Method, user equipment, system, or telecommunications network, program, and computer program product for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating user equipment or when operating user equipment connected to a telecommunications network - Patents.com

Abstract

A method for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the user equipment including access mode configuration information, the access mode configuration information relating to a configuration or operational mode of the user equipment for which access is granted to either a first or second set of predetermined accesses to the telecommunications network, the user equipment routing policy information including an access mode related validity element, for transmitting and / or using the specific user equipment routing policy information, the method comprising the steps of the user equipment including or receiving specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information including an access mode related validity element, and the user equipment routing policy information being potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether the access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the user equipment including, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment which, when operating or in operation in relation to a telecommunications network, receives and / or uses user equipment routing policy information, the user equipment including, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment may alternatively use.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system or telecommunications network that transmits and / or uses user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment, or when operating a user equipment connected to the telecommunications network, the user equipment including, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use.

[0004] Additionally, the present invention relates to programs and computer readable media for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

[0005] In conventionally known telecommunication networks, when uplink traffic needs to be steered, 5G mobile communication networks, or 5G systems, also define a user equipment routing policy (or UE routing policy, URSP) defined in TS 24.526, which allows the network to instruct the user equipment on how to route data packets, i.e., based on a set of rules, such rules indicate or instruct the user equipment to steer specific traffic for a given PDU (protocol data unit) session. As of 3GPP Rel'16, with the introduction of a private 5G-based network, a standalone non-public network (SNPN), a standalone non-public network access mode is also introduced in addition to the normal access mode. A standalone non-public network-enabled user equipment supports the standalone non-public network access mode. When a user equipment is configured to operate in the SNPN access mode, the user equipment selects and registers only the standalone non-public network via Uu, as described in section 5.30.2.4 of 3GPP TS 23.501. As a result, a user equipment (supporting a standalone non-public network) can switch between such operation modes corresponding to two operation modes: a standalone non-public network access mode and a normal access mode (i.e., when only public land mobile networks are allowed access). When in a particular access mode, the user equipment applies a particular network selection procedure, resulting in different user equipment behavior for a given access technology (e.g., 5G) depending on the access mode in which the user equipment operates at the time. Furthermore, within the system procedures, certain SNPN characteristics may not be supported in the normal access mode (e.g., some authentication procedures) and PLMN characteristics may not be supported in the SNPN mode (e.g., inter-operator roaming).Thus, depending on the type of network that a given user equipment wishes to access, the network selection mode, or network access mode, can be switched or changed.

[0006] However, within such standalone non-public network enabled user equipment which may further be connected to a public land mobile network, potential conflict situations may arise between, on the one hand, the user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information transmitted or provided to and applied by the user equipment, and, on the other hand, the considered current situation or context of the user equipment, in particular the access situation of the user equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a technically simple, efficient and cost-effective solution for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the user equipment comprising, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corresponding user equipment, system or telecommunications network, as well as corresponding programs and computer readable media.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by a method of transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the user equipment comprising, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use, the user equipment routing policy information comprising an access mode related validity element, and in order to transmit and / or use the particular user equipment routing policy information the method comprises: A first step in which the user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information including specific access mode related validity elements; - a second step in which the specific user equipment routing policy information is potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether a specific access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information.

[0009] Therefore, according to the present invention, a specific access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing policy information can be advantageously transmitted by the telecommunication network (or an access network component thereof) and the user equipment as part of the specific user equipment routing policy information. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is particularly advantageously possible for the user equipment to flexibly apply the user equipment routing policy information, i.e., to apply or not to apply the specific user equipment routing policy information, depending on whether the specific access mode related validity element of the specific user equipment routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment. Thus, a particularly potential conflict situation of a standalone non-public network enabled user equipment can be avoided. In such a situation, the user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information present in such user equipment (i.e., (previously) transmitted or provided to the user equipment and applied by such user equipment) may collide (or conflict) with the current situation or context of the user equipment.

[0010] Currently known telecommunications networks (i.e., according to currently defined standards or standards documents for such networks) allow public land mobile network certificates (PLMN certificates) to be used to access standalone non-public networks. In this case, there may be potential inconsistencies between such user equipment routing policy rules (or user equipment routing policy information) configured by the public land mobile network and their application in a standalone non-public network setting (i.e., a situation in which the same user equipment is connected to a standalone non-public network) and / or vice versa. Such potential conflicts may result, for example, from non-specificity of application of user equipment routing policy information (e.g., user equipment routing policy information provided by a standalone non-public network overrides user equipment routing policy information provided by a public land mobile network, or vice versa).

