User equipment mobility handling in the presence of fixed wireless access cells

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for user equipment mobility handling in the presence of Fixed Wireless Access cells in a radio access network A user equipment (UE) identifies a target cell for cell reselection and determines whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE. The UE, based on determining it is a non-FWA UE, determines whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell, based on determining that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, the UE accesses (e.g., reselects to) the target cell, and based on determining that the target cell is a FWA cell, determines whether an override condition is met, and based on determining the override condition is met, the accesses the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, the UE identifies a new target cell. Otherwise, the UE, based on determining that it is a FWA UE, accesses the target cell.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT MOBILITY HANDLING IN THE PRESENCE OF FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS CELLSRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefits of priority of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2319086.1 , filed December 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates generally to registration to a radio access network , and in particular user equipment mobility handling in the presence of Fixed Wireless Access cells in a radio access network.BACKGROUND

[0003] Radio Access Networks (RANs), which are the portion of a mobile communication network that connect users to the core network, have been identified as consuming the most energy in the mobile communication network, consuming about 70-80% of the total energy consumed in the mobile communication network.

[0004] RANs also may include Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cells. Typically, UE that are served by FWA cells are FWA UE that are stationary, therefore in a FWA cell be switched off when there is low or zero load (e.g., because there is no stationary UE within the FWA cell).SUMMARY

[0005] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the detailed description, but not to define or delimit any invention.

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the subject matter described herein, there is provided a user equipment (UE) comprising: at least one processor: at least one memory storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor cause the UE to perform at least: identifying a target cell for cell reselection; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE; and based on determining that the UE is non-FWA UE, determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell: based on determining that the target cell is anon-FWA cell, accessing the target cell; based on determining that the target cell is a FWA cell, determining whether an override condition is met: based on determining the override condition is met, accessing the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, identifying a new target cell; and based on determining that the UE is FWA UE, accessing the target cell.

[0007] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the subscription information comprises a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE, and the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0008] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the subscription information comprises subscriber type associated with the UE, and the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0009] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0010] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the UE to receive, from a radio access network node, the override condition.

[0011] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the override condition comprises a time period in which the UE is allowed to access the target cell.

[0012] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the override condition comprises an indication that the UE is allowed to access the target cell when initiating an emergency call or an indication that the UE is allowed to access the target cell when the performing initial cell selection.

[0013] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the override condition is received in a broadcast message, a configuration, or the subscriber information.

[0014] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell is based on an indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell received from thetarget cell or at least one neighbouring cell of the target cell or a prior determination that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell.

[0015] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the indication is received from the target cell through a system information block.

[0016] In some or all examples of the first aspect, the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the at least one neighboring cell, that provides a reconfiguration for selection measurements for the UE, wherein the reconfiguration comprises at least one of a list identifying a plurality of FWA cells and a list identifying a plurality of non-FWA cells.

[0017] In some or all examples of the first aspect, based on determining that the target cell is the non-FWA cell and the UE is the non-FWA UE, and the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the UE to access the target cell.

[0018] In accordance with a second aspect of the subject matter described herein, there is provided a radio access network node comprising: at least one; at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the radio access network node to perform: receiving a handover request from a source radio access network node (RAN) for handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source cell provided by the source RAN node to a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell provided by the radio access network (RAN) node; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information included in the handover request; based on determining that UE is a FWA UE: allowing the UE to access the FWA cell; and sending a handover request acknowledgment message to the source RAN node; and based on determining that UE is a non-FWA UE: rejecting the handover request and sending a handover failure message to the source RAN node.

[0019] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the subscriber information for the UE comprises a subscriber identity associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0020] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the subscription information comprises a subscriber type associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0021] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the subscriber information for the UE comprises mobility state information indicative of a mobility state of the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0022] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the handover reject message comprises an indication that indicates the RAN node only allows FWA-UEs.

[0023] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform sending a broadcast message that includes an indication that indicates the RAN node is a FWA RAN node.

[0024] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the RAN node is in an energy management state when the handover request is received, and the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform maintaining the RAN node in the energy management state after sending the handover failure message.

[0025] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the FWA cell provided by the RAN node has one or more frequency bands that are also provided by at least one non-FWA RAN node.

[0026] In some or all examples of the second aspect, the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the radio access network node to perform: receive from the UE, an indication that an override condition has been met by the UE; and allowing the UE to access the FWA cell.

[0027] In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: identifying a target cell for cell reselection; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non- FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE;and based on determining that the UE is non-FWA UE, determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell: based on determining that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, accessing the target cell; based on determining that the target cell is a FWA cell, determining whether an override condition is met: based on determining the override condition is met, accessing the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, identifying a new target cell; and based on determining that the UE is FWA UE, accessing the target cell.

[0028] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the subscription information comprises a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE, and the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0029] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the subscription information comprises subscriber type associated with the UE, and the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0030] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0031] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the instructions when executed by the at least one processor cause the UE to receive, from a radio access network node, the override condition.

[0032] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the override condition comprises a time period in which the UE is allowed to access the target cell.

[0033] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the override condition comprises an indication that the UE is allowed to access the target cell when initiating an emergency call or an indication that the UE is allowed to access the target cell when the performing initial cell selection.

[0034] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the override condition is received in a broadcast message, a configuration, or the subscriber information.

[0035] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell is based on an indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell received from the target cell or at least one neighbouring cell of the target cell or a prior determination that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell.

[0036] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the indication is received from the target cell through a system information block.

[0037] In some or all examples of the third aspect, the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the at least one neighboring cell, that provides a reconfiguration for selection measurements for the UE, wherein the reconfiguration comprises at least one of a list identifying a plurality of FWA cells and a list identifying a plurality of non-FWA cells.

[0038] In some or all examples of the third aspect, based on determining that the target cell is the non-FWA cell and the UE is the non-FWA UE, and the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the UE to access the target cell.

[0039] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the subject matter described herein, there is provided a method performed by a radio access network node, the method comprising: receiving a handover request from a source radio access network node (RAN) for handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source cell provided by the source RAN node to a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell provided by the radio access network (RAN) node; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non- FWA UE based on subscriber information included in the handover request; based on determining that UE is a FWA UE: allowing the UE to access the FWA cell; and sending a handover request acknowledgment message to the source RAN node; and based on determining that UE is a non-FWA UE: rejecting the handover request and sending a handover failure message to the source RAN node.

[0040] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the subscriber information for the UE comprises a subscriber identity associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on thesubscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0041] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the subscription information comprises a subscriber type associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0042] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the subscriber information for the UE comprises mobility state information indicative of a mobility state of the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0043] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the handover reject message comprises an indication that indicates the RAN node only allows FWA-UEs.

