Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the communication method, when a first operator and a second operator share an access network device, but the access network device needs to interact with a core network device of the second operator by means of a core network device of the first operator, by means of a mode in which at least one PLMN identifier to which the access network device supports a terminal device in accessing comprises a first PLMN identifier, so as to enable the access network device to broadcast the first PLMN identifier, and at least one public land mobile network identifier to which a first AMF of the first operator supports the terminal device in accessing also comprises the first PLMN identifier, a terminal device of the second operator accesses a network.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on July 27, 2023, with application number 202310934364.6, and invention titled “Communication Method and Communication Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] When operators build their networks independently, they face challenges such as high deployment costs and the need to achieve high network coverage in a short period of time. Network sharing technologies have been introduced, with shared access networks being one such sharing method. When sharing access networks, it is essential to ensure that the terminals of each operator sharing the access network equipment can access their respective core networks.

[0004] However, those skilled in the art have discovered that when multiple operators need to share access network equipment, if one operator's core network equipment can only interact with the shared access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators, this can lead to the problem of terminal devices of that operator being unable to access the network. The fact that one operator's core network equipment can only interact with the shared access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators is also known as the lack of a direct connection between the core network equipment of that operator and the shared access network equipment, or the inability of the core network equipment of that operator to directly interact with the access network equipment.

[0005] Therefore, how to allow the operator's terminal equipment to access the network when the operator's core network equipment and shared access network equipment cannot directly interact has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device for enabling an operator's terminal equipment to access the network even when the operator's core network equipment and shared access network equipment cannot directly interact.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. The method includes: broadcasting first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, the first information indicating at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access; wherein the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal device access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0009] In this embodiment, the access network device must interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. In other words, the access network device must interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. Alternatively, the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator, and the core network device of the first operator can interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, but the access network device cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator.

[0010] In this embodiment, when the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator, but cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, it can also be considered that the access network device has a direct connection relationship with the core network device of the first operator, but no direct connection relationship with the core network device of the second operator.

[0011] Normally, the access network device will broadcast at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier that it supports terminal devices to access within the coverage area, and the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device is the PLMN identifier of the operator whose core network device and the access network device have direct interaction. It should be understood that in this case, for the terminal device of the second operator, since the core network device and the access network device of the second operator cannot interact directly, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device does not include the PLMN identifier of the second operator, and the access network device cannot find the access and mobility management functions that support the access of the terminal device of the second operator, resulting in the terminal device of the second operator being unable to access the network.

[0012] In view of this, in the communication method proposed in the present application, when the access network device indicates at least one broadcast PLMN identifier by broadcasting the first information, the at least one PLMN identifier also includes the first PLMN identifier, and the first access and mobility management function of the first operator supports the at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access also includes the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for terminal device access of the second operator.

[0013] It can be understood that through the communication method proposed in the present application, since the first PLMN identifier is used for access of the terminal equipment of the second operator, when the terminal equipment of the second operator is located within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, the terminal equipment of the second operator can access by selecting the first PLMN identifier, and then carry the second information in the registration request message for requesting access to the network, and the second information indicates that the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier; accordingly, the access network device determines to use the first access and mobility management function of the first operator as the access and mobility management function supporting the access of the terminal equipment of the second operator based on the first PLMN identifier selected by the terminal equipment of the second operator and the first access and mobility management function of the first operator. At least one public land mobile network identifier includes the first PLMN identifier, thereby realizing access of the second operator to the network.

[0014] It should be noted that the first access and mobility management function of the first operator that can directly interact with the access network device will indicate to the access network device that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device. Therefore, the access network device can know that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device. For example, the first access and mobility management function sends a third message to the access network device, and the third message indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device. However, it should be understood that the difference between the present application and the prior art is that the third information indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device, in addition to the PLMN identifier of the first operator, also includes the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for access by the terminal device of the second operator.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0016] That is, in this implementation, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal device access also includes the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0017] It should be understood that in this implementation, since the first PLMN identifier is the public land mobile network identifier of the second operator, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, the terminal device of the second operator will give priority to accessing the first PLMN identifier based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0019] That is, in this implementation, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for terminal device access of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal device access also includes a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for terminal device access of the second operator.

[0020] It should be understood that in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers allocated to the first operator are all used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator. However, in the implementation provided in this application, the PLMN identifiers allocated to the first operator include, in addition to the PLMN identifiers used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator, the first PLMN identifier used for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator. Or to put it another way, compared to the prior art, in this implementation, a new first PLMN identifier is added for the first operator, but the newly added first PLMN identifier is not used for access by the terminal equipment of the first operator, but is used for access by the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0022] That is, in this implementation, all N operators can be regarded as the second operator here, and the terminal equipment of each operator in the N operators is accessed by selecting the first PLMN identifier.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by terminal equipment of the second operator, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for access by terminal equipment of the third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for access by terminal equipment, including the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0024] That is, in this implementation, when the access network device indicates at least one PLMN identifier to be broadcast by broadcasting the first information, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports the at least one PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device, including the second PLMN identifier.

[0025] Optionally, the second access and mobility management function and the first access and mobility management function are different network elements. It should be understood that in this manner, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first PLMN identifier, and the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the second access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the second PLMN identifier.

[0026] Optionally, the second access and mobility management function and the first access and mobility management function are the same network element. It should be understood that in this manner, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier, and the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

[0027] In this implementation, since the second PLMN identifier is used for access of terminal equipment of the second operator, when the terminal equipment of the third operator is within the coverage of the access network device, the terminal equipment of the third operator can access by selecting the second PLMN identifier; accordingly, the access network device determines to use the second access and mobility management function of the first operator as the access and mobility management function supporting access of the terminal equipment of the third operator based on the second PLMN identifier selected by the terminal equipment of the third operator and the fact that at least one PLMN identifier that supports access of the terminal equipment by the second access and mobility management function of the first operator includes the second PLMN identifier, thereby realizing access of the third operator to the network.

[0028] Optional and scalable: If the core network equipment of a total of M operators all need to share access network equipment with the first operator, but the core network equipment of each of the M operators cannot directly interact with the access network equipment, then M different PLMN identifiers can be added to the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the terminal device access of the access network equipment, and the K access and mobility management functions of the first operator can support these M different PLMN identifiers. The M different PLMN identifiers are used for terminal device access of different operators among the M operators. The M operators include the second operator and the third operator, and M and K are positive integers.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first access and mobility management function, the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator, and the method includes: sending third information to an access network device, the third information indicating at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal equipment access, the access network device being a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0030] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0031] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0032] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0033] It should be understood that when the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, that is, the newly added PLMN identifier described in the implementation of the first aspect, it should also be ensured that the terminal device of the second operator only displays the name of the second operator. In view of this, in this implementation, when the first PLMN identifier used for access by the terminal device of the second operator is a newly added PLMN identifier of the first operator, the first access and mobility management function will also send a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the first correspondence, the terminal device of the second operator displays the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when selecting the first PLMN identifier.

[0034] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the manner in which the first access and mobility management function learns the first corresponding relationship.

[0035] For example, when the second operator is any one of N operators, and the N operators do not include the first operator, that is, when the terminal equipment of each operator in the N operators is accessed through the first PLMN identifier, there are the following four implementation plans:

[0036] A first implementation scheme: a second correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information being used to request the first correspondence, the fourth information including the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, the home public land mobile network identifier being included in the at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fourth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the home public land mobile network identifier carried in the fourth information, so that the first access and mobility management function is aware of the first correspondence.

[0037] The second implementation scheme: a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information being used to request the first correspondence, the fifth information including the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fifth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator carried in the fifth information, so that the first access and mobility management function is aware of the first correspondence.

[0038] A third implementation scheme: a fourth correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is configured in the first access and mobility management function; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: obtaining a first correspondence based on the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, wherein the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator.

[0039] A fourth implementation scheme: a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the first access and mobility management function; wherein, before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, the method further includes: obtaining the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0040] For another example, when the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, further includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, further includes the second public land mobile network identifier, wherein the third operator and the first operator access the network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator, there are the following two implementation plans:

[0041] A first implementation scheme: a first correspondence is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information being used to request the first correspondence, the sixth information including the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, after receiving the sixth information, the unified data management function sends the first correspondence to the first access and mobility management function based on the first public land mobile network identifier carried in the sixth information, so that the first access and mobility management function is aware of the first correspondence.

