Method, apparatus and computer program for a communication network

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a radio access network node of a radio access network of a communication network, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving, while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network node, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR A COMMUNICATION NETWORKRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202311089946 filed December 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 network. Some examples relate to a method, apparatus, and computer program for controlling a radio access network of a communications network to cause the radio access network to transition from an energy saving (ES) mode to a higher performance mode, and vice versa.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 4G (4thGeneration), 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 tobe 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] An apparatus for controlling a radio access network node of a communications network, the apparatus comprising: means for: receiving while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the radio access network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

[0007] According to some examples, the receiving the request comprises receiving from a session management function, SMF, a Next Generation Application Protocol, NGAP, message comprising the request.

[0008] According to some examples, the NGAP message is received from the SMF via an access and mobility management function, AMF.

[0009] According to some examples, the means are for: sending to the SMF, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0010] According to some examples, the receiving the request comprises receiving, from the User Equipment, a Radio Resource Configuration, RRC, message comprising the request.

[0011] According to some examples, the means are for: sending, to the User Equipment, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0012] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for more data for a service.

[0013] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

[0014] According to some examples, the modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises at least one of: increasing a number of antennas used forcommunication by the radio access network; increasing a transmit power used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a bandwidth used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a transmission time used for communication by the radio access network; modifying a state of at least one capacity cell of the radio access network from muted or sleeping to active.

[0015] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0016] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0017] According to some examples, the apparatus comprises a control apparatus of the radio access network node.

[0018] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a radio access network node of a radio access network of a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the service request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource

[0019] According to some examples, the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a Next Generation Application Protocol, NGAP, message from a session management function, SMF.

[0020] According to some examples, the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a NGAP message from an access and mobility management function, AMF, wherein the AMF receives the NGAP message from a SMF.

[0021] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: sending, to the SMF, an indication that the radioaccess network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0022] According to some examples, the receiving the request comprises receiving, from the user equipment, a Radio Resource Configuration, RRC, message comprising the request.

[0023] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: sending, to the user equipment, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0024] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for more data for a service.

[0025] According to some examples, the wherein modifying the at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises at least one of: increasing a transmit power used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a number of antenna used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a bandwidth used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a transmission time used for communication by the radio access network; modifying a state of at least one capacity cell of the radio access network from muted or sleeping to active.

[0026] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0027] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0028] According to some examples, the apparatus comprises a control apparatus of the radio access network node.

[0029] According to an aspect, there is provided a method for controlling a radio access network node of a communications network, the method comprising: receiving while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to causethe radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

[0030] According to some examples, the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a Next Generation Application Protocol, NGAP, message from a session management function, SMF.

[0031] According to some examples, the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a NGAP message from an access and mobility management function, AMF, wherein the AMF receives the NGAP message from a SMF.

[0032] According to some examples, the method comprises: sending, to the SMF, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0033] According to some examples, the receiving the request comprises receiving, from the user equipment, a Radio Resource Configuration, RRC, message comprising the request.

[0034] According to some examples, the method comprises sending, to the user equipment, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0035] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for more data for a service.

[0036] According to some examples, the service request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

[0037] According to some examples, the modifying the at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises at least one of: increasing a transmit power used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a number of antenna used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a bandwidth used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a transmission time used for communication by the radio access network; modifying a state of at least one capacity cell of the radio access network from muted or sleeping to active.

[0038] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0039] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0040] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program for controlling a radio access network node of a communications network comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

[0041] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

[0042] According to some examples, the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message from a SMF to the radio access network node.

[0043] According to some examples, the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message to an AMF, wherein the AMF forwards the NGAP message to the radio access network node.

[0044] According to some examples, the means are for: receiving, from the radio access network node, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0045] According to some examples, the means are for: sending, to a User Plane Function, a list of applications for the User Equipment and an indication that the User Plane Function should report when any application in the list of applications isrequested by the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving, from the User Plane Function, an indication that an application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment.

[0046] According to some examples, the sending the request comprises sending a RRC message from the User Equipment to the radio access network node.

