Communication method and apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium. The communication method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a user equipment receives first information, the first information being used for indicating a policy rule for the user equipment to access or terminate access to a plurality of networks; and on the basis of the first information, the user equipment accesses or terminates access to the plurality of networks.

Description

Communication methods, devices, equipment and storage media

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410945994.8, filed on July 15, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus, Device and Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0004] With the rapid development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 18 Access Traffic Steering, Switching, Splitting (ATSSS) standard has supported User Equipment (UE) accessing the same or different Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) via 3GPP Radio Access Technology (RAT) and non-3GPP RATs (such as Wireless Local Area Networks, WLANs). The Feasibility Study on Multi-access (FS_MASSS) project in 3GPP Release 19 involves dual steer and ATSSS technologies, which involve UEs accessing the same or different PLMNs via two 3GPP RATs. This technology for accessing multiple networks can use two user plane communication paths between the UE and the User Plane Function (UPF) to transmit user data, improving user data transmission efficiency.

[0005] However, the UE is not clear under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks. If access to multiple networks is done too early or too late, it will lead to problems such as wasted resources and high power consumption. If access to multiple networks is done too late or too early, it will lead to problems such as low communication speed and low reliability, resulting in poor service quality. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium that clarifies the policy rules for user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks, enabling user equipment to know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks, and solving the problems caused by user equipment accessing or terminating access too early or too late.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, including:

[0008] The user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0009] Based on the first information, the user equipment accesses or terminates access to multiple networks.

[0010] Secondly, a communication method is provided, including:

[0011] The first network-side device sends first information to the user equipment, the first information being used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks;

[0012] Alternatively, when the first network-side device receives a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, it determines whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information.

[0013] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, including:

[0014] When a third network-side device receives a request from a user equipment to access multiple networks, it determines, based on the first information, whether to accept the request to access multiple networks; or,

[0015] If the third network-side device determines that it will reject the request to access multiple networks, it will send a rejection message to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0016] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0017] The first receiving module is used to receive first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0018] The first processing module is used to access or terminate access to multiple networks based on the first information.

[0019] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0020] The second sending module is used to send first information to the user equipment, the first information being used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks;

[0021] The second processing module is configured to, upon receiving a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, determine, based on the first information, whether to accept the request to access multiple networks.

[0022] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0023] The third processing module is configured to, upon receiving a request from a user equipment to access multiple networks, determine, based on the first information, whether to accept the request to access multiple networks; or,

[0024] If it is determined that the request to access multiple networks is rejected, a rejection message is sent to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0025] In a seventh aspect, a user equipment is provided, the user equipment including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0026] Eighthly, a user equipment is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, and the communication interface is used to couple with the processor.

[0027] A ninth aspect provides a network-side device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0028] In a tenth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method as described in the third aspect, and the communication interface is configured to be coupled to the processor.

[0029] Eleventhly, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0030] In a twelfth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a user equipment and a first network-side device, wherein the user equipment is configured to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, and the first network-side device is configured to perform the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0031] In a thirteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a user equipment, a first network-side device, and a third network-side device, wherein the user equipment is configured to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, the first network-side device is configured to perform the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, and the third network-side device is configured to perform the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0032] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0033] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0034] In this embodiment, the user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Based on the first information, the user equipment can know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks, thereby solving problems such as resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or problems such as low communication rate and low reliability and poor service quality caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the UE configuration update process in related technologies;

[0037] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the implementation of a communication method in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the UE configuration update process in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 is a flowchart corresponding to Example 2 in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 6 is a flowchart corresponding to Example 3 in the embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart corresponding to Example 4 in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the implementation of another communication method in this application embodiment;

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the communication device corresponding to Figure 3 in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the communication device corresponding to Figure 8 in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the communication device corresponding to Figure 9 in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device in an embodiment of this application. Specific Implementation

[0050] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0052] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0053] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, wireless local area network access points (APs), or wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.The term "base station" can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to any specific technical terminology. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses a base station in an NR system as an example for description and does not limit the specific type of base station.

[0055] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function, Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), Binding Support Function (BSF), and Application Function. Functions include: AF (Function for Networking), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses core network equipment in the NR system as an example and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in this application embodiment changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it will still be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0056] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0057] To facilitate understanding, the relevant technologies and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced first.

[0058] Related technologies support the PCF in sending policy information to the UE, such as the UE Route Selection Policy (URSP), which includes path selection rules for accessing multiple networks and is used for establishing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions for accessing multiple networks. In related technologies, the ATSSS rule is used by the UE to control the allocation of uplink data traffic on two user plane communication paths, including different path selection modes such as steering, switching, and splitting. The UE and UPF also support controlling the allocation of uplink and downlink data traffic on the two user plane communication paths based on performance measurements such as latency or packet loss rate.

[0059] Figure 2 illustrates the UE configuration update process for transparent UE policy distribution. The PCF sends the URSP to the UE through the AMF, and the steps are as follows:

[0060] 0. The PCF decides to update the UE policy based on triggering conditions, such as during initial registration, when the UE registers with the 5GS when moving from the Evolved Packet System (EPS) to the 5G System (5GS), or when the UE policy needs to be updated.

[0061] 0a. If the PCF has not yet subscribed to the AMF's notification regarding the UE's response to the UE policy information update, then the PCF subscribes to the AMF to receive notifications about the UE policy container in order to obtain notifications about the UE's response to the UE policy information update.

[0062] 1. PCF calls the message transfer service provided by AMF, such as Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service. The service message includes the Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) and the UE policy container.

[0063] 2. The AMF transparently transmits the UE policy container to the UE via a registered 3GPP access method or a non-3GPP access method. If the AMF decides to transparently transmit the UE policy container to the UE via a 3GPP access method, and the UE is in a Connection Management Idle (CM-IDLE) state, the AMF initiates a paging procedure via a network-triggered service request. Upon receiving the paging request, the UE initiates a UE-triggered service request procedure.

[0064] 3. If the UE is in a Connection Management connected (CM-CONNECTED) state and accesses via 3GPP, or accesses via a non-3GPP state, the AMF will transparently transmit the UE policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE for UE policy distribution.

[0065] 4. The UE updates the UE policy provided by the PCF and sends the UE policy distribution result to the AMF.

[0066] 5. The AMF calls a message notification service, such as the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify service, to forward the UE's response to the PCF.

[0067] The relevant technologies and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application have been introduced above. The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0068] Referring to Figure 3, which is a flowchart of an implementation of a communication method provided in this application, the method includes the following steps:

[0069] S310: The user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0070] S320: User equipment accesses or terminates access to multiple networks based on first information.

