband carrier cell 802. This signalling may comprise a request for one or more access parameters for at least one of the CE levels provided by the LPWA carrier cell 803. The request may comprise at least one requirement of a service to be provided via the LPWA carrier cell 803 and / or identify at least one service currently being provided via the broadband carrier cell 802.

[0158] During 8006, the broadband carrier cell 802 signals the UE 801. This signalling may comprise a response to the signalling of 8005. This signalling may comprise, for one or more CE level provided by the LPWA carrier cell 803, at least one access parameter for controlling access to that CE level. This signalling may comprise respective configurations for controlling access to the CE level as a fallback from the broadband carrier cell.

[0159] During 8007, the UE 801 determines which of the CE levels indicated during 8006 are usable for providing at least one service currently being provided to the UE 801 through the broadband carrier cell 802. This determination of 8007 may be determined using the respective access parameters for the different CE levels, the requirements of the at least one service, and the determined channel conditions of 8006.

[0160] During 8008, the UE 701 selects one of the CE levels that was determined as being usable during 8007. This selection may be performed using any of a plurality of different methods. For example, the selection may be performed based on which of the CE levels provides a “best” match to the service requirements of the at least one service, where “best” is determined based on criteria configured at the UE. As another example, the selection may be performed using a random (or pseudorandom) selection method amongst the available CE levels.

[0161] During 8009, the UE 801 and the LPWA carrier cell 803 perform a random access procedure through the selected CE level of 8008. The random access procedure may be as described in connection with Figures 4A and / or 4B.

[0162] Figure 9 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a UE 901 and a network access node 902. In this example of Figure 6, the network access node 902 may be configured to provide only LPWA cells. In this configuration, the UE 901 may be connected to a network through another cell (e.g., a broadband cell) of another network access node. As a variation, in the example of Figure 6, the network access node 902 may be configured to provide at least one LPWA cell and at least one other type of cell (e.g., a broadband cell) to which the UE is already connected. The LPWA cell may be configured to provide one or more LPWA cells.

[0163] During 9001, the network access node 901 signals the UE 901. This signalling may comprise a synchronisation signal block, SSB.

[0164] During 9002, the UE 901 determines that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell. Stated differently, the UE may determine during 9001 that the UE should fallback from a first cell (e.g., a broadband cell) provided by the network access node 902 to another cell.

[0165] The UE may determine that the UE may need to access at least one service via the LPWA cell in response to a measured value of a channel quality metric of a channel between the UE and the network access node 902 falling below a preconfigured threshold. The channel quality metric may be, for example, any of a reference signal received power, a minimum throughput, an available bandwidth for the channel, etc. The preconfigured threshold may depend on the service requirements associated with services being received via that channel.

[0166] During 9003, the UE 901 determines, for at least one of said CE levels, a condition of the channel (e.g., link) that would be used for communications between the UE 901 and the LPWA cell for that CE level.

[0167] During 9004, the UE 901 initiates a random access procedure with the network access node 902 (e.g., by sending a message 1).

[0168] During 9005, the network access node 902 responds to the message 1 of 9004 by sending a message 2 to the UE 901.

[0169] During 9006, the UE 901 signals a message 3 to the network access node. This signalling may comprise at least one request for access parameters corresponding to one or more CE levels provided by a cell of the network access node 902. This request may indicate at least one property of the UE (e.g., a type of UE, such as, for example, that the UE is a broadband UE), and / or a characteristic of at least one service that the UE would like provided over the one or more CE levels.

[0170] During 9007, the network access node 902 signals a message 4 to the UE 901. This signalling provides the requested in formation. For example, the signalling of 9007 may comprise, for one or more CE levels provided by the cell, at least one access parameter for controlling access to that CE level. The message 4 may comprise at eat one of: the at least one access parameter, an indication of at least one service supported by that network access node, a threshold for fallback access, or a configuration for fallback access.

[0171] During 9008, the UE 902 determines which of the CE levels are usable for providing at least one service currently being provided to the UE 901. This determination of 9005 may be determined using the respective access parameters for the different CE levels, the requirements of the at least one service, and the determined channel conditions of 9004.

