Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class, and receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class. The means being further for receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMRelated Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2315016.2 filed September 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, and computer program for a communication system.Background

[0003] 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.

[0004] 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.Summary

[0005] 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 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.

[0006] Various example embodiments relate to storing, at a network, information related to multicast / broadcast service (MBS) sessions, wherein each MBS session is associated with a service class. Example embodiments also relate to the discovery of available MBS sessions for a user equipment, wherein the discovery is based on a service class.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobilenetwork, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0008] In examples, the request is: provided to a storage device associated with the public land mobile network, or provided to at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function of the public land mobile network, or a session management function of the public land mobile network.

[0009] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0010] In examples, the means are further for: retrieving, when the information related to the MBS session comprises a uniform resource identifier, further information about the MBS session from the further storage device based on the uniform resource identifier.

[0011] In examples, the receiving further comprises: receiving information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class; selecting an MBS session from the plurality of MBS sessions; and receiving data associated with the MBS session that has been selected.

[0012] In examples, the MBS session is a multicast MBS session and wherein the receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information comprises means for: requesting to join the multicast MBS session based on the received information; and receiving data associated with the multicast MBS session.

[0013] In examples, the request comprises an identity of a public land mobile network, such that MBS sessions that are available at the public land mobile network, associated with the service class, and associated with the identity of the public land mobile network, are requested.

[0014] In an example, the identity of the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: a mobile country code, or a mobile network code.

[0015] In examples, the request is one of: comprised within protocol data unit, PDU, session related signalling to a session management function, a query, or a registration request.

[0016] In an example, the PDU session related signalling comprises at least one of the following: a PDU session establishment request, or a PDU modification request.

[0017] In examples, the means are further for: receiving at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule including a data network name and an identifier of a network slice to be used to access a storage device in the public land mobile network, and wherein the means for providing the request comprises: means for providing the request to the storage device using a PDU session applying the received data network name and the received identifier of a network slice.

[0018] In examples, the public land mobile network is a visited public land mobile network.

[0019] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, or the apparatus is a user equipment.

[0020] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a public land mobile network, the apparatus comprising: a network function configured to perform at least: discovering a server associated with a public land mobile network by querying a network repository function, or using a domain name system query; providing, to a server, a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving, from the server, information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and forwarding, to a user equipment, the information related to the MBS session.

[0021] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0022] In examples, the network function is further configured to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a request to join a multicast MBS session.

[0023] In examples, the network function is further configured to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a further request for MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, wherein the further request includes the service class, wherein the discovering of the server is performed in response to the received further request from the user equipment.

[0024] In examples, the network function is an AMF, or an SMF.

[0025] According to an aspect, there is provided a storage device for at least one public land mobile network, the storage device comprising means for: receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; storing, for the MBS session, theinformation related to the MBS session; receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0026] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0027] In examples, the storage device is associated with a plurality of different public land mobile networks.

[0028] In examples, the stored information provided comprises information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class.

[0029] In examples, the information related to the MBS session is received from the application function either: directly, or via a network function.

[0030] In examples, the means are further for: storing information about a plurality of MBS sessions for the service class; and providing information about all stored MBS sessions for the service class.

[0031] In examples, the information related to the MBS session that is received further includes an identity of a public land mobile network associated with the MBS session, wherein the request further includes an indication of a public land mobile network, and wherein the stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network that is provided is associated with the public land mobile network indicated in the request.

[0032] In examples, one of: the storage device is a standalone device, or functionality of the storage device is included in a network function.

[0033] In an example, the request comprises an identity for the PLMN.

[0034] In an example, the storage device is a server, or is provided by a server.

[0035] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: providing, to a network exposure function or a storage device of a public land mobile network, information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session to be stored at the storage device, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0036] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: an application function configured to perform at least: providing, to a network exposure function or a storage device of a public land mobile network, information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session to be stored at the storage device, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0037] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0038] In examples, the application function is further configured to perform: means for providing, to the storage device, the information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0039] In examples, the application function is further configured to perform: means for establishing the MBS session; and means for providing, to a network exposure function or a multicast / broadcast session management function, the information related to MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0040] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: an network function configured to perform at least: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0041] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related tothe MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0042] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0043] In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on the request from the application function. In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on pre-configured entitlements associated with the application function.

[0044] In examples, the means are further for: receiving a delete request related to the MBS session; and providing, to the storage device, information related to the deletion of the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session stored at the storage device is removed from storage.

[0045] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a network function, the apparatus is comprised in a network function, a network function is comprised in the apparatus, or the apparatus is a network function.

[0046] In examples, the network function is an MB-SMF, or NEF.

[0047] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0048] In examples, the request is: provided to a storage device associated with the public land mobile network, or provided to at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function of the public land mobile network, or a session management function of the public land mobile network.

[0049] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0050] In examples, the method comprises: retrieving, when the information related to the MBS session comprises a uniform resource identifier, further information about the MBS session from the further storage device based on the uniform resource identifier.

[0051] In examples, the receiving further comprises: receiving information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class; selecting an MBS session from the plurality of MBS sessions; and receiving data associated with the MBS session that has been selected.

[0052] In examples, the MBS session is a multicast MBS session and wherein the receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information comprises: requesting to join the multicast MBS session based on the received information; and receiving data associated with the multicast MBS session.

[0053] In examples, the request comprises an identity of a public land mobile network, such that MBS sessions that are available at the public land mobile network, associated with the service class, and associated with the identity of the public land mobile network, are requested.

[0054] In an example, the identity of the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: a mobile country code, or a mobile network code.

[0055] In examples, the request is one of: comprised within protocol data unit, PDU, session related signalling to a session management function, a query, or a registration request.

[0056] In an example, the PDU session related signalling comprises at least one of the following: a PDU session establishment request, or a PDU modification request.

[0057] In examples, the method comprises: receiving at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule including a data network name and an identifier of a network slice to be used to access a storage device in the public land mobile network, and wherein the providing the request comprises: providing the request to the storage device using a PDU session applying the received data network name and the received identifier of a network slice.

[0058] In examples, the public land mobile network is a visited public land mobile network.

[0059] In examples, the method is performed by a user equipment.

[0060] 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 to perform: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associatedwith the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0061] In examples, the request is: provided to a storage device associated with the public land mobile network, or provided to at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function of the public land mobile network, or a session management function of the public land mobile network.

[0062] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0063] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: retrieving, when the information related to the MBS session comprises a uniform resource identifier, further information about the MBS session from the further storage device based on the uniform resource identifier.

[0064] In examples, the receiving further comprises: receiving information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class; selecting an MBS session from the plurality of MBS sessions; and receiving data associated with the MBS session that has been selected.

[0065] In examples, the MBS session is a multicast MBS session and wherein the receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information comprises: requesting to join the multicast MBS session based on the received information; and receiving data associated with the multicast MBS session.

[0066] In examples, the request comprises an identity of a public land mobile network, such that MBS sessions that are available at the public land mobile network, associated with the service class, and associated with the identity of the public land mobile network, are requested.

[0067] In an example, the identity of the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: a mobile country code, or a mobile network code.

[0068] In examples, the request is one of: comprised within protocol data unit, PDU, session related signalling to a session management function, a query, or a registration request.

[0069] In an example, the PDU session related signalling comprises at least one of the following: a PDU session establishment request, or a PDU modification request.

[0070] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule including a data network name and an identifier of a network sliceto be used to access a storage device in the public land mobile network, and wherein the providing the request comprises: providing the request to the storage device using a PDU session applying the received data network name and the received identifier of a network slice.

[0071] In examples, the public land mobile network is a visited public land mobile network.

[0072] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, or the apparatus is a user equipment.