[0071] By applying the method provided in the embodiments of this application, a user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Based on the first information, the user equipment can know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks, thereby solving problems such as resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or problems such as low communication rate and low reliability and poor service quality caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0072] In this embodiment, a user equipment accessing multiple networks can be understood as the user equipment accessing one or more new networks after already being connected to one network. Alternatively, it can be understood as the user equipment accessing multiple networks simultaneously without being connected to any network. Accessing one or more networks means that the user equipment is at least registered in the network, possesses context information within the network, and further, may be in a CM-CONNECTED state, allowing it to use services provided by other networks. For example, the user equipment accesses a mobile communication network, thereby enabling it to use Internet services through that network. This mobile communication network belongs to a public terrestrial mobile communication network (PLMN) of a certain operator. The mobile communication network can be a 4G network, a 5G network, a 6G network, or a future mobile communication network, and includes at least a radio access network and a core network. The radio access network can provide different RATs, such as LTE, NR, 6G radio access technologies, or future radio access technologies. The core network can be a 4G core network, such as an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GC), a 6G core network (6GC), or a future core network. User equipment (UE) accessing multiple networks can include accessing 4G and 5G networks, or 5G and 6G networks, etc. UE may use a 5G RAT to access a 5G network and a 6G RAT to access a 6G network. The 5G and 6G networks can belong to the same operator's PLMN or different operators' PLMNs. UE may use the same Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) card or different USIM cards to access mobile communication networks belonging to the same or different PLMNs. Subsequent embodiments use the example of UE using the same USIM card to access 5G and 6G networks belonging to the same PLMN. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are also applicable to UE using the same USIM card to access 5G and 6G networks belonging to different PLMNs, or using different USIM cards to access 5G and 6G networks belonging to different PLMNs. Accessing multiple networks can also be expressed using terms such as Multi-Access, Dual Steer, Dual Stack, or ATSSS. Dual Steer or Dual Stack, literally, means a user equipment accessing two networks, but can also be interpreted as a user equipment accessing multiple networks. In the embodiments of this application, the user equipment is a device capable of accessing multiple networks. When accessing multiple networks, different user equipment capabilities may include, for example, simultaneously receiving and sending data on multiple networks, simultaneously receiving data and time-division multiplexing data transmission, simultaneously transmitting data and time-division multiplexing data reception, or time-division multiplexing data reception and time-division multiplexing data transmission, etc.

[0073] Terminating access to multiple networks by a user equipment (UE) can be understood as terminating access to at least one of the multiple networks when the UE is already connected to them. Termination of access can also be understood as stopping access altogether.

[0074] The access process may include at least one of the following: a registration process, a process of transitioning from the CM-IDLE state to the CM-CONNECTED state, and a session establishment process.

[0075] The user equipment can be terminal 11 as shown in Figure 1.

[0076] The user equipment (UE) receives first information, which is used to instruct the UE on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Optionally, the first information can be determined based on at least one of service information and network information. Optionally, the first information may include one or more policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Optionally, the UE can receive the first information through a UE configuration update process. Optionally, a first network-side device, such as an AMF, can send the first information to the UE. Optionally, the first network-side device, such as an AMF, can send the first information received from a second network-side device, such as a PCF, to the UE, such as through-transmission to the UE.

[0077] After receiving the first information, the user equipment can save the first information and know under what circumstances it can access or terminate access to multiple networks.

[0078] Based on the first information, the user equipment may access or terminate access to multiple networks if it determines that the conditions for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks are met.

[0079] In some embodiments of this application, the first information may be associated with at least one of the following:

[0080] 1) Coverage quality of the accessed network. The accessed network can be understood as the network that the user equipment is currently connected to, such as a 6G network. Coverage quality can be represented by threshold information. For example, it can be represented as threshold a, threshold b, etc. Threshold a represents RSRP_18, which represents a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) range of -139dBm <= RSRP < -138dBm. Threshold b represents RSRP_37, which represents a Reference Signal Received Power range of -120dBm <= RSRP < -119dBm. dBm means decibels per milliwatt. a and b are integer values. The first piece of information is related to the coverage quality of the accessed network. It can be understood that the first piece of information can indicate that the coverage quality of the accessed network is poor. For example, if the serving cell measurement threshold is less than threshold a, the user equipment can access multiple networks.

[0081] 2) Coverage quality of the network to be accessed. The network to be accessed can be understood as the network the user equipment is about to connect to. For example, the user equipment is currently connected to a 6G network, and the network to be accessed is a 5G network. The first piece of information is related to the coverage quality of the network to be accessed. It can be understood that if the first piece of information indicates good coverage quality in the network to be accessed (e.g., the measurement threshold is greater than threshold b), the user equipment can access multiple networks. Alternatively, if the first piece of information indicates poor coverage quality in the already connected network (e.g., the 6G serving cell measurement threshold is less than threshold a), and the coverage quality of the network to be accessed is good (e.g., the 5G neighbor cell measurement threshold is greater than threshold b), the user equipment can access multiple networks. Or, if the first piece of information indicates good coverage quality in the already connected network (e.g., the 6G serving cell measurement threshold is greater than threshold b), and the coverage quality of the network to be accessed is good (e.g., the 5G neighbor cell measurement threshold is greater than threshold b), the user equipment can access multiple networks.

[0082] 3) Inter-RAT Handover Measurement Events. The first piece of information relates to inter-RAT handover measurement events. This can be understood as follows: when an inter-RAT handover measurement event is met, the user equipment (UE) can access multiple networks. For example, when measurement event B1 is met, it indicates that the coverage quality of the neighboring cell in the inter-RAT is better than an absolute threshold (in dBm), and the UE can access multiple networks. As another example, when measurement event B2 is met, it indicates that the coverage quality of the serving cell is lower than an absolute threshold, such as threshold 1 (in dBm), and the coverage quality of the neighboring cell in the inter-RAT is higher than an absolute threshold, such as threshold 2 (in dBm), and the UE can access multiple networks.

[0083] 4) First Service Type. The first information is related to the first service type. It can be understood as follows: when a user device initiates a service of the first service type, it can access multiple networks; or, if the user device is already connected to multiple networks, access to multiple networks will be terminated if the initiated service is not of the first service type. Examples of first service types include Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), video, games, voice and data, and voice and extended reality.

[0084] 5) Service Quality Attributes. The first piece of information is related to service quality attributes, which include one or more of the following: latency, packet loss rate, service priority, etc. It can be understood that, based on the service quality attributes, if the user equipment determines that the service quality requirement is high, it can access multiple networks to improve the service quality. Alternatively, if the user equipment is already connected to multiple networks, but determines that the service quality requirement is low based on the service quality attributes, it can terminate access to multiple networks to save resources.

[0085] 6) Service Quality Identifier. The first piece of information is related to the service quality identifier, which is a set of identification information representing a set of service quality attributes. It can be understood that, based on the service quality identifier, if the user equipment determines that the service quality requirement is high, it can access multiple networks to improve the service quality. Alternatively, if the user equipment has already accessed multiple networks, but determines that the service quality requirement is low based on the service quality identifier, it can terminate access to multiple networks to save resources.

[0086] 7) Service Quality Measurement Information. The first piece of information is related to service quality measurement information. It can be understood that if the user equipment determines that the service quality is poor based on the service quality measurement information, it can access multiple networks to improve the service quality. Alternatively, if the user equipment is already connected to multiple networks, and the service quality measurement information determines that the service quality is good, it can terminate access to multiple networks to save resources.