[0011] According to the present invention, an enhanced user equipment routing policy information application with multi-network rule support can be advantageously realized by specific user equipment routing policy information including specific access mode related validity elements, and by applying the specific user equipment routing policy information depending on whether the specific access mode related validity elements (of the specific user equipment routing policy information) correspond to currently applicable or appropriate access mode configuration information (i.e., correspond to or reflect the current state or status of the considered user equipment). In particular, this allows for more flexible application of URSPs and user equipment routing policy information in standalone non-public networks, especially when PLMN certificates are used to access the standalone non-public networks. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a telecommunications network typically includes an access network and a core network, however, the present invention also provides that a telecommunications network does not strictly speaking include both an access network and a core network, but that the telecommunications network is associated with or assigned only to an access network (and in particular including a core network), or that the telecommunications network is associated with or assigned only to a core network (and in particular including an access network), or that the telecommunications network is associated with or assigned only to both an access network and a core network. According to the present invention, the core network in particular provides user equipment with data connectivity to a data network.

[0012] In conventionally known telecommunication networks, user equipment can typically be connected to a data network via a core network. The user equipment typically communicates with an access network (or radio access network) via an interface, typically a radio interface, or air interface. This is used to carry both signaling information and data traffic, but there is typically a logical separation (logical channels) for the transmission of both types of traffic. Similarly, between an access network (particularly a radio access network, particularly a gNB base station entity) and a core network, signaling information and user data are typically separated. To establish a data connection that allows the user equipment to communicate with the data network, a protocol data unit (PDU) session is required. A PDU session is a logical data transmission channel that is terminated in the core network that provides connectivity to the data network. The end point of a given PDU session (user plane function, for example according to the 5G standard) is called a PDU session anchor (PSA). While the user equipment moves (handover procedures are performed between the user equipment and different gNBs, or base station entities), the PDU session anchor is usually and typically expected to remain constant. A PDU session may have one or more associated qualities of service for the underlying transmitted data (e.g., one or more QoS flows within the PDU session).

[0013] In currently known telecommunication networks and in accordance with the present invention, user equipment routing policy information, or user equipment routing policy rules, are used by the telecommunication network to mandate a set of rules for user equipment to apply or steer uplink traffic, i.e., how to route data packets. In the context of the present invention, user equipment routing policy information (either stored by the user equipment or received by the user equipment) may comprise one or more user equipment routing policy rules. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules instruct or command the user equipment to steer specific traffic for a given or predefined PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rule or such user equipment routing policy information is set or defined by a core network of the telecommunication network, i.e., the telecommunication network (its core network) sets a particular user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information by sending a corresponding message to the user equipment as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunication network and the user equipment via the air interface between the user equipment and a corresponding access network element, typically a base station entity, e.g., a gNodeB entity. As a result of the user equipment receiving such user equipment routing policy rule(s) or user equipment routing policy information, the user equipment applies such rule information, i.e., traffic, in particular application traffic (in the uplink direction towards the telecommunication network), that matches the corresponding user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information is routed by the user equipment as instructed or prescribed by the user equipment routing policy rule / information.In currently known telecommunication networks, the user equipment routing policy rule, or user equipment routing policy information itself, i.e. in particular its structure, is defined in 3GPP TS 23.503 and is a set of one or more URSP rules, which generally consist of three parts: a priority value as a first part, a traffic descriptor as a second part, and one or more routing descriptors as a third part. The priority value of the URSP rule (as the first part of the user equipment routing policy rule) identifies the priority of the URSP rule to be considered among all existing URSP rules (either already present in the user equipment or transmitted as part of the user equipment routing policy information). The traffic descriptor (as the second part of the user equipment routing policy rule) includes either an all-match traffic descriptor or at least one of the following components: One or more application identifiers, one or more IP 3-tuples defined in 3GPP TS 23.503, i.e., destination IP address, destination port number, and protocol used over IP, one or more non-IP descriptors, i.e., destination information for non-IP traffic, one or more DNNs (Data Network Names), one or more connection capabilities, one or more domain descriptors, i.e., destination FQDNs (Fully Qualified Domain Names). Each routing descriptor (as the third part of the user equipment routing policy rule) consists of a priority value of the routing descriptor, either a non-seamless non-3GPP offload indication, or one PDU session type, and optionally one or more of an SSC mode (Session and Service Continuity Mode), one or more S-NSSAIs (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), one or more DNNs, a preferred access type, a multi-access preference, a time window, and a location criterion. In this context, the time window indication and location criteria are part of the routing descriptor (or the third part of the user equipment routing policy rules), but do not actually describe the traffic route allocation, but rather correspond to the routing validation criteria.A given or considered path selection descriptor is not considered valid unless all of the provided validation criteria are met and control the validity of said elements. The components describing the actual path assignment correspond to the path selection components. For each newly detected application (i.e., requiring an uplink data stream transmitted by the user equipment) with respect to the application of the user equipment path selection policy rules or user equipment path selection policy information (specified in TS 23.503 clause 6.6.2.3), the user equipment evaluates the available (i.e., stored or received) URSP rules in the order of rule priority and determines whether the application matches the traffic descriptor of any URSP rule. If it is determined that a URSP rule is applicable to a given application (clause 6.6.2.1), the user equipment selects a path selection descriptor within this URSP rule in the order of path selection descriptor priority. If the user equipment determines that there are multiple matching and existing PDU sessions (e.g., the selected path selection descriptor specifies only a network slice selection, but there are multiple existing PDU sessions that match the network slice selections with different DNNs), it is up to the user equipment implementation to select one to use.