[0172] During 9009, the UE 901 selects one of the CE levels that was determined as being usable during 9008. This selection may be performed using any of a plurality of different methods. For example, the selection may be performed based on which of the CE levels provides a “best” match to the service requirements of the at least one service, where “best” is determined based on criteria configured at the UE. As another example, the selection may be performed using a random (or pseudorandom) selection method amongst the available CE levels.

[0173] Stated differently, when a CE level is determined as being usable as described above, the UE 901 may select that CE level and proceed with connection setup and / or service bearer establishment via that CE level.

[0174] As mentioned above, in the examples of Figures 8 and 9, the access parameters are provided on demand from a UE. Stated differently, in Figures 8 and 9, the UE requests the network about the access parameters for its determined CE level on LPWA cell.

[0175] These examples have advantages over the examples of Figures 6 and 7 in that there is lower overhead in broadcast channels, so fewer resources are used in transmitting the access parameters. However, these examples become less useful (and the examples of Figures 6 and 7 become more useful), when there are a large (e.g., more than a threshold amount) of UEs looking to fallback from a first cell to the LPWA cell.

[0176] In the example of Figures 8 and 9, the UEs do not specify a determined CE level and / or the specific services in the message requesting the access parameters. However, this may not be the case, and the UE may instead request access parameters for specific services.

[0177] In a further example, (e.g., for voice-based services), the UE may query the network to determine whether a certain bit rate is supported in the LPWA cell. When the bit rate is supported, the UE may perform bit rate adaptation and switch to the LPWA cell for the sake of keeping voice service with enhanced coverage and low power. When the bit rate is not supported, the UE may not perform fallback to that LPWA cell.

[0178] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate methods that may be performed by apparatus described herein. It is therefore understood that at least some of the features mentioned below may find functional correspondence with features mentioned in the above examples. Further, features mentioned below may be implemented in a plurality of different ways, with the above examples providing an illustration of ways in which this may be done.

[0179] It is understood that, throughout these examples, the term “receive” (and the like) is used interchangeably with the term “obtain”, and that the term “transmit” (and the like) is used interchangeably with the term “provide”.

[0180] Figure 5A illustrates features that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be a terminal (e.g., a user equipment), such as described in connection with Figures 1 and 3.

[0181] During 501 A, the apparatus receives information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of a network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services and / or one or more service level qualities.

[0182] Stated differently, for each of one or more CE levels provided by a cell, the apparatus of Figure 5A receives respective information of at least one parameter that controls access to that CE level, where the at least one parameter corresponds to one or more services and / or one or more service level qualities (e.g., a quality level corresponding to a specific service).

[0183] The network access node may comprise an apparatus as described above in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The network access node may comprise the apparatus of Figure 5A.

[0184] The network access node may provide (e.g., transmit) the information of the CE levels to the apparatus of Figure 5A. The network access node may provide the information of the CE levels to the apparatus through at least one cell that provides said one or more CE level, and / or through at least one cell that does not provide said one or more CE level. Stated differently, the apparatus of Figure 5A may receive, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is configured to provide at least one CE level, and / or the apparatus of Figure 5A may receive, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level. For example, the network access node may provide the information through a LPWA cell (e.g., a cell configured to communicate in accordance with an LPWA protocol) and / or through a broadband cell (e.g., a cell that is configured to communicate broadband services).

[0185] The at least one parameter that “controls access” may correspond to a blacklisttype mechanism (e.g., at least one parameter that bars access to the CE level), a whitelist-type mechanism (e.g., at least one parameter that indicates an apparatus and / or service that is always able to access that CE level), and / or a conditional mechanism (e.g., at least one parameter that either allows access or bars access to that CE level when at least one criterion is fulfilled (e.g., the apparatus has an emergency communication to send)).

[0186] The at least one CE level may correspond to a cell coverage area.

[0187] During 502A, the apparatus determines whether to access the network node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter. Stated differently, during 502A, the apparatus determines, based on the at least one parameter, whether to access at least one service through a determined CE level provided by the network access node.