[0047] According to some examples, the means are for: receiving, from the radio access network node, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0048] According to some examples, the means are for: storing a list of applications for the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving an instruction to request an application in the list of applications.

[0049] According to some examples, wherein the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

[0050] According to some examples, the apparatus is at least one of: the User Equipment; for the User Equipment; comprised in the User Equipment.

[0051] According to some examples, the apparatus is at least one of: an SMF; for the SMF, comprised in the SMF.

[0052] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0053] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0054] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and thesecond mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

[0055] According to some examples, the sending the service request comprises sending a NGAP message from a SMF to the radio access network node.

[0056] According to some examples, the sending the service request comprises sending a NGAP message to an AMF, wherein the AMF forwards the NGAP message to the radio access network node.

[0057] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from the radio access network node, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0058] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: sending, to a User Plane Function, a list of applications for the User Equipment and an indication that the User Plane Function should report when any application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving, from the User Plane Function, an indication that an application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment.

[0059] According to some examples, the sending the request comprises sending a RRC message from the User Equipment to the radio access network node.

[0060] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: receiving, from the radio access network node, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0061] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to perform: storing a list of applications for the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving an instruction to request an application in the list of applications

[0062] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

[0063] According to some examples, the apparatus is at least one of: the User Equipment; for the User Equipment; comprised in the User Equipment.

[0064] According to some examples, the apparatus is at least one of: an SMF; for the SMF, comprised in the SMF.

[0065] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0066] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0067] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

[0068] According to some examples, the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message from a SMF to the radio access network node.

[0069] According to some examples, the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message to an AMF, wherein the AMF forwards the NGAP message to the radio access network node.

[0070] According to some examples, the method comprises: receiving, from the radio access network node, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0071] According to some examples, the method comprises: sending, to a User Plane Function, a list of applications for the User Equipment and an indication that the User Plane Function should report when any application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network tooperate in the second mode comprises: receiving, from the User Plane Function, an indication that an application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment

[0072] According to some examples, the sending the request comprises sending a RRC message from the User Equipment to the radio access network node.

[0073] According to some examples, the method comprises: receiving, from the radio access network node, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

[0074] According to some examples, the method comprises: storing a list of applications for the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving an instruction to request an application in the list of applications.

[0075] According to some examples, the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

[0076] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

[0077] According to some examples, the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

[0078] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network node to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

[0079] According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus,cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

[0080] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0081] Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a representation of a communication network comprising a 5thgeneration communication network;

[0083] FIG. 2 shows an example UE-assisted method for transitioning a radio access network from an ES mode to a higher performance mode;

[0084] FIG. 3 shows an example a core network -assisted method for transitioning a radio access network from an ES mode to a higher performance mode;

[0085] FIG. 4 shows an example method performed by a radio access network node of a radio access network;

[0086] FIG. 5 shows an example method performed by a network function of a core network;

[0087] FIG. 6 shows a representation of an apparatus for the communication system of FIG. 1 according to some example embodiments;

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments; and

[0089] FIG. 8 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 methods disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] Network Energy Saving (NES) mechanisms can be used in communications networks, for example, in radio access networks of communication networks to cause the communication network to operate in an energy saving (ES) mode. Examples consider a scenario where the UE is requesting services provided by a communication network operating in accordance with a radio access technology,such as the 5thgeneration radio access technology specified by 3GPP) which require the communication network to operate at a higher performance mode than is possible when the communication network is operating in an ES mode . The services requested by the UE may be relatively “data-hungry” (i.e., require the communication network to have a relatively high data throughput in order to deliver the service optimally to the user equipment) and may comprise a network speed test (e.g., an Ookla speed test), video streaming, a gaming application, an extended reality (XR) application request, for example.