[0073] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: discovering a server associated with a public land mobile network by querying a network repository function, or using a domain name system query; providing, to a server, a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving, from the server, information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and forwarding, to a user equipment, the information related to the MBS session.

[0074] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0075] In examples, the method comprises: receiving, from the user equipment, a request to join a multicast MBS session.

[0076] In examples, the method comprises: receiving, from the user equipment, a further request for MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, wherein the further request includes the service class, wherein the discovering of the server is performed in response to the received further request from the user equipment.

[0077] In examples, the method is performed by a network function. In examples, the network function is an AMF, or an SMF.

[0078] 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 to perform: discovering a server associated with a public land mobile network by querying a network repository function, or using a domain name system query; providing, to a server, a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving, from the server, information related to an MBS sessionthat is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and forwarding, to a user equipment, the information related to the MBS session.

[0079] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0080] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a request to join a multicast MBS session.

[0081] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a further request for MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, wherein the further request includes the service class, wherein the discovering of the server is performed in response to the received further request from the user equipment.

[0082] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a network function, the apparatus is comprised in a network function, a network function is comprised in the apparatus, or the apparatus is a network function.

[0083] In examples, the network function is an AMF, or an SMF.

[0084] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session; receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0085] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0086] In examples, the storage device is associated with a plurality of different public land mobile networks.

[0087] In examples, the stored information provided comprises information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class.

[0088] In examples, the information related to the MBS session is received from the application function either: directly, or via a network function.

[0089] In examples, the method comprises: storing information about a plurality of MBS sessions for the service class; and providing information about all stored MBS sessions for the service class.

[0090] In examples, the information related to the MBS session that is received further includes an identity of a public land mobile network associated with the MBS session, wherein the request further includes an indication of a public land mobile network, and wherein the stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network that is provided is associated with the public land mobile network indicated in the request.

[0091] In examples, one of: the storage device is a standalone device, or functionality of the storage device is included in a network function.

[0092] In an example, the request comprises an identity for the PLMN.

[0093] 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 to perform: receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session; receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0094] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0095] In examples, the apparatus is associated with a plurality of different public land mobile networks.

[0096] In examples, the stored information provided comprises information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class.

[0097] In examples, the information related to the MBS session is received from the application function either: directly, or via a network function.

[0098] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: storing information about a plurality of MBS sessions for the service class; and providing information about all stored MBS sessions for the service class.

[0099] In examples, the information related to the MBS session that is received further includes an identity of a public land mobile network associated with the MBS session, wherein the request further includes an indication of a public land mobile network, and wherein the stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network that is provided is associated with the public land mobile network indicated in the request.

[0100] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a storage device, the apparatus is comprised in a storage device, a storage device is comprised in the apparatus, or the apparatus is a storage device.

[0101] In examples, one of: the storage device is a standalone device, or functionality of the storage device is included in a network function.

[0102] In an example, the request comprises an identity for the PLMN.

[0103] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing, to a network exposure function or a storage device of a public land mobile network, information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session to be stored at the storage device, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0104] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0105] In examples, the method comprises: providing, to the storage device, the information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0106] In examples, the method comprises: establishing the MBS session; and providing, to a network exposure function or a multicast / broadcast session management function, the information related to MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0107] In examples, the method is performed by an application function.

[0108] 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 to perform: providing, to a network exposure function or a storage device of a public land mobile network, information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session to be stored at the storage device, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0109] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0110] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: providing, to the storage device, the information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0111] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: establishing the MBS session; and providing, to a network exposure function or a multicast / broadcast session management function, the information related to MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including the service class for the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0112] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0113] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0114] In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on the request from the application function. In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on pre-configured entitlements associated with the application function.

[0115] In examples, the method comprises: receiving a delete request related to the MBS session; and providing, to the storage device, information related to the deletion of the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session stored at the storage device is removed from storage.

[0116] In an example, the method is performed by a network function. In examples, the network function is an MB-SMF, or a NEF.

[0117] 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 to perform: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0118] In examples, the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

[0119] In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on the request from the application function. In an example, the authorising of the application function is based on pre-configured entitlements associated with the application function.

[0120] In examples, the apparatus is caused to perform: receiving a delete request related to the MBS session; and providing, to the storage device, information related to the deletion of the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session stored at the storage device is removed from storage.

[0121] In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a network function, the apparatus is comprised in a network function, a network function is comprised in the apparatus, or the apparatus is a network function. In examples, the network function is an MB-SMF, or a NEF.

[0122] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0123] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: discovering a server associated with a public land mobile network by querying a network repository function, or using a domain name system query; providing, to a server, a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving, from the server, information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and forwarding, to a user equipment, the information related to the MBS session.

[0124] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session; receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0125] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: providing, to a network exposure function or a storage device of a public land mobile network, information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session to be stored at the storage device, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0126] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service,MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0127] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to perform: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; circuitry configured to perform: receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and circuitry configured to perform: receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0128] A computer product stored on a medium may cause an apparatus to perform the methods as described herein.

[0129] A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions, that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the methods as described herein.

[0130] An electronic device may comprise apparatus as described herein.

[0131] In the above, various aspects have been described. It should be appreciated that further aspects may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the various aspects described above.

[0132] Various other aspects and further embodiments are also described in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.

[0133] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0134] List of abbreviations:AF: Application FunctionAMF: Access and Mobility Management FunctionAN: Access NetworkBS: Base StationCN: Core NetworkDL: DownlinkDNS: Domain name system eNB : eNodeB gNB : gNodeBIIoT : Industrial Internet of ThingsLTE: Long Term EvolutionNEF: Network Exposure FunctionNG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access NetworkNF: Network FunctionNR: New RadioNRF: Network Repository FunctionNW: NetworkMBS: Multicast / broadcast serviceMB-SMF: Multicast / broadcast session management functionMB SF: Multicast / broadcast service functionMCC: Mobile country codeMNC: Mobile network codeMS: Mobile StationPCF Policy Control FunctionPLMN: Public Land Mobile NetworkRAN: Radio Access NetworkRF: Radio FrequencySMF: Session Management FunctionSNPN: Standalone non-public networkUE: User EquipmentUDR: Unified Data RepositoryUDM: Unified Data ManagementUL: UplinkURL: Uniform resource locatorURSP: UE route selection policyUPF: User Plane FunctionVPLMN: Visited public land mobile network3GPP: 3rdGeneration Partnership Project5G: 5thGeneration5GC: 5G Core network5G-AN: 5G Radio Access Network5GS: 5G SystemBrief Description of Drawings

[0135] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0136] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

[0137] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a control apparatus;

[0138] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a terminal;

[0139] FIG. 4 shows a first example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities;

[0140] FIG. 5 shows a second example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities;

[0141] FIG. 6 shows a third example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities;

[0142] FIG. 7 shows a fourth example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities;

[0143] FIG. 8 shows a fifth example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities;

[0144] FIG. 9 shows an example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus;

[0145] FIG. 10 shows another example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus;

[0146] FIG. 11 shows another example method flow diagram performed by an apparatus;

[0147] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor allow a processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method of FIGS. 9, 10, and / or 11.Detailed Description

[0148] A multicast / broadcast service (MBS) is a point-to-multipoint service provided by a communication system in which data is transmitted from a single source entity to multiple recipients, for example either to all users (e.g., user equipments (UEs) in a broadcast service area, or to users (e.g., UEs) in a multicast group. A session is a logical connection between a communication device (e.g. a UE) and a data network. MBS sessions are the MBS counterpart to the protocol data unit (PDU) sessions that the 5GC uses for unicast services. The corresponding types of MBS session are: a broadcast MBS session, or a multicast MBS session.MBS sessions provided by the 5G communication system may improve the network efficiency and user experience when transmitting the same content to multiple users. An MBS service area is an area within which data of one multicast or broadcast MBS session may be sent. For location dependent MBS, for each MBS service area, an identity for an area session (e.g. an area session ID), which is unique per identity for an MBS session (e.g. an MBS session ID), is allocated and the same location dependent content data for an MBS session is delivered to the UE(s) within an MBS service area. The area session ID is a unique identifier within an MBS session used for an MBS session with location dependent content. When present, the area session ID, together with a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI), is used to uniquely identify a data flow of an MBS session in a specific MBS service area.