[0044] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform sending a broadcast message that includes an indication that indicates the RAN node is a FWA RAN node.

[0045] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the RAN node is operating in an energy management state when the handover request is received, and the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform maintaining the RAN node in the energy management state after sending the handover failure message.

[0046] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the FWA cell provided by the RAN node has one or more frequency bands that are also provided by at least one non-FWA RAN node.

[0047] In some or all examples of the fourth aspect, the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the radio access network node to perform: receive from the UE, an indication that an override condition has been met by the UE; and allowing the UE to access the FWA cell.

[0048] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions. Thecomputer-executable instructions, when executed by at least one processor of a computing device., cause the computing device to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0049] According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program storing computer-executable instructions. The computer program, when executed by at least one processor of a computing device., cause the computing device to perform any of the methods described herein,BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and systems of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:FIG. 1 is an exemplary radio access network including Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cells and User Equipment (UE) in accordance with at least some embodiments;FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer in accordance with at least some embodiments;FIG. 3 illustrates an example method in accordance with at least some embodiments; andFIG. 4 illustrates another example method in accordance with at least some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Various techniques for reducing the energy consumption of RANs have been proposed, including adaptations to techniques for transmissions and / or receptions of radio signals in time, frequency, spatial and power domains. Reductions in energy consumption may also be achievable with potential support from a User Equipment (UE), UE assistance information, and information exchange or coordination over network interfaces. For instance, the UE may provide feedback that allows the RAN to determine how to adapt, for example, in determining spatial and power domainsettings. In some cases, RAN nodes of RANs (or portions thereof) can operate in a sleep mode when their load is low or zero.

[0052] Radio Access Networks (RANs) that make use of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) may also employ energy saving techniques (e.g., techniques to reduce the energy consumed such RANs). In a RAN that makes use of FWA, the RAN node (e.g., base station) that serves User Equipment (UE) is connected to, or part of, a fixed network, and the RAN includes one or more FWA cells with designated coverage areas. FWA UEs are UE that are served by an FWA cell and generally remain in a fixed location. The FWA cell can therefore turn off the entire beam / cell when there is low or zero load as no new UE are likely to move in or out of the FWA call.

[0053] Mobile UEs are preferably served by non-FWA cells that provide basic “underlay” coverage in a radio access network of a certain area, however under some load conditions mobile UEs may be allowed to access FWA cells.

[0054] As an example, in North American some operators use the 3.5Ghz (in Canada) and 3.7Ghz (CBRS spectrum in the United States) spectrum for FWA cells as well as other frequencies such as 1.7 and 2.1 Ghz used by operators in Canada and 2.5 GHz used by some operators in the U.S. These are mid-band frequencies used for 5G. The mid-band frequencies are used to provide basic coverage in a large area, e.g., to support moving UEs and camping UEs. The mid-band frequencies usually have limited capacity due to applying low-frequency carriers with good radio propagation properties, but narrow bandwidths. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) may take advantage of underlay coverage or the availability of neighbouring cells on different frequencies to handoff mobile UEs from heavily loaded cells to less loaded cells, in a process called mobility handling and load balancing.

[0055] FWA cells can be used to provide mobile broadband service to home internet users using 5G radio access technology. CSPs generally attempt to keep only FWA users or home internet users (FWA UE) in the FWA cells by using mobility handling and load balancing to transfer devices from an FWA cell to a neighbouring or overlapping cell that is not dedicated to FWA. All mobile users such as mobile UE,smartphones, mobile phones are handed over to the coverage cells so that the FWA UE in the FWA cells are not impacted, as the CSPs provide a guaranteed plan with specific upload and download (UL and DL) speeds to FWA subscribers.

[0056] A radio access network node (e.g., a base station) of a RAN can enter an energy saving state, e.g., a sleep state when RAN node is not transmitting and / or receiving radio signals. As per 3GPP Technical Report TR 38.864 (version - 18.0.0, section - 5), a sleep state of a RAN node (e.g., a base station) may comprise:• micro sleep state. When in a micro sleep state, a RAN node allows micro discontinuous Transmissions (DTx), which involves the RAN node shutting down its power amplifier on a per-OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) symbol basis in symbols that do not carry data nor signalling; and• light sleep state and deep sleep state. When in a light or deep sleep state, the RAN node shuts down (e.g., turn off) some of its components, such as a radio unit of the RAN node, for several milliseconds or seconds.

[0057] For cell reselection, UEs evaluate the radio signal strength in serving cell and the target cell as per 3GPP Technical Specification TS 38.304 (version - 17.6.0, section - 5.2.4.3). A UE may also determine its mobility state based on the number of cell reselections performed during a defined time period. TS 38.304 (version - 17.6.0, sections - 5.2.4.9.1 , 5.2.4.9.3) defines how a UE can estimate their mobility state when the UE is not stationary, which is only defined for UEs that are reduced capacity UEs. Examples of reduced capacity UEs include traffic cameras, parking meters, home appliances, and wearables. Furthermore, TS 38.331 (version 17.6.0) and TS 38.304 (version 17.6.0) define priorities for cell reselection based on the frequency layer in System Information Blocks 2, 4, and 5 (SIBs 2, 4, 5).

[0058] Currently, both FWA cells and non-FWA cells may utilize the same spectrum, i.e., same frequency layer, and therefore when a mobile UE performs cell reselection based on frequency priorities, the mobile UE will be able to select a FWA cell and camp on FWA cells. If a mobile UE performs cell reselection and camps on a FWA cell, a CSP which has configured handover thresholds of the FWA cell in such a way so as to move the mobile UE out of the FWA cell by way of a handover,which requires additional control plane signaling to be sent between UE and the FWA cell. In some cases, it would be preferable to prevent a mobile UE from selecting and camping on a FWA cell when both FWA cells and non-FWA cells utilize the same frequency layer (e.g., carrier), for example to prevent congestion in the FWA cell when non-FWA UEs are connecting to the FWA cell. User equipment mobility handling, which includes the ability of a UE to determine if it is permitted to access a particular cell, and the ability of a cell to determine if it should permit or bar access to a particular UE attempting to access the cell, is one approach for addressing the described issues.

[0059] The described embodiments provide for a mobile UE that is configured to evaluate an FWA cell for cell selection or cell reselection. The mobile UE can be configured to avoid impact on a service provided by a FWA cell to FWA UEs, and to avoid either interrupting FWA cell when operating a sleep state or preventing the FWA cell from entering a sleep state. In some cases, a mobile UE may attempt to distinguish between an FWA cell and a non-FWA cell utilizing the same spectrum frequency layer (e.g., carrier), such that only FWA UEs select or reselect an FWA cell, with certain exceptions.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 1 , an example RAN in accordance with at least some embodiments is shown. RAN 100 includes a radio access network (RAN) node 105 servicing (e.g., providing) a cell 110, which may be considered to provide underlay coverage for non-FWA UEs and FWA UEs, and two RAN nodes 125 and 125’, each servicing (e.g., providing) FWA cells 120 and 120’, respectively. Located with the FWA cells 120 and 120’ are several FWA UE 130 and 130’ respectively, and several non-FWA UE 140.