[0014] In conventionally known telecommunications networks, there is no relationship between the access mode in which the user equipment is operating and what the user equipment routing policy rules are or how they are applied, or the user equipment routing policy information. Conventionally, URSPs are selectively applicable when the user equipment is registered with a given network (whether the network is identified by PLMN ID only, or by a combination of PLMN ID and NID, or applies generically regardless of whether the network is identified).

[0015] According to the invention, the user equipment includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology (i.e. in particular for each access technology for which a standalone non-public network may be accessible). The access mode configuration information relates to or indicates a first and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment may alternatively use. In this respect, in particular the concept of a user equipment being allowed to access also standalone non-public networks is relevant. These standalone non-public networks have the particularity that an additional network identifier is used. While in public land mobile networks the PLMN ID (public land mobile network identifier, i.e. the combination of the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC)) is assumed to be unique, standalone non-public networks are designed with the assumption that the PLMN IDs they use are not (necessarily) unique (e.g. a PLMN ID of "999 99" is or can be operatively used) and introduce an additional identifier, the Network Identifier (NID). As defined in 3GPP TS 23.501, the combination of PLMN ID and Network Identifier (NID) identifies a standalone non-public network, and a PLMN ID reserved for use by private networks can be used for non-public networks (e.g., based on the Mobile Country Code (MCC) "999" assigned by the ITU). However, as an alternative, a PLMN operator may use its PLMN ID together with the NID for an SNPN, but registration in a PLMN and mobility between PLMNs and SNPNs are not supported using an SNPN subscription, especially since SNPNs typically do not rely on network functionality provided by the PLMN. Thus, if an SNPN-capable user equipment supports the SNPN access mode, the user equipment only selects and registers an SNPN (via Uu as described in section 5.30.2.4) when such user equipment is configured to operate in the SNPN access mode.This results in that such a user equipment (i.e. supporting SNPN) can switch between two operation modes, i.e. a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use, e.g. SNPN access mode and normal (or PLMN) access mode (two or more of such different access modes are possible according to the present invention and are not excluded). Thus, in such a scenario, this network selection mode (i.e. the access mode configuration information, or rather its content) can be switched depending on the type of network the user equipment wants to access. According to the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information includes an access mode related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information. Thus, when particular user equipment routing policy information is received by a user equipment that is present (i.e., stored) in or considered by the user equipment (i.e., the user equipment includes such user equipment routing policy information), the particular user equipment routing policy information is potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether a particular access mode related validity element (of the particular user equipment routing policy information) corresponds to the access mode configuration information, i.e., whether it matches the content of the access mode configuration information. Thus, by the user equipment routing policy information including the access mode related validity element (related to the content of the access mode configuration information) and by the user equipment applying the particular user equipment routing policy information depending on the particular access mode related validity element, it is possible to advantageously avoid potential conflict situations between the user equipment routing policy information (without such access mode related validity element), on the one hand, and the current situation, or context, of the user equipment, on the other hand.

[0016] According to the present invention, advantageously, in the second step, it is possible and preferred that the specific user equipment routing policy information can be applied if the specific access mode related validity element corresponds to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment, and the specific user equipment routing policy information is not applied if the specific access mode related validity element does not correspond to the access mode configuration information of the user equipment.

[0017] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be implemented and performed in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0018] Further advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, the specific user equipment routing policy information can and preferably includes a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing descriptor as well as specific access mode related validity elements.