[0149] A ‘service class’ of an MBS session has been defined for the purpose of offering MBS services to different users (e.g., different UEs), e.g. for scenarios when a UE is roaming. MBS sessions may be provided for many purposes to the user and may convey information of various kinds. For example, some MBS sessions may be used for traffic information, others MBS sessions may be used for entertainment or for news services. Service classes denote a classification of MBS sessions according to their usage. For service classes, in an example use case of roaming, a user may wish to access services as follows: 1) a user may desire to be able to activate services that are provided locally in the visited network, as allowed by the user’s home environment (e.g. local tourist information), 2) a user subscribed to a service class in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN) may desire to be able to enjoy equivalent services in the same service class as provided by a visited (VPLMN) without explicit subscription in the VPLMN (e.g. weather forecast).

[0150] In this way, a user subscribed to a service class in the HPLMN may want to have access to home contents provided via a visited PLMN without explicit subscription in the VPLMN (e.g. enjoy subscribed service while roaming). However. A user may not be able to determine available MBS sessions within a service class. This problem may also occur for a roaming user. There is no current procedure to allow such MBS access, according to service class, e.g. while roaming.

[0151] One or more of the problems identified are addressed in one or more of the following examples.

[0152] In examples, there is provided an apparatus (e.g. for a user equipment) comprising means for: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the publicland mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0153] In some examples, each PLMN (e.g. a VPLMN) provides a storage device (or server) to allow UEs to discover / obtain information related to MBS sessions within a service class that are available at the PLMN. The storage device may be referred to as a server, or database, in some examples. A database in a server may store the information related to MBS sessions within a service class. The storage device / server may be provided in hardware, or software, or by a combination of both hardware and software.

[0154] In some examples, a storage device / server (which may be termed a ‘central storage device’ or ‘central server’) stores, for a plurality of PLMNs, information related to MBS sessions that are available at a respective PLMN of the plurality of PLMNs. Each MBS session is associated with service class. Information related to an MBS session may be stored with a PLMN ID associated with that MBS session. In some examples, the ‘central’ storage device / server may be operated by Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA).

[0155] In some examples, when MBS sessions are created by an AF (or requested to be created by an AF), the AF registers the MBS sessions at the storage device.

[0156] In some examples, the storage device is standalone, or functionality of the storage device is included in / integrated in (e.g., performed by) existing NFs. For example, the storage device may be integrated in a multicast / broadcast service function (MBSF), or a multicast / broadcast SMF (MB-SMF). In some examples, a UE directly requests / queries service class information of MBS sessions or service information of specific service classes from the storage device. The UE may utilise an AMF or SMF to query the server on behalf of the UE, in some examples.

[0157] These examples will be discussed in more detail below with reference to a 5G communication system that is able to provide MBS sessions (e.g. as seen in FIG. 1).

[0158] In the following, various example embodiments of the subject disclosure are explained with reference to communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and communication systems serving such communication devices. Before explaining in detail the various example embodiments, certain general aspects of a wireless communication system and communication devices are briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

[0159] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 comprises one more communication devices 102 such as user equipments (UEs), or terminals. The wireless communication system 100 comprises a5G system (5GS). The 5GS comprises a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) 106, a 5G core network (5GC) 104 comprising one or more network functions (NF), one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110. The 5G-RAN 106 may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit (CU) functions. The 5GC 104 comprises an access management function (AMF) 112, a session management function (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a user data management (UDM) 118, a user plane function (UPF) 120, a network exposure function (NEF) 122 and / or other NFs. Some of the examples as shown below may be applicable to 3GPP 5G standards. However, some examples may also be applicable to 5G-advanced, 4G, 3G and other 3GPP standards.

[0160] In the wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in FIG. 1, communication devices 102, e.g. mobile communication devices, terminals, user apparatuses, UEs, machine-type communication devices, are provided with wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and / or receiving node or point. The communication device 102 is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other devices. The communication device 102 may access a carrier provided by a base station or access point, and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0161] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 may comprise or implement a network function of one or more network functions of the 5GC illustrated on FIG. 1. The apparatus 200 comprises at least one random access memory (RAM) 21 la, at least one read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input / output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 is coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b.

[0162] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a communication device 300, such as the terminal illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g. the communication device 102). The communication device 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples of the communication device 300 are a user equipment, a terminal, 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, a Cellular Internet of things (CIoT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The communication device 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may carry one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), an short message service message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

[0163] The communication device 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 3, a transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0164] 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 systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a. The communication device 300 may comprise one or more circuits, or circuitry (not shown) which may be configured to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples.

[0165] The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The communication device 300 may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

[0166] FIG. 4 shows a first example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities.

[0167] At S401, an AF requests establishment (or creation) of an MBS session. The MBS session is associated with a service class.

[0168] The AF may request establishment (or creation) of the MBS session by providing a request to establish (or create) a MBS session to an NEF (if the AF is a untrusted AF or MBSF if the AF is a trusted AF), wherein the request comprises information related to the MBSsession including at least one of the following: an identifier of a MBS session (MBS session ID, also referred to as an ‘ID associated with the MBS session’), an indication of service class for the MBS session, or service information for the MBS. The request may be an Nnef_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0169] In this example, the MBS session is for ‘MBS session ID1’ and includes an indication of a service class, and service information. In this example, an NEF is addressed to receive the message from the AF.

[0170] At S402, the NEF authorizes the AF to request for the establishment (or creation) of the MBS session. The NEF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The NEF uses the service class, indicated by the AF, for this MBS session to register, at a server, information that is related to the MBS session that is included in the request. In the example of FIG. 4, and in the other FIGS. 5 to 8, the terminology ‘server’ is used. It should be understood that the term ‘storage device’ may be used interchangeably with the term ‘server’ in the context of this disclosure.

[0171] At S403, the NEF provides the request (from the AF) comprising the information related to the MBS session provided by the AF in S401 to an MB-SMF. The request may be provided as a Nmbsmf_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0172] At S404, the MB-SMF causes the MBS session to be created. The MB-SMF may authorise creation of the MBS-session for the AF. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the received request. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the information related to the MBS session in the received request. The MB- SMF uses the service class indicated by the AF for this MBS session to register the information related to the MBS session to the server.

[0173] The NEF and / or MB-SF may comprise information related to permissions (or authorisations) for the AF, or may have access to the information related to permissions for the AF. For example, the information related to permissions for the AF may identify one or more PLMNs that the AF is authorised to request for MBS sessions in. The NEF and / or MBSF may use the information related to permissions for the AF to determine whether to authorise the AF to create the MBS session.

[0174] In the example of FIG. 4, both the NEF and MBSF perform an authorisation for the AF. In other examples, either the NEF or the MBSF performs the authorisation. For example, when the NEF performs an authorisation in S402, then the MBSF does not perform an authorisation as well, and vice versa.

[0175] At S405, the MB-SMF queries a domain name system (DNS) server to obtain information related to a server, e.g. an IP address of a server. The DNS server is configured to store identifying information for network functions, network entities, servers, etc. The server (or storage device) is configured to store information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN. The MB-SMF may be configured with information used for the discovery of the DNS server.