[0042] The second implementation scheme: a first correspondence is configured in the first access and mobility management function; at this time, when the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator, it includes: when the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0043] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, applied to a terminal device, the terminal device belonging to a second operator, including: receiving a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function of a first operator and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; based on the first correspondence, the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is displayed when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including the first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, and the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0044] With reference to the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0045] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a registration request message, the registration request message is used to request access to the network, the registration request message includes second information, and the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0046] It should be understood that when the terminal equipment of the second operator initially accesses the network, if the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, at this time, since the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal equipment of the second operator, there may be a problem that the terminal equipment of the second operator does not know to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, in this application, when the first PLMN identifier is a PLMN identifier allocated by the first operator for the terminal equipment of the second operator to access, it also includes: the first access and mobility management function sends a seventh message to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the seventh message instructs the terminal equipment of the second operator to select the first public land mobile network identifier for access, and the seventh message carries the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, after the terminal equipment of the second operator receives the seventh message, it selects the first PLMN identifier for access when it wants to access the network.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator. The device includes: a sending module, which is used to broadcast first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, and the first information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal equipment access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for terminal equipment access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0048] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device also includes a receiving module, which is used to receive a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, where the registration request message is used to request access to the network, and the registration request message includes second information, which indicates that the terminal device of the second operator has selected the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, the sending module is also used to: send a registration request message to the first access and mobility management function.

[0049] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the receiving module is also used to: receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, and the third information indicates that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access.

[0050] With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0051] With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0052] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0053] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which also includes the second public land mobile network identifier. The third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0054] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a first access and mobility management function, wherein the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator; the device includes: a sending module, used to send third information to an access network device, the third information indicating that the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access includes a first public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for terminal device access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0055] With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0056] With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0057] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the sending module is further used to: send a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0058] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0059] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; wherein the sending module is also used to: send fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information is used to request the first correspondence, the fourth information includes the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the home public land mobile network identifier is included in the at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; accordingly, the device also includes a receiving module, the receiving module is used to receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0060] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; wherein the sending module is also used to: send fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; the receiving module is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0061] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; the device also includes a processing module, wherein the processing module is further used to: obtain the first correspondence based on the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

[0062] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; wherein the processing module is also used to: obtain the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0063] In combination with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier.

[0064] In combination with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation method, a first corresponding relationship is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; the sending module is also used to: send sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; the receiving module is also used to: receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the data management function.

[0065] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the first access and mobility management function; the processing module is also used to: when the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, send the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to a terminal device, and the terminal device belongs to a second operator; specifically, a receiving module is used to: receive a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; a processing module is used to: based on the first correspondence, display the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including the first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, and the first access and mobility management function supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device to access, including the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0067] With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: a memory and a processor; the memory is used to store program instructions; the processor is used to call the program instructions in the memory to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising the communication device as described in the third aspect, and the communication devices as described in the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0070] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable medium storing a program code for computer execution, the program code including instructions for executing the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0071] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer implements the method described in any one of the first to third aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0072] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the fourth to ninth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first to third aspects and any possible implementation method therein, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by this application;

[0074] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the communication method provided in this application is applied;

[0075] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of broadcasting a PLMN identifier of a second operator according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of adding the same PLMN identifier to N operators according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of adding M PLMN identifiers for M operators according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG9 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0085] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system or new radio access technology (NR), satellite communication system, etc.

[0086] The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0087] Before introducing the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application is first given.

[0088] 1. Terminal device: This term may be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. In the embodiments described below, the terms terminal device, terminal, and UE may be used interchangeably, but they have the same meaning.

[0089] The terminal device may be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminals may include: mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver functions (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (PLMNs). terminal equipment in network, PLMN, etc.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system or chip, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0091] 2. Access network (AN) equipment: The access network can provide network access functions for authorized users in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities according to the user level, business requirements, etc. The access network can be an access network that adopts different access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access technology and non-3GPP (non-3GPP) access technology. 3GPP access technology refers to access technology that complies with 3GPP standards and specifications. For example, the access network equipment in the 5G system is called the next generation node base station (gNB). Non-3GPP access technology refers to access technology that does not comply with 3GPP standards and specifications, for example, the air interface technology represented by the access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi).

[0092] A radio access network (RAN) is a network that implements network access functions based on wireless communication technologies. The RAN manages radio resources, provides access services to terminal devices, and forwards control signals and user data between the terminal and the core network.

[0093] The radio access network equipment may include, for example, but is not limited to: a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an AP in a Wi-Fi system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP) or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It can also be a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G (e.g., NR) system, one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a BBU, or a distributed unit (DU), or a base station in a next-generation communication 6G system. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the radio access network equipment. The radio access network equipment may include a gNB-centralized unit (CU) and a gNB-DU. The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected via the F1 interface. The CU and the core network are connected via the next generation (NG) interface. The gNB-DU includes physical layer (PHY), medium access control (MAC), and radio link control (RLC) layer functions to provide access services to relay devices attached to the access network equipment. The gNB-DU may connect to the gNB-CU via the F1 interface. The gNB-DU may also connect to a terminal device or the mobile-termination (MT) function of a mobile relay via the Uu interface.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the base station function. The control subsystem that includes the base station function here can be a control center in the application scenarios of the above-mentioned terminals such as smart grid, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal function.

[0095] 3. Core network: mainly includes user plane functions (UPF) and control plane functions of the data plane. Among them, the user plane function is mainly responsible for packet forwarding, quality of service (QoS) control, billing information statistics and connection to external networks, etc. It includes the relevant functions of the serving gateway (SGW) and public data network gateway (PDN-GW) of the long term evolution technology (LTE). The control plane function is mainly responsible for business process interaction, sending data packet forwarding policies and QoS control policies to the user plane. For example, the network elements in the control plane function mainly include: access and mobility function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), network exposure function (NEF), etc. Among them, the AMF network element is connected to the access network equipment through the NG interface, and can manage the access of terminal equipment to the core network, such as: access control of terminal equipment, mobility management of terminal equipment, attachment and detachment of terminal equipment, triggering the LMF network element to locate the terminal equipment, and forwarding positioning-related messages between the terminal equipment and the LMF network element, as well as forwarding positioning-related messages between the access network equipment and the LMF network element. The LMF network element can locate the terminal device based on the positioning request of the AMF network element. The SMF network element is mainly responsible for managing the creation and deletion of user protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, maintaining the PDU session context and user plane forwarding channel information. The PCF is mainly responsible for executing policy control, similar to the policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element in long term evolution technology (LTE), including generating and managing users, sessions, quality of service (QoS) flow processing policies, quality of service and charging rules, and sending the corresponding rules to the UPF network element through the SMF. The AF network element is primarily responsible for providing various business services. It can interact with the core network through the NEF network element and can interact with the policy management framework for policy management. The NEF is used to provide the framework, authentication, and interfaces related to network capability exposure, and to transfer information between the 5G system network function and other network functions.

[0096] 4. Data network (DN): This refers to a service network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP Multimedia Service (IMS) and the internet. A UE accesses a data network through a protocol data unit (PDU) session established between the UE and the DN.

[0097] 5. Terminal device PLMN selection priority

[0098] When a terminal device accesses the network, it first performs a cell search and selection process. This process includes searching for frequencies, obtaining the cell's physical cell identifier (PCI), obtaining the master information block (MIB), obtaining the system message block 1 (SIB1), selecting a PLMN, and selecting a cell. When selecting a PLMN, the terminal device selects the appropriate PLMN to access based on a certain priority.

[0099] Specifically, the priority of PLMN selection by the terminal device is as follows:

[0100] 1)RPLMN (Registered PLMN)

[0101] Refers to the last registered PLMN, the PLMN that the terminal device registered through the tracking area update process / initial attachment (attach), which has the highest priority

[0102] 2) EPLMN (Equivalent PLMN)

[0103] It is an equivalent PLMN of RPLMN, that is, a PLMN that can provide the same services as RPLMN to terminal devices.

[0104] 3)EHPLMN (Equivalent Home PLMN)

[0105] The PLMN is the equivalent of the HPLMN and is stored in the Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card. The terminal device uses the PLMN in this list to replace the HPLMN extracted from the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) code for the PLMN selection process. The EHPLMN has the same priority as the HPLMN. When the RPLMN is the HPLMN, the EPLMN = EHPLMN. When the RPLMN is not the HPLMN, the EPLMN is not equal to the EHPLMN.