[0091] NES mechanisms are increasingly being used in communication networks due to exponential increases in traffic that is being transported by communication networks (e.g., wireless communications networks such as cellular or mobile networks), which increases demands (coverage, throughput, latency) and increasing operating expenses (OPEX) cost of energy. NES mechanisms are used to ensure that a minimum quality of service quality that is achievable by a communications network when the communications device is providing services to subscribers of the communications network. In communications networks, a Radio Access Network (RAN) consumes approximately 80% of the energy of that is consumed by the communications network. NES mechanisms can be used in RANs to optimize RAN operations for energy efficiency using sleep modes, muting modes or by turning off radio resources of a radio access network of a communication networks. Sleep modes or muting modes can be particularly effective in reducing energy consumption in the Radio Unit (RU) of a base transceiver station (BTS) of a RAN, which consume most of the energy in the BTS of a RAN. The Power Amplifier (PA) is typically the most energy consuming component in the RU. With the introduction of Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna arrays in RU, the energy consumption of the RU is further increased. Use of sleep modes and muting techniques that shutdown hardware components in the RU(s) and baseband of the BTS help to reduce power consumption of the BTS, especially at low to medium load scenarios in which capacity demands are lower.

[0092] When a communications network operates in an ES mode, entire cells (e.g. an entire RU) or subcomponents of the RU (e.g. certain transmission (TX) or reception (RX) Radio Frequency (RF) chains, which is the circuitry that interfaces the RF system to the antennas, and the controlled antenna elements) can be deactivated due to a decrease in traffic load in the communications network (e.g.,traffic being transported by the communications network) being below a threshold level. The threshold level may comprise a pre-defined low-load threshold. In some examples, traffic load in the communications network (e.g., the amount of traffic being transported by the communications network RAN) must be below the threshold level for a predefined time period before the communications network transitions to operate in an ES mode.

[0093] ES modes may include at least one of the following being applied in a communications network:Reducing at least one radio resource in at least one of time domain, frequency domain, antenna / spatial domain or power domain.• Reducing at least one radio resource in a frequency domain by using a carrier bandwidth for communication that is less than the available carrier bandwidth of the RAN (e.g. using 20 MHz of an available 100MHz);• Reducing at least one radio resource in a time domain by using a transmission time for communication that is less than the available transmission time of RAN (e.g., by using 50% of available slots to schedule data);• Reducing at least one radio resource in an antenna / spatial domain by using a number of transmission (TX) antennas that is less than the available TX antennas of the RAN;• Reducing at least one radio resource in a power domain by using a TX power level that is less than the maximum TX power supported by the RAN;• Reducing at least one radio resource, where the at least one radio resource of a RAN is not transmitting and / or receiving traffic (e.g., data) at a full capacity (e.g., at maximum throughput) but has not been powered off;A mode where the hardware components in the BTS that enable the at least one radio resource of the RAN that is reduced can enter a sleep mode or can be powered off;Shutdown of at least one cell or a part of a cell (in at least one spatial direction) in the RAN of a communications network.

[0094] A transition time (which in some examples is relatively large) is required for a communications network to exit (e.g., transition) from operating in the ES mode while powering on necessary hardware in order to reactivate a cell or a TX RF chain. This transition time may be due to one or more BTS powering on hardware to reactivate a cell of a TX RF chain. This means that a lower data capacity is offered by the RAN during transitions from operating in an ES mode to operating in a higher performance mode. By reducing the transition time between operating in an ES mode and operating in a higher performance mode, the amount of time that a RAN can remain operating in an ES mode is increased, while still providing the benefits of the RAN being able to operate in the higher performance mode for applications that require more traffic (e.g., data) throughput (e.g., require more data to be transmitted and / or received by the RAN) from a UE.

[0095] Radio resources of a communications network may be modified to transition the communications network from operating in an ES mode to operating in a higher performance mode. The modification of radio resources of a communications network to cause the communications network to transition from an ES mode to a higher performance mode may comprise at least one of the following:• Increasing (e.g., incrementing) at least one radio resource of the communications network from a sleep mode to a mode where the RAN of the communications network has a higher data rate for transmission of data;• Powering at least one radio resource from off to on;• Unmuting one or more RF transceivers;• Turning on at least one previously shutdown cell in the network - in some examples this may be a capacity cell (further discussed in paragraph below);Increasing a bandwidth for communication;Increasing a transmission time for communication.

