An apparatus and a method for sharing data usage information of a roaming user equipment

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus, method, and computer program for causing an apparatus to perform: providing an interface between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

Description

[0001] AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR SHARING DATA USAGE INFORMATION OF A ROAMING USER EQUIPMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, system and computer program, and in particular - but not exclusively to - apparatus providing and / or receiving data usage information relating to a user equipment roaming in a visited network while traffic is being home routed.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server.

[0006] Such communication networks operate in according with standards such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards provided by 3GPP.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] Some example embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the various embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

[0009] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0010] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0011] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0012] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.

[0013] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded.

[0014] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0015] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network. The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.

[0016] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0017] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session.

[0018] The means for causing may comprise means for causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0019] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

[0020] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing the session establishment request to the network function.

[0021] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0022] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing the indication to release the session to the network function. The means for receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage may comprise means for receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0023] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0024] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0025] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0026] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.

[0027] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded.

[0028] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions. According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network.

[0029] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.

[0030] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0031] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session.

[0032] The causing may comprise causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0033] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

[0034] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing the session establishment request to the network function.

[0035] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0036] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing the indication to release the session to the network function.

[0037] The receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage may comprise receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0038] According to an aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0039] The method may further comprise: receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0040] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided. The signalling may comprise signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.

[0041] The signalling may comprise signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded. The method may further comprise receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0042] According to an aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network.

[0043] The method may further comprise: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.

[0044] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0045] The method may further comprise: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session.

[0046] The causing may comprise causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0047] According to an aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

[0048] The method may further comprise: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing the session establishment request to the network function.

[0049] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0050] The method may further comprise: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing the indication to release the session to the network function.

[0051] The receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage may comprise receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0052] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: providing circuitry for interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving circuitry for receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining circuitry for determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling circuitry for signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0053] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuity for receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing circuity for providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0054] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0055] The signalling circuity for signalling may comprise signalling circuity for signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.

[0056] The signalling circuity for signalling may comprise signalling circuity for signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded.

[0057] The apparatus may further comprise receiving circuity for receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0058] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: establishing circuity for establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network, a session; and causing circuity for causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network.

[0059] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuity for receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.

[0060] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0061] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuity for receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session. The causing circuity for causing may comprise causing circuity for causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions. According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuity for receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing circuity for providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

[0062] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuity for receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing circuity for providing the session establishment request to the network function.

[0063] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0064] The apparatus may further comprise: receiving circuity for receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing circuity for providing the indication to release the session to the network function.

[0065] The circuity for receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage may comprise circuity for receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0066] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0067] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing: receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0068] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0069] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.

[0070] The means for signalling may comprise means for signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded.

[0071] The apparatus may further comprise means for performing receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0072] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network.

[0073] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.

[0074] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0075] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session.

[0076] The causing may comprise causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0077] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

[0078] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing the session establishment request to the network function.

[0079] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.

[0080] The apparatus may further be caused to perform: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing the indication to release the session to the network function. The receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage may comprise receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.

[0081] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0082] In the above, many different aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the aspects described above.

[0083] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0084] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying FIGS, in which:

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a representation of a 5th generation communication system;

[0086] FIG. 2 shows a representation of an apparatus for the communication system of FIG. 1 according to some example embodiments;

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments; FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate network configurations according to some example embodiments;

[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates example signalling according to some example embodiments; and FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate example operations that may be performed by apparatus according to some example embodiments.

[0089] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] In the following, various example embodiments are explained with reference to communication devices capable of communication with a communication system. Before explaining in detail the various example embodiments of the methods and apparatuses described herein, a 5thgeneration communication system (5GS), an access network and a core network (5GC) thereof, and communication devices are briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3. References in this disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “certain example embodiments,” “various example embodiments” and the like indicate that the referenced embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature(s), structure(s), or characteristic(s), but it is not necessary that every embodiment or example embodiment described herein includes the particular feature(s), structure(s), or characteristic(s). Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or same example embodiment. Further, when a particular feature(s), structure(s), or characteristic(s) are described in connection with an embodiment or example embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect combine such feature(s), structure(s), or characteristic(s) in connection with any other embodiments or example embodiments described herein (whether or not such combination is explicitly described).