[0188] It is understood that the “determined” CE level may be determined (e.g., selected) by the apparatus. For example, the “determined” CE level may comprise a CE level selected by the apparatus of Figure 5A out of all of the CE levels available from the cell. Such a selection may be performed based on the at least one parameter. Stated differently, the information of the at least one parameter may indicate (or otherwise comprise) the information for a plurality of CE levels. In such a case, the apparatus of Figure 5A may, based on the received information: select the determined CE level of the plurality of CE levels based on the respective at least one parameter associated with each of the plurality of CE levels and based on the service to be provided via the CE level.

[0189] The apparatus may proceed with at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through the determined CE level.

[0190] The apparatus of Figure 5A may, prior to said receiving the at least one parameter, transmit, to the network access node, a request for said at least one parameter. The receiving of 501A may be performed in response to the request.

[0191] The request may comprise at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level (where the apparatus of Figure 5A may have previously received information regarding CE levels provided by a cell from the network access node, such as during the reception of synchronisation information), an identification of said one or more services (and / or service level qualities) to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services (e.g., at least one requirement of the service and / or service level quality to be provided via the CE level, such as a minimum throughput, a maximum number of transmissions, etc.), a request to access an Internet-of-Things service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment (i.e. a user equipment that does not support loT capability), UE, an indication that the request is from an LPWA UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.

[0192] Stated differently, the request may be comprised in one of a first random access message (such as message 3 or message A, as described above), a first dedicated message, or a first MAC CE. The information of the at least one parameter may be comprised in a second random access message (e.g., a message 4 or message B, as described above), a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.

[0193] For each of the one or more CE levels, the at least one parameter associated with said CE level may comprise at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the apparatus and / or the one or more services in order to access the cell using said CE level.

[0194] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the apparatus may comprise at least one of: a number of transmit chains of the apparatus, a number of receive chains of the apparatus, a type of antenna of the apparatus, a maximum transmit power of the apparatus, a receiver sensitivity of the apparatus, a receiver type of the apparatus, or duplex mode of the apparatus.

[0195] The at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service may comprise (e.g., use) at least one of: a reference signal received power, a reference signal received quality, a received signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission. Stated differently, the at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service may comprise at least one threshold value to be met by a signal quality metric, wherein the signal quality metric comprises at least one of: a reference signal received power, a reference signal received quality, a received signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission.

[0196] Figure 5B illustrates a method that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus of Figure 5B may interact with the apparatus of Figure 5A. The apparatus of Figure 5B may be the network access node of Figure 5A, and / or otherwise comprise at least part of the network access node of Figure 5A.

[0197] During 501B, the apparatus transmits, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.

[0198] The at least one parameter mat be as described above in connection with claim 5B.

[0199] The user equipment may comprise the apparatus of Figure 5B (and / or be the apparatus of Figure 5B).

[0200] The apparatus of Figure 5B may receive, from the user equipment, a request for said at least one parameter, wherein the transmitting is performed in response to the request.

[0201] The request may be as described above in relation to Figure 5A.

[0202] For example, the request may comprise at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level, an identification of said one or more services to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services, a request to access an Intemet-of-Things service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment, UE, an indication that the request is from an LPWA UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.

[0203] Further, the request may be comprised in one of a first random access message, a first dedicated message, or a first MAC CE, and the indication is comprised in a second random access message, a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.

[0204] The apparatus of Figure 5B may further receive, from the user equipment, a request for at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels.

[0205] For each of the one or more CE levels, the at least one parameter associated with said CE level may comprise at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment and / or the one or more services in order to access the cell using said CE level. This may be as described above in connection with Figure 5A.

[0206] For example, the at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment comprises at least one of: a number of transmit chains of the user equipment, a number of receive chains of the user equipment, a type of antenna of the user equipment, a maximum transmit a maximum transmit power of the user equipment, a receiver sensitivity of the user equipment, a receiver type of the user equipment, or an availability of a duplex mode of communication on the user equipment.

[0207] Further, the at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service may comprise at least one of: a reference signal receive power, a reference signal receive quality, a receive signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission.

[0208] The apparatus of Figure 5B may be configured to provide (and thus provides) both a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level and a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels, or the apparatus of Figure 5B may be configured to provide (and thus provides) only cells that are configured to provide one or more CE levels.

[0209] The following features apply in respect of both the apparatus of Figures 5A and 5B.

[0210] The at least one parameter may be as described above in relation to the access parameters described above.