[0061] The RAN nodes 105, 125 and 125’ communicate with a FWA UE 130, 130’ and a non-FWA UE 140 via wireless communication. Colloquially, a UE (e.g., a FWA UE 130, 130’ or a non-FWA UE 140) may be referred to as communicating with the “cell,” or vice versa, which means that the UE is communicating with the RAN node, or a component thereof, servicing (e.g., providing) the cell. A UE may be FWA- eligible, meaning that it can be a FWA UE (e.g., FWA UE 130) which is generally stationary (e.g., a router, such as a WiFi™ router, a desktop computer, appliancesin a home or work environment, or fixed sensors) or it may be a non-FWA (e.g., non- FWA UE 140) that is allowed to access (or permitted to access) a FWA cell. In 5G RANs (e.g., RAN operating in accordance with 5thgeneration radio access technology), the RAN nodes may be provided in a variety of ways, and need not be co-located with the cell towers. Parts of a RAN node may even be remote from the cell coverage area itself. For example, one type of 5G RAN node may include a central unit (CU) and one or more distributed units (DU). The DUs may be located at a specific physical site (e.g., within a cell), and are controlled by the CU. A CU, however, can be located with the DU or somewhere closer to a core network, such as a data centre providing a cloud native core network.

[0062] A non-FWA UE (e.g., non-FWA 140) may be a wireless communication device that is portable or moves, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or any other communication device capable of wireless communications, including radio communications and that is mobile (e.g., does not remain stationary over time).

[0063] Non-FWA UEs, including non-FWA UE 140, are typically served by the RAN node 105 servicing (e.g., providing) the non-FWA coverage cell 110, which may be a cell providing underlay coverage that encompasses FWA cells 120 and 120’. Moreover, a non-FWA UE 140 may move into and out of the FWA cells 120 and 120’ as the non-FWA UE 140 moves. The non-FWA UE 140 may therefore attempt reselection of the FWA cells 120 or 120’ of the RAN node 125 or 125’. For the purposes of the present disclosure, RAN nodes 125, 125’ are referred to as FWA RAN nodes 125, 125’ and RAN node 105 is referred as a non-FWA RAN node 105.

[0064] A UE may determine whether that it is a FWA UE or a non-FWA based on the UE’s subscriber information for a UE (e.g., subscriber information associated with the UE) or the UE’s mobility state. A UE may determine whether it is FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscription information associated with the UE. The subscription information associated with a UE may include a subscription type associated with the UE. The subscription type associated with of the UE can indicate the UE is a FWA UE, a mobile broadband (e.g., smartphone) UE, or an Internet of Things UE, and the UE determines it is a FWA-UE when the subscription typeassociated with of the UE indicates the UE is a FWA UE. In an alternative example, the subscription information may include a subscription profile identity (ID). The subscription profile ID includes an indication (e.g., flag or bit) that indicates the UE is a FWA UE, a mobile broadband (e.g., smartphone) UE, or an Internet of Things UE, and thus the UE may determine it is a FWA-UE when the subscription profile ID associated with the UE indicates the UE is a FWA UE. Otherwise, the UE may determine it is a non-FWA UE.

[0065] The UE may also determine whether that it is a FWA UE or a non-FWA based on a mobility state of the UE. The mobility state of the UE determines based on measurements of radio signals received from one or more cells in the range of the UE, a number of cell reselections performed during a defined time period, or measurements provided by a gyroscope or accelerometer of the UE. The mobility state of the UE may be stationary, FWA, or mobile. Hence, a UE may determine that it is a FWA UE when the mobility state is FWA and the UE may determine that is a non-FWA UE when the mobility state is mobile. In some embodiments, a UE’s subscription information may include mobility state information indicative of the mobility state of the UE.

[0066] A UE that determines it is a non-FWA UE 140 may identify a candidate target cell. A candidate target cell is a cell the UE is capable of detecting based on radio measurements, which are made based reference signals received from the cell. A UE may perform radio measurements based on a configuration for the UE included in the subscriber information in a UE SIM (a SIM of the UE), and / or based on a configuration for the UE received from other cells. For example, a configuration for the UE may include information that indicates the UE shall attempt to measure reference signals in a certain frequency band. A candidate target cell may be a target cell for cell reselection and / or cell selection if the radio measurements in terms of reference signal received power and / or reference signal received quality exceeds a threshold included in the configuration for the UE.

[0067] A UE that determines it is a non-FWA UE 140 may determine whether a candidate target cell (e.g., a candidate cell that is a target for cell reselection and / or cell selection) is a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110 in several differentways. A non-FWA UE 140 may receive an indication that the candidate target cell is a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110. The indication that the candidate target cell is a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110 may be provided by the candidate target cell in a SIB, for example SIB1 sent by the candidate target cell. The indication that the candidate target cell is a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110 may be provided by one or more neighbouring cells of the candidate target cell, which provide a configuration to the UE that includes reselection measurements. For example, the reselection measurements are based on a priority per frequency layer and a received power of a reference signal, e.g., signal strength of a received radio signal, threshold. The source cell where the non-FWA UE 140 is camping may provide the configuration. The configuration may include the frequency layer priority and reference signal receive power (RSRP) thresholds for cells and frequency layers. The non-FWA UE 140 may be required to measure and evaluate frequency layers with equal or higher priority than the frequency layer of the cell, where a non-FWA UE 140 is currently camping. Furthermore, the non-FWA UE 140 may be required to measure and evaluate a signal strength of a radio signal provided by the current cell and reselect to another cell if the another cell provides a radio signal that has a higher signal strength or quality (i.e. signal strength relative to interference). The configuration may also include at least one of a list of “FWA cells” and a list of “non FWA cells” based on an identifier of Physical Cell ID. In some cases, the list of FWA cells may comprise only one identifier of a FWA cell and the list of non FWA cells may comprise only one identifier of a non-FWA cell or the list of FWA cells or the list of non FWA cells may comprise no identifier at all (i.e., the list is empty). The non-FWA UE 140 may not receive a mobility related system information block, for example, SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4 which define intra- and interfrequency cell reselection parameters, and the absence of receiving a mobility related system information block indicates to the non-FWA 140 that the candidate target cell is a FWA cell 120, 120’. The non-FWA UE 140 may determine whether the target cell is a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110 from previously acquired knowledge such as from a past tentative connection to the same target cell.