[0106] 4) HPLMN (Home PLMN)

[0107] The Home PLMN refers to the PLMN where the terminal device is registered. The terminal device has only one HPLMN, which is obtained through the IMSI.

[0108] 5) UPLMN (User Controlled PLMN)

[0109] The PLMN controlled by the user, that is, the PLMN registered by the terminal device when manually selecting the network, will be stored on the USIM card.

[0110] 6)OPLMN (Operator Controlled PLMN)

[0111] Controls the PLMN for the operator and is written in the USIM card.

[0112] 7) VPLMN (Visited PLMN)

[0113] Refers to the visited PLMN, which is the PLMN where the terminal device is currently located. The visited PLMN can be the same as the HPLMN.

[0114] 8) FPLMN (Forbidden PLMN)

[0115] Refers to a prohibited PLMN, a PLMN to which terminal devices cannot register.

[0116] 6. Mechanism for access network equipment to broadcast PLMN identification

[0117] Access network equipment generally only broadcasts the network number of its own operator.

[0118] In one scenario, assuming that the access network equipment is dedicated to a single operator, the access network equipment will only broadcast the PLMN identity (ID) of that operator. For example, assuming that the PLMN identity of operator 1 only includes PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2, the access network equipment of operator 1 will only broadcast PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2.

[0119] In another scenario, assuming that the access network device is shared by multiple operators and each operator can directly interact with the shared access network device, then when the access network device broadcasts, the broadcast message will include the PLMN identifier of each of the multiple operators. For example, assuming that PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2 are both PLMN identifiers of operator 1, and PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4 are both PLMN identifiers of operator 3, and both operator 1 and operator 3 are physically connected to the access network device, then when the access network device of the operator broadcasts, the broadcast message will include PLMN ID1, PLMN ID2, PLMN ID3, and PLMN ID4.

[0120] Communication technologies are updated and replaced at a rapid pace. If each operator independently deploys a new network every time a new technology is upgraded, it will face challenges such as high network deployment costs and achieving high network coverage in a short period of time. Therefore, network sharing technology has become an important way for operators to deploy their networks.

[0121] Shared access network (or also called access network sharing) is a way of network sharing, which means that at least two operators share the access network line equipment and carrier resources of one operator.

[0122] In most cases, the access network equipment can directly interact with the core network of each operator. In this case, terminal devices of different operators can directly access the core network of their respective operators through the access network equipment.

[0123] Specifically, the terminal devices of different operators are directly connected to the core network of their respective operators through access network devices in the following ways:

[0124] 1) The access network equipment broadcasts the PLMN identifiers of each operator with which it can directly interact.

[0125] 2) For terminal devices of various operators, when they need to access the network, they send a registration request message to the network side, wherein the registration request message is used to request access to the network and includes the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device.

[0126] It should be understood that in this step, when the terminal devices of each operator select the PLMN identifier, based on the priority of the PLMN selection of the terminal device, since the message broadcast by the access network device includes the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs, the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs will be selected.

[0127] 3) The access network device receives the PLMN identifier reported by the terminal device and determines an AMF for the terminal device to enable the terminal device to access the network through the determined AMF. The selected AMF includes at least one PLMN identifier supported by the terminal device for access, including the reported PLMN identifier.

[0128] Typically, the AMF is configured with a PLMN identifier, which is used by the AMF to determine the PLMN identifiers that it supports terminal devices to access. Specifically, the AMF of each operator is configured with the PLMN identifier of the operator to which it belongs. For example, assuming that PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2 belong to the PLMN identifiers of operator 1, and PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4 belong to the PLMN identifiers of operator 3, then the at least one PLMN identifier configured in the AMF of operator 1 that the AMF supports terminal devices to access will include PLMN ID1 and PLMN ID2, and the at least one PLMN identifier configured in the AMF of operator 3 that the AMF supports terminal devices to access will include PLMN ID3 and PLMN ID4.

[0129] For ease of description, in this application, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF for terminal device access is also referred to as: at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF.

[0130] Specifically, the principle by which the access network device determines the AMF based on the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device is as follows: during the initialization of the access network device (e.g., when the access network device is powered on), the AMF, which can directly interact with the access network device, notifies the access network device of at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF. Therefore, the access network device is locally configured with PLMN identifiers supported by different AMFs, allowing the access network device to determine the AMF that supports the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device based on the PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device and local information.

[0131] However, people in this field have found that when sharing an access network, it is inevitable that the core network equipment of a certain operator can only interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of other operators (that is, it can be considered that there is no direct connection between the core network equipment of a certain operator and the access network equipment). At this time, there will be a problem that the terminal equipment of a certain operator cannot access the network.

[0132] For ease of understanding, Figure 1 is used as an example. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the access network equipment was originally proprietary to operator 1. The access network equipment is connected to operator 1's core network to enable operator 1's terminal device 1 to access operator 1's core network. Now, operators 1, 2, and 3 are collaborating, and operator 1 shares the access network equipment with operators 2 and 3. However, operator 2's core network equipment can only interact with the access network equipment through operator 1's core network equipment (it can also be considered that there is no direct connection between operator 2's core network equipment and the access network equipment). In this case, for the scenario shown in Figure 1, when the access network equipment broadcasts the PLMN identifier, it only includes the PLMN identifier of operator 1 and the PLMN identifier of operator 3. In this case, operator 1's terminal device 1 can access operator 1's core network, and operator 3's terminal device 3 can access operator 3's core network. However, for operator 2's terminal device 2, if roaming is not considered (for example, there is no roaming agreement between operator 2 and operator 1), the terminal device 2 will be unable to access the network.

[0133] It should be noted that Figure 1 only takes three operators sharing the same access network device as an example, but it does not constitute a limitation of this application. For example, two operators may share the same access network device, or more operators may share the same access network device.

[0134] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, so that the terminal equipment of a certain operator can be connected to the network even in a scenario where there is no direct connection between the access network equipment and the core network of a certain operator and the shared access network.

[0135] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with Figure 2.

[0136] As shown in Figure 2, the system architecture includes one or more of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element, application function (AF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, access network (AN) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, and network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network slice admission control function (NSACF), network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network element. Among them, the functions of some network elements can refer to the description in the network element introduction above, and the specific ones can refer to the known technology, which will not be repeated here.

[0137] In the above architecture, the components other than the AN and DN are referred to as the core network. In the network shown in Figure 1, each network element can communicate based on service-based interfaces. Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Naf, Nusf, Namf, and Npcf in Figure 2 are the service-based interfaces of each network element.

[0138] Specifically, for the architecture shown in FIG2 , the HPLMN is the PLMN of the operator to which the terminal device belongs (i.e., the home PLMN of the terminal device), and the VPLMN is the PLMN of the visited operator (i.e., the visited PLMN). More specifically:

[0139] The VPLMNs perform signaling interaction with the HPLMNs through a security edge protection proxy (SEPP).

[0140] HPLMN is responsible for managing the subscription information and session policies of terminal devices. The session anchor point is located in the HPLMN. Terminal devices access the HPLMN's data network (DN), and the HPLMN provides business services for roaming terminal devices.

[0141] Both the visited location and the home location have billing capabilities, and both the visited location and the home location have the ability to legally obtain information about terminal devices.

[0142] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to FIG3 .

[0143] FIG3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes:

[0144] S301: An access network device broadcasts first information within a coverage area of ​​the access network device, where the first information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the access network device supports for access by a terminal device.

[0145] In this embodiment, the access network equipment is shared by the first and second operators, and the access network equipment must interact with the core network equipment of the second operator through the core network equipment of the first operator. In other words, the access network equipment must interact with the core network equipment of the second operator through the core network equipment of the first operator. Or, in other words: the access network equipment can interact directly with the core network equipment of the first operator, and the core network equipment of the first operator can interact directly with the core network equipment of the second operator, but the access network equipment cannot interact directly with the core network equipment of the second operator.

[0146] In this embodiment, when the access network device can interact directly with the core network device of the first operator, but cannot interact directly with the core network device of the second operator, it can also be considered that the access network device has a direct connection relationship with the core network device of the first operator, but no direct connection relationship with the core network device of the second operator.

[0147] Typically, the access network device is locally configured with at least one PLMN identifier that supports access by the terminal device, and broadcasts the at least one PLMN identifier within a coverage area.

[0148] In this application, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device for terminal device access is also referred to as at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device.

