Supporting extreme bit rate service

Abstract

There is provided a first apparatus, configured to use simul- taneously, for a target service: a first connection provided by a first serving network, wherein the first connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and at least one second connection having an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service. The first serving network provides quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of the first connection for the target service.

Description

[0001] SUPPORTING EXTREME BIT RATE SERVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Various example embodiments relate generally to supporting extreme bit rate service.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Services that require very high bandwidth may be referred to as extreme bit rate [EBR] services. User or user device using EBR service may be referred to as EBR user. Examples of EBR service include ultra reliable and low latency communications [URLLC], extended reality (XR), Metaverse, Immersive services.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims. The embodiments that do not fall under the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

[0008] According to an aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a first apparatus from a first serving network, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of a first connection for a target service; wherein the first apparatus is configured to use simultaneously, for the target service: the first connection provided by the first serving network, wherein the first connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and at least one second connection having an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service; and the method comprises: determining, by the first apparatus, while using the at least one second connection for the target service, whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network; based on determining that the at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service, transmitting, by the first apparatus to the first serving network, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; receiving, by the first apparatus from the first serving network, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use of the first connection for the target service; and using, by the first apparatus, the first connection for the target service according to the configuration for the quality enhancing service. According to an embodiment, the first serving network is a 6G access network.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the at least one second connection is provided by at least one second serving network different from the first serving network.

[0010] According to an embodiment, at least one of the at least one second connection is a non-cellular connection.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the restricted use of the first connection comprises at least one of: discrete use of the first connection with full quality support; or discrete use of the first connection with partial quality support.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum duration of allowed use of the quality enhancing service per a time window of a given duration.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: determining that the maximum duration is full; and based on the determining that the maximum duration is full, terminating usage of the first connection for the target service.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted over the first connection per a time window of a given duration.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum bit rate optionally with an offset.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a pattern of time intervals of quality support, wherein the quality support is with full quality support or with partial quality support.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a notification of exceeding a limit related to the quality enhancing service; based on the notification, determining to renegotiate the configuration for the quality enhancing service with the first serving network.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a forced termination of the quality enhancing service from the first serving network.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the configuration for the quality enhancing service comprises a measurement and reporting configuration indicative of at least one measurement related to the at least one second connection; and the method comprises: performing the at least one measurement according to the measurement and reporting configuration; and reporting the at least one measurement to the first serving network according to the measurement and reporting configuration.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the configuration for the quality enhancing service comprises a measurement and reporting configuration indicative of at least one measurement related to the first connection; and the method comprises: performing the at least one measurement according to the measurement and reporting configuration; and reporting the at least one measurement to the first serving network according to the measurement and reporting configuration.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the request for the quality enhancing service for the target service is a packet data unit, PDU, session establishment request.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the first apparatus is or is comprised in a user equipment.

[0023] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method of the aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a first apparatus.

[0024] According to an aspect, there is provided a (non-transitory) computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method of the aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a first apparatus.

[0025] According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing at least the method of the aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a first apparatus.

[0026] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting, by a second apparatus of a first serving network to a user equipment, an indication of support of a first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use, by the user equipment, of a first connection for a target service; wherein the first serving network is configured to provide the first connection having a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and the method comprises: receiving, by the second apparatus from the user equipment, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; transmitting, by the second apparatus to the user equipment, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the target service.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: providing the quality enhancing service to the user equipment according to the configuration. According to an embodiment, the first serving network is a 6G access network.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the restricted use of the first connection comprises at least one of: discrete use of the first connection with full quality support; or discrete use of the first connection with partial quality support.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum duration of allowed use of the quality enhancing service per a time window of a given duration.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted over the first connection per a time window of a given duration.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a maximum bit rate optionally with an offset.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the restricted use is defined by a pattern of time intervals of quality support, wherein the quality support is with full quality support or with partial quality support.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: monitoring usage, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the quality enhancing service.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: determining, based on the monitoring, that the user equipment has exceeded a limit related to the quality enhancing service; transmitting a notification of exceeding the limit related to the quality enhancing service.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the method comprises: determining, based on the monitoring, that the user equipment has exceeded a limit related to the quality enhancing service; transmitting, to the user equipment, a forced termination of the quality enhancing service.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the request for the quality enhancing service for the target service is a packet data unit, PDU, session establishment request.

[0037] According to an aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method of the further aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a second apparatus.

[0038] According to an aspect, there is provided a (non-transitory) computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method of the further aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a second apparatus. According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising means for performing at least the method of the further aspect above and any of the embodiments thereof. The apparatus may be a second apparatus.

[0039] LIST OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which

[0041] Fig. 1 shows an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows an example scenario of connections used by a user equipment of EBR user;

[0043] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, signaling between entities;

[0044] Fig. 4A shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service;

[0045] Fig. 4B shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service;

[0046] Fig. 4C shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service;

[0047] Fig. 4D shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service;

[0048] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, signaling between entities;

[0049] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, an example of a method;

[0050] Fig. 7 shows, by way of example, an example of a method; and

[0051] Fig. 8 shows an example of an apparatus.

