Spending limit triggers or charging mechanisms based on slice energy levels or corresponding consumption

Abstract

At least a charging function (CHF, 99-3) and a policy control function (PCF, 99-4) communicate in a process where reporting of energy consumption per network slice is performed (1), the CHF 99-3 determines sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit (2), the affected sessions are handled with corresponding spending limits (SLs) so that the PCF 99-4 can implement policies that are affected by the SLs. The CHF 99-3 may be triggered to send SL control notifications (3a., 3b) for the affected sessions to the PCF 99-4, or the CHF 99-3 may send a message so that the PCF 99-4 may identify the affected sessions (4).

Description

[0001] SPENDING LIMIT TRIGGERS OR CHARGING MECHANISMS BASED ON SLICE ENERGY LEVELS OR CORRESPONDING CONSUMPTION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Examples of embodiments herein relate generally to cellular communications and, more specifically, relate to charging in cellular communications.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Energy expenditure for cellular networks is becoming and has been a topic of concern. For instance, energy efficiency is supposed to be monitored per network slice and per subscriber, where a network slice is one of multiple virtual networks that are overlaid on top of a shared network domain. Usage counters are accumulated at per subscriber level at a charging function (CHF) and these counters are exchanged or updated to a policy control function (PCF) for PCF to carry out corresponding policy decisions. Furthermore, there is discussion of extending the charging functions based on the energy efficiency limits. In fact, energy efficiency is clearly a priority to the ecosystem, such as in order to reduce the costs required to support cellular networks. Thus, energy efficiency in cellular networks should be addressed.

[0006] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] This section is intended to include examples and is not intended to be limiting.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0009] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0010] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0011] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0014] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0015] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single-network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0016] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single-network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for performing: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single-network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0019] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0020] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0021] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for performing: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0024] An additional exemplary embodiment includes a computer program, comprising instructions for performing the method of the previous paragraph, when the computer program is run on an apparatus. The computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing the instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus. Another example is the computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0025] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0026] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium bearing instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In the attached drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of charging architecture;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of charging architecture for MDAS and NWDAF;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a table of NSPA charging information which has the container; FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram of an example where a CHF updates the spending limit counters to a corresponding PCF using the Notify API in a first approach (Approach 1);

[0033] FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram of an example where a CHF updates the spending limit counters to a corresponding PCF using the Notify API in a second approach (Approach 2);

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a table of part of charging data request message contents with added IES;

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a table of charging data response message contents;

[0036] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a table indicating default trigger conditions in SMF;

[0037] FIG. 10 illustrates a table indicating PDU Session Charging Information;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a signaling diagram of an example illustrating enhancements in order to support network slice charging considering energy consumption numbers; and

[0039] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined below, at the end of the detailed description section.

[0042] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this Detailed Description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[0043] When more than one drawing reference numeral, word, or acronym is used within this description and in general as used within this description, the “ / ” may be interpreted as “or”, “and”, or “both”. 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.

[0044] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. It is noted that capital and lowercase words or phrases are considered to be the same herein. For instance, the words Slice and slice are the same, as are the phrases Network Repository Function and network repository function.

[0045] Any flow diagram or signaling diagram (such as FIGS. 4, 5, and 11) herein is considered to be a logic flow diagram, and illustrates the operation of an exemplary method, results of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory, functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and / or interconnected means for performing functions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Block diagrams (such as FIGS. 1, 2, and 14) also illustrate the operation of an exemplary method, results of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory, functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and / or interconnected means for performing functions in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. For methods, flow diagrams, and signaling diagrams, the orders of method steps, blocks in the flow, or signaling are not critical and instead are examples.

[0046] The examples herein relate to technical concepts, and information in these technique concepts is described before description of the examples is presented. One such technical concept involves network slicing. A network slice is a logical network that provides specific network capabilities and network characteristics. See 3GPP TS 23.501, §3.1. It noted that the term “network slice” is often referred to herein as a “slice”, e.g., for brevity.

[0047] Release 19 (rl9) study items have been progressing and energy efficiency has been a topic. In the current framework, usage counters are accumulated at per-subscriber level at the CHF and these counters are exchanged or updated to the PCF for the PCF to carry out corresponding policy decisions. Furthermore, charging functions are based on energy consumption limits.

[0048] There are energy requirements already specified, but which are not yet addressed. Meanwhile, there are details on how the network slice admission control is supported by the CHF, but the energy credits are not considered on any of the converged charging scenarios.

[0049] Currently, the CHF notifies to the PCF about the spending limit counters only based on the subscriber-specific counters. However, consider that the energy consumption, based on control plane signaling and its corresponding spend, by a particular slice is missing to be accounted for with the associated subscriber spending. This could cause the PCF to not to be able to enforce its policies (UE, AM, SM) based on the spending limits that are updated for the corresponding slice (S-NSSAI). This problem is addressed below. Furthermore, the CHF carries slice-level charging scenarios for PEC, IEC, ECUR and SCUR. However, considering the energy consumption is a prime area of research, it is useful to consider the energy consumption to charging areas.