[0087] 8) Service Experience Information. The first piece of information is related to service experience information. It can be understood that if the user device determines that the service experience is poor based on the service experience information, it can connect to multiple networks to improve the service experience. Alternatively, if the user device has already connected to multiple networks, and if the service experience information determines that the service experience is good, it can terminate access to multiple networks to save resources.

[0088] 9) Network resource utilization rate. Network resource utilization rate can be the ratio of the number of used physical resource blocks to the total number of physical resource blocks, such as 10%, 20%, 30%, 55%, etc. This information is related to network resource utilization rate and can be understood as allowing user equipment to connect to or disconnect from multiple networks based on the utilization rate. For example, if the network resource utilization rate is high, the user equipment can connect to multiple networks; conversely, if the network resource utilization rate is low, the user can disconnect from multiple networks.

[0089] 10) Network Energy Efficiency Information. Network energy efficiency information may include network energy efficiency values ​​or network energy efficiency levels. A network energy efficiency value can be the ratio of data volume to energy consumption. A network energy efficiency level can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. This first piece of information is related to network energy efficiency information and can be understood as allowing user devices to connect to or disconnect from multiple networks based on this information. For example, if the network energy efficiency value is low or the network energy efficiency level is low, the user device can connect to multiple networks. Conversely, if the network energy efficiency value is high or the network energy efficiency level is high, the user device can disconnect from multiple networks if it is already connected to them.

[0090] 11) Network load. Network load can be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, etc. This first piece of information is related to network load and can be understood as allowing user equipment to connect to or disconnect from multiple networks based on the network load. For example, if the network load is high, the user equipment can connect to multiple networks to alleviate the current network load. Conversely, if the network load of one of the connected networks is low, the user equipment can disconnect from all the other networks.

[0091] 12) Radio Access Technology (RAT) residency policy. The first piece of information is related to the RAT residency policy. It can be understood that when the user equipment meets the corresponding RAT residency policy, it can maintain registration on the corresponding RAT, such as maintaining registration on a high-priority RAT.

[0092] 13) Access Type Information. This first piece of information is related to the access type information and can be understood as the target network information for a user equipment's access to or termination of access, which can be one or more access types. For example, access types include 3GPP, non-3GPP, and 3GPP and non-3GPP. Another example is access types including 3GPP, 3GPP, and 3GPP.

[0093] 14) Radio Access Technology Type (RAT) Information. This first piece of information relates to the RAT type information and can be understood as the target network information for user equipment accessing or terminating access, which can be one or more radio access technologies. For example, RAT types include 6G NR, 5G NR, 4G, 6G NR and 5G NR, 6G NR and 4G, and 5G NR and 4G. Further examples include 6G NR Terrestrial Network (TN), 6G NR Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), 5G NR TN, 5G NR NTN, 6G NR TN and 6G NR NTN, 5G NR TN and 5G NR NTN, and 5G NR TN and 6G NR NTN.

[0094] 15) Priority information of policy rules. The first information is related to the priority information of policy rules. It can be understood that the user equipment can know the priority of multiple policy rules indicated by the first information through the first information, and apply the policy rules to access or terminate access to multiple networks in order of priority from high to low.

[0095] 16) Policy rule effective time information. The first information is related to the policy rule effective time information. It can be understood that the user equipment can know the effective time of one or more policy rules indicated by the first information through the first information, and apply the corresponding policy rules to access or terminate access to multiple networks within the effective time of the policy rules.

[0096] 17) Location information where policy rules take effect. The first information is related to the location information where policy rules take effect. It can be understood that the user equipment can know the location where one or more policy rules indicated by the first information take effect through the first information, and apply the corresponding policy rules to access or terminate access to multiple networks at the location where the policy rules take effect.

[0097] 18) First indication information used to indicate access to multiple networks. The first information is related to the first indication information and can be understood as follows: if the user equipment obtains the first indication information through the first information, it can access multiple networks according to the first indication information. For example, it can access multiple networks upon receiving the first indication information, or access multiple networks at the time or location indicated by the first indication information.

[0098] 19) Second indication information used to indicate termination of access to multiple networks. The first information is related to the second indication information. It can be understood that if the user equipment obtains the second indication information through the first information, it can terminate access to multiple networks according to the second indication information. For example, it can terminate access to multiple networks upon receiving the second indication information, or terminate access to multiple networks at the time or location indicated by the second indication information.

[0099] The information related to the first information has been explained above. The first information may be related to a single piece of information or multiple pieces of information. The policy rules for user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks are combined with multiple pieces of information.

[0100] For example, the first piece of information is related to the coverage quality of the already accessed network, the coverage quality of the network to be accessed, the access type information, and the wireless access technology type information. The access type is 3GPP and 3GPP, and the wireless access technology type is 6G NR and 5G NR.

[0101] If a user equipment has already registered in 6G and established a PDU session in 6G, and the user equipment determines that the coverage quality of the 6G serving cell is poor while the coverage quality of the 5G neighboring cell is good, it can maintain the 6G registration and initiate registration in 5G and establish a PDU session in 5G. The user equipment can further determine whether to maintain the 6G PDU session based on the coverage quality of 6G or other factors such as service experience information.

[0102] User equipment (UE) can also determine whether to access or terminate access to multiple networks based on radio access technology (RAN) camping policies. For example, if the second network-side equipment, such as the PCF, configures a 6G priority RAN camping policy for UE, when the coverage quality of the 6G serving cell is poor and the coverage quality of the 5G neighboring cell is good, the UE initiates registration on 5G and establishes a PDU session on 5G. According to the RAN camping policy, the UE maintains 6G registration.

[0103] For example, the first information is related to the coverage quality of the already accessed network, the coverage quality of the network to be accessed, the first service type, the access type information, and the wireless access technology type information. The first service type is XR, the access type is 3GPP and 3GPP, and the wireless access technology type is 6G NR and 5G NR.

[0104] The user equipment has already registered in 6G, but has not yet established a PDU session in 6G. When the user equipment determines that the coverage quality of the 6G serving cell is good and the coverage quality of the 5G neighboring cell is good, and the first service type is XR, it initiates the establishment of a PDU session in 6G, registration in 5G, and establishment of a PDU session in 5G.

[0105] To determine whether to initiate registration or establish a PDU session related to accessing multiple networks, a user equipment (UE) can also combine at least one of the following information: network resource utilization, network energy efficiency value, network energy efficiency level, network load, and wireless access technology residency policy. The UE may obtain this information through system information reading, instruction from the network side device when the UE registers or initiates a service request, or through network data analysis functions.

[0106] Optionally, the first network-side device may not send the first information to the user equipment, but instead, upon receiving a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, determine whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information.

[0107] Optionally, if the first network-side device determines that it will refuse requests to access multiple networks, it may send a rejection message to the user equipment.

[0108] Optionally, if the first network-side device determines that it accepts the request to access multiple networks, it sends an acceptance message to the user equipment.