[0052] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment's), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0054] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0055] Embodiments described may be implemented in a communication network, such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Micro-wave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future RAT such as 6G. Moreover, communication within the communication network may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (M1M0), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0056] As used herein, the term “network device” or “network node” refers to a node in a communication network via which user equipment may access the network and / or which is capable of controlling radio communication and managing radio resources within a cell. The network node or network device may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP) or an access node. The network device may be, depending on the applied technology, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (1AB) node, a low power node, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or an aircraft network device.

[0057] Moreover, in connection of split radio access network (RAN), the network device may refer to a centralised unit (CU) of a base station and / or a distributed unit (DU) of a base station. An interface between CU and DU may be referred to as an Fl interface in NR. In the split RAN architecture, node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in the central / centralized unit, CU, (e.g. server, host or node) operationally coupled to the DU, (e.g. a radio head / node). One CU may control one or more DUs, acting at least as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. In some embodiments, the DUs may comprise e.g. a radio link control (RLC), a medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer, whereas the CU may comprise the layers above RLC layer, such as a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and internet protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are possible too. In practice, any processing task may be performed in either the CU or the DU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the CU and the DU may depend on the applied implementation.

[0058] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), or a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, USB dongles, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like.

[0059] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources include e.g. a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0060] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a communication network to which examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communication network or a cellular communication network may comprise a network node 110 providing one or more cells, such as cell 100, and a network node 112 providing one or more other cells, such as cell 102. Each cell may be, e.g., a macro cell, a micro cell, femto, or a pico cell, for example. The cell may define a coverage area or a service area of the corresponding access node.

[0061] The network node 110 may provide a user equipment (UE) 120 (one or more UEs) with wireless access to the communication network. The wireless access may comprise downlink (DL) communication from the network node to the UE 120 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 120 to the network node. Examples of uplink channels comprise physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for transmitting control information and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmitting data towards the network. Examples of downlink channels comprise physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for transmitting control information and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for transmitting data towards the user equipment.

[0062] There may be a plurality of UEs 120, 122 in the system. Each of them may be served by the same or by different network nodes 110, 112. UE may be configured with dual connectivity (DC), wherein the UE, e.g. UE 120, may be connected to multiple network nodes 110, 112. The UEs 120, 122 may communicate with each other, in case device-to-device (D2D) communication interface is established between them via a so-called sidelink (SL). Such D2D communications may be referred to as machine-to-machine, peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, or ve- hicle-to-vehicle (V2V), for example.

[0063] In the case of multiple network nodes in the communication network, the network nodes may be connected to each other via an interface. LTE specifications call such an interface as X2 interface. An interface between an LTE node and a 5G node, or between two 5G nodes may be called Xn interface.

[0064] The network nodes 110 and 112 may be further connected via another interface to a core network 116 of the communication network. In some examples, the network nodes 110, 112 may be connected to different core networks. For example, the network node 110 may be a 6G network node and the network node 112 may be a network node of an earlier RAT, such as 5G. The LTE specifications specify the core network as an evolved packet core (EPC), and the core network may comprise e.g. a mobility management entity (MME) and a gateway node. The MME may handle mobility of terminal devices in a tracking area encompassing a plurality of cells and handle signalling connections between the terminal devices and the core network. The gateway node may handle data routing in the core network and to / from the terminal devices. The 5G specifications specify the core network as a 5G core (5GC). The 5G core may comprise e.g. an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a user plane function / gateway (UPF) and other functions. The AMF may handle termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signalling, NAS ciphering & integrity protection, registration management, connection management, mobility management, access authentication and authorization, security context management. The UPF node may support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection and quality of service (QoS) handling, for example.

[0065] Services that require very high bandwidth may be referred to as extreme bit rate (EBR) services. User or user device using EBR service may be referred to as EBR user. Examples of EBR service include ultra reliable and low latency communications (URLLC), extended reality (XR), Metaverse, Immersive services.

[0066] 5G system (5GS) has been enhanced to support XR applications with high data rate (under 100 Mbps) with features given in TS 23.501 18.4.0 clause 5.37.1.

[0067] In 5G support for URLLC, redundant PDU sessions are introduced. This means that the UE may be provided with more than one independent PDU session via different serving RAN nodes for application-level data duplication. In addition, UE can have multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs), multi-RAT capabilities, or even multiple UE modules coexisting in the same UE device.

[0068] In 6GS, it may be expected that the DL and UL user experience data rate for EBR services is in 100 Mbps - 1 Gbps, for very high data rate category, and above 1 Gbps for ultra high data rate category. Some use cases may need even tens or hundreds of Gbps connection.

[0069] Fig. 2 shows an example scenario of connections used by the UE of EBR user. To support the EBR users, multiple high-speed network connections may be aggregated, e.g. across different RATs and / or access mediums (wireless or wire- line). This aggregation may be considered as of application level above the network access level of individual serving networks that provide the multiple high-speed network connections. Let us consider that the UE 210 is equipped and capable of having multiple high-speed network connections independently and simultaneously. Let us also consider that the EBR application 200 is able to operate using those connections in an aggregated manner.