[0149] Currently, the at least one PLMN identifier configured for a shared access network device is always the PLMN identifier of an operator with whom the core network device and the access network device have direct interaction. For example, if the access network device can directly interact with the core network devices of both Operator 1 and Operator 3, i.e., Operator 1 and Operator 3 are the first operator described herein, then, in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers supported by the local configuration of the access network device include the PLMN identifier of Operator 1 and the PLMN identifier of Operator 3. Accordingly, the PLMN identifiers broadcast by the access network device include the PLMN identifiers of Operator 1 and Operator 3.

[0150] In this case, for the terminal device of the second operator that cannot directly interact with the access network device, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, since at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device does not include the PLMN identifier of the second operator, at this time, without considering roaming, there may be a problem that the terminal device of the second operator cannot select a suitable PLMN identifier and thus cannot access the network.

[0151] In view of this, in this application, in order to allow the terminal equipment of the second operator to access the network in a shared scenario, when the access network device broadcasts the first information to indicate to the terminal equipment of each operator at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device, the at least one PLMN identifier indicated also includes the first PLMN identifier, wherein the first PLMN identifier is used for access of the terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0152] That is to say, in the present application, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device includes, in addition to the PLMN identifier of the first operator (exemplarily, the PLMN identifier of the first operator is also referred to as the third PLMN identifier), the first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator. Or to put it another way, in the prior art, when the access network device broadcasts at least one supported PLMN identifier, it only broadcasts the PLMN identifier of the first operator with which the core network device can directly interact, and does not broadcast the first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator. However, in this embodiment, when the access network device broadcasts at least one PLMN identifier that it can support, it not only broadcasts the PLMN identifier of the first operator of the core network device, but also broadcasts the first PLMN identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator.

[0153] During specific implementation, the first information may be, for example, a Broadcast PLMN list sent by the access network device, where the Broadcast PLMN list includes the PLMN identifier of the first operator and the first PLMN identifier.

[0154] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the first PLMN identifier.

[0155] For example, in the first implementation manner, the first PLMN identifier may be the PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0156] For another example, in the second implementation, the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier assigned by the first operator for access by terminal equipment of the second operator. It should be understood that in the prior art, the PLMN identifiers assigned by the first operator are all used for access by terminal equipment of the first operator. However, in this implementation, the PLMN identifiers assigned by the first operator include, in addition to the PLMN identifiers used for access by terminal equipment of the first operator, the first PLMN identifier used for access by terminal equipment of the second operator. Or to put it another way, in this implementation, a new first PLMN identifier is added for the first operator, but the newly added first PLMN identifier is not used for access by terminal equipment of the first operator, but is used for access by terminal equipment of the second operator.

[0157] S302: The terminal device of the second operator sends a registration request message, where the registration request message is used to request access to the network. The registration request message includes second information, where the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator has selected the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0158] In this embodiment, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, the terminal device of the second operator can obtain at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device by acquiring the first information broadcast by the access network device.

[0159] In this embodiment, since at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier used for access of the terminal device of the second operator, the terminal device of the second operator can select the first PLMN identifier and then carry second information indicating that the first PLMN identifier is selected in the registration request message used to request access to the network, so as to inform the access network device that it has selected the first PLMN identifier for access.

[0160] The following describes how the second operator enables the terminal device to select the first PLMN identifier for access.

[0161] As described in S301, there are two ways to identify the first PLMN:

[0162] The first way is: the first PLMN identifier is the PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0163] The second manner is: the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, that is, the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier.

[0164] It should be understood that for the first method, when the terminal device of the second operator is located within the coverage of the shared access network device, since the first PLMN identifier is the PLMN identifier of the second operator, based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier, the terminal device of the second operator can give priority to accessing the first PLMN identifier.

[0165] As for the second method, since the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, when the terminal device of the second operator initially wants to access the network, because the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal device of the second operator (the network may also have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, for example, the newly added first PLMN identifier has been configured when the terminal device leaves the factory), the terminal device of the second operator will not know whether to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, in the specific implementation, the first access and mobility management function of the first operator sends the seventh information to the terminal device of the second operator. The seventh information instructs the terminal device of the second operator to select the first PLMN identifier for access. The seventh information carries the first PLMN identifier; accordingly, after the terminal device of the second operator receives the seventh information, it selects the first PLMN identifier for access when it wants to access the network. In other words, under this implementation scheme, the first PLMN identifier can be configured for the terminal device of the second operator by sending the seventh information to the terminal device of the second operator on the network side. In this way, when the terminal device of the second operator needs to access the network again, since the first PLMN identifier has been configured and the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast includes the first PLMN identifier, the first PLMN identifier will be selected.

[0166] Furthermore, after the terminal device of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier, it may send a registration request message for requesting access to the network to the access network device, wherein the registration request message carries the first PLMN identifier.

[0167] S303, the access network device sends a registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator to the first access and mobility management function; accordingly, the first access and mobility management function receives the registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator, wherein the first access and mobility management function supports at least one PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device including the first PLMN identifier.

[0168] The first access and mobility management function may be, for example, an AMF in a 5G communication system or an MME in a 4G communication system, and its specific name is not limited. For example, it may be called another name in future systems.

[0169] For ease of description, the following embodiments of the present application refer to the first access and mobility management function as the first AMF.

[0170] Typically, when the first AMF can interact directly with the access network device, during the initialization process of the access network device (for example, when the access network device is turned on), the first AMF will notify the access network device of at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF for access by terminal devices of the operator to which it belongs, so that when the terminal device of the operator to which the first AMF belongs accesses the network, the access network device can select the first AMF.

[0171] In this application, for the sake of convenience of description, the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF for terminal device access is also referred to as the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF.

[0172] It should be understood that even if the terminal device of the second operator selects the first PLMN identifier through the methods of S301 and S302, the access network device cannot find the AMF that supports the first PLMN identifier, so the terminal device of the second operator will still be unable to access the network. In view of this, in this embodiment, in order to allow the terminal device of the second operator to access the network in a shared scenario, the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of the first operator is also configured to include the first PLMN identifier. In other words, in this embodiment, the first AMF of the first operator includes not only the PLMN identifier of the first operator, but also the first PLMN identifier. In this way, when the first AMF of the first operator indicates the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF to the access network device through the third information, the access network device can know that the first AMF also supports the first PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0173] Or in other words, in the prior art, the first AMF of the first operator only includes the PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device of the first operator, and does not include the first PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, when the first AMF of the first operator indicates at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF to the access network device, the at least one PLMN identifier indicated does not include the first PLMN identifier for access of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0174] For example, assuming that the PLMN identifier of the first operator is PLMN ID1, in the prior art, when the first AMF indicates at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF to the access network device, the at least one PLMN identifier will include PLMN ID1. However, in the technical solution of the present application, when the first AMF indicates at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF to the access network device, the at least one PLMN identifier will include, in addition to PLMN ID1, PLMN ID2, wherein PLMN ID2 is used for access of the terminal device of the second operator.

[0175] In a specific implementation, the third information may be, for example, a PLMN Support list sent by the first AMF to the access network device, where the PLMN Support list includes at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF.

[0176] It should be understood that when the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF includes the first PLMN identifier and the first AMF notifies the access network device through the third information that the at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF also includes the first PLMN identifier, at this time, if the terminal device of the second operator chooses to access with the first PLMN identifier, then the access network device can determine that the first AMF is the AMF used to complete the second operator's access to the network, and send a registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator to the first AMF; accordingly, the first AMF receives the registration request message of the terminal device of the second operator and completes the registration process of the second operator, thereby realizing the access of the terminal device of the second operator to the network.

[0177] That is, in the communication method provided in this embodiment, when the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator, the terminal device of the second operator is connected to the network by including the first PLMN identifier in at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device broadcast by the access network device, and also including the first PLMN identifier in at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first AMF of the first operator.

[0178] Below, in order to make the technical solution provided by this application clearer, three detailed embodiments are combined to illustrate an embodiment of how to enable the terminal equipment of the second operator to access the network when the second operator and the first operator share access network equipment, but the core network equipment of the second operator cannot directly interact with the access network equipment.

[0179] Embodiment 1: Using the PLMN identifier of the second operator as the first PLMN identifier.

[0180] Specifically, when implementing Example 1, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by an AMF of the first operator (the AMF can be considered as the first AMF) also includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator. Accordingly, the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier. It should be understood that in this first implementation scheme, if the first PLMN identifier is the identifier of the PLMN of the second operator, then, for the terminal device of the second operator, when the terminal device of the second operator is within the coverage of the access network device, since the at least one PLMN identifier broadcast includes the PLMN identifier of the second operator, based on the selection priority of the PLMN identifier, the terminal device of the second operator will give priority to accessing the PLMN identifier of the second operator.