[0050] Currently, there is no reliable accounting mechanisms for taking charging decisions based on the credit consumption for a network slice. It is planned for rl9 that energy efficiency capabilities are widely supported by charging. Network slices may be enhanced so actual energy consumption numbers can be considered for charging, as a criterion for a charging decision. This problem is also addressed below.

[0051] Reference is made to FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram of charging architecture. In this document, a “generic” NF uses reference number of 99, and specific NFs have an assigned number appended to 99. In the example of FIG. 1, shown are a NWDAF 99-1, a CEF 99-2, a CHF 99-3, and a PCF 99-4. Multiple service-based interfaces are illustrated: Nnwdaf (services used by the NWDAF); Nchf (services used for CHF); and Nchf SL (which is linked to an Nchf Spending Limit Service between the PCF and CHF). The network functions in a core network can be thought of as software, a type of application that runs on top of hardware in order to perform the functions, and the service-based interfaces can be thought of as APIs (application programmer interfaces). The name of the APIs exposed by an NF x (a network function x) normally starts with Nx. This is a convention and extends to Npcf for a PCF, Nchf for the CHF and Nnwdaf for the NWDAF, and the like. The Nnef / Npcf / Nnwdaf signaling is equivalent to API calls, which are themselves defined by TSs. See, e.g., 3GPP TS 23.501 §4.2.6. Charging architecture (3GPP TS 32.240 Clause 4.2.4), allows also the possibility on having converged charging through MDAS and NWDAF. There is a Converged Charging System (CCS) which includes four modules (CHF, AB MF, CGF, and RF). Also, the CHF interacts with the PCF for the Spending Limits (SL) updates.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of charging architecture for MDAS and NWDAF. There is a billing domain 230 connected via a Bx interface to the CHF 99-3, which is coupled via the Nchf servicebased interface to the CEF 99-2. The billing domain 230 and its corresponding billing system (not shown) is assumed to be proprietary and, while information may be pushed to the billing domain, e.g., by the CHF 99-3, it is up to the billing domain 230 as to what is done with that information. The CEF 99-2 is coupled to the MDAS 240 via an MDAS interface and to the NWDAF 99-1 via the Nnwdaf service-based interface. Multiple producers 210 and consumers 215 are illustrated. The MDAS 240 performs management data analytics, e.g., using internal business logic, and comprises an MDAS producer 210-1 and two MDAS consumers 215-1 and 215-2. Another MDAS producer 210-2 is illustrated being outside the MDAS 240, as is an MnS producer 210-3, both coupled to the MDAS 240 and to their respective consumers 215-1 and 215-2. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2:

[0053] 1) The CEF 99-2 supports reporting performance and analytics charging information per network slice;

[0054] 2) The performance and analytics information is obtained from the NWDAF 99-1;

[0055] 3) The CEF 99-2 is able to perform converged charging by interacting with the CHF 99-3, for charging data related to network slice performance and analytics; and / or

[0056] 4) The charging information is collected per Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI).

[0057] The CHF 99-3 is a function supporting charging for events and sessions. A charging session is an association between a CHF (NF service producer 210) that provides the charging service and an NF service consumer 215. For more information, see 3GPP TS 32.290. A CEF 99-2 is a consumer of Nchf charging services, and for the purpose of charging information collection may consume management services, services exposed by other network functions or both. See 3GPP TS 32.240, e.g., §4.3.3.3. A PCF (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5) supports unified policy framework to govern network behavior; Provides policy rules to Control Plane function(s) to enforce them; and / or Accesses subscription information relevant for policy decisions in a Unified Data Repository (UDR). See 3GPP TS 23.501, §6.2.4. An NWDAF 99-1 The NWDAF is designed to overcome market fragmentation and proprietary solutions in the area of network analytics, streamlining the way core network data is produced and consumed, as well as generating insights and taking actions based on these insights. The NWDAF addresses three primary standardization points: Data collection interface from network nodes; Predefined analytics insights; and Data exposure interface for consumers.

[0058] Now that information in certain technical areas have been described, an overview of the examples is presented.

[0059] In a first set of examples, aim is taken at enhancing the communication on interfaces between Nchf between the CEF and CHF based on energy consumption statistics and counters. Also, this set of examples may enhance the Nchf SL between the CHF and PCF for dynamic handling of SL based on the total energy consumption limits updated by the CHF towards the PCF. The PCF may use this SL update to dynamically take policy decisions for AM, UE, and SM policies. It is noted that the method of calculation of the energy consumption at the NWDAF is out of the scope of this document.

[0060] In a second set of examples, aim is taken at enhancing the charging mechanisms for the slice based on the energy consumption. Network slice charging energy consumption numbers are introduced, and respective information elements (IES) are introduced in the charging data request and response messages, and so are respective triggers.