[0070] For example, the UE is capable of using, or is configured to use, or may use multiple different independent network connections simultaneously, such as a first connection 210, a second connection 220 and a third 230 connection. The second connection 220 and the third connection 230 may be comprised in the “at least one second connection” as used herein. For example, the first connection 210 may be a 6G network connection, the second connection 220 may be a non-cellular connection such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection, and the third connection 230 may be a fixed wired or fixed wireless access connection. The UE is capable of using and may use these connections simultaneously, as shown in Fig. 2. The UE may use one of them at a time, or may use two of them simultaneously without using the third one, or may use all of them simultaneously.

[0071] The first connection and the at least one second connections may be provided by different networks. The second connections may be provided by the same network or different networks of the same or different network operators.

[0072] EBR services have requirements related to quality of service (QoS) and / or quality of experience (QoE). As used herein, QoS / QoE support refers to requirements of the target service, e.g. EBR service.

[0073] Guaranteed bit rate (GBR) is a quality of service (QoS) parameter that guarantees a minimum data transfer rate for a service, such as for EBR services described above.

[0074] QoS / QoE support may be referred to as quality support or GBR support, for example.

[0075] When a network connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service, the communication connection may be considered to have, for example, the GBR required by the target service.

[0076] When a network connection has an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service, the network connection may be considered to have, for example, lower GBR than the GBR required by the target service. Alternatively, the network connection may be without GBR (no support for GBR). This kind of a network connection may be referred to as a non-GBR connection.

[0077] Referring to Fig. 2, even though the WLAN connection of the UE may provide hundreds or even thousands of Mbps, it may not provide support for GBR and, in general, QoS / QoE that is required for EBR user. Even though the fixed or mobile access via, for example, 4G or 5G network, can provide GBR services, whether and how high GBR the 4G or 5G network connection of the UE provides depends on service level agreement (SLA) of the UE towards the 4G or 5G network. However, it may be expected that GBR provided by the 4G or 5G connection only is not high enough for EBR user.

[0078] Regarding the 6G network connection, let us consider that the 6G access network alone may be able to provide GBR connection for supporting EBR, e.g., by using different 6G radio access techniques on the access layer. However, 6G system (6GS) may need to reserve extensive resources for the target service, e.g. EBR service. In addition to supporting multiple EBR users, the 6G network may need to simultaneously support other users with other services while serving the EBR users. Thus, reserving extensive resources for the EBR users might not be desirable and / or is not optimal use of the capacity of the 6G network.

[0079] Let us consider that the UE is using at least one network connection (second connection) other than 6G connection (first connection) for EBR services. EBR service may be referred to as a target service and vice versa. It may happen that the at least one second connection (other than 6G) the UE is using becomes unstable or degraded, or there is some need of the UE for quality enhancement of the at least one second connection. Procedures to overcome this situation are provided herein.

[0080] Methods are provided for enabling 6G network to provide flexible and efficient support for EBR users. The UE of the EBR user may use multiple network connections, including 6G, simultaneously. Methods are provided for enabling the 6G network to dynamically compensate for the needed network resources while ensuring support for the EBR users according to given QoS and / or QoE requirements. Methods are provided for allowing the 6G network to provide at least partial support for the target service over a 6G connection (first connection) whenever needed, e.g. due to a temporary degradation of other connection(s) (second connection) during the service time. Methods are provided for enabling the 6G network to support more EBR users simultaneously, and also more users with other services while serving the EBR users.

[0081] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, signaling between entities. UE 310 may be referred to as a first apparatus. The network node 320 or the first network node 320 may be referred to as a second apparatus. The UE 310 is capable of using and / or configured to use multiple connections simultaneously. For example, the UE may be configured with multi-RAT connections provided by different networks.

[0082] The UE 310 is configured with a first connection provided by a first serving network via a first network node 320. The first network node 320 in the example of Fig. 3 represents the first serving network for the UE 310 and the connection between the UE 310 and the first network node 320 represents the first connection. In this regard, the first network node 320 may comprise radio access network (RAN) and core network (CN) functions of the first serving network. The first connection has a full quality support for requirements of a target service. In other words, the first network may be able to provide the target service for the UE 310 with full quality support over the first connection. The target service is an EBR service. Examples of EBR service include ultra reliable and low latency communications (URLLC), extended reality (XR), Metaverse, Immersive services. For example, the first connection has full QoS / QoE support required by the target service. For example, the first connection is a 6G connection or a future RAT connection. For example, the first serving network is a 6G access network or a future access network. The first connection is provided by the first network node 320 comprising a radio access node. For example, the first connection is a GBR connection.

[0083] The UE 310 is configured with at least one second connection. The at least one second connection or all the second connections are such that they have an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service. For example, the at least one second connection has insufficient or limited QoS / QoE support for the requirements of the target service.

[0084] The at least one second connection may be a cellular connection according to an earlier generation of RAT than the 6G, for example. The at least one second connection may be, for example, a 4G or a 5G connection. For example, the at least one second connection may be provided by at least one second serving network different from the first serving network (6G or future RAT). For example, the at least one second connection may be a non-cellular connection. For example, the at least one second connection may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection, or a fixed wired connection or a fixed wireless connection.