[0181] For example, as shown in Figure 4, assume there are three operators, namely Operator 1, Operator 2, and Operator 3. Operator 1's PLMN identifier is 123000, Operator 2's PLMN identifier is 123100, and Operator 3's PLMN identifier is 123200. If Operator 1's access network equipment is shared with Operator 2 and Operator 3, but the core network equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 cannot directly interact with the access network equipment, then in implementation, if the terminal equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 is to be connected to the network, then:

[0182] 1) Configure the access network device to support PLMN identifiers including 123000, 123100, and 123200.

[0183] 2) Configure the PLMN identities supported by the AMF of operator 1 to include 123000, 123100 and 123200.

[0184] For example, only one AMF of operator 1 may be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000, 123100, and 123200.

[0185] For example, if operator 1 has multiple AMFs, one of the AMFs can be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000 and 123100, and the other AMF can be configured to support PLMN identifiers including 123000 and 123200.

[0186] Afterwards, each AMF of operator 1 notifies the access network device of the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1 through the third information, so that the access network device knows the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1.

[0187] Optionally, the access network device may also notify the AMF of operator 1 that the access network device supports 123000, 123100, and 123200.

[0188] It can be understood that, for the embodiment shown in FIG4 , when the access network device supports 123000, 123100, and 123200 and the AMF of operator 1 supports 123000, 123100, and 123200, the PLMN identifiers broadcast by the access network device include 123000, 123100, and 123200. At this time:

[0189] For the terminal device of operator 2, based on the PLMN selection priority, 123100 is selected and 123100 is carried in the registration request message (that is, it can be considered as the second information); accordingly, after the access network device receives the registration request message from operator 2, it can determine that an AMF of operator 1 (supporting 123100) is the appropriate AMF.

[0190] Similarly, for the terminal equipment of operator 3, based on the PLMN selection priority, 123200 is selected and 123200 is carried in the registration request message (that is, it can be considered as the second information); accordingly, after the access network device receives the registration request message from operator 3, it can determine that an AMF of operator 1 (supporting 123200) is the appropriate AMF.

[0191] The following uses the example of Figure 4 as an example, combined with Figure 5, to illustrate the process of allowing the terminal device of operator 2 to access the network in the form of a flowchart. The process of allowing the terminal device of operator 3 to access the network can be analogous to Figure 5 and will not be repeated here.

[0192] As shown in Figure 5, it includes:

[0193] 0-1: Configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to 123000 and 123100.

[0194] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123100.

[0195] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123100.

[0196] Optionally, the following may also be included: 0-31: the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123100. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123100. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0197] After conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal device of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0198] S501: The access network device broadcasts 123000 and 123100 within its coverage area.

[0199] S502, the terminal device of operator 2 located within the access network range will preferentially select 123100 for access based on PLMN priority, and carry 123100 in the registration request message.

[0200] S503, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 based on 123100 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1, including 123100.

[0201] S504: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0202] S505: The first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 and obtains the subscription and authorization information from the HPLMN to complete the registration of the terminal device.

[0203] S506: The first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0204] It can be seen that in the example of Figure 5, the access network device also supports the PLMN identification of operator 2 and the first AMF of operator 1 also supports the PLMN identification of operator 2, so that even in the scenario where the core network device of operator 2 and the access network device cannot interact directly, the terminal device of operator 2 can also be connected to the network.

[0205] It should be noted that in this implementation plan 1, only operator 2 and operator 3 are used as examples for description, but it should be understood that this does not constitute a limitation of the present application. For example, terminal devices of more operators whose core network devices cannot directly interact with access network devices can be connected to the network with reference to the methods of Figures 4 and 5. For example, if in addition to operator 2 and operator 3 wanting to share access network devices with operator 1, operator 4 also wants to share access network devices with operator 1, then at this time, at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network device can also include the PLMN identifier of operator 4, and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1 can include the PLMN identifier of operator 4, thereby completing the network access of operator 4's terminal device.

[0206] In Embodiment 2, the first PLMN identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator, and the second operator is any one of N operators. In other words, in Embodiment 2, the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier of the first operator, and the first PLMN identifier is used for access by terminal devices of the N operators.

[0207] Among them, the N operators do not include the first operator, the N operators share access network equipment with the first operator, and the core network equipment of each operator in the N operators needs to interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0208] It should be understood that in this second embodiment, each operator among the N operators can be considered as the second operator.

[0209] Specifically, when implementing Example 2, at least one PLMN identifier that the access network device needs to support includes the newly added first PLMN identifier, and at least one PLMN identifier that needs to be supported by an AMF of the first operator (the AMF can be considered as the first AMF) also includes the newly added first PLMN identifier; accordingly, at least one PLMN identifier broadcast by the access network device includes the first PLMN identifier, and the terminal devices of N operators are all accessed through the first PLMN identifier.

[0210] For example, as shown in Figure 6, assume there are three operators, namely Operator 1, Operator 2, and Operator 3, and Operator 1's PLMN identifier is 123000. If Operator 1's access network equipment is shared with Operator 2 and Operator 3, the core network equipment of Operator 2 and Operator 3 cannot directly interact with the access network equipment. In this case, if the terminal devices of Operator 2 and Operator 3 are to access the network, then when configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device, in addition to 123000, a first PLMN identifier 123001 is added. When configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by Operator 1's first AMF, in addition to 123000, a first PLMN identifier 123001 is also added. Then, Operator 1's first AMF notifies the access network device through a third message that Operator 1's first AMF supports 123000 and 123001, so that the access network device knows that Operator 1's first AMF supports 123000 and 123001. Afterwards, when the access network device broadcasts the supported 12300 and 123001, the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 are both accessed through 123001.

[0211] However, as described in S302, if the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier, then for the terminal devices of each of the N operators, when initially wanting to access the network, the network may not have configured the newly added first PLMN identifier for the terminal devices of the N operators, and there will be N operators' terminal devices that do not know whether to select the first PLMN identifier for access. In view of this, when this embodiment 2 is specifically implemented, the first AMF of operator 1 can instruct the terminal devices of the N operators to select the first PLMN identifier for access. The first AMF of operator 1 can send the seventh information to the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 through the access network device to instruct them to select 123001 for access. Accordingly, the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 select 123001 for access when selecting the PLMN identifier.

[0212] Typically, after selecting a PLMN identifier, the terminal device determines the PLMN name to be displayed based on the selected PLMN identifier. More specifically, when displaying, the terminal device determines the PLMN name based on the following priorities: the PLMN name in the USIM, the PLMN name provided by the network identity and time zone (NITZ), and the PLMN name stored in the mobile equipment (ME). In addition, the terminal device determines whether to display the PLMN name, the name of the operator (service provider name, SPN), or both based on the configuration. As shown in Table 1, two bits in the terminal device configuration file indicate the conditions for displaying the SPN and PLMN:

[0213] Table 1: Comparison of different network sharing technology features

[0214] It should be understood that for the terminal device, it is necessary to only display the name of the operator to which it belongs. In this embodiment, since the first PLMN identifier is a newly added PLMN identifier for the first operator, how to make the terminal device of the second operator only display the name of the second operator becomes a problem that needs to be solved.

[0215] In view of this, in this embodiment, if the access network device broadcasts a newly added first PLMN identifier, and the terminal device of the second operator selects the newly added first PLMN identifier to access, in order to enable the terminal device of the second operator to display the name of the second operator, the technical solution of the present application also includes: the first AMF of the first operator sends a first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after the terminal device of the second operator receives the first correspondence, it updates the configuration based on the first correspondence (for example, updating the PLMN ID associated with the SPN in the USIM, that is, configuring the first PLMN identifier as the PLMN ID associated with the SPN; for another example, configuring the PLMN name corresponding to the first PLMN identifier as SPN), and displays the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first PLMN identifier.

[0216] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit how to obtain the first corresponding relationship between the first PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0217] For example, the first implementation scheme: configure the second correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator in the UDM of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator sends a fourth message to the UDM of the second operator, and the fourth message is used to request the first correspondence. The fourth message includes the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the home PLMN identifier is included in the at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fourth message, the UDM of the second operator determines the first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator based on the home PLMN identifier carried in the fourth message and the stored second correspondence, and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0218] That is, in this first implementation, a second correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the second operator's terminal device is configured in the second operator's UDM. Then, if the first AMF of the first operator determines that the first correspondence should be obtained from the second operator's UDM based on the home PLMN identifier of the second operator's terminal device, the first AMF of the first operator then requests the first correspondence from the second operator's UDM and carries the second operator's home PLMN identifier in the fourth information used for the request. Accordingly, upon receiving the fourth information, the second operator's UDM sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator because the home PLMN identifier carried in the fourth information is included in the at least one PLMN identifier included by the second operator.