[0061] In more detail, the first set of examples relate to reporting and charging. This involves slice level energy consumption monitoring and notifying the charging function for the charging function to consider for charging involvement by, e.g., an NSACF and a CHF. The second set of examples involve reporting and charging and SL limit optimization. The second set of examples not only involves a charging function to consider the energy consumption measurements from the CEF, the second set involves reporting to the PCF about the SL and optimization additionally may be introduced to reduce the signaling between the CHF and PCF in an example. There may be involvement by CEF, CHF, and PCF.

[0062] Description of the first set of examples is presented now. Referring to FIG. 3, this figure is a table of NSPA charging information which is a container 300, and is enhanced to support the IE 310 of energy consumption stats (e.g., statistics), which has a category of Oc (optional conditional) and a description of “This field contains the energy consumption counters of the slice.” Based on the configured limits for the energy consumption for a particular slice (S-NSSAI), the CHF 99-3 analyzes the consumption limits. Accordingly, the CHF updates the spending limit counters to a corresponding PCF using the Notify API. It is noted that this figure corresponds to one slice. In other words, the IE of energy consumption stats is for a single slice. This is merely exemplary, and other techniques may be used.

[0063] Two examples of approaches are provided.

[0064] Consider Approach 1. Approach 1 is illustrated by FIG. 4, which is a signaling diagram of an example where a CHF updates the spending limit counters to a corresponding PCF using the Notify API in a first approach (Approach 1). In this approach, there is signaling 0, where the PCF 99-4 has previously (e.g., prior to signaling 1) established the association with the CHF for the corresponding counters. The counters may indicate corresponding energy limits 420, or the energy limits 420 may be indicated through other techniques. Signaling 1 involves reporting of energy consumption per slice to the CHF 99-3 as part of NSPA Container Information 300. This example performs reporting for a single slice. It is noted that in FIG. 4, the NWDAF 99-1 and the CEF 99- 2 are shown positioned close together. This is because the CEF 99-2 takes input from the NWDAF 99-1 , and that input is used by the CEF to form at least part of the reporting of energy consumption per slice in block 1. Based on the CEF inputs, the CHF 99-3 analyzes and determines the affecting subscriber sessions corresponding to the slice (S-NSSAI) and accordingly initiates SL notify to the PCF. That is, the CHF 99-3 determines (e.g., shall determine) the affected sessions belonging to the Slice, that have reached the energy limits 420. An energy limit 420 for session(s) may be described in any manner, such as a threshold. This occurs in part in signaling 2, where the CHF 99-3 determines the affected SL sessions 410 belonging to the Slice, that have reached the energy limits. Note that 410 could involve many instances of the signaling in 3a and 3b, for instance, 100 sessions or more and performing 3a and 3b for each session. The CHF 99-3, in signaling 3a, sends the message Nchf SpendingLimitsControlNotify (see, e.g., GPP TS 29.594) to the PCF 99-4 (along with the SUPI), and the PCF 99-4 responds with a Nchf SpendingLimitsControlNotify Response message in signaling 3b. The SUPI identifies (e.g., shall identify) a subscriber that is using a PDU Session. In block 4, the PCF 99-4 accordingly implements policies that are affected by the SL for the UE, AM and SM.

[0065] The second example of an approach is Approach 2. Approach 2 is described by FIG. 5, which has some signaling that is similar to what is in FIG. 4 (and therefore, the description above is applicable). In this approach, there is signaling 0, where the PCF 99-4 has previously (e.g., prior to signaling 1) established the association with the CHF for the corresponding counters, which may indicate energy limit(s) 420. Signaling 1 involves reporting of energy consumption per slice to the CHF 99-3 as part of NSPA Container Information 300. Based on the CEF inputs, the CHF 99-3 analyzes and determines the affecting Slice (S-NSSAI) and accordingly initiates SL notify to the PCF about the counter affecting the Slice (S-NSSAI). This occurs in part in signaling 2, where the CHF 99-3 2 determines the affected sessions belonging to the Slice, that have reached the energy limits 420. The CHF 99-3, in signaling 3a, sends an Nchf_SpendingLimitsControlNotify message (as part of the Notify API) to the PCF 99-4 (along with the S-NSSAI), which responds in signaling 3b with a Nchf_SpendingLimitsControlNotify Response message. Accordingly, the PCF identifies (block 4) the subscriber sessions that correspond to the S-NSSAI, and (in block 5) implements policies that are affected by the SL for the UE, AM and SM. This approach reduces the signaling storm that occurs in FIG. 4 at 410. In other words, the PCF identifies all the subscriber sessions corresponding to the S_NSSAI in block 4, and this drastically reduces signaling as compared to FIG. 4. It is noted that FIG 5 is a new change in context to the SL service between the PCF and CHF, while FIG 4 does not consider any change on this interface.

[0066] Another topic of interest is charging-relation information at the CHF 99-3. The tables described in the figures provide the necessary details which help to differentiate that the charging takes place for an MBS session. Find below a discussion of the CDR Request and response messages attributes that are proposed to be changed (e.g., via additions). Those CDRs are defined in 3GPP TS 32.255:

[0067] 1) Charging data request message contents, illustrated in part in FIG. 6; and

[0068] 2) Charging data response message contents, illustrated in part in FIG. 7.