[0085] In the example of Fig. 3, the UE 310 is using 305 a second connection provided by a second network node 330 for the target service. The second network node 330 may be the network node of the second serving network. The second network node 330 in the example of Fig. 3 represents the second serving network for the UE 310 and the connection between the UE 310 and the second network node 330 represents the second connection.

[0086] In the example of Fig. 3, the UE is, at first, using 305 a single second connection for the target service. In another example, the UE may use, at first, a plurality of second connections for the target service.

[0087] The UE may use the first connection for some other purpose than for the target service in the beginning of the procedure illustrated in Fig. 3. For example, the first connection may be used for other services of the UE such as data transmissions for always-on background applications or other multimedia applications. The first connection may also be used for UE location and context updates, public or private warning or notification services, or UE device software update services. In the beginning, the UE may use 305 only the at least one second connection for the target service. In the beginning, the UE may not use the first connection for the target service. The UE may or may not yet have the first connection while using the at least one second connection for the target service.

[0088] The UE 310 receives 312, from the first serving network, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, e.g. for a target service. For example, the quality enhancing service may be characterized by GBR. The quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of the first connection for the target service. This is under the condition that the UE 310 is using the at least one second connection for the target service. The quality enhancing service for the target service over the first connection is aimed for ensuring that QoS / QoE requirements of the target service can be met and maintained for the UE 310 while the target service is provided to the UE 310 using the at least one second connection. The quality enhancing service is therefore used for combating temporary and uncontrollable degradations in terms of QoS / QoE such as GBR provided over the at least one second connection for the target service. In other words, the quality enhancing service compensates for insufficient quality support over the at least second connection for the target service. For example, the indication may be received via RRC signaling, e.g. in a system information block (SIB) message, from the first network node 320. As another example, the indication may be received from core network, CN, of the first serving network via NAS signaling. In this case, the indication may be provided dedicatedly to the UE during registration, tracking area update, or handover related procedure, for example. In some example embodiments, the first serving network and the first network node 320 or individual cell of the first network node 320 may provide support for either the target service or the quality enhancing service for the target service or both the target service and the quality enhancing service for the target service.

[0089] In some example embodiments, the UE may be authorized and configured by the first serving network to request a PDU session over the first connection for either the target service or the quality enhancing service for the target service. In some example embodiments, the UE may be authorized and configured by the first serving network to request a PDU session over the first connection for the quality enhancing service for the target service.

[0090] The indication may be, for example, a one bit indication wherein “1” is interpreted as the first network node 320 or individual cell of the first network node 320 supporting the quality enhancing service. Indication “0” or absence of the indication field may be interpreted as the first network node 320 or individual cell of the first network node 320 not supporting the quality enhancing service.

[0091] The indication may comprise information on the quality enhancing service. For example, the indication may comprise one or more of the following:

[0092] Supported EBR user classes or EBR user categories or EBR user profiles;

[0093] Restriction(s) of supported quality enhancing service. For example, limitation(s) of GBR and limitation(s) of time duration for using the first connection for the target service per EBR user class or category or profile may be comprised in the indication. For example, the UE may be allowed to use 10 Gbps with an offset of 100 Mbps for a maximum duration of 100 ms over a time window of 1000 ms. This means that for every time window of 1000 ms data transmissions of the UE for the target service with lOGbps GBR can take place for a maximum duration of 100 ms. The time window(s) may start at any time instance during service time of the target service. As another example, the UE may be allowed to use 1 Gbps with an offset of 20 Mbps for a maximum duration of 1 s over a time window of 10 s. As another example, the UE may be allowed to use 500 Mbps with an offset of 10 Mbps for a maximum duration of 10 s over a time window of 1 min. Restriction(s) may be indicated by a time pattern, for example, as explained in the context of Fig. 4A-D. Restrictions of supported quality enhancing service facilitate the UE to determine a request for the quality enhancing service such that the request is in line with the restrictions.

[0094] Required UE capabilities for using the quality enhancing service. For example, the capabilities may include application layer aggregation capabilities (using multiple connections for the target service), application layer interaction or interface capabilities, application layer measurement and reporting related capabilities, etc., related to using the application layer aggregation for the target service with the quality enhancing service. User data of the target service is originated or terminated in the application layer.

[0095] One or more conditions for using the quality enhancing service, such as radio conditions and / or mobility restrictions of the UE. For example, the UE may need to be in good radio condition (e.g. UE measured reference signal received power (RSRP) from the first network node 320 being above a threshold) or the UE may need to be in stationary or low mobility state to request for the quality enhancing service. The one or more conditions may also include conditions on RATs and / or carrier frequencies and bandwidths of the at least one second connection, in addition to the condition that the UE is using at least one second connection for the target service. In an example, other than subscribed 3GPP RATs, WLAN and fixed wired access may be excluded. In another example, all carriers that are used by the first network node 320 for providing support for the target service and / or the quality enhancing service for the target service may be excluded to avoid interference.

[0096] While using 305, or at least attempting or trying to use, the second connection for the target service, the UE may determine whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network. The at least one condition may be indicated by the indication received 312 from the first serving network, or the condition may be pre-configured to the UE.