[0219] For example, the second implementation scheme: configure the third correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator in the UDM of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator sends the fifth information to the UDM of the second operator, and the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; accordingly, after receiving the fifth information, the UDM of the second operator sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator carried in the fifth information, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0220] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the third corresponding relationship may be replaced by a terminal device list, where the terminal device list includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; or,

[0221] The identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the third correspondence may also be replaced with a user group identifier (UE Group ID). In this case, the first AMF may determine that the terminal device of the second operator belongs to the UE Group ID, and then include the UE Group ID in the request message sent to the UDM. The UDM determines the first correspondence based on the UE Group ID and the third correspondence.

[0222] That is, in this second implementation scheme, by configuring the second correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the second operator's terminal device, and the SPN corresponding to the second operator's terminal device in the second operator's UDM, the first AMF of the first operator then determines that the first correspondence should be obtained from the second operator's UDM based on the identifier of the second operator's terminal device, and requests the first correspondence from the second operator's UDM, carrying the identifier of the second operator in the fifth message used for the request. Accordingly, when the second operator's UDM receives the fifth message, since the identifier of the terminal device carried in the fifth message is the identifier of the second operator's terminal device in the second correspondence, it sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator.

[0223] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the specific form of the identifier of the second operator's terminal device in the second implementation scheme. For example, it can be the permanent equipment identifier (PEI) of the second operator's terminal device or the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the second operator's terminal device.

[0224] For example, in the third implementation scheme, a fourth correspondence between a first PLMN identifier, at least one home PLMN identifier included in the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator is configured in the first AMF of the first operator; then, the first AMF of the second operator obtains the first correspondence based on the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, wherein the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the at least one home PLMN identifier included in the second operator.

[0225] It should be understood that the difference between this third implementation scheme and the first implementation scheme is that the correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, at least one home PLMN identifier included by the second operator, and the SPN of the second operator is configured in the first AMF of the first operator, rather than in the UDM of the second operator. In this solution, if the home PLMN identifier determined by the first AMF of the first operator is the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, since the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of the second operator is included in the fourth correspondence, the first correspondence can be determined based on the fourth correspondence.

[0226] For example, in the fourth implementation scheme, the first AMF of the first operator is configured with the fifth correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; then, the first AMF of the second operator obtains the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0227] Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the fifth corresponding relationship may be replaced by a terminal device list, where the terminal device list includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; or,

[0228] The identifier of the terminal device of the second operator in the fifth correspondence may also be replaced with a user group identifier (UE Group ID). In this case, the first AMF may determine that the terminal device of the second operator belongs to the UE Group ID, and the fifth correspondence determines the first correspondence.

[0229] It should be understood that the fourth implementation differs from the second implementation in that the correspondence between the first PLMN identifier, the identifier of the second operator's terminal device, and the SPN corresponding to the second operator's terminal device is configured in the first operator's AMF, rather than in the second operator's UDM. In this solution, since the identifier of the second operator's terminal device is included in the fifth correspondence, the first correspondence can be determined based on the fifth correspondence.

[0230] Below, for ease of understanding, combined with the scenario in the example of Figure 6 where the terminal devices of operator 2 and operator 3 both use the same newly added first PLMN identifier 123001, a flowchart is used to illustrate how to ensure that the terminal device of operator 2 is connected to the network and that the terminal device of operator 2 displays the SPN of operator 2.

[0231] As shown in FIG7 , the method includes:

[0232] 0-1: Configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to 123000 and 123001.

[0233] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123001.

[0234] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123001.

[0235] Optionally, the access network device may also indicate to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0236] After conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal device of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0237] S701: The access network device broadcasts 123000 and 123001 within its coverage area.

[0238] S702, the terminal device of operator 2 located within the access network range selects 123001 for access and carries 123001 in the registration request message.

[0239] Similarly, since 123001 is a newly added PLMN identifier, for the terminal device of operator 2, when it initially wants to access the network, because the network may not have configured the newly added PLMN identifier for the terminal device of operator 2, the terminal device of operator 2 will not be able to select 123001. In this case, in this example, the first AMF of operator 1 can send information indicating the selection of 123001 access (which can be considered as the seventh information) to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device. Accordingly, after the terminal device of operator 2 receives the information indicating the selection of 123001 access, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 access.

[0240] S703, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 based on 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1, including 123001.

[0241] S704: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0242] S705: The first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 (for example, its HPLMN ID is 123100) according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2, and obtains the contract and authorization information from the HPLMN to complete the registration of the terminal device.

[0243] S706: The first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0244] Furthermore, in order for the terminal device of operator 2 to display the name of operator 2 after selecting 123001, the first AMF of operator 1 needs to obtain the first corresponding relationship.

[0245] In the first approach, as shown in Figure 7, <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> or <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is preconfigured in Operator 2's UDM. 123001 is the newly added first PLMN identifier, <123100, 123101> is at least one PLMN identifier included in Operator 2, SUPI2 is the SUPI of Operator 2's terminal device, and SPN2 is the SPN corresponding to Operator 2's terminal device. Then, based on the request from Operator 1's first AMF, Operator 2's UDM determines to send the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> to Operator 1's first AMF. Furthermore, Operator 1's first AMF obtains the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> and sends it to Operator 2's terminal device.

[0246] Specifically, as shown in S707 and S708 in FIG7 , the logic for the UDM of operator 2 to determine, based on the request of the first AMF of operator 1, to send the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> to the first AMF of operator 1 includes:

[0247] 1) If <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is configured in the UDM of operator 2, then the first AMF of operator 1 can send a fourth message for requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2, and the fourth message carries the home PLMN identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 (for example, 123100); accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the responsive first correspondence <123001, SPN2> and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of operator 1 (S709 in Figure 7).

[0248] 2) If <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is configured in the UDM of operator 2, the first AMF of operator 1 may send a fifth message requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2, and carry SUPI2 in the fifth message; accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the responsive first correspondence <123001, SPN2> and sends the first correspondence to the AMF of operator 1 (S711 in Figure 7).

[0249] In the second method, as shown in Figure 7, <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is pre-configured in the AMF of operator 1 or <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is pre-configured in the first AMF of operator 1. Then, the first AMF of operator 1 executes S709: determines the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> according to the local configuration.

[0250] Specifically, the logic of the first AMF of operator 1 determining the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> according to the local configuration is as follows:

[0251] 1) If <123001, <123100, 123101>, SPN2> is configured in the first AMF of operator 1, then the first AMF of operator 1 can obtain the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> according to the HPLMN identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 (for example, 123100), where the HPLMN identifier of the terminal device of operator 2 is included in <123100, 123101>.

[0252] 2) If <123001, SUPI2, SPN2> is configured in the first AMF of operator 1, then the first AMF of operator 1 can obtain the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> according to the SUPI2 of the terminal device of operator 2.

[0253] After the first AMF of operator 1 obtains the first correspondence through the above two methods, S710 can be executed: sending <123001, SPN2> to the terminal device of operator 2.

[0254] It can be seen that the communication method provided in this embodiment can not only connect the terminal device of operator 2 to the network, but also enable the terminal device of operator 2 to correctly display the name of operator 2 when selecting 123001.

[0255] Embodiment 3: M PLMN identities are allocated to a first operator, and different PLMN identities among the M PLMN identities are used for access by terminal devices of different operators among the M operators.

[0256] The core network equipment of each of the M operators shares the same access network equipment, but the core network equipment of the M operators needs to interact with the access network equipment through the core network equipment of the first operator, and M is a positive integer.

[0257] That is to say, in this embodiment, when M operators need to share access network equipment with the first operator, but the core network equipment of the M operators cannot directly interact with the access network equipment, M new PLMN identifiers are added to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the access network equipment, wherein different PLMN identifiers among the M PLMN identifiers are used for terminal equipment access of different operators among the M operators; and, the same M PLMN identifiers are also added to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF of the first operator.

[0258] It is noted here that this embodiment does not limit how to add M PLMN identifiers to at least one PLMN identifier supported by the AMF of the first operator.