[0019] According to the present invention, the specific user equipment routing policy information, including the priority value, the traffic descriptor, and at least one routing descriptor as well as the specific access mode related validity element, advantageously allows the access mode related validity element to be added at the route level of each user equipment routing policy rule, so that the corresponding user equipment routing policy rule is valid only when the user equipment is connected to a given network using one or more network access modes specified by the access mode related validity element. Therefore, if the criteria are not met, the evaluation of the entire user equipment routing policy rule (e.g., the traffic descriptor) can be skipped. Thus, the processing can be made faster and more efficient.

[0020] Further advantageously, in accordance with the present invention, the specific user equipment routing policy information can and preferably includes specific access mode related validity elements as part of at least one routing descriptor.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible that the validity of each route assignment entry can be controlled by specific user equipment route selection policy information that includes specific access mode related validity elements as part of at least one route selection descriptor.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, advantageously, the specific user equipment routing policy information comprises at least one user equipment routing policy rule, and the specific access mode related validity element is in particular part of the at least one routing descriptor and / or part of the user equipment routing policy rule in addition to the priority value, the traffic descriptor and the at least one routing descriptor.

[0023] With specific user equipment routing policy information, including at least one user equipment routing policy rule, it is advantageously possible to use established mechanisms to implement the method of the present invention.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is advantageously possible for each of the network selection modes to allow the user equipment to select a telecommunications network based on a different type or set of information elements identifying and / or indicating the capabilities of each telecommunications network, preferably in particular the network selection modes also relying on information stored in the user equipment, in particular a first set of networks being associated with a first network selection mode and a second set of networks being associated with a second network selection mode.

[0025] By defining different network selection modes (at least two, but preferably more than two) to enable the user equipment to select a telecommunications network based on different types or sets of information elements identifying each telecommunications network and / or different types or sets of information elements indicating the capabilities of each telecommunications network, the present invention advantageously allows the behavior of the user equipment and the telecommunications network to be flexibly adapted to their respective appropriate needs.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined first set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or comprises public land mobile networks, in particular defined only by mobile country code information and mobile network code information, the predetermined first set of telecommunication networks in particular comprises only such public land mobile networks, and the predetermined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or comprises standalone non-public networks, in particular defined by mobile country code information, network identifier information plus mobile network code information, the predetermined second set of telecommunication networks in particular comprises only such standalone non-public networks.

[0027] This advantageously allows different network selection modes to be easily and efficiently configured to implement the method of the present invention.

[0028] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the invention can be easily and efficiently implemented.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for receiving and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating or in operation in relation to a telecommunications network, the user equipment comprising, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicative of a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment may alternatively use, the user equipment routing policy information comprising an access mode related validity element, wherein, in order to receive and / or use the particular user equipment routing policy information, the user equipment comprises: The user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information including specific access mode related validity elements; Particular user equipment routing policy information is configured to be potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether a particular access mode related validity element of the particular user equipment routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information.

[0030] The invention further relates to a system, or a telecommunications network, for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment, or when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the user equipment comprising, for a given access technology, access mode configuration information, the access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment may alternatively use, the user equipment routing policy information comprising an access mode related validity element, and for transmitting and / or using the particular user equipment routing policy information, the system, or the telecommunications network, The user equipment includes or receives specific user equipment routing policy information to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information including specific access mode related validity elements; Particular user equipment routing policy information is configured to be potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether a particular access mode related validity element of the particular user equipment routing policy information corresponds to the access mode configuration information.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer readable program code and / or a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or on a user equipment and / or on a network node of a telecommunications network, or partly on the user equipment and / or partly on the network node of a telecommunications network, cause the computer and / or the user equipment and / or the network node of the telecommunications network to carry out the method of the present invention.

[0032] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is given for the purposes of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates generally a telecommunications network comprising an access network, a core network and a user equipment, the user equipment comprising access mode configuration information relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use for a given access technology, the user equipment comprising user equipment routing policy information including an access mode related validity element. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of sending user equipment routing policy information to a user equipment; [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a user equipment having access to different network selection modes; [Figure 4] 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary list of available public land mobile networks and standalone non-public networks. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a structure of user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a structure of user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are purely schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes.

[0035] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a", "an" or "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0036] Moreover, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, with the understanding that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0037] In Fig. 1, a telecommunication network 100 is shown in schematic form, comprising an access network 110 and a core network 120. The access network 110 comprises a number of radio cells 11, 12. In the exemplary situation or scenario shown in Fig. 1, a first base station entity 111 generates or is associated with or spans a first radio cell 11, and a second base station entity 112 generates or is associated with or spans a second radio cell 12. The user equipment 20 comprises access mode configuration information 22 relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use for a given access technology. Furthermore, the user equipment 20 comprises user equipment routing policy information 400 including access mode related validity elements. The user equipment 20 is typically, but not necessarily, mobile, i.e. movable with respect to the (typically, but not necessarily static) radio cells 11, 12 of the access network 110, or the corresponding base station entities 111, 112. In the exemplary depicted diagram of Figure 1, the core network 120 comprises or is connected to a data network 130. The core network 120 provides data connectivity to the data network 130 for the user equipment 20.