[0176] At S406, using the IP address of the server, the MB-SMF sends a request to the server to store information related to the created MBS session at the server. This request may be termed a ‘storage’ request. It should be understood that other suitable terms are used in other examples. The storage request comprises at least one of the following information related to the created MBS session that is to be stored at the server: the MBS session ID, the service class, or the service information.

[0177] The server may be implemented in hardware in some examples. In other examples, the server may be implemented in software, or with a combination of hardware and software. The server stores information related to MBS sessions.

[0178] At S407, a UE has information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server. The information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server may be comprised in a configuration at the UE. The configuration may be a UE configuration that the UE preconfigured with. In other examples, the configuration is received by the UE.

[0179] At S408, the UE has a UE route selection policy (URSP) rule indicating a data network name (DNN) and network slice information to be used when querying for an IP address of the server from the DNS server.

[0180] At S409, a user of the UE may request to determine available MBS sessions associated with a service class.

[0181] At S410, in order to determine the available MBS session with the service class, the UE queries the DNS server to determine an IP address of the server. The IP address of the server is provided from the DNS server to the UE.

[0182] At S411, the UE provides, to the server, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN, wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. In other examples, the UE provides indications of a plurality of different service classes. The UE provides the request to the IP address of the server. The server is associated with the PLMN. The PLMN may be a VPLMN in some examples.

[0183] In this way, at S411, the UE queries the server to learn about MBS sessions of a specific service class.

[0184] At S412, the UE receives, from the server, information related to at least one MBS session that is available in the PLMN. The at least one MBS session that is available in the PLMN is associated with the service class. The information may comprise at least one of the following: an identifier of the MBS session (e.g., a MBS session identifier (ID), service information, MBS session information, a unified resource locator (URL), a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the server (which the UE can use to determine an internet protocol address of the server using a domain name server procedure).

[0185] When the UE provides indications for a plurality of different service classes in S411, the server provides information related to MBS sessions that are associated with the plurality of service classes.

[0186] At S413, when the information received from the server comprises a URL, the UE retrieves additional information from the URL regarding the MBS session.

[0187] At S414, when the information from the server indicates that there are a plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class that are available at the PLMN, the UE may select (or choose) a MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions. In other examples, a single MBS session is available and hence the UE does not select or choose an MBS session .

[0188] The UE selects an MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class from which to receive data. The MBS session is selected from the plurality of available MBS sessions (that are available) associated with the service class. In some examples, the UE will render a graphical user interface on a display of the UE that includes selectable icons associated with each available MBS session associated with the service class. A user of the UE can select an available MBS sessions by selecting one of the selectable icons on the display of the UE.

[0189] At S415, when the MBS session is a multicast MBS session, the UE provides a join request to the SMF to join the MBS session. The join request identifies the selected multicast MBS session. For example, the multicast MBS session is identified with an MBS session ID (e.g. MBS session ID1).

[0190] At S416, the UE receives data associated with the MBS session. The MBS session may be a multicast MBS session in some examples (e.g. following the join request of S415). The MBS session may be a broadcast MBS session in some other examples. When the session is a broadcast MBS session, data for the MBS broadcast session will be received via broadcast within an MBS service area.

[0191] FIG. 5 shows a second example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities.

[0192] At S500, a server associated with a PLMN is integrated with / included in an MB-SMF. The MB-SMF registers with an NRF that the MB-SMF is acting as the server.

[0193] At S501, an AF requests establishment (or creation) of an MBS session. The MBS session is associated with a service class.

[0194] The AF provides the request to an NEF or MBSF, wherein the request comprises information related to the MBS session including at least one of the following: an MBS session ID (also referred to as an ‘ID associated with the MBS session’), a service class, or service information. The request may be an Nnef_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0195] In this example, the MBS session is for MBS session ID1 and includes the service class information and service information. In this example, an NEF is addressed.

[0196] At S502, the NEF authorizes the AF to request for the establishment (or creation) of the MBS session. The NEF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The NEF uses the service class, indicated by the AF, for this MBS session to register, at a server, information that is related to the MBS session that is included in the request.

[0197] The server may be implemented in hardware in some examples. In other examples, the server may be implemented in software, or with a combination of hardware and software. The server is able to store information related to MBS sessions.

[0198] At S503, the NEF provides the request (from the AF) with the information provided by AF in S501 to an MB-SMF. The request may be provided as a Nmbsmf_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0199] At S504, the MB-SMF authorizes the AF to be able to create the MBS session. The MB-SMF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The MB-SMF causes the MBS session to be created. The MB-SMF may authorise creation of the MBS-session for the AF. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the received request. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the information related to the MBS session in the received request. The MB-SMF uses the service class indicated by the AF for this MBS session to register the information related to the MBS session to the server.

[0200] The NEF and / or MBSF may comprise information related to permissions (or authorisations) for the AF, or may have access to the information related to permissions for the AF. For example, the information related to permissions for the AF may identify one or more PLMNs that the AF is authorised to request for MBS sessions in. The NEF and / or MBSF mayuse the information related to permissions for the AF to determine whether to authorise the AF to create the MBS session.

[0201] In the example of FIG. 5, both the NEF and MBSF perform an authorisation for the AF. In other examples, either the NEF or the MBSF performs the authorisation. For example, when the NEF performs an authorisation in S502, then the MBSF does not perform an authorisation as well, and vice versa.

[0202] At S505, information about the MBS session and the service class are stored at the server and / or the MB-SMF. The information may comprise at least one of the following: the MBS session ID, the service class, or the service information. The server is integrated with the MB-SMF. In other examples, the MB-SMF requests storage at another MB-SMF that has an integrated server.

[0203] At S506, the UE has a UE route selection policy (URSP) rule indicating a data network name (DNN) and network slice information to be used when querying for an IP address of the server from the DNS server.

[0204] At S507, a user of the UE may request to determine available MBS sessions within a service class.

[0205] At S508, the UE transmits a query or request to the SMF including the service class.

[0206] At S509, the SMF discovers that the server is integrated in the MB-SMF. The SMF may discover the server by querying the NRF.

[0207] At S510, the SMF provides, to the server or MB-SMF, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN, wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. In other examples, the SMF provides indications of a plurality of different service classes. The SMF provides the request based on the discovery of the server. The server is associated with the PLMN. The PLMN may be a VPLMN in some examples.

[0208] In this way, at S510, the SMF queries the server to learn about sessions of a specific service class.

[0209] At S511, the SMF receives, from the server, information related to at least one MBS session that is available in the PLMN. The at least one MBS session is associated with the service class. The information may comprise at least one of the following: ID of the MBS session, service information, session information, MBS session ID, a unified resource locator (URL).

[0210] When the SMF provides indications for a plurality of different service classes in S510, then the server provides information in S511 related to MBS sessions that are associated with the plurality of service classes.

[0211] At S512, the SMF provides, to the UE, a response comprising the information related to at least one MBS session within the at least one service class that is available in the PLMN. The information may be provided in an Ndb_Query_Response message, or any other suitable message.

[0212] At S513, when the information received from the server comprises an URL, the UE retrieves additional information from the URL regarding the MBS session.

[0213] At S514, when the information from the server indicates that there are a plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class that are available at the PLMN, the UE may select (or choose) a MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions. In other examples, a single MBS session is available and hence the UE does not select or choose an MBS session .

[0214] In some examples, the user of the UE will be offered the available MBS sessions to select (e.g. on a display of the UE).

[0215] At S515, when the session is a multicast MBS session, the UE provides a join request to the SMF to join the MBS session. The join request identifies the selected multicast MBS session. For example, the multicast MBS session is identified with an MBS session ID (e.g. MBS session ID1).

[0216] At S516, the UE receives data associated with the MBS session. The session may be a multicast MBS session in some examples. The session may be a broadcast MBS session in some other examples. When the session is a broadcast MBS session, data for the session will be received via broadcast within an MBS service area.