[0068] In one example, a non-FWA UE 140 may be initially served by the non-FWA cell 110 and the non-FWA UE 140 may move into range of the FWA cell 120. Thenon-FWA UE 140 identifies the target cell, e.g., identifies the FWA cell 120 as a candidate for cell reselection and determines whether the target cell is an FWA cell or a non-FWA cell. Generally, FWA UEs 130 are allowed to access FWA cells 120, 120’, while the non-FWA UEs 140 are not allowed to access FWA cells 120, 120’, except under certain override conditions described further herein. Conversely, both FWA UEs 130 and the non-FWA UEs 140 are generally allowed to access non-FWA cell 110, which provides underlay coverage as described above. The non-FWA UEs 140 are preferably served by the non-FWA cell 110 which provides basic coverage.

[0069] There may be some override conditions in which the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may allow a non-FWA UE 140 to access the FWA cell 120,120’. The override conditions may comprise a time period in which a non-FWA UE 140 is allowed to access the FWA cell 120,120’, an indication that indicates that a non- FWA UE 140 is allowed to access the FWA cell 120,120’ when the non-FWA UE 140 has initiated an emergency call, and / or an indication that indicates that a non- FWA UE 140 is allowed to access the FWA cell 120,120’ when the UE (e.g., the non-FWA UE 140) is initiating initial cell selection.

[0070] The FWA RAN node 125,125’ may provide (e.g., send) to non-FWA UEs one or more of the override conditions by including the one or more override conditions by broadcasting a message (e.g., a broadcast message) that includes the override condition to UEs in a coverage area of the FWA RAN node 125, 125’. A non-FWA UE 140 located in a coverage area of the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may receive the message (e.g., the broadcast message) that includes the one or more override conditions, receives the message (e.g., the broadcast message), and accesses the FWA cell 120,120’ when it determines that at least one of one of the override conditions has been met.

[0071] In some embodiments, the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may provide (e.g., send) to non-FWA UEs one or more of the override conditions by sending a configuration for non-FWA UEs 140 that includes the one or more override conditions. A non- FWA UE 140, when located in a coverage area of the FWA RAN node 125,125’, receives the configuration for non-FWA UEs140, and accesses the FWA cell120,120’ when it determines that at least one of one of the override conditions has been met.

[0072] In some embodiments, the one or more override conditions may be included in the subscription information associated with UE that is for example, stored in a SIM card of the UE. A non-FWA UE 140, when located in a coverage area of the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may access the FWA cell 120,120’ when it determines that at least one of one of the override conditions has been met.

[0073] Hence, a non-FWA UE 140 that has been provided with one or more override conditions is able to access the FWA cell 120,120’ when the no-FWA UE 140) determines that at least one of the one or more override conditions has been met. As noted above, an override condition may comprise a time period during which non-FWA UEs may access the FWA cell 120, 120’, an indication that non-FWAs UEs may access the FWA cell 120, 120’ when initiating an emergency call or during an emergency call, or an indication that non-FWAs UEs may access the FWA cell 120, 120’ when performing initial cell selection (e.g., when the non-FWA UE 140 is not camped on any cell (e.g., has just powered on) and is performing a cell search for the first time). Hence, a non-FWA UE 140 that has been provided with the one or more override conditions may access the FWA cell 120,120’, for example, during the time period comprised in the override condition provided by the FWA cell 120, 120’, when initiating an emergency call or during an emergency call, or when performing initial cell selection (e.g., when the non-FWA UE 140 is not camped on any cell (e.g., has just powered on) and is performing a cell search for the first time).

[0074] When a UE moves into range of the FWA cell 120,120’ (e.g., moves into a coverage area of the FWA cell 120, 120’, a handover request may be sent by the RAN node 105 (e.g., a source RAN node) for the UE to the FWA RAN node 125,125’ (e.g., a target RAN node). The FWA RAN node 125, 125’ receives the handover request from the source RAN node and determines whether the UE is a FWA UE 130,130’ or a non-FWA UE 140 from subscriber information for the UE included in the handover request. The subscription information for the UE included in the handover request may include a subscription type associated with the UE, asubscriber identity associated with the UE or mobility state information indicative of a mobility state of the UE.

[0075] If the FWA RAN node 125, 125’determines that the UE is a FWA-UE 130 based on the subscription information for the UE, the FWA RAN node 125, 125’ allows the UE, which is a FWA-UE 140, access to the FWA cell 120,120’ and sends a handover request acknowledgment message to the RAN node 105. The handover request acknowledgement message indicates to the source RAN node 105 that handover was successful.

[0076] If the FWA RAN node 125, 125’ determines that the UE is a non-FWA UE 140 based on the subscription information for the UE, the FWA RAN node 125, 125’ bars the UE, which is a non-FWA-UE 140, from accessing the FWA cell 120,120’ and sends a handover request failure message to the RAN node 105. The handover request failure message indicates to the source RAN node 105 that handover failed. In some embodiments, the handover request failure message includes a cause code indicating that only FWA-UEs 130 are allowed to access the FWA cell 120, 120’.

[0077] A UE (e.g., a non-FWA UE 140) may be initially served by the non- FWA cell 110, with the RAN node 105 servicing (e.g., providing) the non-FWA cell 110, and may come into range of the FWA cell 120. The FWA RAN node 125 servicing the FWA cell 120 receives the handover request from RAN node 105. Since the subscription information included in the handover request indicates the UE is a non-FWA UE 140, the FWA RAN node 125 rejects the UE’s attempt to access the FWA cell 120 unless certain exceptions apply (e.g., the FWA RAN node 125 receives, from the non-FWA UE 140, an indication that at least one of one or more override conditions has been met by the non-FWA UE 140). Although in this example the UE communicates with the FWA cell 120, in some cases the UE may communicate with the FWA cell 120’ and the same operations described in relation to FWA 120 be performed by FWA cell 120’. In some cases, the target cell may be another non-FWA cell and if the UE is a non-FWA UE 140, the RAN node servicing (e.g., providing) the non-FWA cell may allow the UE (which is a non-FWA UE 140) to access the non-FWA cell.

[0078] The FWA RAN node 125,125’ prioritizes FWA UEs by allowing only FWA UEs access to FWA cells 120,120’ and / or by allowing FWA UEs and non-FWA UEs that meet an override condition to access FWA cells 120,120’. The FWA RAN node 125, 125’ may provide an indication that the FWA RAN node 125, 125 prioritizes FWA UEs (e.g., only allows access FWA UEs and / or by allowing FWA UEs and non- FWA UEs that meet an override condition) to access FWA cells 120, 120. The indication that the FWA cell 120,120’ prioritizes FWA UEs may be included in a SIB. The SIB is broadcast (e.g., included in a message transmitted) by a RAN node (e.g., the FWA RAN node 125, 125’) to the UEs and the SIB may include one or more information elements (IE) or fields indicative that the FWA cell 120,120’ prioritizes FWA UEs.