[0109] Optionally, when the first network-side device receives a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, it may forward the request to a third network-side device, such as a UDM. Upon receiving the user equipment's request to access multiple networks, the third network-side device may determine whether to accept the request based on the first information.

[0110] Optionally, if the third network-side device determines that it will refuse requests to access multiple networks, it may send a rejection message to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0111] Optionally, if the third network-side device determines that it accepts a request to access multiple networks, it can send an acceptance message to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0112] Optionally, when the third network-side device receives a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, it may instruct the first network-side device to register the user equipment with the network. Based on the first information, the first network-side device may determine whether to accept the user equipment's request to access multiple networks.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the reason value for the rejection message could be "Dual registration is not allowed on the network".

[0114] Generally, a user equipment (UE) can first select a Radio Resource Control (RAT) to camp on, in either the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state or the CM-IDLE state; or establish a PDU session on a RAT, in either the RRC active state or the CM-CONNECTED state. Based on this initial information, the UE begins registering or establishing a PDU session on the new RAT.

[0115] For example, the first piece of information is related to the coverage quality of the already connected network, the coverage quality of the network to be connected, the access type information, and the wireless access technology type information. The access type is 3GPP, and the wireless access technology type is 5G NR.

[0116] If a user equipment has already registered and established a PDU session in 6G and in 5G, and the user equipment determines that the coverage quality of the 6G cell is poor while the coverage quality of the 5G cell is good, and the service no longer needs to maintain access to multiple networks, the user equipment will initiate the release of the PDU session in 6G or deregister in 6G.

[0117] The first information is related to at least one of the above information. The first information enables the user equipment to clearly understand the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks, and to know under what circumstances accessing or terminating access to multiple networks is permitted.

[0118] In some embodiments of this application, the first information may be included in at least one of the following:

[0119] User Equipment Multi-Access Policy (UMAP) information;

[0120] User equipment routing policy (URSP) information;

[0121] Access Network Discovery & Selection Policy (ANDSP) information.

[0122] The user equipment multi-access policy information may include user equipment dual stack access policy (UDSAP) information, dual steer policy information, ATSSS, etc.

[0123] In related technologies, URSP is used for routing selection of user equipment (UEs), containing policy rules that assist UEs in allocating user data traffic on two uplink user plane communication paths when accessing multiple networks. Enhanced URSP includes first information indicating one or more policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks, assisting UEs in deciding whether to access or terminate access to multiple networks.

[0124] In related technologies, ANDSP includes rules to assist user equipment in selecting a WLAN access network, but does not include rules for selecting other types of non-3GPP access networks or rules for selecting 3GPP access networks. Enhancing ANDSP to include first information, policy rules for instructing one or more networks to access or terminate access to multiple networks, assists user equipment in deciding whether to access or terminate access to multiple networks.

[0125] In some embodiments of this application, the user equipment accesses multiple networks based on the first information, which may include the following steps:

[0126] If a user equipment (UE) registers on a first network and establishes a first session, based on the first information, it maintains its registration on the first network, initiates registration on a second network, and establishes a second session on the second network. The Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session. In this case, the first and second sessions can also be represented by the terms Multiple Access Unit (MA-PDU) session or Dual Steer PDU session.

[0127] In this embodiment of the application, the user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. The user equipment can know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks through the first information.

[0128] If a user equipment (UE) registers with the first network and establishes a first session, based on the first information, and determines that it needs to access multiple networks, it can maintain its registration on the first network, initiate registration on a second network, and establish a second session on the second network. The IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session. This allows the UE to access multiple networks at appropriate times and promptly utilize the user plane communication path with better wireless conditions among the multiple networks.

[0129] Optionally, the user equipment can send a first request message to establish a second session on the second network. The request type in the first request message is "Existing session," such as an existing PDU session. This ensures that the IP address of the second session established on the second network is the same as the IP address of the first session on the first network, effectively switching the first session to the second network. This effectively avoids service interruption.

[0130] Optionally, the first network-side device receives a first request message from the user equipment for establishing a second session in the second network, and establishes a second session for the user equipment in the second network based on the first request message. The IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session established by the user equipment in the first network.

[0131] In some embodiments of this application, the method may further include the following steps:

[0132] Upon receiving a release instruction for the first session, the user equipment releases the first session established on the first network.

[0133] In this embodiment, when a user equipment (UE) registers on a first network and establishes a first session, it maintains its registration on the first network based on first information, initiates registration on a second network, and establishes a second session on the second network. The IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session. A device on the first network side, such as an SMF (Software-Defined Network), can send a release command for the first session. Upon receiving the release command, the UE can release the first session established on the first network to save network resources.

[0134] Optionally, after the user equipment releases the first session, the user equipment can send a second request message for establishing a third session on the first network based on the first information. For example, after releasing the first session, if the user equipment determines that the coverage quality of the first network has improved again based on the first information, it can initiate the process of establishing a third session on the first network by sending a second request message for establishing a third session on the first network side device. The first network side device receives the second request message for establishing a third session on the first network from the user equipment and establishes a third session for the user equipment on the first network based on the second request message. Optionally, the second request message carries association information between the second and third sessions, such as association identification information. The first network side device can associate the second and third sessions according to the second request message. Optionally, the IP address of the third session is the same as the IP address of the second session, which can be understood as switching the second session to the first network.

[0135] After a user equipment establishes a second session on the second network and releases the first session on the first network, it can maintain its registration on the first network and display the first network identifier. In this way, when the coverage quality of the first network improves again, the user equipment can establish a user plane communication path on the first network more quickly, thereby achieving benefits such as improved resource efficiency, power saving for the user equipment, and improved service quality.

[0136] In some embodiments of this application, the user equipment accesses multiple networks based on the first information, which may include the following steps:

[0137] When a user equipment registers on the first network and is in an idle state, it establishes a fourth session on the first network based on the first information, and after registering on the second network, it establishes a fifth session on the second network.

[0138] In this embodiment of the application, the user equipment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. The user equipment can know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks through the first information.

[0139] When a user registers on the first network and is in an idle state, based on the first information, if it determines that it needs to access multiple networks, it can establish a fourth session on the first network and, after registering on the second network, establish a fifth session on the second network. Optionally, the user equipment can establish a fourth session on the first network based on the first information before initiating a service of the first service type, and then establish a fifth session on the first network after registering on the second network. This allows the user equipment to adapt to the high service rate requirements of the first service type.

[0140] There is no restriction on the order in which user equipment establishes a fourth session on the first network and registers on the second network.

[0141] In some embodiments of this application, the user equipment establishing a fourth session on the first network may include the following steps:

[0142] The user equipment sends a third request message for establishing a fourth session on the first network. The request type in the third request message is a session for accessing multiple networks.

[0143] In this embodiment, the user equipment (UE) may send a third request message to a first network-side device, such as an AMF, for establishing a fourth session in the first network. The request type in the third request message is "session access to multiple networks". The first network-side device receives the third request message from the UE and establishes a fourth session for the UE in the first network based on the third request message. Optionally, the first network-side device may receive a fourth request message from the UE for establishing a fifth session in a second network. Based on the fourth request message, it establishes a fifth session for the UE in the second network and associates the fourth and fifth sessions after establishing the fifth session for the UE in the second network.