[0038] In Fig. 2, the transmission of user equipment routing policy information 400 (or of specific user equipment routing policy information 401) to user equipment 20 is illustrated diagrammatically by a communication diagram between user equipment 20, access network 110 and core network 120. According to the present invention, user equipment routing policy information 400 (or user equipment routing policy rules 400) are used by telecommunications network 100 to obligate user equipment 20 to use a set of rules for applying or steering uplink traffic (i.e., how to route data packets routed towards core network 120 and / or data network 130). In particular, such user equipment routing policy information or rules 400 (or such specific user equipment routing policy information or rules 401) instructs or commands user equipment 20 to steer specific traffic for a given or predefined PDU (protocol data unit) session. In particular, such (specific) user equipment routing policy rules or information 400, or 401, are set or defined by the core network 120 of the telecommunications network 100, i.e. the telecommunications network 100 (or its core network 120) sets the specific user equipment routing policy rules or information 401 by sending (during or using) a corresponding message to the user equipment 20, in particular as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunications network 100 and the user equipment 20 over the air interface between the user equipment 20 and a corresponding access network element, typically a base station entity 111, 112, such as, for example, a gNodeB entity.As a result of the user equipment 20 receiving a particular user equipment routing policy rule (or rules) 401, or particular user equipment routing policy information 401, the user equipment 20 applies such rule information (during the second processing step 202), i.e. traffic, and in particular application traffic (in the uplink direction towards the telecommunications network 100) that matches the corresponding (particular) user equipment routing policy rule or information 400, 401, is routed by the user equipment 20 (in or during the third processing step 203) as instructed or prescribed by this (particular) user equipment routing policy rule / information 400, 401.

[0039] According to the invention, the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 itself, i.e. in particular its structure, is defined in a different way than its currently known definition in the current version of 3GPP TS 23.503, which also according to the invention includes an access mode related validity element 441. 5 and 6 show different embodiments of the structure of user equipment routing policy information 400 (or specific user equipment routing policy information 401) according to the present invention, the exemplary representations of which show user equipment routing policy information 400 as comprising a plurality of user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490 (i.e., first user equipment routing policy rule 460, second user equipment routing policy rule 470, third user equipment routing policy rule 480, and fifth user equipment routing policy rule 490), and for the sake of simplicity, the structure of only one of these rules (i.e., user equipment routing policy rule 460, or first user equipment routing policy rule 460) is shown diagrammatically. However, it will be appreciated that the other user equipment routing policy rules 470, 480, 490 may be similarly structured.

[0040] 5, the access mode related validity elements 441 of the user equipment routing policy rule 460 are part of, in addition to, a priority value 461, a traffic descriptor 462, and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, i.e., the user equipment routing policy rule 460 includes, in addition to, a priority value 461, a traffic descriptor 462, and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, a particular access mode related validity element 441. The routing descriptor (list) 463 further includes a routing component 464 and a routing validation criteria 465.

[0041] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, the access mode related validity element 441 of the user equipment routing policy rule 460 is part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, i.e., the user equipment routing policy rule 460 includes a particular access mode related validity element 441 as part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, in addition to or as part of the routing validation criteria 465, and further in addition to the routing component 464 and the routing validation criteria 465.

[0042] In accordance with the present invention, the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 may include either one user equipment routing policy rule 460 or multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In either case, in accordance with the present invention, the access mode related validity element 441 is preferably part of one (i.e., only one) user equipment routing policy rule 460 (of the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401), or, if multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490 exist (in the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401), the access mode related validity element 441 is part of one of these user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. Alternatively, the access mode related validity element 441 is part of multiple of these user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In both the case of a single user equipment routing policy rule present as part of a (particular) user equipment routing policy element 400, 401, or where multiple rules are present, the (particular) access mode related validity element 441 is in particular part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463 and / or is a traffic descriptor 462 and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463 in addition to the priority value 461 of that user equipment routing policy rule, or rules 460, 470, 480, 490. Besides the access mode related validity element 441, the structure of the (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 corresponds to the definition as in the current version of 3GPP TS 23.503, i.e. it is a set of or corresponds to one or more URSP rules 460, 470, 480, 490, where the or each URSP rule 460, 470, 480, 490 generally includes three parts: a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and one or more routing descriptors.