[0079] There may be some override conditions in which the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may be allowed the mobile UE 140 to access the FWA cell 120,120’. For example, a configuration may be obtained from a broadcast message or the non- FWA UE 140 may be a pre-configured with a configuration that includes an indication that indicates that the non-FWA UE 140 can attempt to access the FWA cell 120,120’. The FWA RAN node 125,125’ may include a time period during which the mobile UE 140 may access the FWA cell 120,120’. In the event of an emergency condition, such as an emergency 911 call, the mobile UE 140 may be allowed to access the FWA cell 120,120’. Alternatively, or in addition, the mobile UE 140 may have a subscription information that indicates that the non-FWA UE 140 is allowed to access to the FWA cell 120,120’, which is part of the handover request information.

[0080] The FWA RAN node 125,125’ may send a SIB to the non-FWA UE 140 that includes an indication that indicates that the FWA RAN node 125,125’ is servicing (e.g., providing) a FWA cell 120,120’. The non-FWA UE 140 can then determine that the target cell is for FWA UE 130, 130’ and the non-FWA UE 140 will not access or attempt to access the target cell. The FWA RAN node 125, 125’ may send a SIB, for example, SIB1 , containing or comprising a new IE in SIB1 . One example of such an IE may have the label Non-FWABarred, defined as:Non-FWABarred- ENUMERATED {barred, notBarred} OPTIONAL, - Need S

[0081] Absence of SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4 may be an indication to a UE that a RAN node is a FWA RAN node (e.g., FWA RAN node 125, 125’). The FWA RAN node 125,125’ may not need to transmit SIB2, SIB3, and SIB 4 because a FWA UE 130,130’ does not need to perform cell reselection. A UE can therefore determine that the target cell is for a FWA UE 130,130’ only based on the absence of SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4. For example, SIB1 does not include scheduling of SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4 in an information element used to define scheduling of system information blocks (e.g., Sl-Schedulinglnfo).

[0082] The FWA RAN node 125,125’ can set a field and / or a flag of a scheduling IE which defines scheduling of SIBs to indicate whether SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4 are broadcast or not. For example, the field and / or flag (e.g., si-BroadcastStatus) of the scheduling IE (e.g., Sl-Schedulinglnfo) for SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4 can be set to “notBroadcasting” and then allow non-FWA UEs 140 to request the SIBs via an on- demand procedure, i.e. per UE-specific request, for example based on a configuration of the request according to an information element provided in SIB (e.g., SI-RequestConfig). This allows non-FWA UEs 140 to power on inside the FWA cell 120,120’ to obtain a configuration that indicates how reselection measurements are made by the non-FWA UE as the UE non-FWA move out of the FWA cell 120,120’. A non-FWA UE 140 may determine the target cell is not suitable for camping based on the absence of SIB2, SIB3 and SIB4 and continue with initial cell selection instead to select the non-FWA cell 110.

[0083] Some elements of FWA RAN node 125 or 125’ (providing the FWA cell 120 or 120’) - such as a DU of a RAN node (otherwise referred to as a RAN node DU) - may be in an energy saving state, or sleep state, when the handover request is received. The FWA RAN node 125, 125’ having determined that a UE is a non-FWA UE 140, notifies the source RAN node that the UE (which is a non-FWA UE140) is barred from accessing the FWA RAN node 125, 125’. The FWA RAN node 125,125’ then operates in the energy saving state. The FWA RAN node 125,125’ provides a cell serving one or more frequency bands that is also served by at least one additional non-FWA cell 110.

[0084] The preceding example refers to discrete RAN nodes 125, 125’ and 105, however in some embodiments, RAN nodes may be combined. For example, RAN nodes 125, 125’ and / or 105 may be provided by separate Dlls, each controlled by a single CU. Various other combinations are also possible, due to the flexibility and distributed nature of 5G RANs.

[0085] It is noted that the description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell may perform the functions. The cell comprises a coverage area of a RAN node (e.g., base station). The cell may be associated with a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, may and cover a 360-degree area so that a single RAN node's (e.g., base station’s) coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. The cell may also be associated with multiple carriers.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified block diagram of a RAN node in accordance with at least some embodiments is shown. RAN node 200 is a simplified example of the RAN node 105 and FWA RAN node 125,125’ of FIG. 1. RAN node 200 generally has at least one processor 202 operatively coupled to at least one memory 204 and at least one input / output device 206.

[0087] The at least one memory 204 includes a volatile memory that stores instructions to be executed or executable by processor 202, and input and output data used or generated during execution of the instructions. Memory 204 may also include non-volatile memory used to store input and / or output data along with program code containing the instructions.

[0088] The RAN node 200 may transmit or receive radio signals containing signalling or data via the input / output device 206 that includes a transceiver and one or more antennas (e.g., one or more antennas of an antenna array) to a user equipment, such as the non-FWA UE 140 and / or a FWA UE 130, 130’, The RAN node 200 may also transmit or receive data via another input / output device 206 such as a network interface as appropriate.

[0089] The RAN node 200 may be provided in a variety of ways. Some entities or components of the RAN node 200 may not be co-located with the antenna array or may be remote from antenna array. The RAN node 200 may be provided with a CUand one or more DU. The DUs may be located within a cell and be controlled by the CU. The CU may be located with the DU or located in, for example, a data centre providing a cloud native core network.

[0090] An exemplary method 300 performed by a UE is shown in FIG. 3. The UE may be a FWA UE 130, 130’, or a non-FWA UE 140. The exemplary method 300 begins at 302. At 302 the UE identifies a target cell for cell reselection. The UE may identify a target cell based on the UE receiving reference signals of cells or synchronization signal block broadcast by all cells. The synchronization signal block, and other reference signals, may provide information, such as a cell identifier, which allows the UE to identify the cell. A cell is considered a target cell when it is operating on a frequency layer defined by the cell reselection configuration and provides a radio signal strength exceeding a threshold configured in the cell reselection configuration. For example, the target cell may be the FWA cell 120, and the UE may already be serviced by a source cell, such as the non-FWA cell 110.

[0091] At 304 the UE determines whether it is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE (e.g., UE subscription information) or a mobility state of the UE. In some embodiments, the subscriber information for the UE may include a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE and the UE determines it is a FWA UE when the subscription identify associated with the UE includes an indication that the UE is the UE is a FWA UE, and determines it a non-FWA UE when the subscription identify associated with the UE includes an indication that the UE is a mobile broadband (e.g., smartphone) UE, or an Internet of Things UE.

[0092] In some embodiments, the subscription information may include a subscriber type associated with the UE and the UE determines it is a FWA UE when the subscription type associated with the UE includes an indication that the UE is the UE is a FWA UE determines it a non-FWA UE when the subscription type associated with the UE includes an indication that the UE is a mobile broadband (e.g., smartphone) UE, or an Internet of Things UE.