[0069] As just stated, FIG. 6 illustrates in part charging data request message contents 600. The IES that are added are IEs 610, 620, 630, and 640, each of which has a category for converged charging of Oc. IE 610 is a triggers IE with a category for offline only charging of Oc, and with the following description: “Extend the trigger default rules which would allow the Network Slice Energy Charging. This field is described in TS 32.255 and holds the 5G data connectivity specific triggers described in clause 5.2.1.” IE 620 is an S-NSSAI, with no category for offline only charging, and the following description: “This field holds network slice S-NSSAI the PDU session belongs to in the serving PLMN.”. IE 630 is an HPLMN S-NSSAI, with no category for offline only charging, and the following description: “This field holds the HPLMN S-NSSAI the VPLMN S- NSSAI is mapped to, for the PDU session. This field is only applicable in V-SMF for roaming.” IE 640 is S-NSSAI Energy, with no category for offline only charging, and the following description: “This field holds information related to the network slice energy consumption”. Ellipses 650 indicate that other IES are part of the charging data request message contents, but the other IEs are not shown.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, this illustrates a table of charging data response message contents 700. The charging data response message contents 700 includes IE 710 of Energy Consumption Threshold, which has an Oc for the category for converged charging, no category for the category for offline only charging, and has the following description: “This field indicates the threshold in joule units when the granted quota is service specific”.

[0071] It is beneficial to introduce new triggers for charging. This may be accomplished in block 4 and the last block of the flow for FIG. 4 and by block 5 and the last block of the flow for FIG. 5. In particular, the PCF 99-4 could use a trigger coming from the CHF 99-3, and implement rules toward the SMF (e.g., see SMF 99-5 of FIG. 11). The rules that might be implemented are outside the scope of this document. In order to enable the reporting of network slicing energy statistics in Charging Data Messaged, and use this information as charging trigger conditions, examples herein propose to extend the PCC rules sent by the PCF to the SMF.

[0072] In further detail, assume the PCF 99-4 as per signaling 2 (in FIGS. 4 and 5) identifies the sessions for whom the energy limits 420 have reached for a slice. For instance, assumer there are two UEs, UE1 and UE2, and both are accessing the slice SI. When the CHF 99-3 receives the energy inputs from step 0 (in FIGS. 4 and 5), and the CHF determines that the energy limits have reached for the slice, the CHF sends a Spending Limit (e.g., a trigger) to the PCF 99-4 for the PCF to take action and notify an SMF (not shown, but for session-related use cases); also, the PCF could take action by intimating an AMF (also not shown) too (like the SMF) for mobility-related use cases. That is, FIGS. 6-10 relate to the possible communications that enable the NFs like the SMF / AMF as described above to carry out the next steps within a current framework. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a table indicating default trigger conditions 800 in SMF. A first part (of the default trigger conditions 800-1) is in FIG. 8 and a second part (default trigger conditions 800- 2) is in FIG. 9. In FIG. 8. a trigger condition 810 of network slice energy change is added, and this trigger condition 810 has a trigger level of RG, a Converged Charging default category of immediate, an Offline only charging default category of deferred, a CHF allowed to change category of Yes, a CHF allowed to enable and disable of Yes, and a Message when "immediate reporting" category of Change of Charging conditions that is Charging Data Request [Update] . In FIG. 9, a trigger condition 820 of network slice energy consumption exhausted is added, and this trigger condition 820 has a trigger level of RG, a Converged Charging default category of immediate, an Offline only charging default category of not applicable, a CHF allowed to change category of No, a CHF allowed to enable and disable of No, and a Message when "immediate reporting" category of Change of Charging conditions that is Charging Data Request [Update],

[0073] It is also beneficial to perform updates in the PDU Session Charging Information (in Network Slice IE section part), see 3GPP TS 32.255 Clause 6.2.1.3. FIG. 10 illustrates a table indicating PDU Session Charging Information 1000. An addition to the PDU Session Charging Information 1000 is the IE 1010 of S-NSSAI Energy Consumption, which has the category of Oc and has the following description: “This field holds the S-NSSAI Energy in Use for the PDU session.” The ellipses 1020 indicate that there are many other entries for IES for PDU Session Charging Information 1000, and these entries are not shown.

[0074] The second set of examples are described now. In 3GPP TS 28.203, one or more of the following scenarios are enhanced in order to support network slice charging considering energy consumption numbers:

[0075] • (clause 5.2.2.2) Number of UEs per network slice charging from NSACF;

[0076] • (clause 5.2.2.3) Number of PDU sessions per network slice charging from NSACF; and

[0077] • (clause 5.2.2.4) Number of UEs and Number of PDU sessions per network slice charging from NSACF.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, this figure is a signaling diagram of an example illustrating enhancements in order to support network slice charging considering energy consumption numbers. The following entities are part of the signaling diagram: an SMF 99-5; an NSACF 99-6; and a CHF 99-3. The SMF 99-5 is a 5G core component that performs a fundamental role in the 5G Service-Based Architecture (SB A). The SMF is primarily responsible for interacting with the decoupled data plane, creating, updating and removing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions and managing session context with the User Plane Function (UPF). See also 3GPP TS 23.501, §6.2.2. The NSACF 99- 6 is defined to control the quota management of network-slice-specific quota in access control procedure(s). See also 3GPP TS 23.501, 6.2.28.