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G communication system (5GS). The 5GS may comprise a user equipment (LIE), an access network such as a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC), and one or more application functions. An application function may be deployed in the 5GS as trusted application function or may be deployed or host on one or more application servers of the data network. Such application functions are untrusted application functions. The 5GS connects the UE to a data network the access network and the 5GC (e.g., a UPF of the 5GC).

[0092] The 5G-RAN may comprise one or more radio access nodes, such as gNodeB (GNB). A gNB may include one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed units connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized units. he 5GC may comprise the following network functions: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); and Session Management Function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF).

[0093] Certain mechanisms and protocols have been established within the 5GC (5G Core) network for mutually authenticating network functions. For example, TLS (T ransport Layer Security) and HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure) use client and server certificates to protect the control plane signalling. These protocols may also be used in a roaming environment to secure the connection not only between the network functions and the SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy) but also between SEPPs in the visited and home PLMNs. If there are any Internet Protocol exchange (IPX) entities between the SEPPs, PRINS (Protocol for N32 Interconnect Security) may be used instead of TLS. PRINS adds application layer security whereby part of the signalling may be sent in the clear such that Value Added Service and IPX service providers can inspect and I or modify the signalling whilst it is in transit.

[0094] FIG. 1 also shows the various interfaces (N1 , N2 etc.) that may be implemented between the various elements of the system.

[0095] One of these interfaces (which will be considered in more detail in the below) is labelled as an N32 interface. The N32 interface is an interface used between Security Edge Protection Proxies (SEPPs) of different administrative domains, such as between a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) and a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN).

[0096] N32 may be considered as two separate interfaces: N32-c and N32-f. N32-c is the Control Plane interface between the SEPPs for performing the initial handshake and negotiating the parameters to be applied for the actual N32 message forwarding. N32-f is the Forwarding interface between the SEPPs, and is used for forwarding the communication between the Network Function (NF) service consumer and the NF service producer after applying the application level security protection. N32-c and N32-f are further defined in 3GPP TS 29.573.

[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the access network (e.g., a 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN illustrated in FIG. 1 ) illustrated in FIG. 1. The control apparatus 200 may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211 a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211 b, at least one processor 212, 213 and a network interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211 a and the ROM 211 b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. Execution of the software code 215 may, for example, cause the apparatus to perform operations for controlling a function of the access network. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211 b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 for controlling another function of the 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN. In some example embodiments, each function of the 5G-RAN or the NG-RAN is deployed or hosted on a control apparatus 200. In alternative example embodiments, two or more functions of the 5G-RAN or the NG- RAN may share a control apparatus.

[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a communication device 300, such as the UE illustrated in FIG. 1. The communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of a communication device 300 comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The communication device 300 may comprise a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving, for example, wireless signals carrying communications, for example radio signals. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia data, machine data and so on.

[0099] The communication device 300 may receive wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit wireless signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 3, the transceiver is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver 306 may comprise, for example, a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device and may comprise one or more antenna elements. The antenna arrangement may be a multi-input multi output (MIMO) antenna.

[0100] The communication device 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 , at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access networks (e.g., the 5G-RAN or NG- RAN illustrated in FIG. 1 ) and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may, for example, allow to perform one or more operations of the communication device. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a.

[0101] The processor, the ROM, and the RAM, the transceiver and other circuitry of the communication device (e.g., a modem) can be provided on a circuit board, in chipsets, or in a system on chip. The circuit board, chipsets or system on chip is denoted by reference

[0102] 304. The communication device 300 may optionally have a user interface, such as keypad

[0103] 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of communication device.

[0104] As mentioned above, SEPP is part of the roaming security architecture in 5G, and is used for ensuring end-to-end confidentiality and / or integrity between source and destination network for all 5G interconnect roaming messages. Realization of the use for a SEPP in a 5G Service Based Architecture (SBA) core is defined in TS 29.500. Additional technical specifications such as for 5G security and SEPP in particular are defined in TS 33.501 and TS 29.573. SEPP provides the N32 interface(s) for enabling a range of security provisions between two SEPP entities located in differnet domains (e.g., a VPLMN and a HPLMN) as they communicate through at least one roaming hub located therebetween.

[0105] The currently specified N32 interface security prevents the proper working of Roaming Hubs that route communications between different SEPP entities.