[0144] In this way, user equipment can make timely use of multiple user plane communication paths in multiple networks to achieve gains such as improved resource efficiency and service quality.

[0145] In some embodiments of this application, terminating access to multiple networks based on first information may include the following steps:

[0146] When a user equipment accesses multiple networks, it registers with at least one of the multiple networks or releases a session on at least one of the multiple networks based on the first information.

[0147] When a user equipment is connected to multiple networks, it can release the session or unregister on at least one of the multiple networks in a timely manner based on the first information, so that the user equipment can clearly determine when to terminate access to multiple networks, thereby achieving benefits such as improved resource efficiency and power saving for the user equipment.

[0148] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the first network and the second network are different. For example, the first network is a 6G network and the second network is a 5G network. The session established in the first network or the second network can be a PDU session.

[0149] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have been described above. For ease of understanding, specific examples will be used to illustrate the solutions below.

[0150] Example 1: The UE receives the first information sent by the network-side device, which contains one or more policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. This is used by the UE to decide when to access or terminate access to multiple networks, thereby solving the problem in related technologies where the UE does not know when to access or terminate access to multiple networks, and achieving gains such as improved resource efficiency, UE power saving, or improved service quality.

[0151] As shown in Figure 4, the corresponding process is as follows:

[0152] 0. The PCF decides to update the UE policy based on triggering conditions, such as during initial registration, when the UE moves from 6GS to 5GS and registers with 5GS, or when the UE policy needs to be updated.

[0153] 0a. If the PCF has not yet subscribed to the AMF's notification regarding the UE's response to the UE policy information update, then the PCF subscribes to the AMF's notification to receive the UE policy container in order to obtain notification regarding the UE's response to the UE policy information update.

[0154] 1. PCF calls the message transmission service provided by AMF, such as Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service. The service message includes SUPI and UE policy container.

[0155] 2. The AMF transparently transmits the UE policy container to the UE via a registered 3GPP access method or a non-3GPP access method. If the AMF decides to transparently transmit the UE policy container to the UE via a 3GPP access method, and the UE is in CM-IDLE state, the AMF initiates a paging procedure via a network-triggered service request. Upon receiving the paging request, the UE initiates a UE-triggered service request procedure.

[0156] 3. If the UE is in CM-CONNECTED state and accesses via 3GPP, or accesses via a non-3GPP network, the AMF will transparently transmit the UE policy container (UE policy information) received from the PCF to the UE for UE policy distribution. The UE policy information includes first information, which indicates policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0157] To avoid redundancy, the first information and the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks will not be elaborated here.

[0158] 4. The UE updates the UE policy provided by the PCF and sends the UE policy distribution result to the AMF.

[0159] 5. The AMF calls a message notification service, such as the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify service, to forward the UE's response to the PCF.

[0160] It should be noted that, compared with related technologies, the main difference in this Example 1 is that the UE policy information includes first information used to indicate policy rules for one or more accesses or terminations of access to multiple networks.

[0161] Example 2: In a 6G coverage area, the UE registers on 6G and establishes a PDU session. When the UE moves to a weak 6G coverage area, based on the first information, the UE maintains its 6G registration, initiates 5G registration, and switches the PDU session to 5G.

[0162] Example 2 can promptly utilize the 5G user plane communication path with better wireless conditions among multiple networks, and the UE can display a 6G icon, which is beneficial for the UE to establish a 6G user plane communication path more quickly when the 6G coverage conditions improve again. This solves the problem in related technologies where the UE does not know when to access or terminate access to multiple networks, and achieves gains such as improved resource efficiency, UE power saving, or improved service quality.

[0163] As shown in Figure 5, the corresponding process is as follows:

[0164] 0. The UE registers on 6G and establishes a PDU session on 6G. The UE can include information about its ability to access multiple networks in the registration request.

[0165] 0a. The UE measures that 6G coverage is weakening and, based on the first piece of information, decides to access multiple networks.

[0166] 1. The UE registration process in 5G. When a UE registers in 5G, the UDM can also reject the UE's registration request and include the reason value "Dual registration is not allowed in the network" in the response message. The UDM can determine whether to accept a UE's request to access multiple networks based on information such as network resource utilization, network energy efficiency, and network load.

[0167] UDM can also instruct AMF to register the UE for 5G. AMF can determine whether to accept the UE's request to access multiple networks based on information such as network resource utilization, network energy efficiency, and network load. If it does not accept the request, it will carry the reason value "Network does not allow dual registration" in the response message sent to the UE.

[0168] 2. During the process of establishing a PDU session in 5G, the UE sets the request type to Existing PDU Session in the request message, so that the IP address of the PDU session established in 5G can be the same as the IP address of the original PDU session in 6G.

[0169] 3. Optionally, the SMF initiates a 6G PDU session release.

[0170] 4. Optionally, if the UE performs step 3, the UE can initiate the process of establishing a PDU session in 6G when the 6G coverage conditions improve again, based on the first information, and the SMF associates the 5G PDU session and the 6G PDU session.

[0171] In Figure 5, PSA stands for PDU Session Anchor, which is used for data transmission with the UE.

[0172] Example 3: The UE is in a dual coverage area of ​​6G and 5G. The UE has registered on 6G and is in CM-IDLE state. It is ready to initiate XR service. According to the first information, the UE establishes a PDU session on 6G and registers on 5G. The SMF associates the 6G PDU session and the 5G PDU session.

[0173] Example 3 can adapt to the high service rate requirements of XR services and make timely use of multiple user plane communication paths in multiple networks, thereby solving the problem in related technologies where the UE does not know when to access or terminate access to multiple networks, and achieving gains such as improved resource efficiency and service quality.

[0174] As shown in Figure 6, the corresponding process is as follows:

[0175] 0. The UE is registered in 6G and is in CM-IDLE state.

[0176] 0a. The UE measures that both 6G and 5G coverage quality are good. The UE is ready to initiate an XR service and, based on the first information, decides to access multiple networks.

[0177] 1. During the process of establishing a PDU session in 6G, the request type for establishing the session is a PDU session for accessing multiple networks.

[0178] 2. The UE registration process in 5G. Steps 1 and 2 have no specific order requirement.

[0179] 3. During the process of establishing a PDU session in 5G, the SMF associates the 6G PDU session and the 5G PDU session.

[0180] Example 4: Based on the first information, the UE determines that the service no longer needs to maintain access to multiple networks, or the UE cannot maintain camping on 6G or 5G. The UE releases the PDU session on 6G or 5G, or goes to register.

[0181] Example 4 allows for timely release of a PDU session or deregistration on one of the networks based on business needs or coverage conditions. This solves the problem in related technologies where the UE does not know when to terminate access to multiple networks, resulting in improvements in resource efficiency and UE power saving.

[0182] As shown in Figure 7, the corresponding process is as follows:

[0183] 0. The UE registers in 6G and establishes a PDU session in 6G.

[0184] 0a. The UE registers in 5G and establishes a PDU session in 5G.