[0096] Capacity cells that operate at a higher carrier frequency compared to coverage cells are used to increase a data rate for transmission of data of a RAN when necessary. Capacity cells differ from coverage cells in that coverage cells are used to maintain a level of coverage in a network and therefore are less likely to have ES modes applied to them, as this may reduce coverage in the network. In contrast, capacity cells are used to increase network capacity when needed, and are therefore more likely to activate ES modes as ES modes are typically applied when the peak capacity in the RAN is not needed. In some examples, capacity cells are transitioned from an ES mode to a higher performance mode.

[0097] Currently, a communication networks may transition from an ES mode to a higher performance mode in response to an increase in load, for example when predefined high load thresholds are met for a time period. For example, for cell shutdown, cell reactivation is performed when physical resource block (PRB) utilisation exceeds a threshold for a certain period. This can lead to re-activation of cells taking a relatively long time, e.g., several minutes, which causes issues for applications that require the communication network to have a higher data throughput. For example, when a speed test of a communication network (generally referred to as a network speed test) is requested, the network speed test typically is performed over 20-30 seconds. If the network speed test is started while the communication network is in an ES mode, the results of the network speed test provided will indicate the communication network has a speed that is lower than a speed that is achievable by the communication network than when the communication network is in a higher performance mode. Thus, the results of the speed test indicate a lower level of performance for the communication network relative to results of a speed test performed when the communications network is in a high performance mode.

[0098] Some of the examples described herein provide a method to determine that a UE and / or Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session requires a larger data capacity than is currently available in a communications network (in RAN, a Core Network function and / or in transport network), and that to be served properly the UE / PDU session requires at least part of the network to transition from the ES mode to a higher performance mode. Further, some examples describe a method to indicate which part of the Network needs to exit the ES mode to serve the UE / PDU session.Furthermore, some examples enable the RAN or core network to determine when to move from a higher performance mode to an ES mode.

[0099] In the following various example embodiments are explained with reference to communication devices (e.g., UEs) that are capable of communication with a communications network. Before explaining in detail the embodiments of the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure, a communications network comprising a 5thgeneration communication system (5GS), a radio access network and a core network (5GC) thereof, are briefly explained with reference to FIG. 1 .

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a communications network comprising a cellular or mobile communication system (e.g., a 5G communication system (5GS), and data network. The 5GS may comprise a radio access network such as a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC). An application function may be deployed in the 5GS as trusted application function or may be deployed or hosted on one or more application servers of the data network. Such application functions are untrusted application functions. The 5GS connects a UE to a data network via the access network and the 5GC (e.g., a UPF of the 5GC).

[0101] The 5G-RAN or NG-RAN may comprise one or more radio access nodes, such as gNodeB (GNB). A gNB may include one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed units connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized units. In communications networks, a Radio Access Network (RAN) typically consumes approximately 80% of the energy of that is consumed by the communications network. NES mechanisms can be used in RANs to optimize RAN operations for energy efficiency using sleep modes, muting modes or by turning off radio resources of a radio access network of a communication networks.

[0102] The 5GC may comprise the following network functions: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); and Session Management Function (SMF), and a user plane function (UPF). FIG. 1 also shows the various interfaces (N1 , N2 etc.) that may be implemented between the various elements of the system.

[0103] A RAN may be considered to be in an ES mode if at least one RAN node in the network is in an ES mode. A first RAN node of a RAN may receive arequest to communicate with a UE in a higher performance mode by modifying at least one radio resource of the RAN (e.g., modify at least one radio resource of the first RAN node and / or at least one radio resource of a second RAN node of the RAN) such that the RAN operates in a higher performance mode. The request may be received by the first RAN node from either the UE or an SMF, for example.

[0104] In a first scenario, the first RAN node may be operating in an ES mode with a data capacity A). In response to receiving the request, the first RAN node may:• modify at least one radio resource of the first RAN node such that the resource operates at a data capacity B), which is greater than data capacity B; and / or• request a second RAN node in an ES mode in with data capacity C) to modify at least one radio resource to operate at a data capacity D). The second RAN node may be in the same RAN as the first RAN node.

[0105] In a second scenario, the first RAN node may be operating at a peak data capacity when the first RAN node receives the request. In response to the request, the first RAN node may request a second RAN node in an ES mode with data capacity E) to modify at least one radio resource to operate at a data capacity F). The second RAN node may be in the same RAN as the first RAN node.