[0211] For example, the at least one parameter may comprise one or more of: an indication of whether access for at least one of the one or more services is allowed; an indication of whether access from a group of user equipment UEs, via at least one of said one or more CE level is allowed (where the group may comprise, for example, a certain type of UE (e.g., a broadband UE (e.g., a UE currently receiving a broadband service), an Internet of Things UE (e.g., a UE currently receiving a service through an loT network), a type of US (e.g., laptop, cellular phone, smart meter, etc.), and / or UEs have specific UE identifiers)),; an indication of a requirement for at least one of the one or more services or service level qualities (where the requirement may comprise, for example, a minimum throughput and / or a minimum signal quality); or a CE configuration for the one or more services. The CE configuration may comprise at least one of: one or more CE level thresholds for accessing the one or more services by one or more groups of UEs; a CE configuration prioritization for the one or more of services; one or more time-frequency resource configurations corresponding to one or more CE levels usable for the one or more services; one or more maximum number of repetitions associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services; or one or more radio configurations associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services. It is understood that the term “CE configuration” and “CE level configuration” are used interchangeably throughout the present description.

[0212] The at least one parameter may indicate whether that CE level is usable as a fallback from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level. The at least one parameter of a CE level may further comprise at least one condition to be fulfilled in order for that CE level to be useable as a fallback cell from the cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level. For example, a particular CE level may be used for providing access as a fallback cell as a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level only for emergency communications and / or only for limited transmission durations, and this limitation may be indicated as part of the at least one parameter.

[0213] Each of the CE levels of the one or more of plurality of CE levels may be associated with a corresponding data rate.

[0214] The at least one service level quality may comprise values for one or more of the following characteristics: a 5G quality of service identifier, 5QI, value; a delay budget; a latency budget; a maximum supported uplink modulation and coding scheme, MCS; a maximum supported downlink MCS scheme; a maximum allowed transmit power; a maximum allowed Effective Isotropic Radiated Power, EIRP; a service type; a data rate; a data burst size; or a packet error rate.

[0215] The at least one parameter and / or at least one service level quality may be different for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level than for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels. Stated differently, the at least one parameter may be different for some types of UEs relative to other types of UEs (e.g., broadband UEs versus LPWA UEs, or for UEs connected to a first type of cell versus UEs connected to a different type of cell).

[0216] The above-described methods have plurality of different advantages. For example, the presently described methods provide a way for efficiently provisioning a carrier of a fallback cell for fallback services and to inform a UE of this provisioning. Such methods help to avoid UEs from being rejected during call set-up procedure (which wastes network resources), from having unsatisfactory user experience, and taking away large amounts of resources from users of the fallback cell.

[0217] In all of the above examples, it is understood that an LPWA cell may be considered to be a cell that can provide CE levels, and that hence an LPWA cell may simply be referred to as a “cell that can provide at least one CE level” (or similar, where “can” is understood to mean “is configured to”). Similarly, a broadband cell may be considered to be a cell that cannot provide CE levels, and so a broadband cell may simply be referred to as a “cell that cannot provide at least one CE level” (or similar, where “cannot” is understood to mean “is not configured to”). Stated in another way, a broadband cell may provide only normal coverage (i.e., no coverage enhancement).

[0218] It is further understood in all of the above examples that a “broadband UE” may be considered to be a UE that is connected to a broadband cell when the fallback operation to the LPWA cell is initiated, it is further understood in all of the above examples that an “LPWA cell” may be considered to be a UE that is connected to an LPWA cell when the fallback operation to the LPWA cell is initiated by another UE (and / or a UE that is not capable of connecting to the broadband cell).

[0219] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0220] It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0221] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0222] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0223] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0224] 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): (c) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (d) 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 (e) 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.

[0225] 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.

[0226] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0227] Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0228] 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).