[0106] For example, one of the problems relates to curernt usage of an intermediary entity (such as a Roaming Hub) to prevent data consumption exceeding a limit agreed to by a subscriber as part of their roaming contract (e.g., as part of their data and / or service provision allowance when the user equipment associated with a subscriber is located in a VPLMN). The limit associated with a roaming contract is also referred to herein as quota. Stated differently, there is a use case in which a roaming hub operator is configured to control a quota of data traffic (e.g., an internet data pack) that may be used by a UE when the UE is roaming. To assist with this, the roaming hub may be configured such that when the quota has is exhausted reached (e.g., when a preconfigured threshold amount of data has been provided to and / or from a subscriber), the roaming hub could send an error message to the SEPP of the visited network that causes the SEPP to stop providing a service to the user equipment unless and until a new quota has been agreed upon.

[0107] The following recognises that this error message can currently be readily generated in only limited cases. In more detail, this error message can be generated during Local breakout (LBO) roaming scenarios, but not during home routed (HR) roaming scenarios. These are considered in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0108] During LBO roaming scenarios, a data session of a roaming subscriber is anchored in the VPLMN. Consequently, session management for the user equipment associated with the subscriber is handled in the VPLMN. Stated differently, in LBO roaming scenarios, even though a subscriber may be identified and / or authenticated via a home PLMN, the data connection between the subscriber and a service being provided to the subscriber remains localised to the VPLMN.

[0109] FIG. 4A illustrates an example roaming architecture for LBO roaming scenarios.

[0110] FIG. 4A illustrates a VPLMN 401V and a HPLMN 401 H. Each of the VPLMN 401V and the HPLMN 401 H comprise a respective billing domain (labelled as 402V and 402H respectively). The visited billing domain 402V comprises a visited charging function (V- CHF, 403V). The home billing domain 402H comprises a home charging function (H-CHF, 403H).

[0111] The V-CHF 403V interfaces with a visited-session management function (V-SMF, 404V) via an N40 interface. The V-SMF 404V interfaces with a visting-SEPP (V-SEPP, 405V).

[0112] The H-CHF 403H is shown as interfacing with a home-SEPP (H-SEPP, 405H). An interface between the H-CHF 403H and the V-SMF 404V is labelled as N47. The H-SEPP 405H and the V-SEPP 405V are shown as interfacing with each other via a roaming hub 406 using respective N32-f interfaces.

[0113] In FIG. 4A, the V-SMF 404V interacts with the H-CHF 403H over an N47 interface by sending information on the amount of data provided to and / or from the user equipment to the H-CHF 403H. The H-CHF 403H may use this inforamtion for determining billing for the user. This subscriber data usage information may be provided via the roaming hub 406 using an N32-f interface.

[0114] In this LBO example, the roaming hub 406 may monitor the quota of data used by the subscriber (and / or may change the parameters on the interface N47 between the V-SMF 404V and the HCHF 403H) by inspecting the usage information being provided from the V-SMF 404V to the HCHF 403H for billing purposes. When the roaming hub determines that a subscriber’s quota has been exhausted (e.g., a threshold amount of data has been provided to and / or from the user equipment), the roaming hub can generate an error message to inform the V-SEPP 405V that the subscriber’s data quota is exhausted.

[0115] In contrast to LBO scenarios, during home routed scenarios, the data session is anchored in a home network / PLMN while the subscriber is roaming. This is illustrated with respect to FIG. 4B.

[0116] FIG. 4B illustrates a VPLMN 401V and a HPLMN 401 H. Each of the VPLMN 401V and the HPLMN 401 H comprise a respective billing domain (labelled as 402V and 402H respectively). The visited billing domain 402V comprises a visited charging function (V- CHF, 403V). The home billing domain 402H comprises a home charging function (H-CHF, 403H).

[0117] The V-CHF 403V interfaces with a visited-session management function (V-SMF, 404V) via an N40 interface. The V-SMF 404V interfaces with a visited-SEPP (V-SEPP, 405V).

[0118] The H-CHF 403H is shown as interfacing with a home session management function (H- SMF, 404H) via an N40 interface. The H-SMF 404H of this example may, therefore, provide the H-CHF 403H with data usage information in respect of the subscriber for billing purposes. The H-SMF 404H interfaces with a home-SEPP (H-SEPP, 405H). The H-SEPP 405H and the V-SEPP 405V are shown as interfacing with each other via a roaming hub 406 using respective N32-f interfaces. The V-SMF 404V and the H-SMF 404H are illustrated as interfacing via an N16 interface.