[0106] FIG. 2 shows a first example UE-assisted method for transitioning a RAN from an ES mode to a higher performance mode.

[0107] At 201 , RAN 202 enters an ES mode. The RAN may decide to transition from an ES mode when the data throughput in the RAN is below a threshold level, for example.

[0108] At 203, RAN 202 informs UE 200 that the RAN 202 is operating in an ES mode. Other UEs in a coverage area of the RAN may also be informed that the network is in an ES mode. For example, the RAN may inform UE 200 by sending an RRC message that comprises an indication (e.g., flag or bit value) that indicates RAN 202 to is operating in an ES mode.

[0109] At 205, UE 200 can store an indication that RAN 202 is operating in an ES mode (e.g., update a network ES state information to “active”). In some examples, UE 200 may display an indication on its screen that the network is in anES mode. For example, UE 200 may display a green leaf or the like on the screen of UE 200.

[0110] It should be noted that in some examples, 201 to 205 may be optional, and UE 200 may not be aware that RAN 202 is operating in an ES mode. In such examples, UE 200 may determine that a service for the UE requires a higher data rate than currently available, and UE 200 may then proceed with 207a and / or 209a. According to some examples, UE 200 may determine that the service requires a higher data rate than currently available by determining that an application, that is a client of the service, requires a higher data rate than is currently available.

[0111] 207a to 207c may be performed in addition or alternatively to 209a.209a to 209c may be performed before 207a to 207c.

[0112] At 207a, UE 200 determines that a higher data rate (higher data throughput) is needed for an application running on the UE. For example, UE 200 may have requested establishment of a PDU session and when transmitting and / or receiving traffic over a PDU session at the UE, for example.

[0113] UE 200 may determine that a higher data rate is required based on an internal trigger at the UE. An internal trigger may comprise a service request for applications such as XR, gaming video streaming or HD video streaming (note that the example of a speed test is considered with respect to 209a to 209c below). A list of applications which comprise an internal trigger may be pre-loaded in UE 200 or can be generated based on historical information (e.g., based on observations per service related to e.g. amount of data, requested throughput, session length). Alternatively, ML based predictions of traffic amount and / or throughput requirement can be applied. The decision entity that performs the determination may comprise an upper layer of the device, for example the application layer. If the determination is positive, the decision entity sends the indication to the RRC layer, which then sends an indication for the high capacity / performance mode to RAN node 202 during the service request procedure or random access procedure (by modifying the service request or random access procedure to include the indication) at 207b.

[0114] In addition or alternatively to using an internal trigger at UE 200 to determine a higher data rate, UE 200 may determine a higher data rate is required based on network configuration. The network configuration may include Data Resource Bearer (DRB) ID(s) and a data volume threshold per DRB that when exceeded triggers the UE to determine a higher data rate is required. The networkconfiguration may include Quality of Service (QoS) flow ID(s) and a data volume threshold per DRB that when exceeded triggers the UE to determine a higher data rate is required. In some examples, the network configuration may indicate to UE 200 a data rate that it should request for a particular QoS ID or DRB ID.

[0115] At 207b, UE 200 sends an indication to RAN node 202 for the network to operate in a mode with a higher data rate than currently being used by the network. This indication may be included in a modified service request sent by UE 200. In some examples, the indication may be sent during a random access procedure. The indication may request a higher data capacity required, or may request a highest possible data capacity. The indication may be included in an RRC message.

[0116] In some examples, the indication may be included in UE assistance information sent at 207b. In some examples, the indication may be included in 5G QoS Identifier (5QI) or QoS class.

[0117] At 207c, RAN node 202 determines whether the required data rate for UE 200 or for an indicated PDU session for UE 200 can be achieved in the current ES mode. If not, RAN node 202 can determine to transition the network from an ES mode to a higher performance mode. This can be performed using the methods for transitioning from an ES mode to a higher performance mode discussed above.