[0185] 1. Based on the first information, the UE determines that it no longer needs to maintain access to multiple networks and decides to terminate access to multiple networks.

[0186] 2. The process of the UE initiating the release of the 5G PDU session (or 6G PDU session).

[0187] 3. During the UE's request to register in 5G RAT (or 6G RAT), it transitions to a single registration state.

[0188] It should be noted that the UE can directly request the 5G RAT to register and release the 5G PDU session in step 2.

[0189] As can be seen from the above examples, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application can solve the problem in the related technology that user equipment does not know when to access or terminate access to multiple networks, and can achieve benefits such as improved resource efficiency, power saving for user equipment, and improved service quality.

[0190] Corresponding to the above method embodiments, this application embodiment also provides a communication method, as shown in FIG8, which includes the following steps:

[0191] S810: The first network-side device sends first information to the user equipment, the first information being used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks;

[0192] Alternatively, when the first network-side device receives a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, it determines whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information.

[0193] Using the method provided in the embodiments of this application, a first network-side device sends first information to a user equipment. The first information is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks, or, upon receiving a request from the user equipment to access multiple networks, determines whether to accept the request based on the first information. This enables the user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks at an appropriate time, thereby solving problems such as resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or problems such as low communication speed and low reliability and poor service quality caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0194] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is determined based on at least one of business information and network information.

[0195] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is associated with at least one of the following:

[0196] Coverage quality of the network already connected; coverage quality of the network to be connected; inter-system handover measurement event; first service type; service quality attribute; service quality identifier; service quality measurement information; service experience information; network resource utilization; network energy efficiency information; network load; wireless access technology residency policy; access type information; wireless access technology type information; priority information of policy rules; time information when policy rules take effect; location information where policy rules take effect; first indication information for indicating access to multiple networks; second indication information for indicating termination of access to multiple networks.

[0197] In some embodiments of this application, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0198] User equipment multi-access policy information;

[0199] User equipment routing policy information;

[0200] Access network discovery and selection policy information.

[0201] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0202] The first network-side device receives a first request message from the user equipment for establishing a second session in the second network, wherein the request type in the first request message is an existing session.

[0203] Based on the first request message, the first network-side device establishes a second session for the user equipment in the second network. The IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session established by the user equipment in the first network.

[0204] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0205] The first network-side device receives a second request message from the user equipment for establishing a third session on the first network;

[0206] Based on the second request message, the first network-side device establishes a third session for the user equipment in the first network and associates the second session with the third session.

[0207] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0208] The first network-side device receives a third request message from the user equipment for establishing a fourth session in the first network. The request type in the third request message is a session for accessing multiple networks.

[0209] The first network-side device establishes a fourth session for the user equipment on the first network based on the third request message.

[0210] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0211] The first network-side device receives a fourth request message from the user equipment for establishing a fifth session in the second network;

[0212] Based on the fourth request message, the first network-side device establishes a fifth session for the user equipment in the second network and associates the fourth session with the fifth session.

[0213] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0214] If the first network-side device determines that it will refuse requests to access multiple networks, it will send a rejection message to the user equipment.

[0215] In some embodiments of this application, the first network-side device sends first information to the user equipment, including:

[0216] The first network-side device will send the first information received from the second network-side device to the user equipment.

[0217] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can implement all the processes implemented in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0218] Corresponding to the above method embodiments, this application embodiment also provides a communication method, as shown in FIG9, which includes the following steps:

[0219] S910: When the third network-side device receives a request from a user equipment to access multiple networks, it determines whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information.

[0220] Alternatively, if the third network-side device determines that it will refuse requests to access multiple networks, it may send a rejection message to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0221] When the third network-side device receives a request from a user equipment to access multiple networks using the method provided in the embodiments of this application, it determines whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information. If it determines to reject the request to access multiple networks, it sends a rejection message to the user equipment through the first network-side device. This solves the problems of resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or the problems of poor service quality such as low communication rate and low reliability caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0222] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can realize the corresponding implementation process of the method embodiment shown in Figure 3 or Figure 8, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0223] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a communication device. This application uses the example of a communication device executing the communication method to illustrate the communication device provided in this application.

[0224] This application provides a communication device. As an example, the communication device may be a communication equipment or a component within a communication equipment, such as a chip. The communication equipment may be a user equipment, a network-side device, or a server, etc. For example, the user equipment may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0225] The communication device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Network Processor (NP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceiver, pins, circuits, bus, radio frequency unit, etc.

[0226] Specifically, referring to Figure 10, when the communication device is a user equipment or a component within a user equipment, the communication device 1000 includes:

[0227] The first receiving module 1010 is used to receive first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0228] The first processing module 1020 is used to access or terminate access to multiple networks based on the first information.

[0229] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment receives first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Based on the first information, it is possible to know under what circumstances access to or termination of access to multiple networks is possible, so as to solve the problems of resource waste and high power consumption caused by accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or the problems of poor service quality such as low communication rate and low reliability caused by accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0230] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is determined based on at least one of business information and network information.

[0231] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is associated with at least one of the following:

[0232] Coverage quality of the network already connected; coverage quality of the network to be connected; inter-system handover measurement event; first service type; service quality attribute; service quality identifier; service quality measurement information; service experience information; network resource utilization; network energy efficiency information; network load; wireless access technology residency policy; access type information; wireless access technology type information; priority information of policy rules; time information when policy rules take effect; location information where policy rules take effect; first indication information for indicating access to multiple networks; second indication information for indicating termination of access to multiple networks.

[0233] In some embodiments of this application, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0234] User equipment multi-access policy information;

[0235] User equipment routing policy information;

[0236] Access network discovery and selection policy information.

[0237] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0238] If a registration is established on the first network and a first session is established, based on the first information, the registration on the first network is maintained, a registration on the second network is initiated, and a second session is established on the second network. The IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session.

[0239] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0240] Send a first request message for establishing a second session on the second network, wherein the request type in the first request message is an existing session.

[0241] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device 1000 further includes a first transmitting module, configured to:

[0242] Based on the first information, a second request message is sent to establish a third session on the first network.

[0243] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0244] After registering on the first network and being in an idle state, a fourth session is established on the first network based on the first information, and a fifth session is established on the second network after registering on the second network.

[0245] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0246] Before initiating a service of the first service type, a fourth session is established on the first network based on the first information, and a fifth session is established on the second network after registration on the second network.

[0247] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0248] Send a third request message for establishing a fourth session on the first network. The request type in the third request message is a session for accessing multiple networks.

[0249] In some embodiments of this application, the first processing module 1020 is specifically used for:

[0250] When accessing multiple networks, based on the first information, register at least one of the multiple networks or release the session of at least one of the multiple networks.

[0251] The communication device 1000 provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0252] Referring to Figure 11, when the communication device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the communication device 1100 includes:

[0253] The second sending module 1110 is used to send first information to the user equipment, the first information being used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0254] The second processing module 1120 is used to determine, based on the first information, whether to accept the request to access multiple networks when a request to access multiple networks is received from a user equipment.