[0079] In block 1110, the SMF 99-5 and NSACF 99-6 perform steps 1 to 2 per 3GPP TS 23.502 Figure 4.2.11.2-1, “Number of UEs per network slice availability check and update procedure”. In block 2ch-a, for a particular S-NSSAI, e.g., the "Energy Consumption Threshold" trigger is met. In signaling 2ch-b, the NSACF 99-6 sends Charging Data Request (with a parameter of “Event”) to the CHF 99-3 with “Number of UEs”, and the actual number for energy consumed (shown by the parameter “energy”, which is an indication of the energy consumed), by the S-NSSAI in the Allocate Unit, which is a number of units allowed or allocated to be consumed. In the example of FIG. 11, the “Number of PDU sessions” is used instead of the Number of UEs. While either can be used, the “Number of PDU sessions” may be better because one UE can have multiple PDU sessions. In block 2ch-c, the CHF 99-3 creates a CDR for this “Number of UEs” for the S-NSSAI. The CDR that gets created is typically stored and then sent to the billing system (e.g., billing domain 230 of FIG. 2), which then addresses energy issues (e.g., considering at least in part by the energy parameter via signaling 2ch-b). How the billing system addresses energy issues is outside the scope of this document.

[0080] One example of the possible techniques for performing block 2ch-c is illustrated by block 1115, which has the following exemplary operations: l)The CHF creates the CDR; 2) The CHF stores a call data record, which has information corresponding to the CDR such as (e.g., indication of) the S-NSSAI; and 3) A message to the billing system would use a charging data message (that has the S-NSSAI information) and is created using the call data record. As indicated by (3) of block 1115, this message may be sent from the CHF 99-3 to the billing system (e.g., the billing domain 230 of FIG. 2).

[0081] In signaling 2ch-d, the CHF 99-3 provides response to NSACF 99-6. In block 1120, the SMF 99- 5 and NSACF 99-6 perform steps 3 and 4 as per 3GPP TS 23.502 Figure 4.2.11.2-1, “Number of UEs per network slice availability check and update procedure.”

[0082] Steps 2ch-a, and 2ch-b should be included in the above scenarios for FIG. 11, which enables the capability of network slice charging based on the Energy Consumption Number, those steps are generic to all the scenarios mentioned above.

[0083] As with the first set of examples, this second set of examples also concerns charging relation information at the CHF 99-3. The Charging Data Request and response messages attributes that are being proposed to be changed are described now. Those CDRs are defined in 3GPP TS 32.255 and include the following: 1) Charging Data Request message contents; and

[0084] 2) Charging Data Response message contents.

[0085] The added IES of IES 610, 620, 630, and 640 of FIG. 6 can be applied to the second set of examples. Similarly, the IE 710 of FIG. 7 can also be applied to the second set of examples.

[0086] As with the first set of examples, in this second set of examples, it is beneficial to introduce new triggers for Charging. In order to enable the reporting of network slicing energy statistics in Charging Data Messaged, and use this information as charging trigger conditions, this invention proposes to extend the PCC rules sent by the PCF to the SMF. The description above for the first set of examples is also applicable to FIG. 11. That description follows here for clarity and is adjusted according to FIG. 11. Assume the NSACF 99-6 as per signaling 2ch-a identifies the sessions for which an energy consumption threshold has been reached for a slice. When the CHF 99-3 receives the energy inputs, e.g., from 2ch-b, the CHF may determine that the energy limits have reached for the slice, and the CHF may send a Spending Limit (e.g., a trigger) to the PCF 99- 4 for the PCF to take action and notify an SMF 99-5 (for session-related use cases); also, the PCF could take action by intimating an AMF (also not shown) too (like the SMF) for mobility-related use cases. That is, FIGS. 6-10 relate to the possible communications that enable the NFs like the SMF / AMF as described above to carry out the next steps within a current framework.

[0087] The trigger condition 810 of Network Slice energy change for the Default Trigger Conditions in an SMF 800-1 can be used for these purposes. Additionally, the trigger condition 820 of Network Slice Energy Consumption Exhausted for the Default Trigger Conditions in an SMF 800-2 of FIG. 9 can be used for these purposes.

[0088] As with the first set of examples, in this second set of examples, it is also beneficial to the updates in the PDU Session Charging Information (in Network Slice IE section part), see 3GPP TS 32.255 Clause 6.2.1.3. This can be performed using IE 1010 of S-NSSAI Energy Consumption of FIG. 10.