[0043] For the user equipment 20 depicted in Figures 1 and 2, it is assumed that a standalone non-public network (SNPN) is indeed accessible, for example according to a 5G radio access technology. The user equipment 20 comprises access mode configuration information 22 relating to (or indicating) either a first network selection mode or a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use for a given access technology for which a standalone non-public network is possible. In addition to the first and second network selection modes, further network selection modes are preferably possible (but not required), for example a third network selection mode resulting from a combination of available networks in the first and second network selection modes.

[0044] For example, the user equipment 20 is an SNPN-enabled user equipment 20 that supports an SNPN access mode (e.g., corresponding to a first network selection mode). This is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3, which shows a user equipment 20 having access to different network selection modes. The user equipment 20 includes a universal integrated circuit card, or USIM 21 (containing a user, or subscriber certificate), and access mode configuration information 22, the content of which defines or indicates whether the user equipment 20, at the time considered, is in either the SNPN mode or rather the PLMN mode (normal mode) with respect to network selection. The user equipment 20 accesses the telecommunications network 100, identified by a PLMN ID of, for example, "232 01", when the access mode configuration information 22 indicates (or has content) "PLMN mode" or "normal mode" (e.g., second network selection mode), and the user equipment 20 accesses the further telecommunications network 101, identified by a PLMN ID and a network ID of, for example, "999 99+00007ed9", when the access mode configuration information 22 indicates (or has content) "SNPN mode" (e.g., first network selection mode). When in this first network selection mode (SNPN access mode), the user equipment 20 exclusively selects and registers with an SNPN. When in the second network selection mode (normal network selection mode, or PLMN access mode), the user equipment 20 exclusively selects and registers with a PLMN, for example.

[0045] According to the present invention, (specific) user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 includes an access mode-related validity element 441 that is related to the content of access mode configuration information 22 and that either matches or does not match access mode configuration information 22. Thus, when specific user equipment routing policy information 401 is either present in (i.e., stored in) or received by user equipment 20 (i.e., user equipment 20 includes such specific user equipment routing policy information 401), the specific user equipment routing policy information 401 is either applied or not (depending on whether (the content of) the specific access mode-related validity element 441 corresponds to (or matches) the access mode configuration information 22).

[0046] In a conventionally known telecommunications network 100, certificates can be used for the following scenarios (using 5G nomenclature): - Access to a telecommunications network, typically using subscription data of the user equipment 20 stored in its USIM 21, in order to register with the telecommunications network 100, in particular via the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (PLMN). - Access to a given network slice: In addition to the prior art, 5G networks require authentication and can provide / deny permission to access a particular network slice or a particular network slice. -PDU session establishment. Especially for the second and third possibilities, an external credential server can be used. It is also possible for the first possibility (e.g., in the case of 5G-based private networks, i.e. SNPNs), but is not commonly used in public mobile networks (PLMNs) today. The certificates used to grant access to the PLMN are stored in the USIM 21 (either physical UICC or in electronic form, e.g., eSIM) of the user equipment 20, as defined by the 3GPP standards. Other types of certificates may be stored elsewhere, but are ultimately used in the communication between the user equipment 20 and the core network 120, e.g., to grant access to a given network slice and / or as part of the PDU establishment procedure. An important case to consider is when the user equipment 20 requires access to a network other than the one that owns the certificate (e.g., in the case of inter-network roaming, e.g., the PLMN). In such a case, the core network 120 in the subscriber network communicates with the core network in the visited network. Data flow directly via the visited network to the data network 130, as well as data flow via the home network 100, are both possible deployment options. In the case of roaming, conventional telecommunication networks typically operate as follows: The user equipment 20 may be provisioned with URSP rules by a Policy and Charging Function (PCF) of the home network (HPLMN). When the user equipment 20 is roaming, the Policy and Charging Function in the home network (HPLMN) may update the URSP rules in the user equipment 20. In the case of URSP rules, the user equipment 20 shall support provisioning from the Policy and Charging Function in the home network (HPLMN) as specified in TS 24.501. In addition, the UE may also be pre-configured (e.g., by the operator) with URSP rules.