[0119] In this example, however, when the subscriber roams in a VPLMN 401V and initiates a home routed packet data unit (PDll) Session, then both the H-SMF 404H and the H-CHF 403H are involved in managing the data session while also being located in the HPLMN 401 H. This means that the roaming hub is unable to intercept messages usage information being provided to the H-CHF as communications between the H-SMF 404H and the H-CHF 403H are not passed through the roaming hub. The roaming hub therefore cannot monitor the quota (or otherwise control the data package) in this home roaming scenario.

[0120] To mitigate the issue with respect to the home roaming case, the following proposes the use of a new subscription and / or notification mechanism for enabling a roaming hub to receive information associated to the PDll session in a Home Routed scenario. With this information, the roaming hub will be able to determine whether a quota has been fulfilled for a subscriber, and to communicate enforcement policies and error messages into their customers (e.g., drop the PDll session).

[0121] An example signalling diagram illustrating the presently described aspects is presented in FIG. 5.

[0122] FIG. 5 illustrates signalling that may be performed between a V-SMF 501 , a visited SEPP (VSEPP) 502, a roaming hub 503, a home SEPP (HSEPP) 504, a H-SMF 505, and a H- CHF 506. The V-SMF 501 and the VSEPP 502 are associated with a VPLMN. The HSEPP 504, H-SMF 505, and H-CHF are associated with a HPLMN. The roaming hub 503 provides a routing mechanism between the VPLMN and the HPLMN. It is assumed that the VPLMN and the HPLMN have an agreement with the roaming hub 503, through which they are connected. It is further understood that although only a single roaming hub 503 is illustrated, that this entity may be comprised of multiple (e.g., two different) roaming hubs, with a first roaming hub interfacing with a second roaming hub and the VPLMN, and the second roaming hub interfacing with the first roaming hub and the home PLMN. It is also assumed that a LIE of a subscriber of the HPLMN that is currently roaming in the VPLMN has initiated a HR PDll session, and selected V-SMF 501.

[0123] During 5001 , the V-SMF 501 signals the VSEPP 502. This signalling may comprise a request to establish a PDll session by creating a session management context. For example, this signalling may comprise an Nsmf PDUSessionCreateSMContext Request service operation.

[0124] During 5002, the VSEPP 502 signals the request of 5001 to the roaming hub 503 (e.g., via an N32-f interface).

[0125] During 5003, the roaming hub 503 signals the HSEPP 504. This signalling comprises the request of 5002. This signalling may comprise a request to subscribe to a data report regarding data usage. This request may be represented by a new information element. This request may comprise an address (e.g., a callback uniform resource indicator) for the data report to be provided to.

[0126] During 5004, the HSEPP 504 signals the H-SMF 505. This signalling may comprise the requests signalled during 5003 (e.g., the request to establish the PDll session for the UE, and the request for the data report).

[0127] During 5005, the H-SMF 505 causes the requested subscription for the data report to be created. This may be performed, for example, by signalling a user plane function associated with the HPLMN to establish the requested subscription. The user plane function may, based on this subscription (e.g., using usage reporting rules configured by the subscription), signal usage data to the H-SMF.

[0128] During 5006, the H-SMF 505 signals the H-CHF 506. This signalling may provide information on data usage for the established session to the H-CHF for the H-CHF to generate billing information.

[0129] During 5007, the H-SMF 505 signals the H-SEPP 504. This signalling may comprise the information on data usage for the established session. This signalling may comprise at least some of the information on data usage signalled during 5006. This signalling may comprise all of the information on data usage signalled during 5006. This signalling may comprise all of the information requested during 5004. This signalling may comprise all of the information requested during 5004 in relation to a predetermined time duration.

[0130] During 5008, the H-SEPP 504 signals the roaming hub 503. This signalling may comprise the information on data usage signalled during 5007.

[0131] During 5009, the roaming hub 503 signals the H-SEPP 504. This signalling may comprise an acknowledgement of the information on data usage signalled during 5008.

[0132] During 5010, the H-SEPP 504 signals the H-SMF 505. This signalling may comprise an acknowledgement of the information on data usage signalled during 5007.