[0255] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment sends first information to a user equipment. The first information is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Alternatively, when a request to access multiple networks is received from the user equipment, the first information is used to determine whether to accept the request. This allows the user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks at an appropriate time, thereby solving problems such as resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or problems such as low communication speed and low reliability and poor service quality caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0256] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is determined based on at least one of business information and network information.

[0257] In some embodiments of this application, the first information is associated with at least one of the following:

[0258] Coverage quality of the network already connected; coverage quality of the network to be connected; inter-system handover measurement event; first service type; service quality attribute; service quality identifier; service quality measurement information; service experience information; network resource utilization; network energy efficiency information; network load; wireless access technology residency policy; access type information; wireless access technology type information; priority information of policy rules; time information when policy rules take effect; location information where policy rules take effect; first indication information for indicating access to multiple networks; second indication information for indicating termination of access to multiple networks.

[0259] In some embodiments of this application, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0260] User equipment multi-access policy information;

[0261] User equipment routing policy information;

[0262] Access network discovery and selection policy information.

[0263] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device 1100 further includes a second receiving module;

[0264] The second receiving module is used to receive a first request message from the user equipment for establishing a second session in the second network, wherein the request type in the first request message is an existing session.

[0265] The second processing module 1120 is further configured to establish a second session for the user equipment in the second network based on the first request message, wherein the IP address of the second session is the same as the IP address of the first session established by the user equipment in the first network.

[0266] In some embodiments of this application, the second receiving module is further configured to receive a second request message from the user equipment for establishing a third session on the first network;

[0267] The second processing module 1120 is also used to establish a third session for the user equipment in the first network based on the second request message, and associate the second session and the third session.

[0268] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device 1100 further includes a third receiving module;

[0269] The third receiving module is used to receive from the user equipment a third request message for establishing a fourth session in the first network, wherein the request type in the third request message is a session for accessing multiple networks;

[0270] The second processing module 1120 is also used to establish a fourth session for the user equipment in the first network based on the third request message.

[0271] In some embodiments of this application, the third receiving module is further configured to receive a fourth request message from the user equipment for establishing a fifth session in the second network;

[0272] The second processing module 1120 is also used to establish a fifth session for the user equipment in the second network based on the fourth request message, and to associate the fourth session and the fifth session.

[0273] In some embodiments of this application, the second sending module 1110 is further configured to:

[0274] If it is determined that requests to access multiple networks should be rejected, a rejection message is sent to the user equipment.

[0275] In some embodiments of this application, the second sending module 1110 is specifically used for:

[0276] The first information received from the second network-side device will be sent to the user equipment.

[0277] The communication device 1100 provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment shown in FIG8 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0278] Referring to Figure 12, when the communication device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the communication device 1200 includes:

[0279] The third processing module 1210 is used to determine, based on the first information, whether to accept the request to access multiple networks when a user equipment requests access to multiple networks.

[0280] Alternatively, if it is determined that requests to access multiple networks are denied, a rejection message may be sent to the user equipment through the first network-side device.

[0281] When the apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application receives a request from a user equipment to access multiple networks, it determines whether to accept the request based on first information. If it determines to reject the request, it sends a rejection message to the user equipment through a first network-side device. This solves the problems of resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or the problems of poor service quality such as low communication rate and low reliability caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0282] The communication device 1200 provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0283] As shown in Figure 13, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1300, including a processor 1301 and a memory 1302. The memory 1302 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 1301. For example, when the communication device 1300 is a user equipment, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1301 implement the various steps of the method embodiment shown in Figure 3 above, and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1300 is a network-side device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1301 implement the various steps of the method embodiment shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9 above, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0284] This application also provides a user equipment, including a processor and a communication interface, with the communication interface coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in the method embodiment shown in FIG3. This user equipment embodiment corresponds to the above-described user equipment-side method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this user equipment embodiment and achieve the same technical effects. This user equipment can be the communication device shown in FIG10. Specifically, FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment implementing an embodiment of this application.

[0285] The user equipment 1400 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 1401, network module 1402, audio output unit 1403, input unit 1404, sensor 1405, display unit 1406, user input unit 1407, interface unit 1408, memory 1409, and processor 1410.

[0286] Those skilled in the art will understand that user equipment 1400 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for powering various components. The power supply may be logically connected to processor 1410 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The user equipment structure shown in Figure 14 does not constitute a limitation on the user equipment. User equipment may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0287] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 1404 may include a graphics processor 14041 and a microphone 14042. The graphics processor 14041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 1406 may include a display panel 14061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 1407 includes at least one of a touch panel 14071 and other input devices 14072. The touch panel 14071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 14071 may include a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 14072 may include, but are not limited to, physical keyboards, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackballs, mice, and joysticks, which will not be described in detail here.

[0288] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 1401 can transmit it to the processor 1410 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1401 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 1401 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0289] The memory 1409 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 1409 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 1409 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1409 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0290] Processor 1410 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 1410 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 1410.

[0291] The radio frequency unit 1401 is used to receive first information, which is used to instruct the user equipment on policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks.

[0292] Processor 1410 is used to access or terminate access to multiple networks based on first information.

[0293] The user equipment receives first information through the radio frequency unit. This first information is used to instruct the user equipment on the policy rules for accessing or terminating access to multiple networks. Based on this first information, the user equipment can know under what circumstances to access or terminate access to multiple networks. This helps to solve problems such as resource waste and high power consumption caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too early or too late, or problems such as low communication speed and low reliability caused by the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks too late or too early.

[0294] It is understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0295] This application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG8 or FIG9. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described network-side device method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0296] Specifically, this application also provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG15, the network-side device 1500 includes a processor 1501, a network interface 1502, and a memory 1503. The network-side device may be the communication device shown in FIG11 or FIG12. The network interface 1502 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0297] Specifically, the network-side device 1500 in this application embodiment further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1503 and executable on processor 1501. Processor 1501 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1503 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in FIG11 or FIG12 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0298] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0299] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0300] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0301] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0302] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0303] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including: a user equipment and a first network-side device, wherein the user equipment can be used to execute the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG3, and the first network-side device can be used to execute the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG8.

[0304] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including a user equipment, a first network-side device, and a third network-side device. The user equipment can be used to execute the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG3, the first network-side device can be used to execute the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG8, and the third network-side device can be used to execute the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG9.