[0217] FIG. 6 shows a third example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities.

[0218] At S600, a server associated with a PLMN is provided. The server registers with an NRF. The server may be implemented in hardware in some examples. In other examples, the server may be implemented in software, or with a combination of hardware and software. The server is able to store information related to MBS sessions.

[0219] At S601, an AF (directly) communicates with the server and registers an MBS session in the server. The registering of the MBS session with the server may be termed a ‘storage request’ of the MBS session at the server.

[0220] The AF may create / establish the MBS session. In other examples, another NF establishes the MBS session. The MBS session is associated with a service class.

[0221] As part of the storage request, the AF provides information related to the MBS session. The information related to the MBS session comprises at least one of the following: an MBSsession ID (also referred to as an ‘ID associated with the MBS session’), a service class, or service information. The AF may provide an Ndb_Storage_Request message, or any other suitable message, to the server with the information related to the MBS session.

[0222] In this example, the MBS session is for MBS session ID1 and the information related to the MBS session includes the service class information and service information.

[0223] At S602, the server authorizes the AF. The server may authorise the AF to use (or create) the MBS session. The server may authorise the AF based on the received message. In this way, the server authorises the AF for such a registration of MBS session.

[0224] At S603, the information related to the MBS session including the service class associated with the MBS session is stored at the server.

[0225] At S604, the UE provides, to an AMF, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN, wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. In this way, the UE queries the AMF to learn about MBS sessions of a specific service class. The request or query may be included in a registration request message, in some examples. In other examples, the UE provides indications of a plurality of different service classes.

[0226] At S605, the AMF discovers that the server. The SMF may discover the server by querying the NRF. In some examples, the AMF is already aware of the server, and thus refrains from the discovering of the server in S605.

[0227] At S606, the AMF provides, to the server, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN, wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. The AMF provides the request based on the discovery of the server. The server is associated with the PLMN. The PLMN may be a VPLMN in some examples.

[0228] In this way, at S606, the AMF queries the server to learn about MBS sessions of a specific service class.

[0229] At S607, the AMF receives, from the server, information related to at least one MBS session that is available in the PLMN. The at least one MBS session is associated with the service class. The information may comprise at least one of the following: ID of the MBS session, service information, session information, MBS session ID, a unified resource locator (URL).

[0230] At S608, the AMF provides, to the UE, a response comprising the information related to at least one MBS session that is available in the PLMN. The information may be provided in a registration response message, or any other suitable message.

[0231] At S609, when the information received from the server comprises an URL, the UE retrieves additional information from the URL regarding the MBS session.

[0232] At S610, when the information from the server indicates that there are a plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class that are available at the PLMN, the UE may select (or choose) a MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions. In other examples, a single MBS session is available and hence the UE does not select or choose an MBS session .

[0233] In some examples, the user of the UE will be offered the available MBS sessions to select (e.g. on a display of the UE).

[0234] At S611, when the session is a multicast MBS session, the UE provides a join request to the SMF to join the MBS session. The join request identifies the selected multicast MBS session. For example, the multicast MBS session is identified with an MBS session ID (e.g. MBS session ID1).

[0235] At S612, the UE receives data associated with the MBS session. The session may be a multicast MBS session in some examples. The session may be a broadcast MBS session in some other examples. When the session is a broadcast MBS session, data for the session will be received via broadcast within an MBS service area.

[0236] FIG. 7 shows a fourth example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities.

[0237] At S701, an AF requests establishment (or creation) of an MBS session. The MBS session is associated with a service class. Said another way, the MBS session is within a service class.

[0238] The creation of the MBS session includes the AF providing a request to an NEF, wherein the request comprises at least one of the following: an MBS session ID (also referred to as an ‘ID associated with the MBS session’), a service class, or service information. The request also includes at least one PLMN ID that the service should be available in. In this example, the MBS session is to be available in PLMN A. The request may comprise an indication of PLMN A ID, for the MBS session. The request may be an Nnef_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0239] In this example, the MBS session is for MBS session ID1 and includes the service class information and service information.

[0240] At S702, the NEF authorizes the AF to request for the establishment (or creation) of the MBS session. The NEF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The NEF usesthe service class, indicated by the AF, for this MBS session to register, at a server, information that is related to the MBS session that is included in the request.

[0241] The server may be implemented in hardware in some examples. In other examples, the server may be implemented in software, or with a combination of hardware and software. The server is able to store information related to MBS sessions.

[0242] At S703, the NEF provides the request (from the AF) with the information provided by AF in S401 to an MB-SMF. The request may be provided as a Nmbsmf_MBSSession_Create_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0243] At S704, the MB-SMF authorizes the AF to be able to create the MBS session. The MB-SMF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The MB-SMF causes the MBS session to be created. The MB-SMF may authorise creation of the MBS-session for the AF. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the received request. The MB-SMF may cause the MBS session to be created based on the information related to the MBS session in the received request. The MB-SMF uses the service class indicated by the AF for this MBS session to register the information related to the MBS session to the server.

[0244] The NEF and / or MBSF may comprise information related to permissions (or authorisations) for the AF, or may have access to the information related to permissions for the AF. For example, the information related to permissions for the AF may identify one or more PLMNs that the AF is authorised to request for MBS sessions in. The NEF and / or MBSF may use the information related to permissions for the AF to determine whether to authorise the AF to create the MBS session.

[0245] In the example of FIG. 7, both the NEF and MBSF perform an authorisation for the AF. In other examples, either the NEF or the MBSF performs the authorisation. For example, when the NEF performs an authorisation in S702, then the MBSF does not perform an authorisation as well, and vice versa.

[0246] At S705, the MB-SMF queries a domain name system (DNS) server to determine information related to the server, e.g. an IP address of the server. The MB-SMF may be configured with information about the discovery of the DNS server. The DNS server is configured to store identifying information for network functions, network entities, servers, etc. The server (or storage device) is configured to store information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN.

[0247] In this example, the server is associated with a first PLMN (‘PLMN A’), as well as one or more other PLMNs. PLMN A may be VPLMN in some examples. The server is able to store MBS session information for PLMN A, as well as for the one or more other PLMNs.

[0248] At S706, using the IP address of the server, the MB-SMF provides a request to the server for the created MBS session to be stored at the server. This request may be termed a ‘storage’ request. It should be understood that other suitable terms are used in other examples.

[0249] As the server is associated a plurality of PLMNs, the request identifies the relevant PLMN. In this example, as the MBS session is to be available for PLMN A, the request identifies PLMN A. The storage request comprises at least one of the following: an identity of the PLMN (e.g. PLMN A ID), the MBS session ID, the service class, or the service information.

[0250] At S707, the server performs an authorization check for the MB-SMF to store the MBS session information for PLMN A. When the authorisation check is successful, the server stores the information received. In other examples, the server may have pre-authorised the MB-SMF for PLMN A. In this example, the server will store the MBS session information for PLMN A when the server receives the storage request.

[0251] At S708, a UE has information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server. The information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server may be comprised in a configuration at the UE. The configuration may be a UE configuration that the UE preconfigured with. In other examples, the configuration is received by the UE. The UE is associated with PLMN A. In some examples, the UE is being served by PLMN A.

[0252] At S709, a user of the UE may request to determine available MBS sessions within a service class. For example, the user may request available MBS sessions with the service class of ‘television channels’.

[0253] At S710, in order to determine the available MBS session with the service class, the UE queries the DNS server to determine an IP address of the server. The IP address of the server is provided from the DNS server to the UE.

[0254] At S711, the UE provides, to the server, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN (e.g. PLMN A), wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. The UE provides the request using the IP address of the server. As the server is associated a plurality of PLMNs, the request may identify the relevant PLMN. In this example, as the UE is associated with PLMN A, the request identifies PLMN A. In some examples, the request comprises PLMN A ID. In other examples, the UE provides indications of a plurality of different service classes.