[0093] The mobility state of the UE is one of stationary, FWA, and mobile. In some embodiments, the UE determines that it is a FWA access UE when the mobility state is FWA, and a non-FWA UE when the mobility state is mobile. As noted above, themobility state of the UE may be determined based on measurements of radio signals received from one or more cells, a number of cell reselections, or measurements received from a gyroscope or an accelerometer of the UE 140). The mobility state may also be provided in the subscriber information associated with the UE.

[0094] If at 304 the UE determines that it is an FWA UE, the method proceeds to 306. At 306, UE, which is a FWA UE, accesses (e.g., reselects to) the target cell. In this case, the target cell may be a FWA cell 120, 120’ or a non-FWA cell 110.

[0095] If at 304 the UE determines that it is a non-FWA UE (e.g., is a mobile UE), then the method proceeds to 308. At 308, UE determines whether the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell. In some aspects, the UE determines whether the target cell is the FWA cell or the non-FWA cell based on an indication that indicates the target cell is a FWA cell or non-FWA cell. The UE may receive the indication that indicates the target cell is a FWA cell or non-FWA cell from the target cell through a SIB (e.g., SIB1 ). The UE may receive the indication that indicates the target cell is a FWA cell or non-FWA cell from neighbouring RAN nodes, which configure the UE with measurements for cell reselection may a list of physical cell identifiers of cell (physical cell IDs) that are FWA cells and a list of physical cell identifiers of cells (physical cell IDs) that are non-FWA cells. The Physical Cell ID of a cell is used identify the cell as a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell during a cell selection. In some aspects, the UE determines whether the target cell is the FWA cell or the non-FWA cell based on previously acquired knowledge from past tentative attempts to access the target cell, target cell which may be based on the absence of SIB2, SIB3, and SIB4.

[0096] If at 308 the UE (which has determined that it is a non-FWA UE at 304), determines that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, the method proceeds to 306. At 306, the UE accesses (e.g., reselects to) the target cell (which is a non-FWA cell).

[0097] If at 308, the UE (which has determined that it is a non-FWA UE at 304), determines that the target cell is a FWA cell, the method proceeds to 310. At 310, the UE determines whether an override condition that allows the UE to access (e.g., reselect to) the target cell (which is a FWA cell). If, at 310 the UE determines that an override condition that allows the UE to access (e.g., reselect to) the target cell(which is a FWA cell) has been met, the method proceeds to 306. At 306, the UE (which has determined that it is a non-FWA UE at 304) accesses (reselects to) the target cell (which is a FWA cell).

[0098] If at 310 the UE determines that an override condition that allows the UE to access (e.g., reselect to) the target cell (which is a FWA cell) has been not been met, the method proceeds to 302 where another target cell (e.g., a new target cell) is identified by the UE for cell reselection.

[0099] In some aspects, the UE may receive a broadcast message comprising one or more override conditions that allow non-FWA UEs to access (e.g., reselect to) the FWA cell. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may be pre-configured with a configuration that includes the one or more override conditions that allow non-FWA UEs to access (e.g., reselect to) the FWA cell. An override condition may comprise a time period during which non-FWA UEs may access (e.g., reselect) or attempt to access a FWA cell (e.g., FWA cell 120,120’). Additionally or alternatively, an override condition may comprise an indication that indicates that non-FWA UEs are allowed to access (e.g., reselect) or attempt to access a FWA cell (e.g., FWA cell 120,120’) when initiating an emergency 911 call or during an emergency 911. Additionally or alternatively, an override condition may comprises an indication that indicates that non-FWA UEs are allowed to access or attempt to access a FWA cell (e.g., FWA cell 120,120’) when performing initial cell selection.

[0100] FIG. 4 outlines an exemplary method 400 performed by a FWA RAN node 125, 120’ servicing (e.g., providing) a FWA cell 120, 120’. In this exemplary method, a UE is initially served by the non-FWA cell 110, with a RAN node 105 servicing (e.g., providing) the non-FWA cell 110, and the UE has moved into the FWA cell 120. The method 400 begins at 402 where the FWA RAN node 125 servicing (e.g., providing) the FWA cell 120 receives a handover request from RAN node 105. The handover request may include subscription information for the UE.

[0101] At 404, the FWA RAN node 125 determines whether the UE is a FWA UE 130 or a non-FWA UE 140 based on subscription information included in the handover request. The subscription information included in the handover request may subscriber information for the UE and / or mobility state information indicative ofa mobility state of the UE 140. The subscriber information may include a subscriber type or subscriber identity profile, and the subscriber type or subscriber identity profile. The mobility state may indicate the UE is a stationary, a FWA, or mobile. The FWA RAN node 125 determines the UE is a FWA UE 130 when the mobility state is FWA and determines the UE is a non-FWA UE when the mobility state is mobile.

[0102] If, at 404, the FWA RAN node 125 determines that the UE is a FWA UE 130, then the method 400 proceeds to 406 where the FWA RAN node 125 allows the UE to access the FWA cell 120 and sends a handover request acknowledgement message to the source RAN node. The handover request acknowledgement message indicates to the source node 105 that handover of the UE was successful.

[0103] If, at 404, the FWA RAN node 125 determines that the UE is a non-FWA UE 140, then the method proceeds to 408 where the FWA RAN node 125 rejects the handover request UE and the FWA RAN node 125 sends a handover failure message to source RAN node. The handover failure message indicates to the source RAN node 105 that the handover failed. In some aspects, the handover failure message comprises an indication that only FWA UEs are allowed to access the FWA cell. In some aspects, the FWA RAN node 125 receives an indication from the UE that an override condition has been met by the UE, and the FWA RAN node 125 allows the UE to access the FWA cell 120.

[0104] The FWA RAN node 125 may allow non-FWA UEs (e.g., non-FWA UE 140) to access (e.g., reselect) the FWA cell 120,120’ under one or more override conditions. The FWA cell 120, 120’ may provide an override condition comprising a time period during which non-FWA UEs 140 may attempt to access the FWA cell 120,120’, an override condition comprising an indication that a non-FWA UEs allowed to access the FWA cell 120 when initiating an emergency 911 call, or an override condition comprising an indication that non-FWA UEs 140 are allowed to access the FWA cell 120when performing an initial cell selection.

[0105] In some aspects, the FWA RAN node 125,125’ prioritizes FWA UEs and may send an indication that the FWA cell 120,120’ prioritizes FWA UEs. The indicationmay include a SIB message that identifies the FWA cell 120,120’, and the SIB message may include an IE indicative of the FWA cell 120,120’.