[0133] During 5011 , the operations of 5006 to 5010 are repeated. These operations may be repeated a plurality of times. These operations may be repeated periodically. These operations may be repeated in response to a trigger event being detected.

[0134] During 5012, the H-SMF 505 signals the H-SEPP 504. This signalling may comprise the information on data usage for the established session. This signalling may comprise at least some of the information on data usage signalled to the H-CHF 506. This signalling may comprise all of the information on data usage signalled to the H-CHF 506. This signalling may comprise all of the information requested during 5004. This signalling may comprise all of the information requested during 5004 with reference to a predefined time duration (e.g., a preceding number of minutes and / or seconds).

[0135] During 5013, the H-SEPP 504 signals the roaming hub 503. This signalling may comprise the information on data usage signalled during 5012.

[0136] During 5014, the roaming hub 503 determines, using the information received on data usage between 5006 and 5013, that the quota has been exhausted for the subscriber.

[0137] During 5015, the roaming hub 503 signals the HSEPP 504. This signalling may comprise an indication that the PDll session should be released. This signalling may comprise an indication that the quota has been exhausted. During 5016, the HSEPP 504 signals the H-SMF 505. This signalling may cause the H- SMF 505 to release the PDll session during 5017.

[0138] During 5018, the roaming hub 503 signals the VSEPP 502. This signalling may comprise an indication of an error. This error signalling may be provided via an N32-f interface.

[0139] The error may be indicated in any of a plurality of different ways. For example, there may be provided specific error messages relevant to Roaming Hubs. These may comprise, for example, an indication of at least one of: ‘an information element is encrypted while it was expected to be available in the clear', 'an information element is not encrypted while its availability in the clear is not required', 'the N32 connection cannot be setup due to contractual reasons', 'the N32 connection cannot be setup due to a connectivity issue' or ‘the message was not delivered due to contractual reasons’.

[0140] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate features of the above examples. It is therefore understood that at least one of the following described features may find a functional correspondence in at least one feature mentioned above, and that the above examples can be used to further illustrate an example implementation. The following may, therefore, be implemented in 5G and beyond 3GPP networks. Further, the following may be implemented at an interface between SEPPS and PRINS, where an intermediary hub therebetween is comprised in a roaming hub.

[0141] FIG. 6 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be comprised in a roaming hub. The apparatus may be comprised in a roaming hub in a PRINS architecture. The roaming hub mentioned throughout this specification may also be termed as a roaming intermediary (such as a roaming intermediary defined in 3GPP TS 33.501 and / or GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications association) specifications). The roaming hub / roaming intermediary may be configured to manage a roaming quota for a roaming subscriber. For example, the roaming hub / intermediary may be configured to sell and manage a roaming bundle / quota to a user equipment on behalf of a HPLMN operator.

[0142] During 601 , the apparatus interfaces (e.g., provides an interface) between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to (e.g., registered and / or associated with) the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network.

[0143] The traffic and / or PDll session may be considered to be home routed when the traffic and / or PDll session is routed through the home network. Stated differently, the traffic and / or PDll session may be considered to be home routed when the traffic and / or PDU session is managed by the home network (e.g., by an SMF comprised in the home network). For example, the traffic and / or PDU session may be considered to be home routed when an entity in the home network (e.g., an SMF comprised in, attached to, or otherwise associated with the home network) is configured to obtain usage data with respect to the traffic and / or PDU session from a user plane function for billing and / or session management purposes for that user equipment.

[0144] The home network may comprise a first administrative domain, such as a HPLMN. The visited network may comprise a second administrative domain, such as a VPLMN. The user equipment may be roaming in the visited network (e.g., accesses a core network via the visited network) while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed.

[0145] The user equipment may be registered in the home network. The user equipment may be considered to be registered in the home network when the subscriber of the user equipment is registered in the home network. The home network may perform billing and / or charging services in respect of the user equipment.

[0146] During 602, the apparatus receives, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment. The home network may provide this information to the apparatus via a SEPP. The home network may provide this information to the apparatus from a session management function associated with the home network via the SEPP. The SEPP may interface between the home network and the apparatus / roaming hub.

[0147] The data usage may comprise an accumulative amount of data (e.g., in bytes) consumed in download and / or upload during a certain period of billing time. However, it is understood that any metric that may be used for assessing whether a quota of data subscribed to by the user equipment has been fulfilled for roaming may be provided as part of the data usage. Stated differently, the information relating to data usage may comprise information for determining, by the apparatus of FIG. 6, whether or not a roaming quota (e.g., a quota subscribed to for roaming) associated with the user equipment has been fulfilled.