[0259] For example, M PLMN identifiers are added only in one AMF of the first operator; or, a total of M different PLMN identifiers are supported in K AMFs of the first operator, where K is a positive integer.

[0260] As an example, as shown in Figure 8, assume there are three operators, namely Operator 1, Operator 2, and Operator 3, and Operator 1's PLMN identifier is 123000. If Operator 1's access network equipment is shared with Operator 2 and Operator 3, the core networks of Operator 2 and Operator 3 cannot directly interact with the access network equipment. In this case, if the terminal devices of Operator 2 and Operator 3 are to be connected to the network, then during implementation:

[0261] 1) When configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device, in addition to the PLMN identifier 123000 of operator 1, a first PLMN identifier 123001 and a second PLMN identifier 123002 are also added.

[0262] 2) When configuring the PLMN identifiers supported by the AMF of operator 1, in addition to 123000, the first PLMN identifier 123001 and the second PLMN identifier 123002 are also added.

[0263] For example, only one AMF supported PLMN identifier is configured including 123000, 1230001 and 123002.

[0264] For example, if operator 1 has multiple AMFs, the PLMN identifiers supported by one of the AMFs are configured to include 123000 and 123001, and the PLMN identifiers supported by another AMF include 123000 and 123002.

[0265] Then, each AMF of operator 1 notifies the access network device of the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1 through the third information, so that the access network device knows the PLMN identifiers supported by each AMF of operator 1. Furthermore, when the access network device broadcasts the supported 123000, 123001, and 123002, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 for access, and the terminal devices of operator 3 all access through 123002.

[0266] Similar to the second embodiment, when initially accessing the network, the network may not have configured the PLMN identifiers selected for each operator when accessing the network. Therefore, there may be a problem where the terminal devices of each operator cannot select the corresponding PLMN identifiers for access. Therefore, when implementing the third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, each AMF of the first operator can indicate the selected PLMN identifier information to the terminal devices of the corresponding operator.

[0267] Taking Figure 8 as an example, assuming that there is only one AMF of operator 1, and the PLMN identifiers supported by this AMF include 123000, 1230001 and 123002, at this time, the AMF can send an indication message to the terminal device of operator 2 to select access with 123001, and send an indication message to the terminal device of operator 3 to select access with 123002; accordingly, the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 when selecting the PLMN identifier, and the terminal device of operator 3 selects 123002 when selecting the PLMN identifier.

[0268] Similar to the second embodiment, when implementing the third embodiment, it is also necessary to consider how to make the terminal equipment of each operator display only the name of the operator to which it belongs.

[0269] Below, for ease of understanding, the problem of only displaying the name of the operator provided in this embodiment is explained by taking M operators as two operators, respectively referred to as the second operator and the third operator, and the first AMF of the first operator supports the first PLMN identifier and the second PLMN identifier.

[0270] Specifically, during implementation, the first AMF of the first operator may send a first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator, so as to instruct the terminal device of the second operator to display the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when selecting the first PLMN identifier; and the first AMF of the first operator may send a sixth correspondence between the second PLMN identifier and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the third operator to the terminal device of the third operator, so as to instruct the terminal device of the third operator to display the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the third operator when selecting the second PLMN identifier.

[0271] It is understandable that the difference between Example 3 and Implementation Plan 2 is that the PLMN identifiers selected by terminal devices of different operators when accessing are different. Therefore, in specific implementation, the first correspondence relationship of the second operator can be obtained through the following two implementation methods:

[0272] In a first implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the UDM of the second operator; then the first AMF of the first operator sends a sixth message to the UDM of the second operator, where the sixth message is used to request the first correspondence, and the sixth message includes a first PLMN identifier; accordingly, after receiving the sixth message, the UDM of the second operator determines to send the first correspondence to the first AMF of the first operator based on the first PLMN identifier carried in the sixth message, so that the first AMF of the first operator is aware of the first correspondence.

[0273] In a second implementation method, a first correspondence is configured in the first AMF of the first operator; then, the first AMF of the first operator determines the first correspondence between the first PLMN identifier sent to the terminal device of the second operator and the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator based on the first PLMN identifier selected by the terminal device of the second operator.

[0274] Below, for ease of understanding, combined with the scenario in which the terminal device of operator 2 selects 123001 for access and the terminal device of operator 3 selects 123002 for access in the example of Figure 8, a flowchart is used to illustrate how to ensure that the terminal device of operator 2 is connected to the network and that the terminal device of operator 2 displays the SPN of operator 2.

[0275] As shown in FIG9 , the method includes:

[0276] 0-1: Configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device to 123000, 123001, and 123002.

[0277] 0-2, configure the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 to 123000 and 123001.

[0278] Optionally, the first AMF may also include 123002.

[0279] 0-3. The first AMF of operator 1 sends third information to the access network device to indicate that the PLMN identifiers supported by the first AMF of operator 1 include 123000 and 123001.

[0280] Optionally, the access network device may also indicate to the first AMF of operator 1 that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Exemplarily, the access network device indicates to the first AMF of operator 1 through the NG SETUP REQUEST message that the PLMN identifiers supported by the access network device include 123000 and 123001. Accordingly, the third information sent by the first AMF of operator 1 to the access network device may be carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message.

[0281] After conditions 0-1 to 0-3 are met, the terminal device of operator 2 is connected to the network in the following way:

[0282] S901: The access network device broadcasts 123000, 123001, and 123002 within its coverage area.

[0283] S902, the terminal device of operator 2 located within the access network range selects 123001 for access and carries 123001 in the registration request message.

[0284] For a detailed description of this step, please refer to the description of S702 in FIG. 7 , which will not be repeated here.

[0285] S903, the access network device determines the first AMF of operator 1 based on 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 and at least one PLMN identifier supported by the first AMF of operator 1, including 123001.

[0286] S904: The access network device sends the registration request message of the terminal device of operator 2 to the first AMF of operator 1.

[0287] S905: The first AMF of operator 1 determines the HPLMN of the terminal device of operator 2 according to the identifier of the terminal device of operator 2, obtains the subscription and authorization information from the HPLMN, and completes the registration of the terminal device.

[0288] S906: The first AMF of operator 1 sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device of operator 2 through the access network device.

[0289] Furthermore, to enable the terminal device of operator 2 to display the name of operator 2 after selecting 123001, there are two methods:

[0290] In the first method, as shown in Figure 9, <123001, SPN2> is pre-configured in the UDM of operator 2, where 123001 is the newly added first PLMN identifier and SPN2 is the SPN corresponding to the terminal device of operator 2. Then the first AMF of operator 1 can send the sixth information for requesting the first correspondence to the UDM of operator 2 and carry 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2 in the sixth information (S907); accordingly, the UDM of operator 2 retrieves the first correspondence <123001, SPN2> of the response and sends the first correspondence to the first AMF of operator 1 (S908 in Figure 9).

[0291] In the second method, as shown in Figure 9, <123001, SPN2> is pre-configured in the first AMF of operator 1, and then S909 is executed: the first AMF of operator 1 determines the first corresponding relationship <123001, SPN2> according to 123001 selected by the terminal device of operator 2.

[0292] After the first AMF of operator 1 obtains the first correspondence through the above two methods, S910 can be executed: sending <123001, SPN2> to the terminal device of operator 2.

[0293] It can be seen that the communication method provided in this embodiment can not only connect the terminal device of operator 2 to the network, but also enable the terminal device of operator 2 to correctly display the name of operator 2 when selecting 123001.

[0294] The communication method of the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 5 to 9. The communication device provided in the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 10 and 11.

[0295] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, as shown in FIG10 , the device 1000 includes: a sending module 1001 .

[0296] In a first embodiment, the communication device is applied to an access network device, wherein the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0297] Specifically, in the first embodiment, the sending module 1001 is used to broadcast first information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device, where the first information indicates that the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for access by the terminal device; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for access by the terminal device includes a first public land mobile network identifier for access by the terminal device of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for access by the terminal device includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0298] In one possible implementation, the device 1000 also includes a receiving module 1002, which is used to receive a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, where the registration request message is used to request access to the network, and the registration request message includes second information, which indicates that the terminal device of the second operator has selected the first public land mobile network identifier; accordingly, the sending module 1001 is also used to: send a registration request message to the first access and mobility management function.

[0299] In a possible implementation, the receiving module 1002 is further configured to: receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, where the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for access by the terminal device.