[0047] The possibility of supporting multiple network selection modes exists in 5G networks (and for 5G user equipment 20) since Release 16. Currently, only the possibility of SNPN access mode and "normal mode" (or "PLMN mode") is mentioned in the respective standardization documents, but according to the present invention more than two network selection modes are possible (i.e. the access mode configuration information 22 can be set to multiple values, or different contents). In the context of the present invention, "network selection mode" should not be confused with "access technology" (e.g. "RAT" condition (also mentioned in user equipment routing policy rules, or user equipment routing policy information)). In the context of the present invention, PLMNs and SNPNs that can be accessed differently depending on the access mode configuration information 22 of the user equipment 20 are considered to use the same (radio) access technology (e.g. 5G NR), but are accessible via different access modes. Thus, with the same set of credentials (e.g., PLMN credentials), the user equipment 20 can switch between different network selection modes, where for each network selection mode a different set of parameters is considered for network selection (e.g., access networks are identified by a different set of identifiers). This network selection mode (defined or determined by the access mode configuration information 22) is orthogonal to whether the user equipment 20 is in a roaming situation or not.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 4, an example of a list of different networks available to the user equipment 20 at least in principle (i.e. with respect to their physical radio coverage) is provided. Before the SNPN mode was introduced, a user equipment supporting 5G in a given location, where the seven networks exemplarily provided in FIG. 4 are broadcast network identifiers, could only select among the first three networks, which are public land mobile networks with PLMN IDs "232 01", "232 02" and "232 03". For example, upon power-up of the user equipment (other conditions may be possible), each user equipment applies the network selection defined in TS 23.122, selects one of the available networks and sends a registration request. Which of the available networks is actually selected depends mainly on the HPLMN ID stored in the user equipment certificate, but may also depend on additional parameters. An SNPN is available, with the seven networks listed in FIG. 4 (i.e., PLMN IDs are “232 01”, “232 02”, “232 03”, “232 06 000014C601”, “232 06 000001F701”, “999 99 000014C602”, “999 99 00006D2401”). All these networks are based on 5G-NR. The SNPN only supports additional identifiers (i.e., network identifiers NID) that are not supported by the PLMN. In this sense, it is now possible to implement specific 5G variants supported by specific network selection modes. The networks that the user equipment 20 considers for network selection, regardless of the location or the home network identifier specified by its subscriber, are the following: - PLMN (or normal) access mode (second network selection mode): Only the first three (PLMN) networks (with PLMN IDs "232 01", "232 02", "232 03") are considered for network selection. -SNPN access mode (first network selection mode). For network selection, only networks 4-7 (with PLMN ID or PLMN ID+NID of "232 06 000014C601", "232 06 000001F701", "999 99 000014C602" and "999 99 00006D2401") are considered. It is emphasized that the concept of "roaming" is not a factor in network selection, but rather how authorization / authentication is performed in the PLMN, i.e. in PLMN (or normal) access mode, when the PLMN ID stored in the UE certificate and the PLMN ID of the network are not the same. Regardless of the access mode (i.e. the access mode configuration information 22 stored in the user equipment 20), the PLMN ID stored in the UE certificate as "home" is always a factor to be considered by the network selection algorithm when performing network selection. However, the sets of parameters considered for network selection, as well as how they are considered (e.g., network prioritization), are typically different for PLMN and SNPN access modes. Currently, PLMN networks (i.e., in the example of FIG. 4, the first three networks) are not considered for network selection when in SNPN access mode, but in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated and possible that SNPNs and PLMNs may be accessed when user equipment 20 is in PLMN access mode or SNPN access mode, particularly in a first set of PLMN and SNPN combinations when in SNPN access mode, and in a second set of PLMN and SNPN combinations when in PLMN access mode.

[0049] Thus, according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to add an indication (in the form of an access mode related validity element 441) to the user equipment routing policy information 400, in particular as part of the routing descriptor list 463, indicating the validity of the URSP rules (as part of the user equipment routing policy information 400) when using a given network selection mode, for example when in SNPN access mode or when in PLMN (or normal) access mode. In particular, it is proposed to add the access mode related validity element 441 according to at least two variants: to the URSP rules at the route level (see FIG. 5) or to the routing validation criteria 465 (see FIG. 6).

[0050] If the access mode related validity element 441 is part of a user equipment routing policy rule (e.g., 460) at the route level, the user equipment routing policy rule 460 is valid only when the user equipment 20 is connected to a given network using the network access mode specified by the access mode related validity element 441. Thus, evaluation of the entire user equipment routing policy rule 460 (e.g., traffic descriptor) can be skipped if the criteria are not met. If the access mode related validity element 441 is part of a user equipment routing policy rule (e.g., 460) as part of the route selection validation criteria 465, the validity of each route assignment entry can be controlled. According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to evaluate the validity of the network or the validity of the user equipment routing policy information 400 (or the user equipment routing policy rule 460) depending on the network selection mode of the user equipment 20 (i.e., whether the user equipment 20 is in the SNPN access mode or not). It should be understood that whether the user equipment 20 is currently connected via roaming (understood in the general sense as "connected to a network other than the one in which the subscription is owned") is applicable in both SNPN access mode and PLMN (normal) access mode.