[0255] In this way, at S711, the UE queries the server to learn about MBS sessions of a specific service class.

[0256] At S712, the UE receives, from the server, information related to at least one MBS session that is available in PLMN A. The at least one MBS session is associated with the serviceclass. The information may comprise at least one of the following: ID of the MBS session, service information, session information, MBS session ID, an identity of PLMN A, a unified resource locator (URL).

[0257] At S713, when the information received from the server comprises an URL, the UE retrieves additional information from the URL regarding the MBS session.

[0258] At S714, when the information from the server indicates that there are a plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class that are available at the PLMN, the UE may select (or choose) a MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions. In other examples, a single MBS session is available and hence the UE does not select or choose an MBS session .

[0259] In some examples, the user of the UE will be offered the available MBS sessions to select (e.g. on a display of the UE).

[0260] At S715, when the session is a multicast MBS session, the UE provides a join request to the SMF to join the MBS session. The join request identifies the selected multicast MBS session. For example, the multicast MBS session is identified with a session ID (e.g. MBS session ID1).

[0261] At S716, the UE receives data associated with the MBS session. The session may be a multicast MBS session in some examples. The session may be a broadcast MBS session in some other examples. When the session is a broadcast MBS session, data for the session will be received via broadcast within an MBS service area.

[0262] FIG. 8 shows a fifth example procedure including signalling and operations performed by entities.

[0263] At S801, an AF provides a request for registration (e.g. a registration request) of an MBS session. The MBS session is associated with a service class.

[0264] The request is provided to an NEF, wherein the request comprises at least one of the following: an MBS session ID (also referred to as an ‘ID associated with the MBS session’), a service class, or service information. The request also includes at least one PLMN ID that the service should be available in. In this example, the MBS session is to be available in PLMN A and / or PLMN B. The request may comprise an indication of PLMN A ID and PLMN B ID, for the MBS session. The request may be an Nnef_MBSSession_Register_Request message, or any other suitable message.

[0265] In this example, the MBS session is for MBS session ID1 and includes the service class information and service information.

[0266] At S802, the NEF authorizes the AF to register the MBS session. The NEF may authorise the AF based on the received request. The NEF may authorise the AF based on the information related to the MBS session in the received request. The NEF may comprise information related to permissions (or authorisations) for the AF, or may have access to the information related to permissions for the AF. For example, the information related to permissions for the AF may identify one or more PLMNs that the AF is authorised to request for MBS sessions in. The NEF may use the information related to permissions for the AF to determine whether to authorise the AF to create the MBS session. The NEF uses the service class, indicated by the AF, for this MBS session to register, at a server, information that is related to the MBS session that is included in the request.

[0267] The server may be implemented in hardware in some examples. In other examples, the server may be implemented in software, or with a combination of hardware and software. The server is able to store information related to MBS sessions.

[0268] At S803, the NEF queries a domain name system (DNS) server to determine information related to the server, e.g. an IP address of the server. The NEF may be configured with information about the discovery of the DNS server. The DNS server is configured to store identifying information for network functions, network entities, servers, etc. The server (or storage device) is configured to store information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN.

[0269] In this example, the server is associated with a first PLMN (‘PLMN A’) and a second PLMN (‘PLMN B’). The server may also be associated with one or more other PLMNs. PLMN A and / or PLMN B may be VPLMN in some examples. The server is able to store MBS session information for PLMN A and PLMN B.

[0270] At S804, using the IP address of the server, the NEF provides a request to the server for the created MBS session to be stored at the server. This request may be termed a ‘storage’ request. It should be understood that other suitable terms are used in other examples.

[0271] As the server is associated a plurality of PLMNs, the request identifies the relevant PLMN(s) that the MBS session is to be registered as available for. In this example, as the MBS session is to be indicated as available for PLMN A and PLMN B, the request identifies PLMN A and PLMN B. The storage request comprises at least one of the following: an identity of the PLMNs (e.g. PLMN A ID and PLMN B ID), the MBS session ID, the service class, or the service information.

[0272] At S805, the server performs an authorization check for the NEF to store the MBS session information for PLMN A and PLMN B. When the authorisation check is successful,the server stores the information received. In other examples, the server may have preauthorised the NEF for PLMN A and / or PLMN B. In the case of pre-authorisation, the server will store the MBS session information for PLMN A and PLMN B when the server receives the storage request.

[0273] At S806, a UE has information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server. The information to be used for the discovery of the DNS server may be comprised in a configuration at the UE. The configuration may be a UE configuration that the UE preconfigured with. In other examples, the configuration is received by the UE. The UE is associated with PLMN A. In some examples, the UE is being served by PLMN A.

[0274] At S807, a user of the UE may request to determine available MBS sessions within a service class. For example, the user may request available MBS sessions with the service class of ‘television channels’.

[0275] At S8O8, in order to determine the available MBS session with the service class, the UE queries the DNS server to determine an IP address of the server. The IP address of the server is provided from the DNS server to the UE.

[0276] At S809, the UE provides, to the server, a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a PLMN (e.g. PLMN A), wherein the request includes an indication of a service class. The UE provides the request using the IP address of the server. As the server is associated a plurality of PLMNs, the request may identify the relevant PLMN. In this example, as the UE is associated with PLMN A, the request identifies PLMN A. In some examples, the request comprises PLMN A ID. In other examples, the UE provides indications of a plurality of different service classes.

[0277] In this way, at S809, the UE queries the server to learn about MBS sessions of a specific service class.

[0278] At S810, the UE receives, from the server, information related to at least one MBS session that is available in PLMN A. The at least one MBS session is associated with the service class. The information may comprise at least one of the following: ID of the MBS session, service information, session information, MBS session ID, an identity of PLMN A, a unified resource locator (URL).

[0279] When the UE provides indications for a plurality of different service classes, then the server provides information related to MBS sessions that are associated with the plurality of service classes.

[0280] At S811, when the information received from the server comprises an URL, the UE retrieves additional information from the URL regarding the MBS session.

[0281] At S812, when the information from the server indicates that there are a plurality of available MBS sessions associated with the service class that are available at the PLMN, the UE may select (or choose) a MBS session from the plurality of available MBS sessions. In other examples, a single MBS session is available and hence the UE does not select or choose an MBS session .

[0282] In some examples, the user of the UE will be offered the available MBS sessions to select (e.g. on a display of the UE).

[0283] At S813, when the session is a multicast MBS session, the UE provides a join request to the SMF to join the MBS session. The join request identifies the selected multicast MBS session. For example, the multicast MBS session is identified with a session ID (e.g. MBS session ID1).

[0284] At S814, the UE receives data associated with the MBS session. The session may be a multicast MBS session in some examples. The session may be a broadcast MBS session in some other examples. When the session is a broadcast MBS session, data for the session will be received via broadcast within an MBS service area.

[0285] In some examples, the above features of FIGS. 4 to 8 are applicable to roaming between standalone non-public networks (SNPNs). In this way, the public land mobile networks (PLMNs) discussed above could each be replaced by an SNPN.

[0286] In examples, each PLMN provides a server whereby UEs can discover the MBS sessions within a service class that are available in the respective PLMN. Alternatively, there is provided a central server for several PLMNs. This could be operated by GSMA in some examples.

[0287] A server may provide information about MBS sessions available per service class in the PLMN. The server can be queried by the UE or an NF acting on behalf of the UE with the service class as input parameter. The server provides information about all the registered MBS sessions within the service class. The information about an MBS session may comprise at least one of the following an MBS session identifier, further information about the MBS session (e.g. as included in service announcement in TS 23.247), a human readable description of the MBS session, or of an URL of a server (e.g. the AF) where additional information about the MBS session is available.