[0089] Turning to FIG. 12, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example of a cellular network 1 that is connected to a user equipment (UE) 10. A number of network elements are shown in the cellular network of FIG. 12: a base station 70; and a core network 90.

[0090] In FIG. 12, a user equipment (UE) 10 is in wireless communication via radio link 11 with the base station 70 of the cellular network 1. A UE 10 is a wireless communication device, such as a mobile device, that is configured to access a cellular network. The UE 10 is illustrated with one or more antennas 28. The ellipses 2 indicate there could be multiple UEs 10 in wireless communication via radio links with the base station 70. The UE 10 includes one or more processors 13, one or more memories 15, and other circuitry 16. The other circuitry 16 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 17 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 18. A program 12 is used to cause the UE 10 to perform the operations described herein. For a UE 10, the other circuitry 16 could include circuitry such as for user interface elements (not shown) like a display.

[0091] The base station 70, as a network element of the cellular network 1, provides the UE 10 access to cellular network 1 and to the data network 91 via the core network 90 (e.g., via a user plane function (UPF) of the core network 90). As such, the base station 70 may be considered to be an access node, which provides access by UE(s) 10 to the cellular network 1. The base station 70 is illustrated as having one or more antennas 58. In general, the base station 70 may be referred to as RAN node 70, although many will make reference to this as a gNB (gNode B, a base station for NR, new radio) instead. There are, however, many other examples of RAN nodes including an eNB (evolved Node B) or TRP (Transmission-Reception Point). The base station 70 includes one or more processors 73, one or more memories 75, and other circuitry 76. The other circuitry 76 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 77 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 78. A program 72 is used to cause the base station 70 to perform the operations described herein.

[0092] It is noted that the base station 70 may instead be implemented via other wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi (a wireless networking protocol that devices use to communicate without direct cable connections). In the case of Wi-Fi, the link 11 could be characterized as a wireless link.

[0093] Two or more base stations 70 communicate using, e.g., link(s) 79. The link(s) 79 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an Xn interface for 5G (fifth generation), an X2 interface for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0094] The cellular network 1 may include a core network 90, as a second network element or elements, that may include core network functionality, and which provide connectivity via a link or links 81 with a data network 91, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). The core network 90 includes one or more processors 93, one or more memories 95, and other circuitry 96. The other circuitry 96 includes one or more receivers (Rx(s)) 97 and one or more transmitters (Tx(s)) 98. A program 92 is used to cause the core network 90 to perform the operations described herein.

[0095] The core network 90 could be a 5GC (5G core network). The core network 90 can implement or comprise multiple network functions (NF(s)) 99, and the program 92 may comprise one or more of the NFs 99. A 5G core network may use hardware such as memory and processors and a virtualization layer. It could be a single standalone computing system, a distributed computing system, or a cloud computing system. The NFs 99, as network elements, of the core network could be containers or virtual machines running on the hardware of the computing system(s) making up the core network 90.

[0096] Core network functionality for 5G may include the functions already described (NWDAF 99-1, CEF 99-2, CHF 99-3, PCF 99-4, SMF 99-5, andNSACF 99-6) and may include other functions such as access and mobility management functionality that is provided by a network function 99 such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), session management functionality that is provided by a network function such as a session management function (SMF). Core network functionality for access and mobility management in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network may be provided by an MME (Mobility Management Entity) and / or SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, which routes data to the data network. Many others are possible, as illustrated by the examples in FIG. 12: AMF; SMF; MME; SGW; GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Center); LMF (Location Management Function); UDM (Unified Data Management) / UDR (Unified Data Repository); NRF (Network Repository Function); and / or E- SMLC (Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center). These are merely exemplary core network functionality that may be provided by the core network 90, and note that both 5G and LTE core network functionality might be provided by the core network 90. The base station 70 is coupled via a backhaul link 31 to the core network 90. The base station 70 and the core network 90 may include an NG (Next Generation) interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other radio access technologies for communicating via the backhaul link 31.

[0097] In the data network 91, there is a computer-readable medium 94. The computer-readable medium 94 contains instructions that, when downloaded and installed into the memories 15, 75, or 95 of the corresponding UE 10, base station 70, and / or core network element(s) 90, and executed by processor(s) 13, 73, or 93, cause the respective device to perform corresponding actions described herein. The computer-readable medium 94 may be implemented in other forms, such as via a compact disc or memory stick.

[0098] The programs 12, 72, and 92 contain instructions stored by corresponding one or more memories 15, 75, or 95. These instructions, when executed by the corresponding one or more processors 13, 73, or 93, cause the corresponding apparatus 10, 70, or 90, to perform the operations described herein. The computer readable memories 15, 75, or 95 are circuitry and 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, flash memory, firmware, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 15, 75, and 95 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 13, 73, and 93, are circuitry and may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment. For example, these processors may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, and may also include specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices and other devices, or combinations of these devices, as non-limiting examples. The processors 13, 73, and 93 may be means for causing their respective apparatus to perform functions, such as those described herein. Particularly, for any apparatus having means to perform functions described herein, the means may include at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0099] The receivers 17, 77, and 97, and the transmitters 18, 78, and 98 may implement wired or wireless interfaces. The receivers and transmitters may be grouped together as transceivers.