[0097] An example of a condition is that the UE is using the second connection for the target service and the second serving network such as WLAN is not capable of providing guaranteed QoS such as GBR required or preferred for the target service to the UE over the second connection. That is, QoS support of the second serving network over the second connection may be considered or known as insufficient for the target service due to limited QoS support capabilities specific to RAT of the second serving network. The condition may further consider, for example, the current radio conditions of the UE over the second connection. For example, the UE may detect a temporary degradation of the second connection.

[0098] Another example of a condition is whether the EBR service the UE is using is in the list of supported EBR services indicated by the first network.

[0099] The UE may determine 314 that at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service. For example, based on detecting limited or insufficient QoS support capabilities of the second serving network and / or a degradation of the second connection, the UE may determine that at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service.

[0100] Based on determining that the at least one condition is met, the UE transmits 316 a request for quality enhancing service, e.g. QoS / QoE enhancing service. The UE transmits 316 the request to the first serving network, e.g. to the first network node 320.

[0101] For example, the request for the quality enhancing service for the target service may be a packet data unit, PDU, session establishment request. For example, the request may be sent to CN via RAN.

[0102] For example, the request may comprise information on the at least one second connection. For example, the request may comprise carrier frequencies and bandwidths of the at least one second connection. This enables the first network to avoid conflicts when allocating resources for the quality enhancing service.

[0103] For example, the request may comprise information on the target service, for example, EBR user classes or categories or profiles. For example, the request may comprise information on the GBR required by the target service.

[0104] For example, the request may comprise confirmation of required UE capabilities for using the quality enhancing service.

[0105] For example, the request may comprise information on preferred or requested restriction, including for examples preferred or requested GBR and associated time duration or time window, for the quality enhancing service based on the supported restrictions indicated 312 to the UE by the first serving network. For example, the UE may select the preferred or requested restriction among the indicated restrictions. The selection may also be based on capabilities and provided capacities such as measured data throughput or data rate of the second connection for the target service.

[0106] The first network node 320 may prepare the configuration for quality enhancing service for the UE 310. For example, the first network node 320 may allocate resources for the UE such that the GBR required by the target service is met over an aggregation of the first connection and the second connection. The first network node is aware of the QoS / QoE requirements of the target service. For example, the first network node 320 (the RAN and the core network of the first serving network) may setup the resources and radio bearer services for the requested PDU session over the first connection according to the restriction agreed with the UE. The first network node 320 may provide or may be configured to provide the quality enhancing service for the target service over the first connection to the UE 310. For example, the first network node 320 may not provide the target service itself over the first connection to the UE 310 beyond the quality enhancing service. The first network node 320 may not provide the target service over the first connection to the UE 310 without limitations or restrictions configured for the quality enhancing service for the target service. The quality enhancing service may be considered as a designated or configured partial support for the target service. The quality enhancing service may be (re) negotiated between the UE 310 and the first network node 320. For example, the UE may use the PDU session over the first connection configured for the quality enhancing service for the target service. For example, the first connection may be used for transmissions of user data of the target service.

[0107] The UE receives 318 a configuration for the quality enhancing service from the first serving network. The quality enhancing service is characterized by restricted use of the first connection for the target service, according to the configuration. The configuration may be received, for example, in part via RRC signaling, such as RRC reconfiguration message, and in part via NAS signaling, such as a PDU session establishment accept message as a response to the PDU session establishment request.

[0108] Restricted use of the first connection for the target service as used herein may mean, for example, that the UE may be allowed to use the first connection for a limited duration of time. For this limited duration of time, the first connection may provide full quality support or partial quality support for the target service according to the configuration.

[0109] Restricted use may comprise discrete use of the first connection, or discontinuous use of the first connection. For example, the first connection may provide full quality support and the UE may be allowed to use it according to a timing pattern or a pattern of time intervals. The pattern may be random unless degradations over the second connection are predictable. For example, the UE may use full quality support for a maximum duration or maximum total time duration of 2 s per 10 s (time window or a sliding time window). This means that during a time window of 10 s starting at any time instance during the life time of the quality enhancing service over the first connection the total time used for data transmissions of the UE for the target service with full quality support is limited to 2 s. In some examples, the UE may be allowed to exceed the maximum duration of full support by an offset, e.g. 200 ms. During the offset, the UE and the network may renegotiate continuation of the quality enhancing service. The renegotiation may be initiated by the UE or by the network. For example, the PDU session modification procedure may be used for the renegotiation.

[0110] In some examples, the UE may be allowed to exceed the maximum duration during the offset for N times without renegotiation. N may be configured and / or pre-configured.

[0111] Restricted use may be configured via a limitation of total data volume that can be transmitted per an associated time window for the target service. For example, as an alternative to the example described above with a discrete use of the first connection for the target service for maximum duration of 2 s per a time window of 10 s, assuming that the full quality support means a GBR of 1 Gbps, the restricted use of the first connection for the target service may be defined by a maximum data volume of 2 Gbits for user data of the target service that is allowed to be transmitted over the first connection per a time window of 10 s. Alternatively, the restricted use of the first connection for the target service may be defined by a maximum bit rate. For example, if the first connection is able to provide bit rate of 1 Gbps, the restricted use of the first connection may be defined so that the UE is allowed to use, for example, 0.5 Gbps optionally with an offset.