[0288] In examples whereby the server is serving multiple PLMNs (e.g. as shown in FIG. 8), the PLMN ID(s) of the PLMN(s) where the MBS session is available is also part of the information about the MBS session. A PLMN ID may be used together with the service class to query the server, e.g., the PLMN that the UE currently served by. The server may performan authentication check for the registration requests it receives. For example, by allowing registrations of MBS sessions in a given PLMN from that PLMN, or by allowing a PLMN to register services in a configured set of PLMNs (e.g., PLMNs with an operator group).

[0289] In examples, a UE (or the NF acting on behalf of UE) may be provided with the information whether an PLMN ID is needed to query the server. In other examples, the query comprises at least one PLMN ID.

[0290] When the information about the MBS session provided to the UE comprises an URL of a server where additional information about the session is available, the UE retrieves that additional information from the server.

[0291] In examples, an AF providing an MBS session can register the MBS service at the server via the NEF or MBSF (e.g. in case of external / untrusted AF). Alternatively, the AF registers the MBS session directly with the server (e.g. in the case of trusted AF). The AF provides the MBS service class for the MBS session, and the information about the MBS session, during registration of the MBS session (e.g., by including the MBS service class for the MBS session and the information about the MBS session in a request to register the MBS session provided by the AF to the server).

[0292] In examples, the AF registers multiple MBS sessions at the same time, with all the MBS sessions belonging to the same service class or each MBS session belonging to a different service class.

[0293] In examples, an NEF verifies that the AF is authorized to register an MBS session (or MBS sessions) based on, e.g. business agreements. Once authorised, the AF then registers information about the MBS session at the server. In some examples, an AF is operated by a third party rather than the PLMN operator. Entitlements related to the AF (operated by the third party) may be agreed upon between the third party and the PLMN operator via a business agreement / contract / rule(s) / etc.

[0294] In examples, the AF provides the service class information of specific MBS sessions or service information of specific service classes as part of the service operation to create the MBS session. The registration of the service class information of specific MBS sessions or service information of specific service classes at the server may then either be performed by an NEF, an MBSF, or by an MB-SMF.

[0295] In examples, the AF may update and / or deregister the service class information of an MBS session or service information of specific service classes for the server.

[0296] In examples, when the registration is performed as part of the service operation to create the MBS session (e.g. FIG. 6), the update and deregistration may be performed as partof the service operation to update and delete the MBS session, respectively. In this way, interactions with the server may also be handled by an NEF, an MBSF or an MB-SMF.

[0297] In examples, as part of an authorization check (of an AF), an NEF, an MBSF, or an MB-SMF may allow an AF to register MBS sessions in the PLMN whereby the NEF or the MB-SMF are located. Alternatively or additionally, by allowing the AF to register MBS sessions in a configured set of PLMNs (e.g. PLMNs with an operator group).

[0298] In examples, when an AF releases a MBS session, the AF requests the deregistration of the MBS session.

[0299] In examples, when a registration request of the AF is combined with the request to create an MBS session, and when the AF releases the MBS session, either an NEF and MBSF, or an MB-SMF handling the request to release the MBS session performs the deregistration of the MBS session at the server.

[0300] In examples, when the server is serving multiple PLMNs (e.g. a central server), the central server performs an authentication check for the registration requests to register MBS sessions the central server receives, for examples by allowing for registration of MBS sessions in a given PLMN from that PLMN, or by allowing a PLMN to register MBS sessions in a configured set of PLMNs (e.g. PLMNs with an operator group).

[0301] In examples, an AF registers an MBS sessions which is available in several PLMNs (e.g. as shown in FIG. 8) and indicates the PLMN IDs of those PLMNs in a registration request to register the MBS session. An NEF, MBSF, MB-SMF and / or server handling the registration request to register the MBS sessions determines whether the AF (or the NF acting on behalf of the AF) is authorized to register MBS sessions for the indicated PLMNs.

[0302] In examples, the functionality of the server (e.g., a database) is integrated into an MB- SMF (e.g. as shown in FIG. 5), for example in a PLMN where only a single MB-SMF is deployed.

[0303] In examples, in a deployment with multiple MB-SMFs, one MB-SMF or one MB- SMF set may be selected to act as server / database for MBS service classes. The selected MB- SMF(s) may then register at the NRF that they act as server / database for MBS service classes. If other NFs (including other MB-SMFs) need to register an MBS session, they discover the MB-SMF(s) serving as database, via the NRF.

[0304] In examples, a server is integrated into an MBSF, for example in a PLMN where a single MBSF is deployed. In other examples, in a 5GC comprising multiple MBSFs, one MBSF or one MBSF set may be selected to act as server database for MBS service classes. The selected MBSF(s) may then register at the NRF that they act as server / database for MBS serviceclasses. If other NFs (including other MBSFs) need to register an MBS session, they discover the MBSF(s) serving as server / database, via the NRF. The MBSF may then store information about the MBS session and service class when handling the creation of the MBS session.

[0305] In examples, a UE transmits a query about MBS sessions that are available per service class within protocol data unit (PDU) session related signalling to an SMF. The SMF then queries the server and forwards a response (from the server) to the UE.

[0306] In examples, a UE transmits a query about MBS sessions available per service class to an AMF. The query may be included in a registration request. The AMF then queries a server and forwards a response (from the server) to the UE in a registration accept message.

[0307] In examples, another NF (for example, an SMF or AMF) performs a query on behalf of a UE (e.g. as shown in FIG. 5), a server may be registered at an NRF and be detected by the other NF via an NRF query. In other examples, when the another NF performs the query on behalf of the UE, the UE may be configured with one or more URSP rules, with a DNN and network slice, which is used to access that the another NF.

[0308] In examples, a UE is configured with information related to discovering a server. For example, the information may comprise a name and / or IP address information for the server. The information may comprise information for different PLMNs. The UE may be preconfigured with the information. For example, the information may be pre-configured in a SIM-card. Alternatively, the UE may receive the information from the network.

[0309] In examples, a server may have a name that is similar in all PLMNs such as “mbsserviceinfo.<mnc>.<mcc>“, whereby <mnc> and <mcc> are the mobile network code and mobile country code of the PLMN, respectively. The MNC and MCC can be resolved into an IP address via DNS.

[0310] In examples, one or more URSP rules may be provided to UEs that include a DNN and an identifier of network slice which is to be used to access the server in the PLMN.

[0311] One or more of the examples above have the advantage that a UE is able to determine MBS sessions that are available in the PLMN within a service class. The UE is able query a server based on a service class. A service class may comprise different MBS sessions that are providing a similar application, e.g., different TV channels may be within the same service class provided via different MBS sessions of the same service class. An example use case is for a roaming UE. The roaming UE may be interested in MBS sessions of a service class that are available in a VPLMN, and so the UE is able to discover the sessions within the service class that are available in the VPLMN.

[0312] FIG. 9 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a user equipment, the apparatus is comprised in a user equipment, or the apparatus is a user equipment. The apparatus may comprise one of more means for performing the following features of FIG. 9. A non- limiting example of a means for performing the following features is: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the following features of FIG. 9.

[0313] In S901, the method comprises: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class.

[0314] In S903, the method comprises: receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0315] In S905, the method comprises: receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

[0316] FIG. 10 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a storage device, the apparatus is comprised in a storage device, or the apparatus is a storage. For example, the storage device may be a server. In some examples, the storage device may be a standalone entity. In other examples, the storage device may be integrated with a network function. The apparatus may comprise one of more means for performing the following features of FIG. 10. A non-limiting example of a means for performing the following features is: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the following features of FIG. 10.