[0100] The cellular network 1 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities (such as network functions 99) that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 73 and / or 93 and memories 75 and / or 95, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0101] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that the solution proposed enables the operator to implement policies based on the energy consumption spending limits. Another technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that the examples provide additional flexibility to the PCF product to additional create business cases based on the spending of energy to realize a service. Another technical effect and / or advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is the examples can implement charging scenarios based on the energy as one of the consumption units along with the current units like volume, duration and event.

[0102] The following are additional examples.

[0103] Example 1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0104] Example 2. The method of example 1, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

[0105] Example 3. The method according to either example 1 or 2, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information.

[0106] Example 4. The method according to example 3, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

[0107] Example 5. The method according to example 4, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

[0108] Example 6. The method according to any one of examples 1 to 5, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

[0109] Example 7. The method according to any one of examples 1 to 5, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

[0110] Example 8. A method, comprising: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a singlenetwork slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0111] Example 9. The method according to example 8, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

[0112] Example 10. The method according to any one of examples 8 or 9, further comprising, prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

[0113] Example 11. A method, comprising: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0114] Example 12. The method according to example 11, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

[0115] Example 13. The method according to any one of examples 11 or 12, further comprising: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units; performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

[0116] Example 14. A method, comprising: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0117] Example 15. The method according to example 14, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the method further comprises sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record.

[0118] Example 16. A computer program, comprising instructions for performing the methods of any of examples 1 to 18, when the computer program is run on an apparatus.

[0119] Example 17. The computer program according to example 16, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus.

[0120] Example 18. The computer program according to example 16, wherein the computer program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

[0121] Example 19. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0122] Example 20. The apparatus of example 19, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

[0123] Example 21. The apparatus according to either example 19 or 20, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information. Example 22. The apparatus according to example 21, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

[0124] Example 23. The apparatus according to example 22, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

[0125] Example 24. The apparatus according to any one of examples 19 to 23, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

[0126] Example 25. The apparatus according to any one of examples 19 to 24, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

[0127] Example 26. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0128] Example 27. The apparatus according to example 26, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

[0129] Example 28. The apparatus according to any one of examples 26 or 27, wherein the means are further configured for performing: prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

[0130] Example 29. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0131] Example 30. The apparatus according to example 29, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

[0132] Example 31. The apparatus according to any one of examples 29 or 30, wherein the means are further configured for performing: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units; performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

[0133] Example 32. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system. Example 33. The apparatus according to example 32, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the means are further configured for performing: sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record.

[0134] Example 34. The apparatus of any preceding apparatus example, wherein the means comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0135] Example 35. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

[0136] Example 36. The apparatus of example 35, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

[0137] Example 37. The apparatus according to either example 35 or 36, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information.

[0138] Example 38. The apparatus according to example 37, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

[0139] Example 39. The apparatus according to example 38, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

[0140] Example 40. The apparatus according to any one of examples 35 to 39, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

[0141] Example 41. The apparatus according to any one of examples 35 to 39, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

[0142] Example 42. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single-network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

[0143] Example 43. The apparatus according to example 42, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

[0144] Example 44. The apparatus according to any one of examples 42 or 43, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

[0145] Example 45. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

[0146] Example 46. The apparatus according to example 45, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

[0147] Example 47. The apparatus according to any one of examples 45 or 46, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units; performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

[0148] Example 48. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

[0149] Example 49. The apparatus according to example 48, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0150] (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and

[0151] (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

[0152] (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.

[0153] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example 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.

[0154] Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or a combination of software and hardware. In an example embodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, an instruction set) is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted, e.g., in FIG. 12. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer- readable storage medium (e.g., memories 15, 75, and 95 or other device) that may be any media or means that can contain, store, and / or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readable storage medium does not comprise propagating signals, and therefore may be considered to be non-transitory. 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, random access memory, versus ROM, read-only memory). If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

[0155] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0156] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0157] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

[0158] 5G fifth generation

[0159] AMBF account and balance management function

[0160] AM Access and mobility management

[0161] AMF access and mobility management function

[0162] API application programming interface

[0163] CDR charging data record

[0164] CEF charging enablement function

[0165] CGF charging gateway

[0166] CHF charging function

[0167] ECUR Event Charging with Unit Reservation eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)

[0168] E-SMLC evolved serving mobile location center

[0169] GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Center gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G / NR

[0170] HPLMN Home PLMN (public land mobile network)