[0118] According to some examples, at 209a RAN node 202 may transition the RAN comprising RAN node 202 by modifying radio resources of RAN node 202. In some examples, RAN node 202 may instead or also modify radio resources other RAN nodes in the RAN, for example by activating and / or using inter RAN node Carrier Aggregation (CA) or EN-DC (EUTRAN-DC: Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA- Dual Connectivity (DC)).

[0119] At 209a, UE 200 request a network speed test (e.g., an Ookla speed test) for a RAN comprising RAN node 200. At 209b, UE 200 may indicate to RAN node 202 that a network speed test is to be performed. UE 200 may indicate to RAN node 202 that a network speed test is to be performed by sending an RRC message that includes an indication that a network speed test is to be performed. At 209c, RAN node 202 determines that a higher performance mode is needed, and transitions the network to a “performance mode” having a higher data throughput. In some examples the performance mode has a peak data capacity for the network.

[0120] According to some examples, at 209c RAN node 202 may transition the network comprising RAN node 202 by modifying radio resources of RAN node 202. In some examples, RAN node 202 may instead or also modify radio resources other RAN nodes in the network, for example by activating and / or using inter-node CA or EN-DC.

[0121] FIG. 3 shows a second example method flow where core network assists a RAN node 202 in transitioning a network from an ES mode to a higher performance mode.

[0122] At 311 , RAN node 302 informs SMF 306 that the network is in an ES mode. For example, RAN node 302 may inform SMF 306 that some capacity cells are shutdown in the network (or that any of the other ES mechanism discussed above are being used in the network).

[0123] At 313, SMF 306 transfers the information received at 311 towards UPF 308.

[0124] At 315, SMF 306 configures UPF 308 with an application detection list for performance mode detection. This can be performed using PFCP or N4 signalling to UPF 308. In some examples, the application detection list may comprise a network speed test (e.g., an Ookla speed test), video streaming, a gaming application, an extended reality (XR) application request. When UE 300 requests one of these applications, the network can be transitioned from an ES mode to a higher performance mode (i.e., a mode with greater network data throughput). In other examples UPF 308 may be configured with a busy traffic pattern in the network that when detected indicates that the network should be transitioned from an ES mode to a higher performance mode. The detection event configured at 315 may be configured to be activated only when the network is in an ES mode and not otherwise.

[0125] At 317, UE 300 starts an application that triggers an event configured at 315. This event includes UE 300 and AF 310. At 319, UPF 308 detects an event that satisfies a trigger configured at 315. At 321 , UPF 308 then reports to SMF 306 when the configured event occurs. Optionally, UPF 308 may indicate which QoS flow is involved in the event.

[0126] At 323, the core network can predict required throughput for UE 300 either directly or upon indication from AF 310. This can be performed by a corenetwork entity or a combination of core network entities comprising at least one of AMF 304, SMF 306 or UPF 308.

[0127] At 325, SMF 306 informs RAN node 302 that a triggered event has taken place. This can be performed by SMF 306 sending an indication sent directly to RAN node 302 (for example in a 6G network) or can be performed by SMF 306 sending the indication via AMF 304 to RAN node 302. The indication can be sent as part of an NGAP PDU message. In some examples, the indication can be sent as part of an NGAP PDU session resource modification message.

[0128] At 329, RAN node 302 transitions the network from an ES mode to a higher performance mode. This may be performed by transitioning the network or at least part of the network (e.g., the RAN node 302 itself) to a higher performance mode by modifying the radio resources of the network as discussed above. According to some examples, at 329 RAN node 302 may transition the network comprising RAN node 302 by modifying radio resources of RAN node 302. In some examples, RAN node 302 may instead or also modify radio resources other RAN nodes in the network, for example by activating and / or using inter-node CA or ENDO.

[0129] FIG. 4 shows an example method flow. The method may be performed by a RAN node such as RAN node 202 or RAN node 302, for example. The method may be performed by an apparatus for controlling a radio access network node of a radio access network of a communication network.

[0130] At 400, the method comprises receiving, while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity.

[0131] At 402, the method comprises modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode.

[0132] At 404, the method comprises, in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

[0133] FIG. 5 shows an example method flow. The method may be performed by a UE such as UE 200 or UE 300, or an SMF such as SMF 306, for example.