[0300] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0301] In a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0303] In one possible implementation, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, further including a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, including the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the third operator through the core network device of the first operator.

[0304] In a second embodiment, the apparatus 1000 may be applied to a first access and mobility management function, wherein the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator.

[0305] Specifically, the sending module 1001 is used to: send third information to the access network device, the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access, the access network device is a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device to access includes the first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function for the terminal device to access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0306] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0308] In a possible implementation, the sending module 1001 is further configured to send, to the terminal device of the second operator, a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0309] In a possible implementation, the second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

[0310] In one possible implementation, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator;

[0311] Among them, the sending module 1001 is also used to: send fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information is used to request the first correspondence, the fourth information includes the public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, and the public land mobile network identifier is included in at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0312] In one possible implementation, the unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; wherein the sending module 1001 is also used to: send fifth information to the unified data management function, the fifth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the fifth information includes the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the unified data management function.

[0313] In one possible implementation, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; the device 1000 also includes a processing module 1003, wherein the processing module 1003 is further used to: obtain the first correspondence based on the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in the at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

[0314] In one possible implementation, the first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; wherein the processing module 1003 is also used to: obtain the first correspondence based on the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth correspondence.

[0315] In one possible implementation, the access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, further including a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal device access, further including a second public land mobile network identifier.

[0316] In one possible implementation, a first correspondence is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; the sending module 1001 is also used to: send sixth information to the unified data management function, the sixth information is used to request the first correspondence, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; the receiving module 1002 is also used to: receive the first correspondence sent by the data management function.

[0317] In one possible implementation, a first correspondence is configured in the first access and mobility management function; the processing module 1003 is also used to: when the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, send the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator.

[0318] In a third embodiment, the communication device can be applied to a terminal device, and the terminal device belongs to a second operator. Specifically, the receiving module 1002 is used to: receive a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator, the first operator and the second operator share an access network device, and the access network device interacts with the core network device of the second operator through the core network device of the first operator; the processing module 1003 is used to: based on the first correspondence, display the service provider name corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator when the terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier; wherein, the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device includes the first public land mobile network identifier for the terminal device of the second operator, and the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator for the terminal device to access includes the first public land mobile network identifier.

[0319] In a possible implementation manner, the first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator and used for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

[0320] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The device shown in Figure 11 can be used to execute the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0321] As shown in Figure 11, the apparatus 1100 of this embodiment includes a memory 1101 and a processor 1102. Optionally, the apparatus 1100 further includes a communication interface 1103 and a bus 1104. The memory 1101, the processor 1102, and the communication interface 1103 are connected to each other via the bus 1104.

[0322] The memory 1101 may be a read-only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1101 may store a program. When the program stored in the memory 1101 is executed by the processor 1102, the processor 1102 is configured to perform the steps of the method shown in Figures 5 to 9.

[0323] The processor 1102 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits to execute relevant programs to implement the methods shown in Figures 3 to 9 of the present application.

[0324] The processor 1102 may also be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the method of Figures 5 to 9 of the embodiment of the present application can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor 1102 or the software instruction.

[0325] The processor 1102 may also be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor 1102 may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0326] The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1101, and the processor 1102 reads the information in the memory 1101 and, in combination with its hardware, completes the functions required to be performed by the units included in the device of the present application. For example, the various steps / functions of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 9 can be executed.

[0327] The communication interface 1103 may use, but is not limited to, a transceiver or other transceiver device to implement communication between the apparatus 1100 and other devices or a communication network.

[0328] The bus 1104 may include a path for transmitting information between various components of the device 1100 (eg, the memory 1101 , the processor 1102 , and the communication interface 1103 ).

[0329] It should be understood that the apparatus 1100 shown in the embodiment of the present application may be an electronic device, or a chip configured in an electronic device. The apparatus 1100 may be deployed in a terminal device, or may be deployed in a network device.

[0330] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any other combination. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0331] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein simply describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A alone, A and B together, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, the character " / " as used herein generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects, but it may also indicate an "and / or" relationship. For specific understanding, please refer to the context.

[0332] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0333] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0334] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0335] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0336] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0337] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0338] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0339] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0340] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to an access network device, the access network device is a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network of the second operator through a core network of the first operator connected to the access network device, the method comprising: The access network device broadcasts first information, where the first information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the access network device supports the terminal device to access; The at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device to access includes a first public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the second operator and a third public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the first operator; The at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function of the first operator includes the first public land mobile network identifier and the third public land mobile network identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a registration request message sent by a terminal device of the second operator, where the registration request message is used to request access to a network, and the registration request message includes second information, where the second information indicates that the terminal device of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier; The registration request message is sent to the first access and mobility management function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive third information sent by the first access and mobility management function, where the third information indicates at least one public land mobile network identifier that the first access and mobility management function supports terminal equipment to access.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier, the third operator shares the access network device with the first operator, and the access network device interacts with the core network of the third operator by connecting to the access network device.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access and mobility management function, the first access and mobility management function belongs to a first operator, the method comprising: Sending third information to the access network device, the third information indicating at least one public land mobile network identifier that the first access and mobility management function supports the terminal device to access, the access network device being a shared access network device of the first operator and the second operator, and the access network device needs to interact with the core network of the second operator through the core network of the first operator connected to the access network device; The at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for the terminal device to access includes a first public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the second operator and a third public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the first operator; The at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the first access and mobility management function includes the first public land mobile network identifier and the third public land mobile network identifier.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier of the second operator.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending the first public land mobile network identifier and the terminal device of the second operator to the terminal device of the second operator The first correspondence between the service provider names corresponding to the devices.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second operator is any one of N operators, the N operators do not include the first operator, and N is a positive integer.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a second correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one public land mobile network identifier included in the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the unified data management function, the fourth information being used to request the first corresponding relationship, the fourth information including a home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator, the home public land mobile network identifier being included in at least one public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the unified data management function.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The unified data management function of the second operator is configured with a third correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: Sending fifth information to the unified data management function, where the fifth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the fifth information includes an identifier of the terminal device of the second operator; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the unified data management function.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with a fourth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator, and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: The first correspondence is obtained according to the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator and the fourth correspondence, and the home public land mobile network identifier of the terminal equipment of the second operator is included in at least one home public land mobile network identifier included by the second operator.

16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with a fifth correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier, the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator, and the name of the service provider corresponding to the terminal device of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: The first corresponding relationship is obtained according to the identifier of the terminal device of the second operator and the fifth corresponding relationship.

17. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The access network device supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which also includes a second public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access of a third operator, and the second access and mobility management function of the first operator supports at least one public land mobile network identifier for terminal equipment access, which includes the second public land mobile network identifier.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first corresponding relationship is configured in the unified data management function of the second operator; Before sending the first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator to the terminal equipment of the second operator, the method further includes: Sending sixth information to the unified data management function, where the sixth information is used to request the first corresponding relationship, and the sixth information includes the first public land mobile network identifier; Receive the first corresponding relationship sent by the data management function.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first access and mobility management function is configured with the first corresponding relationship; The sending, to the terminal equipment of the second operator, a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator, comprises: When the terminal equipment of the second operator selects the first public land mobile network identifier, a first correspondence between the first public land mobile network identifier and a service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is sent to the terminal equipment of the second operator.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the terminal device belongs to a second operator, including: receiving first information broadcast by an access network device, the first information indicating at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for access by a terminal device, the access network device being a shared access network device of a first operator and a second operator, the access network device needing to interact with a core network of the second operator through a core network of the first operator connected to the access network device, wherein the at least one public land mobile network identifier supported by the access network device for access by the terminal device includes a first public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the second operator and a third public land mobile network identifier corresponding to the first operator; The terminal device selects the first public land mobile network identifier to access.

21. The communication method according to claim 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a first correspondence between a first public land mobile network identifier sent by a first access and mobility management function of the first operator and a service provider name corresponding to a terminal device of the second operator; Based on the first corresponding relationship, the service provider name corresponding to the terminal equipment of the second operator is displayed when the terminal equipment selects the first public land mobile network identifier.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The first public land mobile network identifier is a public land mobile network identifier allocated by the first operator for access by a terminal device of the second operator.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processor coupled to the memory; The memory is used to store program instructions; The processor is configured to call the program instructions in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 22.

24. A computer readable medium, characterized in that The computer-readable medium stores a program code for computer execution, the program code comprising instructions for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 22.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are run on a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, claims 8 to 19, or claims 20 to 22.

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