[0106] In some aspects, the FWA RAN node 125,125’ may be operating in an energy management state (e.g., an energy saving state, or sleep state), when the handover request is received from the source RAN node 105. The FWA RAN node 125, 125’, having determined that the UE is a non-FWA UE 140, notifies the source RAN node 105 that an access to the FWA cell is barred for the UE (or that the UE is barred from accessing or reselecting the FWA RAN cell 120, 120’) by sending a handover failure message to the source RAN node 105. The RAN node 125,125’ then continues to operate in the network energy saving state.

[0107] The described methods enable non-FWA UEs to efficiently perform cell reselection and / or cell selection in radio access networks that include both FWA cells and non-FWA cells. The methods described herein also reduce the signalling between a RAN node providing FWA cells and a non-FWA UEs when the non-FWA UE are moving in and out of the FWA cell. Moreover, a RAN node may control access to the FWA cells it services (e.g., provides) by handing over non-FWA UEs to RAN nodes servicing (e.g., providing) non-FWA cells so that the RAN node can operate in a network energy saving state.

[0108] Although in the embodiments described above, the non-FWA UE’s 140 access or attempt to a target cell is described in the context of cell reselection, the mobile UE 140 may perform initial cell selection to the target cell. In this case the non-FWA UE 140 operates in the same manner as when performing cell reselection to determine whether to access (e.g., reselect to) or attempt to access the target cell.

[0109] Additional aspects of the subject matter described herein are provided below.

[0110] Aspect 1 : A User Equipment (UE) comprising means for: identifying a target cell for cell reselection; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE; and based on determining that the UE is non-FWA, determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell: based on determining that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, accessing the target cell; based on determiningthat the target cell is a FWA cell, determining whether an override condition is met: based on determining the override condition is met, accessing the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, identifying a new target cell; and based on determining that the UE is FWA UE, accessing the target cell.

[0111] , Aspect 2: The UE of aspect 1 , wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0112] Aspect 3: The UE of aspect 1 , wherein the subscription information comprises subscriber type associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0113] Aspect 4: The UE of aspect 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0114] Aspect 5: The UE of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the override condition comprises a time period in which non-FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell.

[0115] Aspect 6: The UE of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the override condition comprises an indication that FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when initiating an emergency call or an indication that the FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when the performing initial cell selection.

[0116] Aspect 7: The UE of any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the override condition is received from a radio access network node in a broadcast message, in a configuration for the UE, or in the subscription information for the UE.

[0117] Aspect 8: The UE of any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell is based on an indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell received from the target cell or at least one neighbouring cell of the target cell or a prior determination that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell.

[0118] Aspect 9: The UE of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the target cell in a system information block.

[0119] Aspect 10: The UE of aspect 9, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the at least one neighboring cell, that provides a configuration for reselection measurements for the UE, wherein the reconfiguration comprises at least one of a list identifying a plurality of FWA cells and a list identifying a plurality of non-FWA cells.

[0120] Aspect 11 : A radio access network node comprising means for: receiving a handover request from a source radio access network node (RAN) for handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source cell provided by the source RAN node to a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell provided by the radio access network (RAN) node; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information included in the handover request; based on determining that UE is a FWA UE: allowing the UE to access the FWA cell; and sending a handover request acknowledgment message to the source RAN node; and based on determining that UE is a non-FWA UE: rejecting the handover request and sending a handover failure message to the source RAN node.

[0121] Aspect 12: The radio access network node of aspect 11 , wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises a subscriber identity associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE

[0122] Aspect 13: The radio access network node of aspect 11 , wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber type associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

[0123] Aspect 14: The radio access network node of aspect 11 , wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises mobility state information indicative ofa mobility state of the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

[0124] Aspect 15: The radio access network node of any one of aspects 11 to 14, wherein handover reject message comprises an indication that indicates the RAN node only allows FWA-UEs.

[0125] Aspect 16: The radio access network node of any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform sending a broadcast message that includes an indication that indicates the RAN node is a FWA RAN node.

[0126] Aspect 17: The radio access network node of any one of aspects 11 to 16, wherein the RAN node is operating in an energy management state when the handover request is received, and wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform maintaining the RAN node in the energy management state after sending the handover failure message.

[0127] Aspect 18: The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the FWA cell provided by the RAN node has one or more frequency bands that are also provided by at least one non-FWA RAN node.

[0128] Aspect 19: The radio access network node of any one of aspects 11 to 18, wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the radio access network node to perform: receive from the UE, an indication that an override condition has been met by the UE; and allowing the UE to access the FWA cell.

[0129] Various systems or processes have been described to provide examples of embodiments of the claimed subject matter. No such example embodiment described limits any claim and any claim may cover processes or systems that differ from those described. The claims are not limited to systems or processes having all the features of any one system or process described above or to features common to multiple or all the systems or processes described above. It is possible that a system or process described above is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application.

[0130] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the subject matter described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the subject matter described herein.

[0131] As used herein, an element or feature introduced in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or features. Further, references to "one example" or “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples or embodiments that also incorporate the described elements or features. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic and / or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment and / or implementation of the subject matter according to the subject disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example” and similar language throughout the subject disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example.

[0132] Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples or embodiments "comprising" or "having" or “including” an element or feature or a plurality of elements or features having a particular property may include additional elements or features not having that property. Also, it will be appreciated that the terms “comprises”, “has”, “includes” means “including but not limited to” and the terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” have equivalent meanings.

[0133] As used herein, the term “and / or” can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements or features.

[0134] The terms “coupled” or “coupling” as used herein can have several different meanings depending in the context in which these terms are used. For example, theterms coupled or coupling can have a mechanical, electrical or communicative connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled or coupling can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via an electrical element, electrical signal, or a mechanical element depending on the particular context. Furthermore, the term “operatively coupled” may be used to indicate that an element or device can electrically, optically, or wirelessly send data to another element or device as well as receive data from another element or device.

[0135] Reference herein to “configured” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties the element or feature to the physical characteristics of the element or feature preceding the phrase “configured to.”

[0136] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of a lower-numbered item (e.g., a “first” item) and / or a higher-numbered item (e.g., a “third” item).

[0137] As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about” represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately” and “about” may refer to an amount that is within engineering tolerances that would be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

[0138] The embodiments described herein may be implemented as a combination of hardware or software, as described above. Further, in some examples, one or more of the systems and methods described herein may be implemented in or as part of a distributed or cloud-based computing system having multiple computing components distributed across a computing network. The distributed or cloud-based computing system be a publicly accessible, distributed or cloud-based computing cluster, such as a computing cluster maintained by Microsoft Azure™, Amazon Web Services™, Google Cloud™, or another third-party provider.