[0134] At 500, the method comprises determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the User Equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity.

[0135] At 502, the method comprises modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode.

[0136] At 504, the method comprises sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

[0137] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an apparatus 600 implementing or comprising at least the session management of the core network of the communication network illustrated on FIG. 1. The apparatus 600 may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 611 a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 611 b, at least one processor 612, 613 and a network interface 614. The at least one processor 612, 613 may be coupled to the RAM 611a and the ROM 611 b. The at least one processor 612, 613 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 615 of the session management function. Execution of the software code 615 of the session management function (or execution of instructions of the software code 615 of the session management function) may for example may cause the apparatus to perform method shown in FIG. 4. The software code 615 may be stored in the ROM 611 b. The apparatus 600 may be interconnected with another apparatus 600 for controlling other network functions of the 5GC. In some embodiments, one or more network functions of the 5GC is deployed or hosted on an apparatus 600. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus may include software code of additional network functions of the core network of the communication network. The apparatus 600 may comprise a computing device (e.g., a server), a computing system, such as a distributed computing system, or a virtual machine provided by a cloud computing system. In some examples, the apparatus 600 may comprise a cloud computing system (e.g., a cloud core network) that comprises the sessionmanagement function, and other network functions of the core network shown in FIG. 1.

[0138] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a communication device 700, such as the terminal illustrated on FIG. 1. The communication device 700 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples of a communication device 700 comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The communication device 700 may comprise a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving, for example, wireless signals carrying communications, for example radio signals. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia data, machine data and so on.

[0139] The communication device 700 may receive wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) over an air or radio interface 707 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit wireless signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In FIG. 7 transceiver is designated schematically by block 706. The transceiver 706 may comprise, for example, a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device and may comprise one or more antenna elements. The antenna arrangement may be a multi-input multi output (MIMO) antenna.

[0140] The communication device 700 may be provided with at least one processor 701 , at least one memory ROM 702a, at least one RAM 702b and other possible components 703 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is configured to perform, including control of access to and communications with radio access networks (e.g., the 5G-RAN or NG-RAN illustrated in FIG. 1 ) and other communication devices. The at least one processor 701 is coupled to the RAM 702b and the ROM 702a. The at least one processor 701 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 708 (e.g., the at least one processor may execute instructions of the software code 708). The execution of the software code 708 may for example allow the communication device to perform one or more operations,including the operations described herein. The software code 708 may be stored in the ROM 702a.

[0141] The processor, the ROM, and the RAM, the transceiver and other circuitry of the communication device (e.g., a modem) can be provided on a circuit board, in chipsets, or in a system on chip. The circuit board, chipsets or system on chip is denoted by reference 704. The communication device 700 may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 705, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of communication device.

[0142] FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 800a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 800b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 802 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of any method flow described herein.

[0143] It is understood that references in the above to various network functions (e.g., to an AMF, an SMF, TNF etc.) may comprise apparatus that perform at least some of the functionality associated with those network functions. Further, an apparatus comprising a network function may comprise a virtual network function instance of that network function.

[0144] It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and / or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0145] It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

[0146] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0147] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0148] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0149] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog 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 a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) 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.”

[0150] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term “means” herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0151] The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and / or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

[0152] Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

[0153] 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).

[0154] The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, specialpurpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

[0155] Various example embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0156] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features thereof, if any, described in this disclosure that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0157] The foregoing description has provided, by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples, a full and informative description of the various example embodiments of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the various example embodiments of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. By way of non-limiting and illustrative example, there is a further example embodiment comprising a combination of one or more example embodiments with any of the other example embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

Claims1 . An apparatus for controlling a radio access network node of a radio access network of a communication network, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving, while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode; in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a Next Generation Application Protocol, NGAP, message from a session management function, SMF.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a NGAP message from an access and mobility management function, AMF, wherein the AMF receives the NGAP message from a SMF.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, the means for: sending, to the SMF, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving, from the User Equipment, a Radio Resource Configuration, RRC, message comprising the request.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, the means for: sending, to the user equipment, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the request comprises a request for a more data for a service.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein modifying the at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises at least one of: increasing a transmit power used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a number of antenna used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a bandwidth used for communication by the radio access network;increasing a transmission time used for communication by the radio access network; modifying a state of at least one capacity cell of the radio access network from muted or sleeping to active.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus comprises a control apparatus of the radio access network node.