[0317] In S1001, the method comprises: receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session. In SI 003, the method comprises: storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session. In S1005, the method comprises: receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class. In S1007, the method comprises: providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

[0318] FIG. 11 shows an example method flow performed by an apparatus. In examples, one of: the apparatus is for a network function, the apparatus is comprised in a network function, a network function is comprised in the apparatus, the apparatus provides a network function, or the apparatus is a network function. For example, the network function may be a MB-SMF, or NEF. In this way, in some examples, the network function may perform the method flow of FIG. 11.

[0319] In some examples, the apparatus may comprise one of more means for performing the following features of FIG. 11. A non-limiting example of a means for performing the following features is: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the following features of FIG. 11.

[0320] In SI 101, the method comprises: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session.

[0321] In SI 103, the method comprises: creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session.

[0322] In SI 105, the method comprises: authorising the application function to use the MBS session.

[0323] In SI 107, the method comprises: providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

[0324] FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 1200a (e.g. blu-ray, computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 1200b (e.g. flash memory, solid state memory, universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 1202 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of FIG. 9, FIG. 10 or FIG. 11.

[0325] It is noted 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. The examples may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects 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, althoughembodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0326] The examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures 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.

[0327] The term “non-transitory”, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. RAM vs ROM).

[0328] 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 of the elements.

[0329] 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 include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0330] As used herein, the term “means for”, or “means configured to perform” (or similar) may be any means that are suitable for performing the feature. The “means” may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. For example, the “means” may include one or more of: at least one processor, at least one memory,transceiver circuitry, antenna circuitry, etc. It should be understood that these are provided as non-limiting examples.

[0331] Alternatively, or additionally some examples may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in the base station and / or in the communications device.

[0332] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analogue and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as: (i) a combination of analogue and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as the communications device or base station to perform the various functions previously described; and (c) 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.

[0333] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term “means” in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example integrated device. 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 a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0334] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A user equipment comprising: means providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; means receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and means receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the request is: provided to a storage device associated with the public land mobile network, or provided to at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function of the public land mobile network, or a session management function of the public land mobile network.

3. The user equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

4. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: means for retrieving, when the information related to the MBS session comprises a uniform resource identifier, further information about the MBS session from the further storage device based on the uniform resource identifier.

5. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: means for receiving information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class; means for selecting an MBS session from the plurality of MBS sessions; and means for receiving data associated with the MBS session that has been selected.

6. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the MBS session is a multicast MBS session and wherein the means for receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information comprises: means for requesting to join the multicast MBS session based on the received information; and means for receiving the data associated with the multicast MBS session.

7. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the request comprises an identity of a public land mobile network, such that MBS sessions that are available at the public land mobile network, associated with the service class, and associated with the identity of the public land mobile network, are requested.

8. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the request is one of: comprised within protocol data unit, PDU, session related signalling to a session management function, a query, or a registration request.

9. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: means for receiving at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule including a data network name and an identifier of a network slice to be used to access a storage device in the public land mobile network, and wherein the means for providing the request comprises: means for providing the request to the storage device using a PDU session applying the received data network name and the received identifier of a network slice.

10. The user equipment according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the public land mobile network comprises a visited public land mobile network.

11. A storage device for at least one public land mobile network, the storage device comprising: means for receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; means for storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session; means for receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class;means for providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

13. The storage device according to claim 12, wherein the stored information provided comprises information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class.

14. The storage device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the information related to the MBS session is received from the application function either: directly, or via a network function.

15. The storage device according to any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: means for storing information about a plurality of MBS sessions for the service class; and means for providing information about all stored MBS sessions for the service class.

16. The storage device according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the information related to the MBS session that is received further includes an identity of a public land mobile network associated with the MBS session, wherein the request further includes an indication of a public land mobile network, and wherein the stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network that is provided is associated with the public land mobile network indicated in the request.

18. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; means for creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session; means for authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and means for providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: means for receiving a delete request related to the MBS session; and means for providing, to the storage device, information related to the deletion of the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session stored at the storage device is removed from storage.

20. A method of a user equipment, the method comprising: providing a request for information related to multicast / broadcast service, MBS, sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; receiving information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class; and receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the request is: provided to a storage device associated with the public land mobile network, or provided to at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function of the public land mobile network, or a session management function of the public land mobile network.

22. The method according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network comprises at least one of the following: an identifier for the MBS session, further information related to an MBS Service Announcement, a text description of the MBS session, or a uniform resource identifier of a further storage device whereby additional information about the MBS session is stored and available.

23. The method according to any of claims 20 to 22, further comprising: retrieving, when the information related to the MBS session comprises a uniform resource identifier, further information about the MBS session from the further storage device based on the uniform resource identifier.

24. The method according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the receiving further comprises:receiving information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class; selecting an MBS session from the plurality of MBS sessions; and receiving data associated with the MBS session that has been selected.

25. The method according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the MBS session is a multicast MBS session and wherein the receiving data associated with the MBS session based on the information comprises: requesting to join the multicast MBS session based on the received information; and receiving the data associated with the multicast MBS session.

26. The method according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the request comprises an identity of a public land mobile network, such that MBS sessions that are available at the public land mobile network, associated with the service class, and associated with the identity of the public land mobile network, are requested.

27. The method according to any of claims 20 to 26, wherein the request is one of: comprised within protocol data unit, PDU, session related signalling to a session management function, a query, or a registration request.

28. The method according to any of claims 20 to 27, further comprising: receiving at least one user equipment routing selection policy rule including a data network name and an identifier of a network slice to be used to access a storage device in the public land mobile network, and wherein the means for providing the request comprises: providing the request to the storage device using a PDU session applying the received data network name and the received identifier of a network slice.

29. The method according to any of claims 20 to 28, wherein the public land mobile network comprises a visited public land mobile network.

30. A method of a storage device for at least one public land mobile network comprising:receiving information related to a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; storing, for the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session; receiving a request for information related to MBS sessions that are available in a public land mobile network, the request including an indication of a service class; providing stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network, the MBS session being associated with the service class.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the stored information provided comprises information related to a plurality of MBS sessions that are available in the public land mobile network, each of the plurality of MBS sessions being associated with the service class.

32. The method according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the information related to the MBS session is received from the application function either: directly, or via a network function.

33. The method according to any of claims 30 to 32, further comprising: storing information about a plurality of MBS sessions for the service class; and providing information about all stored MBS sessions for the service class.

34. The method according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the information related to the MBS session that is received further includes an identity of a public land mobile network associated with the MBS session, wherein the request further includes an indication of a public land mobile network, and wherein the stored information related to an MBS session that is available in the public land mobile network that is provided is associated with the public land mobile network indicated in the request.

35. A method comprising: receiving, from an application function, a request for creating a multicast / broadcast service, MBS, session, the request comprising information related to the MBS session, the information related to the MBS session including a service class associated with the MBS session; creating the MBS session based on the information related to the MBS session;authorising the application function to use the MBS session; and providing, to a storage device, the information related to the MBS session so that the information related to the MBS session is stored at the storage device.

36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising: receiving a delete request related to the MBS session; and providing, to the storage device, information related to the deletion of the MBS session, so that the information related to the MBS session stored at the storage device is removed from storage.

37. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by a user equipment, the user equipment is caused to perform the method of any of claims 20 to 29.

38. A computer-readable medium instructions which, when executed by a user equipment, cause the user equipment to perform the method of any of claims 20 to 29.

39. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by a storage device, the storage device is caused to perform the method of any of claims 30 to 34.

40. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a storage device, cause the storage device to perform the method of any of claims 30 to 34.

41. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when the computer program is executed by an apparatus, the apparatus is caused to perform the method of any of claims 35 to 36.

42. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 35 to 36.

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