[0139] Some aspects of the embodiments described herein may be implemented via software that is written in a high-level procedural language such as object-oriented programming language. Accordingly, the program code may be written in any suitable programming language such as Java, Python or Rust, for example. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, some of these elements implemented via software may be written in assembly language, machine language or firmware as needed. In either case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language.

[0140] At least some of these software programs may be stored on a storage media (e.g., a computer readable medium such as, but not limited to, read-only memory, magnetic disk, optical disc) or a device that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable device. The software program code, when read by the programmable device, configures the programmable device to operate in a new, specific, and predefined manner to perform at least one of the methods described herein.

[0141] Furthermore, at least some of the programs associated with the systems and methods described herein may be capable of being distributed in a computer program product including a computer readable medium that bears computer usable instructions for one or more processors. The medium may be provided in various forms, including non-transitory forms such as, but not limited to, one or more diskettes, compact disks, tapes, chips, and magnetic and electronic storage.

[0142] Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:1 . A user equipment (UE) comprising: at least one processor: at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least: identifying a target cell for cell reselection; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE; and based on determining that the UE is non-FWA UE, determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell: based on determining that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, accessing the target cell; based on determining that the target cell is a FWA cell, determining whether an override condition is met: based on determining the override condition is met, accessing the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, identifying a new target cell; and based on determining that the UE is FWA UE, accessing the target cell.

2. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

3. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the subscription information comprises subscriber type associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

4. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

5. The UE of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the override condition comprises a time period in which non-FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell.

6. The UE of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the override condition comprises an indication that FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when initiating an emergency call or an indication that the FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when the performing initial cell selection.

7. The UE of any one of claims 1 or 6, wherein the override condition is received from a radio access network node in a broadcast message, in a configuration for the UE, or in the subscription information for the UE.

8. The UE of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell is based on an indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell received from the target cell or at least one neighbouring cell of the target cell or a prior determination that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the target cell in a system information block.

10. The UE of claim 9, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the at least one neighboring cell, that provides a configuration for reselection measurements for the UE, wherein the reconfiguration comprises at least one of a list identifying a plurality of FWA cells and a list identifying a plurality of non-FWA cells.11 . A radio access network node comprising: at least one processor: at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the radio access network node to perform at least: receiving a handover request from a source radio access network node (RAN) for handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source cell provided by the source RAN node to a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell provided by the radio access network (RAN) node; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information included in the handover request; based on determining that UE is a FWA UE: allowing the UE to access the FWA cell; and sending a handover request acknowledgment message to the source RAN node; and based on determining that UE is a non-FWA UE: rejecting the handover request; and sending a handover failure message to the source RAN node.

12. The radio access network node of claim 11 , wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises a subscriber identity associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

13. The radio access network node of claim 11 , wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber type associated with the UE, wherein the determiningcomprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

14. The radio access network node of claim 11 , wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises mobility state information indicative of a mobility state of the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

15. The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the handover reject message comprises an indication that indicates the RAN node only allows FWA-UEs.

16. The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform sending a broadcast message that includes an indication that indicates the RAN node is a FWA RAN node.

17. The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the RAN node is operating in an energy management state when the handover request is received, and wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform maintaining the RAN node in the energy management state after sending the handover failure message.

18. The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the FWA cell provided by the RAN node has one or more frequency bands that are also provided by at least one non-FWA RAN node.

19. The radio access network node of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the radio access network node to perform: receive from the UE, an indication that an override condition has been met by the UE; and allowing the UE to access the FWA cell.

20. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: identifying a target cell for cell reselection; determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information for the UE or a mobility state of the UE; and based on determining that the UE is non-FWA UE, determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell: based on determining that the target cell is a non-FWA cell, accessing the target cell; based on determining that the target cell is a FWA cell, determining whether an override condition is met: based on determining the override condition is met, accessing the FWA cell; based on determining the override condition is not met, identifying anew target cell; and based on determining that the UE is FWA UE, accessing the target cell.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber profile identity associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the subscription information comprises subscriber type associated with the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the override condition comprises a time period in which non-FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell.

25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the override condition comprises an indication that FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when initiating an emergency call or an indication that the FWA UEs are allowed to access the target cell when the performing initial cell selection.

26. The method of any one of claims 20 or 25, wherein the override condition is received from a radio access network node in a broadcast message, in a configuration for the UE, or in the subscription information for the UE.

27. The method of any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the determining whether the target cell is a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell or a non-FWA cell is based on an indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell received from the target cell or at least one neighbouring cell of the target cell or a prior determination that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the target cell in a system information block.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the indication that the target cell is a FWA cell or a non-FWA cell is received from the at least one neighboring cell, that provides a configuration for reselection measurements for the UE, wherein the reconfiguration comprises at least one of a list identifying a plurality of FWA cells and a list identifying a plurality of non-FWA cells.

30. A method performed by a radio access network node, comprising: receiving a handover request from a source radio access network node (RAN) for handover of a user equipment (UE) from a source cell provided by the source RAN node to a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) cell provided by the radio access network (RAN) node;determining whether the UE is a FWA UE or a non-FWA UE based on subscriber information included in the handover request; based on determining that UE is a FWA UE: allowing the UE to access the FWA cell; and sending a handover request acknowledgment message to the source RAN node; and based on determining that UE is a non-FWA UE: reject the handover request and send a handover failure message to the source RAN node.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises a subscriber identity associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on the subscriber profile identity associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the subscription information comprises a subscriber type associated with the UE, wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE based on a subscriber type associated with the UE comprising an indication that the UE is a FWA-UE.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the subscriber information for the UE comprises mobility state information indicative of a mobility state of the UE, and wherein the determining comprises determining that the UE is a FWA UE when the mobility state of the UE indicates FWA.

34. The method of any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the handover reject message comprises an indication that indicates the RAN node only allows FWA-UEs.

35. The method of any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform sending a broadcast message that includes an indication that indicates the RAN node is a FWA RAN node.

36. The method of any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the RAN node is operating in an energy management state when the handover request is received, and wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor further cause the RAN node to perform maintaining the RAN node in the energy management state after sending the handover failure message.

37. The method of any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein the FWA cell provided by the RAN node has one or more frequency bands that are also provided by at least one non-FWA RAN node.

38. The method of any one of claims 30 to 37, wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the radio access network node to perform: receive from the UE, an indication that an override condition has been met by the UE; and allowing the UE to access the FWA cell.

39. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when computer program is executed by at least one processor of a user equipment causes the user equipment to perform the method of any of claims 20 to 29.

40. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment causes the user equipment to perform the method of any of claims 20 to 29.

41. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein when computer program is executed by at least one processor of a radio access network node causes the radio access network node to perform the method of any of claims 30 to 38.

42. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a radio access network node causes the radio access network node to perform the method of any of claims 30 to 38.

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