[0229] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0230] Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0231] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0232] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1) An apparatus comprising means for:receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE. levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; anddetermining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for: receiving, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is configured to provide at least one CE level; or receiving, via system information or dedicated message, the at least one parameter from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level.3) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for: transmitting, to the network access node, a request for said at least one parameter, wherein the receiving is performed in response to the request.4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the request comprises at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level, an identification of said one or more services to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services, a request to access an Internet-of-Things service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment, UE, an indication that the request is from an loT UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.5) An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the request is comprised in one of a first random access message, a first dedicated message,or a first MAC CE, and the indication is comprised in a second random access message, a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.6) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the information indicates the information for a plurality of CE levels, and the apparatus further comprising means for, based on the received information:selecting the determined CE level of the plurality of CE levels based on the respective at least one parameter associated with each of the plurality of CE levels and based on the service to be provided via the CE level.7) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for proceeding with at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through the determined CE level.8) An apparatus comprising means for:transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.9) An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means for: receiving, from the user equipment, a request for said at least one parameter, wherein the transmitting is performed in response to the request.10)An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the request comprises at least one of: an identification of a selected CE level, an identification of said one or more services to be provided via the selected CE level, an early indication of at least one characteristic for accessing the one or more services, a request to access an Internet-of-Things, loT, service, an indication that the request is from a non-loT user equipment, UE, an indication that the request is from an loT UE, or an indication that the request is for an emergency service.11 )An apparatus as claimed in of claims 9 to 10, wherein the request is comprised in one of a first random access message, a first dedicated message, or a firstMAC CE, and the indication is comprised in a second random access message, a second dedicated message, or a second MAC CE.12)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, further comprising means for: receiving, from the user equipment, a request for at least one of a connection set-up or service bearer establishment procedure through a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels.13)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12 further comprising means for providing both a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level and a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels, or comprising means for providing only cells that are configured to provide one or more CE levels.14)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter indicates whether that CE level is usable as a fallback from a cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level wherein the at least one parameter of a CE level comprises at least one condition to be fulfilled in order for that CE level to be useable as a fallback cell from the cell that is not configured to provide at least one CE level.15)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, for each of the one or more CE levels, the at least one parameter associated with said CE level comprises at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment and / or the one or more services in order to access the cell using said CE level.16)An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the user equipment comprises at least one of: a number of transmit chains of the user equipment, a number of receive chains of the user equipment, a type of antenna of the user equipment, a maximum transmit a maximum transmit power of the user equipment, a receiver sensitivity of the user equipment, a receiver type of the user equipment, or an availability of a duplex mode of communication on the user equipment.17)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 15 to 16, wherein the at least one criterion to be fulfilled by the service comprises at least one of: a referencesignal receive power, a reference signal receive quality, a receive signal strength indicator, or a number of repetitions required for decoding a predefined transmission.18)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the CE levels is associated with a corresponding data rate.19)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the least one service level quality comprises values for one or more of the following characteristics: a 5G quality of service identifier, 5QI, value; a delay budget; a latency budget; a maximum supported uplink modulation and coding scheme, MCS; a maximum supported downlink MCS scheme; a maximum allowed transmit power; a maximum allowed Effective Isotropic Radiated Power, EIRP; a service type; a data rate; a data burst size; or a packet error rate.20)An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter and / or at least one service level quality is different for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is not configured to provide a CE level than for an apparatus that is currently configured for communication with a cell that is configured to provide one or more CE levels.21) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one parameter comprises one or more of:an indication of whether access for at least one of the one or more services is allowed;an indication of whether access from a group of user equipments, UEs, via at least one of said one or more CE level is allowed;an indication of a requirement for at least one of the one or more services or service level qualities; ora CE configuration for the one or more services, the CE configuration comprising at least one of:one or more CE level thresholds for accessing the one or more services by one or more groups of UEs;a CE configuration prioritization for the one or more of services;one or more time-frequency resource configurations corresponding to one or more CE levels usable for the one or more services;one or more maximum number of repetitions associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services; orone or more radio configurations associated with one or more of a plurality of CE levels for the one or more services.22)A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; anddetermining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.23)A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out:receiving, from a network access node, information of, for one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell, of the network access node, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities; anddetermining whether to access the network access node via a determined CE level of the one or more CE levels of the cell based on the at least one parameter.24)A method for an apparatus, the method comprising:transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.25)A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out: transmitting, to a user equipment, information of, for each of one or more of a plurality of coverage enhancement, CE, levels provided by a cell of the apparatus, at least one parameter that controls access to that coverage enhancement level for one or more services or service level qualities.47

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