[0112] Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show examples of pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show periodic patterns. However, as degradations on the second connection(s) may happen at any time and may be unpredictable or random, it is to be understood that the pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service may follow a random pattern. Examples of random patterns are illustrated in Fig. 4C and 4D.

[0113] Fig. 4A shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service. X-axis 410 illustrates the time and the y-axis 405 illustrates quality support provided by the first connection and / or the quality support used by the UE. The UE may be configured to be allowed to use full quality support during the time periods (Tl) 420, 422 per a time window (T2) 440, 442. For example, the first connection may be configured to provide full GBR required by the target service, and the UE is allowed to use that during the time periods 420, 422. Alternatively, the first connection may be requested and / or configured to provide partial quality support, e.g. only partial quality support. Together with other connections (at least one second connection), the quality requirements, e.g. GBR requirements, of the target service may be fulfilled.

[0114] In some examples, the UE may be allowed to exceed the maximum duration of quality support by an offset 430, 432.

[0115] Between the time periods 420, 422, the first connection may be configured to provide only partial quality support, as explained below using an example and as shown in Fig. 4B. Alternatively, the UE may be allowed to use only partially the full quality support provided by the first connection between the time periods 420, 422.

[0116] In some examples, an offset may be applied to the allowed amount of the quality support.

[0117] Examples of the time patterns or patterns of time intervals of the quality enhancing service may be as follows. For example, the UE may be allowed to use 10 Gbps with an offset of 100 Mbps for a maximum duration of 100 ms over a time window of 1000 ms. As another example, the UE may be allowed to use 1 Gbps with an offset of 20 Mbps for a maximum duration of 1 s over a time window of 10 s. As another example, the UE may be allowed to use 500 Mbps with an offset of 10 Mbps for a maximum duration of 10 s over a time window of 1 min.

[0118] The restricted use may mean that the first connection provides partial quality support (only partial), not full. For example, the first connection may be requested and may provide a preconfigured portion or percentage of the quality, e.g. GBR, needed for the target service user, e.g. EBR user. For example, the first connection may provide 50% of the GBR required for the EBR user. The EBR user may then use the at least one second connections in an aggregated manner to fulfill the GBR requirements of the target service.

[0119] Fig. 4B shows, by way of example, a pattern of time intervals of quality enhancing service. Full quality support and the partial quality support may be combined in the quality enhancing service. Outside of the time periods 420,422, the UE may be allowed to use only partial quality support 450.

[0120] For example, the UE may be provided with quality enhancing service, e.g. via a PDU session, for the EBR service that requires IGbps GBR comprising: (1) the QoS / QoE enhancing service with IGbps GBR for a maximum duration of Is over a time window of 10s; and (2) 100Mbps GBR (less than 50% of IGbps) all the time.

[0121] Referring back to Fig. 3, the UE 310 may then use 322 the first connection for the target service according to the configuration for the quality enhancing service. Use of the first connection is restricted according to the configuration. Simultaneously, the UE 310 may use 321 the at least one second connections for the target service.

[0122] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, signaling between entities. The signaling diagram of Fig. 5 is a continuation of Fig. 3 in case where the configuration received 318 by the UE 310 comprises a measurement configuration as explained below.

[0123] Referring back to the configuration received 318 bythe UE 310 from the first serving network, the configuration, e.g. RRC reconfiguration, may comprise measurement and reporting configuration. For example, the UE may be configured to measure the aggregated bit rate of the one or more second network connections on the application layer, and to report the measurement results to the first serving network.

[0124] This reporting is for facilitating efficient network control, resource allocation and utilization, not only for the UE 310 but also for other UEs that may be impacted by the first network node 320 providing quality enhancing service for the UE 310. The reporting may comprise, for example, periodical and / or event- triggered reporting. The event-triggered reporting may be based on one or more bit rate thresholds configured by the first serving network. The periodical reporting may be based on adaptive reporting frequency or reporting periodicity. The adaptation may be based on one or more configured bit rate thresholds, for example. The reporting may be more frequent when the measured aggregated bit rate drops below a threshold. The reporting may be less frequent when the measured aggregated bit rate is above a threshold.

[0125] As another example, the UE may be configured to report an expected GBR that may need to be provided by the first serving network. The expected GBR reflects the current need in terms of GBR over the first connection for ensuring QoS / QoE for the target service. For example, instead of or in addition to reporting the measurement results on the aggregated bit rate of the one or more second connections in the previous example, the UE may be configured to derive and report the difference between the required GBR of the target service and the measured aggregated bit rate of the one or more second connections. For example, the difference may be referred to as the expected GBR over the first connection. The reporting may be event-triggered such that the UE may be configured to report the expected GBR when the difference between the expected GBR and the measured bit rate of the first connection is above a configured threshold. When the difference is above some threshold, it means that the expected GBR is either higher or lower than the current measured bit rate beyond the threshold. Based on the measurement report, the first network node may adjust the resource allocation accordingly, for example.