12. A method for controlling a radio access network node of a communications network, the method comprising: receiving while the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network, a request for the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with a user equipment communicating with the communication network, the second mode having a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode;in response to the request, communicating with the User Equipment using the modified at least one radio resource.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a Next Generation Application Protocol, NGAP, message from a session management function, SMF.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the receiving the request for the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises receiving a NGAP message from an access and mobility management function, AMF, wherein the AMF receives the NGAP message from a SMF.

15. The method according to claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising: sending, to the SMF, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving, from the User Equipment, a Radio Resource Configuration, RRC, message comprising the request.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: sending, to the user equipment, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

18. The method according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the request comprises a request for a more data for a service.

19. The method according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein modifying the at least one radio resource of the radio access network to cause the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises at least one of: increasing a transmit power used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a number of antenna used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a bandwidth used for communication by the radio access network; increasing a transmission time used for communication by the radio access network; modifying a state of at least one capacity cell of the radio access network from muted or sleeping to active.

20. The apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.21 . The apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 20, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

22. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein the computer program when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 12 to 21 .

23. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 12 to 21 .

24. An apparatus comprising means for: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radio access network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message from a SMF to the radio access network node.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message to an AMF, wherein the AMF forwards the NGAP message to the radio access network node.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, the means for: receiving, from the radio access network node, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

28. The apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 27, the means for: sending, to a User Plane Function, a list of applications for the User Equipment and an indication that the User Plane Function should report when any application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving, from the User Plane Function, an indication that an application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment.

29. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sending the request comprises sending a RRC message from the User Equipment to the radio access network node.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, the means for: receiving, from the radio access network node, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.31 . The apparatus according to claim 29 or claim 30, the means for: storing a list of applications for the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving an instruction to request an application in the list of applications.

32. The apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 31 , wherein the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

33. The apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 32, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

34. The apparatus according to any of claims 24 to 33, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

35. A method comprising: determining that a request of a User Equipment for a radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in a second mode for communicating with the user equipment, wherein the radio access network is operating in a first mode having a first data capacity that is less than a peak data capacity of the radioaccess network and the second mode has a second data capacity higher than the first data capacity; modifying the request to comprise an indication for the radio access network to operate in the second mode; sending the modified request to a radio access network node of the radio access network.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message from a SMF to the radio access network node.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the sending the modified request comprises sending a NGAP message to an AMF, wherein the AMF forwards the NGAP message to the radio access network node.

38. The method according to claim 36 or claim 37, further comprising: receiving, from the radio access network node, an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

39. The method according to any of claims 35 to 38, further comprising: sending, to a User Plane Function, a list of applications for the User Equipment and an indication that the User Plane Function should report when any application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises:receiving, from the User Plane Function, an indication that an application in the list of applications is requested by the User Equipment.

40. The method according to claim 35, wherein the sending the request comprises sending a RRC message from the User Equipment to the radio access network node.41 . The method according to claim 40, further comprising: receiving, from the radio access network node, an RRC message comprising an indication that the radio access network is operating in the first mode or that the radio access network is scheduled to operate in the first mode.

42. The method according to claim 40 or claim 41 , further comprising: storing a list of applications for the User Equipment; wherein the determining that the request of the User Equipment for the radio access network requires the radio access network to operate in the second mode comprises: receiving an instruction to request an application in the list of applications.

43. The method according to any of claims 35 to 42, wherein the request comprises a request for a speed test of a network comprising the radio access network node.

44. The method according to any of claims 35 to 43, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of the radio access network node.

45. The method according to any of claims 35 to 44, wherein the at least one radio resource comprises at least one radio resource of a second radio access network node that is not the radio access network node.

46. A computer program comprising instructions, wherein the computer program when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 35 to 45.

47. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 35 to 45.

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