[0148] During 603, the apparatus determines that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount.

[0149] The threshold amount may be configured at the apparatus by the Home network. The threshold amount may correspond to an allowance of data allowed by a a subscription plan to which the subscriber is adhered (e.g., as per contract). The threshold amount may be comprised in the quota.

[0150] During 604, the apparatus signals at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.

[0151] The signalling of 604 may comprise signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session. For example, the signalling may comprise signalling a network function (e.g., a session management function) an indication to release at least one PDll associated with the session. This signalling to the session management function / network function may be performed via the SEPP associated with the home network (e.g., the SEPP that maintains at least part of an interface between the apparatus and the home network). The session management function may release a session by releasing at least part of a session context for the user equipment.

[0152] Additionally or alternatively, the signalling of 604 may comprise signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded. The network function associated with the visited network may comprise a SEPP of the visited network that maintains at least part of an interface between the apparatus and the visited network. The SEPP may use this indication using PRINS to restrict the provision of services to the user equipment and / or to notify the user equipment that at least one service cannot be provided. The apparatus may receive, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network. This session establishment request may be received at the apparatus via a SEPP associated with the visited network that interfaces (and / or that maintains at least part of an interface) between the apparatus and the visited network. The apparatus may provide the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.

[0153] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided. For example, the request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise a callback uniform resource identifier.

[0154] The apparatus may receive the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions. For example, the apparatus may be configured to maintain an indication of a quota of data services either available to, and / or used by the user equipment over a period of time, and to update a value of the quote to reflect a data usage of the user equipment based on the information relating to data usage received. The plurality of different transmission occasions may be periodic. The plurality of different data transmissions may be aperiodic. The plurality of different transmission occasions may correspond to instances in which a session management function associated with the home network signals usage information relating to the user equipment to a charging function located in the home network.

[0155] FIG. 7 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus of FIG. 7 may be comprised in, or otherwise perform functions associated with, a session management function. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as a session management function. As such, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of a session management function. Further, the apparatus may be configured to implement a virtual network function instance of a session management function. The apparatus may be comprised in a home network of a user equipment. The home network (and, later mentioned, visited network), may be as described above in relation to FIG. 6. During 701 , the apparatus establishes, for a user equipment attached to (e.g., registered with and / or otherwise associated with) a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network (e.g., the home network of the apparatus), a session. The traffic (e.g., data traffic) and / or PDll session associated with the user equipment may be considered to be home routed using similar criteria as discussed above in relation to 801 . The establishment may be performed while the user equipment is registered with a home network that comprises the apparatus.

[0156] During 702, the apparatus causes an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network. The entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network may comprise a SEPP of the home network. The entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network may comprise the apparatus of FIG. 6 (e.g., a roaming hub). In this latter case, the information relating to data usage may be signalled to the apparatus of FIG. 6 via a SEPP of the home network.

[0157] The apparatus may receive, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established. In such a case, 702 may be performed in response to the request to receive information relating to data usage.

[0158] The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided. For example, the request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise a callback uniform resource identifier.

[0159] The apparatus may receive, from the entity, an indication to release the session. The apparatus may release the session. This release may be performed based on receiving the indication to release the session. The causing the information relating to data usage to be provided may be performed over a plurality of different transmission occasions. The plurality of different transmission occasions may be periodic. The plurality of different data transmissions may be aperiodic. The plurality of different transmission occasions may correspond to instances in which the apparatus signals usage information relating to the user equipment to a charging function located in the home network.

[0160] FIG. 8 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a SEPP associated with a home network. In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to operate as a SEPP associated with a home network. As such, the apparatus may be configured to perform one or more functions of a SEPP associated with a home network. Further, the apparatus may be configured to implement a virtual network function instance of a SEPP associated with a home network. The SEPP associated with the home network may maintain at least part of an interface between the home network and an intermediary node (e.g., a roaming hub / the apparatus of FIG. 6). The home network and / or visited network may be as described in relation to FIG. 6.

[0161] During 801 , the apparatus receives, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network. The network function associated with a home network may comprise a session management function. The network function associated with a home network may comprise the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0162] During 802, the apparatus provides the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached (e.g., registered, and / or associated). The entity interfacing may comprise the apparatus of FIG. 6.