Claims

1. 1. A method of transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating a user equipment (20) or when operating a user equipment (20) connected to a telecommunications network (100), comprising: the user equipment (20) includes access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) associated with or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, each of the network selection modes enabling the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunications network based on a different type or set of information elements identifying and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunications network, a first predetermined set of networks associated with the first network selection mode and a second predetermined set of networks associated with the second network selection mode, the first predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a public land mobile network and the second predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a separate non-public network, said user equipment routing policy information (400) including access mode related validity elements related to the contents of said access mode configuration information (22); The method further comprises the steps of: - in a first step, the user equipment (20) includes or receives the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) including specific access mode related validity elements (441), - in a second step, in response to determining by the user equipment (20) that the specific access mode related validity element (441) corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) by routing traffic that matches the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) as instructed or prescribed by the specific user equipment routing policy information (401), and in response to determining by the user equipment (20) that the specific access mode related validity element (441) does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the specific user equipment routing policy information (401). A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) includes the specific access mode related validity elements (441) in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and at least one routing descriptor.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) includes the specific access mode related validity element (441) as part of at least one routing descriptor.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) comprises at least one user equipment routing policy rule, and the specific access mode related validity element (441) is part of the user equipment routing policy rule, in particular as part of at least one routing descriptor and / or in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor and at least one routing descriptor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network selection mode also depends on information stored in the user equipment.

6. the first predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponds to or includes public land mobile networks defined only by mobile country code information and mobile network code information, the first predetermined set of telecommunications networks specifically includes only such public land mobile networks; 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined second set of telecommunication networks corresponds to or includes independent non-public networks defined by mobile country code information, network identifier information plus mobile network code information, and the predetermined second set of telecommunication networks specifically includes only such independent non-public networks.

7. A user equipment (20) that receives and / or uses user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating or when operating in connection with a telecommunications network (100), comprising: the user equipment (20) includes access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) associated with or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, each of the network selection modes enabling the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunications network based on a different type or set of information elements identifying and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunications network, a first predetermined set of networks associated with the first network selection mode and a second predetermined set of networks associated with the second network selection mode, the first predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a public land mobile network and the second predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a separate non-public network, said user equipment routing policy information (400) including access mode related validity elements related to the contents of said access mode configuration information (22); In order for the user equipment (20) to receive and / or use specific user equipment routing policy information (401), - the user equipment (20) includes or receives the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) including specific access mode related validity elements (441); - in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the particular access mode related validity element (441) corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the particular user equipment routing policy information (401) by routing traffic that matches the particular user equipment routing policy information (401) as instructed or prescribed by the particular user equipment routing policy information (401), and in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the particular access mode related validity element (441) does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the user equipment routing policy information (401). A user equipment (20) configured to:

8. A system for transmitting and / or using user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating the user equipment (20) of claim 7 or when operating the user equipment (20) of claim 7 connected to a telecommunications network (100), the system comprising a telecommunications network (100) and the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) includes access mode configuration information (22) for a given access technology, the access mode configuration information (22) associated with or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment (20) can alternatively use, each of the network selection modes enabling the user equipment (20) to select a telecommunications network based on a different type or set of information elements identifying and / or indicating capabilities of each telecommunications network, a first predetermined set of networks associated with the first network selection mode and a second predetermined set of networks associated with the second network selection mode, the first predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a public land mobile network and the second predetermined set of telecommunications networks corresponding to or including a separate non-public network, said user equipment routing policy information (400) including access mode related validity elements related to the contents of said access mode configuration information (22); The system, or telecommunications network (100), may include a plurality of devices, each of which may include a plurality of sub-devices ... - the user equipment (20) includes or receives the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) to be evaluated, the specific user equipment routing policy information (401) including specific access mode related validity elements (441); - in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the particular access mode related validity element (441) corresponds to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) applies the particular user equipment routing policy information (401) by routing traffic that matches the particular user equipment routing policy information (401) as instructed or prescribed by the particular user equipment routing policy information (401), and in response to the user equipment (20) determining that the particular access mode related validity element (441) does not correspond to the access mode configuration information (22) of the user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) skips the particular user equipment routing policy information (401).

20. A system or telecommunications network (100) configured to:

9. A program comprising computer readable program code which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

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