[0126] Based on the measurement configuration, the UE 310 may perform 510 measurements according to the configuration. For example, the UE may perform measurements on the one or more second connections, such as bit rate measurements. As another example, the UE may perform measurements on the first connection, such as bit rate measurements. The UE 310 may transmit 512 the measurement report to the first serving network, e.g. to the first network node 320 comprising the serving RAN of the first serving network. The serving RAN may forward the measurement report to the core network of the first serving network.

[0127] For example, the first network node 320 may monitor 514 usage, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the quality enhancing service. For example, the first network node 320 may monitor UL and / or DL data throughput of the UE over the first connection for the quality enhancing service. The monitoring may be performed at RAN or at core network. Based on the monitoring, the network may perform policy enforcement of the quality enhancing service and / or charging for the use of the quality enhancing service, for example.

[0128] If the UE 310 transmits 512 the measurement report relating to the measurements on the first connection, the first network node 320 may confirm the monitoring results based on the measurement report received from the UE 310.

[0129] Based on the monitoring, the first network node 320 may determine 516 that the UE 310 exceeds or has exceeded one or more limit configured for or related to the quality enhancing service. For example, the network node may detect, based on the monitoring, that the UL and / or DL data throughput of the UE exceeds the GBR, or the GBR plus the offset. As another example, the network node may detect that the UE has exceeded the time limit of using the first connection with fully quality.

[0130] Based on determining that the UE has exceeded a limit related to the quality enhancing service, the first network node 320 may notify 518 the UE 310.

[0131] Based on receiving the notification of exceeding the limit related to the quality enhancing service (exceeding the restricted use), the UE 310 may determine 520 to renegotiate the quality enhancing service with the first serving network. For example, the UE 310 may transmit 522 a modification request to the network node 320. For example, the modification request may be a PDU session modification request. For example, the modification request may be sent to CN via RAN.

[0132] In some examples, the first network node 320 may terminate the quality enhancing service of the UE. For example, the first network node 320 may transmit a forced termination of the quality enhancing service to the UE. Termination may be based on the UE exceeding a limit related to the quality enhancing service, for example. For example, the forced termination may be transmitted as a PDU session release message.

[0133] Fig. 6 shows an example of a method 600. The method 600 may be computer-implemented. The method 600 may be performed by a first apparatus, e.g. a UE 310 of Fig. 5.

[0134] The method 600 comprises receiving 610, by a first apparatus from a first serving network, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of a first connection for a target service; wherein the first apparatus is configured to use simultaneously, for the target service: the first connection provided by the first serving network, wherein the first connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and at least one second connection having an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service. The method 600 comprises determining 620, while using the at least one second connection for the target service, whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network. The method 600 comprises: based on determining that the at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service, transmitting 630, to the first serving network, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service. The method 600 comprises receiving 640, from the first serving network, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use of the first connection for the target service. The method 600 comprises using 650 the first connection for the target service according to the configuration for the quality enhancing service.

[0135] At step 620, while using the at least one second connection for the target service, the UE might not yet use the first connection for the target service. For example, the method 600 may comprise determining 620, while using the at least one second connection for the target service without using the first connection for the target service, whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network.

[0136] Fig. 7 shows an example of a method 700. The method 700 may be computer-implemented. The method 700 may be performed by a second apparatus, e.g. a network node 320 of Fig. 5. The second apparatus may be a network node of the first serving network, or may represent one or more network nodes of the first serving network. The second apparatus may comprise the first network node 320, which may comprise radio access network (RAN) and core network (CN) functions of the first serving network.

[0137] The method 700 comprises transmitting 710, by a second apparatus to a user equipment, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use, by the user equipment, of a first connection for the target service; wherein the first serving network is configured to provide the first connection having a full quality support for requirements of the target service. The method 700 comprises receiving 720, from the user equipment, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service. The method 700 comprises transmitting 730, to the user equipment, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the target service.

[0138] Fig. 8 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises, for example, at least one processor 12 and at least one memory 14 storing instructions 15 that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus 10 at least to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. In an example, the at least one memory and the instructions (e.g. a computer program code, software), are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus 10 to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0139] A processor 12 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit's) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor^) 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. 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.

[0140] The memory 14 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 14 may be at least in part external to apparatus 10 but accessible to apparatus 10.