[0305] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0306] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0307] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein, The method comprises: a user equipment receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate a policy rule for the user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks; the user equipment accessing or terminating access to multiple networks based on the first information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information is determined based on at least one of service information and network information.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first information is related to at least one of the following: coverage quality of an accessed network; coverage quality of a network to be accessed; inter-system handover measurement event; first service type; service quality attribute; service quality identifier; service quality measurement information; service experience information; network resource utilization; network energy efficiency information; network load; wireless access technology camping strategy; access type information; wireless access technology type information; priority information of the policy rule; time information when the policy rule takes effect; location information where the policy rule takes effect; first indication information used to indicate access to multiple networks; second indication information used to indicate termination of access to multiple networks.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first information is included in at least one of the following information: user equipment multi-access policy information; user equipment routing selection policy information; access network discovery and selection policy information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The user equipment accessing multiple networks based on the first information comprises: in a case that the user equipment is registered in a first network and a first session is established, the user equipment, based on the first information, maintains registration in the first network, initiates registration in a second network, and establishes a second session in the second network, an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second session being the same as an IP address of the first session.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The user equipment switching the first session to the second network comprises: the user equipment sending a first request message for establishing a second session in the second network, a request type in the first request message being an existing session.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein, The method further comprises: the user equipment, based on the first information, sending a second request message for establishing a third session in the first network.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The user equipment accessing multiple networks based on the first information comprises: in a case that the user equipment is registered in a first network and is in an idle state, the user equipment, based on the first information, establishes a fourth session in the first network and establishes a fifth session in a second network after registration in the second network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The user equipment, based on the first information, establishing a fourth session in the first network and establishing a fifth session in a second network after registration in the second network comprises: the user equipment, based on the first information, establishing the fourth session in the first network and establishing the fifth session in the second network after registration in the second network before initiating a service of a first service type.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The user equipment establishing the fourth session in the first network comprises: the user equipment sending a third request message for establishing the fourth session in the first network, a request type in the third request message being a session for access to multiple networks.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The user equipment terminating access to multiple networks based on the first information comprises: The user equipment, in the case of accessing multiple networks, deregisters at least one network of the multiple networks or releases a session of at least one network of the multiple networks based on the first information.

12. A communication method, wherein, Comprise: The first network side equipment sends first information to the user equipment, and the first information is used for indicating a policy rule of the user equipment accessing or terminating accessing multiple networks; Or, the first network side equipment, in the case of receiving a request of accessing multiple networks from the user equipment, determines whether to accept the request of accessing multiple networks based on the first information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first information is determined based on at least one of service information and network information.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein, The first information is related to at least one of: Coverage quality of an accessed network; Coverage quality of a to-be-accessed network; Inter-system handover measurement event; First service type; Service quality attribute; Service quality identifier; Service quality measurement information; Service experience information; Network resource utilization rate; Network energy efficiency information; Network load; Wireless access technology camping strategy; Access type information; Wireless access technology type information; Priority information of the policy rule; Time information of the policy rule taking effect; Location information of the policy rule taking effect; First indication information used for indicating accessing multiple networks; Second indication information used for indicating terminating accessing multiple networks.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, The first information is contained in at least one of the following information: User equipment multi-access policy information; User equipment routing selection policy information; Access network discovery and selection policy information.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network side equipment receives a first request message for establishing a second session in a second network from the user equipment, and the request type in the first request message is an existing session; The first network side equipment establishes the second session for the user equipment in the second network based on the first request message, and an IP address of the second session is the same as an IP address of a first session established by the user equipment in a first network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network side equipment receives a second request message for establishing a third session in the first network from the user equipment; The first network side equipment establishes the third session for the user equipment in the first network based on the second request message, and associates the second session and the third session.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network side equipment receives a third request message for establishing a fourth session in a first network from the user equipment, and the request type in the third request message is a session of accessing multiple networks; The first network side equipment establishes the fourth session for the user equipment in the first network based on the third request message.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network side equipment receives a fourth request message for establishing a fifth session in a second network from the user equipment; The first network side equipment establishes the fifth session for the user equipment in the second network based on the fourth request message, and associates the fourth session and the fifth session.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network side device sends a rejection message to the user equipment in a case where it is determined to reject the request to access multiple networks.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein, The first network side device sends first information to the user equipment, including: The first network side device sends the first information received from the second network side device to the user equipment.

22. A communication method, wherein, Including: The third network side device determines whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information in a case where it receives the request to access multiple networks from the user equipment; or, The third network side device sends a rejection message to the user equipment through the first network side device in a case where it determines to reject the request to access multiple networks.

23. A communications device, wherein, Including: A first receiving module, configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate policy rules for the user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks; A first processing module, configured to access or terminate access to multiple networks based on the first information.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The first processing module is specifically configured to: In a case where the first network is registered and a first session is established, maintain registration on the first network, initiate registration on a second network, and establish a second session on the second network based on the first information, an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second session being the same as an IP address of the first session.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The first processing module is specifically configured to: Send a first request message for establishing a second session on the second network, a request type in the first request message being an existing session.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The first processing module is specifically configured to: In a case where the first network is registered and the user equipment is in an idle state, establish a fourth session on the first network and a fifth session on the second network after registration on the second network based on the first information.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein, The first processing module is specifically configured to: Send a third request message for establishing a fourth session on the first network, a request type in the third request message being a session for accessing multiple networks.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 23 to 27, wherein, The first processing module is specifically configured to: In a case where multiple networks are accessed, deregister at least one network in the multiple networks or release a session of at least one network in the multiple networks based on the first information.

29. A communications device, wherein, Including: A second sending module, configured to send first information to the user equipment, the first information being used to indicate policy rules for the user equipment to access or terminate access to multiple networks; A second processing module, configured to determine whether to accept the request to access multiple networks based on the first information in a case where it receives the request to access multiple networks from the user equipment.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein, The communication apparatus further includes a second receiving module; The second receiving module is configured to receive a first request message for establishing a second session on a second network from the user equipment, a request type in the first request message being an existing session; The second processing module is further configured to establish the second session for the user equipment on the second network based on the first request message, an IP address of the second session being the same as an IP address of a first session established by the user equipment on a first network.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein, The communication apparatus further includes a third receiving module; The third receiving module is configured to receive, from the user equipment, a third request message for establishing a fourth session in a first network, wherein a request type in the third request message is a session for accessing multiple networks; The second processing module is further configured to establish the fourth session for the user equipment in the first network based on the third request message.

32. The apparatus of any of claims 29 to 31, wherein, The second sending module is further configured to: In a case where it is determined to reject the request for accessing multiple networks, send a rejection message to the user equipment.

33. A communications device, wherein, The third processing module is configured to, in a case where a request for accessing multiple networks is received from user equipment, determine whether to accept the request for accessing multiple networks based on first information. Or, In a case where it is determined to reject the request for accessing multiple networks, send a rejection message to the user equipment through a first network side device. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores programs or instructions executable on the processor, and the programs or instructions are executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

34. A user equipment, wherein, The apparatus includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores programs or instructions executable on the processor, and the programs or instructions are executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, or implement the steps of the communication method according to claim 22.

35. A network-side device, wherein, The readable storage medium stores programs or instructions, and the programs or instructions are executed by the processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, or implement the steps of the communication method according to claim 22.

36. A readable storage medium, wherein, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled with the processor, and the processor is configured to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, or implement the steps of the communication method according to claim 22.

37. A chip, wherein, The program product is stored in a non-volatile storage medium, and the program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or implement the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, or implement the steps of the communication method according to claim 22.

38. A computer program product, wherein, The device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, or the communication method according to claim 22.

39. An electronic device, comprising: ​

Images