[0163] The apparatus may receive, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established. The apparatus may provide the session establishment request and the request to receive information relating to data usage to the network function. The request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided. For example, the request to receive information relating to data usage may comprise a callback uniform resource identifier.

[0164] The apparatus may receive, from the entity, an indication to release the session. The apparatus may provide the indication to release the session to the network function.

[0165] The providing the information relating to data usage to be provided may be performed over a plurality of different transmission occasions. The plurality of different transmission occasions may be periodic. The plurality of different data transmissions may be aperiodic. The plurality of different transmission occasions may correspond to instances in which the network function signals usage information relating to the user equipment to a charging function located in the home network.

[0166] It is understood that, in all of the above examples, the session being referred to may be a packet data unit (PDll) session.

[0167] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0168] It is noted that whilst some example embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain example embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, example embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0169] It is understood that references in the above to various network functions (e.g., to an AMF, an SMF, etc.), an apparatus may be configured to operate as particular network function(s). For example, the apparatus may be configured to perform at least some of the functionality associated with the particular network function(s). By way of non-limiting an illustrative example, an apparatus configured to operate as a particular network function may be configured to implement a virtual network function instance of that particular network function.

[0170] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0171] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements. As used herein, the expression “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0172] In general, the various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting and illustrative examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0173] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0174] (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and

[0175] (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

[0176] (c) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / fi rmware and (d)any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

[0177] (e) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[0178] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0179] The various example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out one or more of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0180] Further in this regard, it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the FIGS, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non- transitory media. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal ) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0181] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0182] Various example embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0183] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features thereof, if any, described in this disclosure that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0184] The foregoing description has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the various example embodiments of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. By way of non-limiting and illustrative example, there is a further example embodiment comprising a combination of one or more example embodiments with any of the other example embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

Claims:1 ) An apparatus comprising means for performing: interfacing between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit, PDll, session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity attached to the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining.2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising means for: receiving, from the visited network prior to said receiving the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network; and providing the session establishment request to a network function associated with the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session to be established.3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the request to receive information relating to data usage comprises an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.4) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for signalling comprises means for signalling a network function associated with the home network an indication to release the session.5) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for signalling comprises means for signalling a network function associated with the visited network an error message that indicates that the threshold amount has been exceeded.6) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for receiving the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.7) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a roaming hub.8) An apparatus comprising means for performing: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network.9) An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the apparatus further comprising means for performing: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established.10)An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the request to receive information relating to data usage comprises an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.11 )An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, further comprising means for: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and releasing the session.12)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11 , wherein the means for causing comprises means for causing the information relating to data usage to be provided over a plurality of different transmission occasions.13)An apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.14)An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, the apparatus further comprising means for performing: receiving, from the entity prior to said providing the information relating to data usage, a session establishment request to establish the session for the user equipment in the home network with a request to receive information relating to data usage for the session being established; and providing the session establishment request to the network function.15)An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the request to receive information relating to data usage comprises an address to where the information relating to data usage is to be provided.16)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, further comprising means for: receiving, from the entity, an indication to release the session; and providing the indication to release the session to the network function.17)An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the means for receiving and providing the information relating to the data usage comprises means for receiving and providing the information relating to data usage over a plurality of different transmission occasions.18)A method for an apparatus, the method comprising: providing an interface between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network;the entity interfacing between the home network and visited network receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; and signalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining. )A method for an apparatus, the method comprising: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network. )A method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached. )A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out: providing an interface between a home network and a visited network, wherein a user equipment is attached to the visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through the home network; the entity interfacing between the home network and visited network receiving, from the home network, information relating to data usage for the user equipment for a session established in the home network for the user equipment; determining that the data usage exceeds a threshold amount; andsignalling at least one entity associated with the visited network and / or the home network in response to the determining. )A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out: establishing, for a user equipment attached to a visited network while traffic and / or a packet data unit session associated with the user equipment is being home routed through a home network, a session; and causing an entity interfacing between the home network and the visited network to be provided with information relating to data usage for the user equipment for the session, wherein the apparatus is associated with the home network. )A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out: receiving, from a network function associated with a home network, information relating to data usage for a user equipment for a session established in the home network; and providing the information relating to the data usage to an entity interfacing between the home network and a visited network to which the user equipment is attached.

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