[0141] The instructions 15 may be comprised in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A 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. random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0142] For example, the apparatus 10 is a terminal device, such as the UE 310 of Fig. 5. As another example, the apparatus is comprised in such a terminal device, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the terminal device. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of Fig. 6 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0143] As another example, the apparatus 10 is a network node, e.g. the network node 320 of Fig. 5. In another embodiment, the apparatus is comprised in such a network node, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the network node. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of Fig. 7 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0144] The apparatus may comprise one or more entities of any of protocol layers, such as a MAC entity, an RRC entity, an RLC entity, a PDCP entity or a PHY entity. In some embodiments, the entity is configured to perform at least the method of Fig. 6 or Fig. 7, and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0145] The apparatus 10 comprises a radio interface 16. The radio interface 16 may provide the apparatus 10 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 16 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0146] The apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 18 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 18 may be external to the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus 10 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 10 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0147] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 10. For example, the at least one processor 12, the memory 14, and the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, i.e. referring to a single element, or in plural form, i.e. referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A first apparatus, configured to use simultaneously, for a target service: a first connection provided by a first serving network, wherein the first connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and at least one second connection having an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service; the first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: receiving, from the first serving network, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of the first connection for the target service; determining, while using the at least one second connection for the target service, whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network; based on determining that the at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service, transmitting, to the first serving network, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; receiving, from the first serving network, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use of the first connection for the target service; and using the first connection for the target service according to the configuration for the quality enhancing service.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first serving network is a 6G access network.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one second connection is provided by at least one second serving network different from the first serving network.

4. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the at least one second connection is a non-cellular connection.

5. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the restricted use of the first connection comprises at least one of: discrete use of the first connection with full quality support; or discrete use of the first connection with partial quality support.

6. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum duration of allowed use of the quality enhancing service per a time window of a given duration.

7. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to perform: determining that the maximum duration is full; and based on the determining that the maximum duration is full, terminating usage of the first connection for the target service.

8. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted over the first connection per a time window of a given duration.

9. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum bit rate optionally with an offset.

10. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the restricted use is defined by a pattern of time intervals of quality support, wherein the quality support is with full quality support or with partial quality support.

11. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to perform: receiving a notification of exceeding a limit related to the quality enhancing service; based on the notification, determining to renegotiate the configuration for the quality enhancing service with the first serving network.

12. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to perform: receiving a forced termination of the quality enhancing service from the first serving network.

13. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the configuration for the quality enhancing service comprises a measurement and reporting configuration indicative of at least one measurement related to the at least one second connection; and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to perform: performing the at least one measurement according to the measurement and reporting configuration; and reporting the at least one measurement to the first serving network according to the measurement and reporting configuration.

14. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the configuration for the quality enhancing service comprises a measurement and reporting configuration indicative of at least one measurement related to the first connection; wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to perform: performing the at least one measurement according to the measurement and reporting configuration; and reporting the at least one measurement to the first serving network according to the measurement and reporting configuration.

15. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the request for the quality enhancing service for the target service is a packet data unit, PDU, session establishment request.

16. The first apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a user equipment.

17. A second apparatus of a first serving network, wherein the first serving network is configured to provide a first connection having a full quality supportfor requirements of a target service; the second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, to a user equipment, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the target service; receiving, from the user equipment, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the target service.

18. The second apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to perform: providing the quality enhancing service to the user equipment according to the configuration.

19. The second apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first serving network is a 6G access network.

20. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 19, wherein the restricted use of the first connection comprises at least one of: discrete use of the first connection with full quality support; or discrete use of the first connection with partial quality support.

21. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 20, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum duration of allowed use of the quality enhancing service per a time window of a given duration.

22. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 21, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum data volume allowed to be transmitted over the first connection per a time window of a given duration.

23. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 22, wherein the restricted use is defined by a maximum bit rate optionally with an offset.

24. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 23, wherein the restricted use is defined by a pattern of time intervals of quality support, wherein the quality support is with full quality support or with partial quality support.

25. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 24, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to perform: monitoring usage, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the quality enhancing service.

26. The second apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to perform: determining, based on the monitoring, that the user equipment has exceeded a limit related to the quality enhancing service; transmitting a notification of exceeding the limit related to the quality enhancing service.

27. The second apparatus of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the second apparatus to perform: determining, based on the monitoring, that the user equipment has exceeded a limit related to the quality enhancing service; transmitting, to the user equipment, a forced termination of the quality enhancing service.

28. The second apparatus of any of the claims 17 to 27, wherein the request for the quality enhancing service for the target service is a packet data unit, PDU, session establishment request.

29. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first apparatus from a first serving network, an indication of support of the first serving network to provide quality enhancing service,wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use of a first connection for a target service; wherein the first apparatus is configured to use simultaneously, for the target service: the first connection provided by the first serving network, wherein the first connection has a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and at least one second connection having an insufficient quality support for the requirements of the target service; and the method comprises: determining, by the first apparatus, while using the at least one second connection for the target service, whether at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service provided by the first serving network; based on determining that the at least one condition is met to request the quality enhancing service, transmitting, by the first apparatus to the first serving network, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; receiving, by the first apparatus from the first serving network, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use of the first connection for the target service; and using, by the first apparatus, the first connection for the target service according to the configuration for the quality enhancing service.

30. A method, comprising: transmitting, by a second apparatus of a first serving network to a user equipment, an indication of support of a first serving network to provide quality enhancing service, wherein the quality enhancing service is characterized by a restricted use, by the user equipment, of a first connection for a target service; wherein the first serving network is configured to provide the first connection having a full quality support for requirements of the target service; and the method comprises: receiving, by the second apparatus from the user equipment, a request for the quality enhancing service for the target service; and transmitting, by the second apparatus to the user equipment, a configuration for the quality enhancing service, characterized by the restricted use, by the user equipment, of the first connection for the target service.

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