[0171] IE information element

[0172] IEC Immediate Event Charging

[0173] I / F interface

[0174] LMF Location Management Function

[0175] LTE long term evolution

[0176] MBS Multicast / Broadcast Services

[0177] MDAS Management Data Analytics Service MME mobility management entity NF network function ng or NG next generation NR new radio NRF Network Repository Function NSACF Network slice admission control function NSPA Network Slicing Performance and Analytics N / W or NW network NWDAF Network data analytics function PCC Policy and Charging Control PCF Policy Control Function PDU protocol data unit PEC post event charging RAN radio access network Rel or r release (e.g., rl9 = release 19) RF rating function Rx receiver SCUR Event Charging with Unit Reservation SGW serving gateway SL Spending limit SM Session Management SMF session management function S-NSSAI Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information

[0178] SUPI Subscription Permanent Identifier TRP transmission-reception point TS technical standard Tx transmitter UDM unified data management UDR unified data repository UE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)

[0179] UPF user plane function VPLMN Visiting PLMN (public land mobile network) V-SMF Visiting SMF

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

3. The method according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

8. A method, comprising: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising, prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

11. A method, comprising: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; andreceiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, further comprising: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units; performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

14. A method, comprising: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the method further comprises sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indicationof the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record.

16. A computer program, comprising instructions for performing the methods of any of claims 1 to 15, when the computer program is run on an apparatus.

17. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing instructions embodied therein for use with the apparatus.

18. The computer program according to claim 16, wherein the computer program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the apparatus.

19. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

21. The apparatus according to either claim 19 or 20, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, thatis affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

26. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 26 or 27, wherein the means are further configured for performing: prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

29. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 29 or 30, wherein the means are further configured for performing: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units; performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

32. An apparatus, comprising means for performing: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; andstoring, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the means are further configured for performing: sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record.

34. The apparatus of any preceding apparatus claim, wherein the means comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

35. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular network, reporting of energy consumption per network slice operating in the core network; determining, by the charging function based at least on the reporting, one or more sessions, belonging to a network slice, that is or are affected by reaching a corresponding energy limit; and performing, by the charging function, a process to notify a policy control function in the core network of spending limits corresponding to the affected one or more sessions.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the reporting is received from a charging enablement function.

37. The apparatus according to either claim 35 or 36, wherein the reporting is contained in network slicing performance and analytics container information.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the reporting is contained in an information element comprising energy consumption statistics.

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the energy consumption statistics comprise indication of energy consumption counters for individual network slices.

40. The apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for a session in the one or more sessions, belonging to the network slice, that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a subscription permanent identifier identifying a subscriber that is using the session; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for the session; and performing the signaling the indication and the receiving the response for every one of the one or more sessions that are affected and that belong to the network slice.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein performing the process comprises: signaling, from the charging function to the policy control function, indication of spending limits for all sessions in the one or more sessions belonging to the network slice that is affected, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single -network slice selection assistance information identifying all the sessions; and receiving, by the charging function from the policy control function, a response to the signaling of the indication for all sessions.

42. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving signaling, at a policy control function in a core network of a cellular network and from a charging function in the core network, indication of spending limits for all sessions in one or more sessions affected by reaching corresponding energy limits and belonging to a network slice, wherein the signaling of the indication includes a single-network slice selection assistance information identifying the network slice; identifying, by the policy control function, all the affected sessions corresponding to the single -network slice selection assistance information; and implementing, by the policy control function, policies that are affected by the spending limits for corresponding ones of the affected sessions.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the policies are one or more of user equipment policies, access and mobility management policies, or session management policies.

44. The apparatus according to any one of claims 42 or 43, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: prior to the receiving the signaling: establishing by the policy control function an association with the charging function for counters that correspond to the one or more sessions and indicate the corresponding energy limits for the one or more sessions.

45. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining, by a network slice admission control function in a core network of a cellular network, that a trigger for energy consumption threshold is met for a particular single network slice selection assistance information that identifies a network slice; sending, by the network slice admission control function to a charging function in the core network and in response to the trigger being met, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of energy consumed by the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and receiving, by the network slice admission control function from the charging function, a response to the charging data request comprising an indication of the event.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the charging data request further comprises an indication of an event and one of the following: a number of protocol data sessions corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; or a number of user equipment corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information.

47. The apparatus according to any one of claims 45 or 46, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: prior to the determining that the trigger for energy consumption threshold is met, receiving, by the network slice admission control function from a session management function in the core network, a request to update a number of protocol data units;performing an update by the network slice admission control function, and after receiving the response, to determine an available number of protocol data units for the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and acknowledging the update by the network slice admission control function to the session management function.

48. An apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, at a charging function in a core network of a cellular system and from a network slice admission control function in the core network, signaling for a charging data request comprising indication of an event and indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information; creating, by the charging function and based in part on the indication of a number for energy consumed by a particular single network slice selection assistance information, a charging data record corresponding to the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and storing, by the charging function, a call data record corresponding to the charging data record and to be used for sending a message to a billing system.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein: the call data record includes information corresponding to the charging data record, the information comprising indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information; and the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: sending, by the charging function to the billing system, a message to the billing system using a charging data message, having the indication of the particular single network slice selection assistance information, and created using the call data record.

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