Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium and program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method and apparatus, and a storage medium and a program product. The communication method is executed by means of an access management network element, and comprises: sending a subscription data request to a data storage network element, wherein the subscription data request comprises indication information, which is used for indicating to the data storage network element that the current network access mode of a terminal device is indirect network sharing; and receiving subscription data of the terminal device that is sent by the data storage network element.

Description

Communication method and apparatus, storage medium, and program product

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411398932.6, filed on September 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, a storage medium, and a program product. BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, with the deployment of the 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) network, more and more operators consider sharing the network in order to save network investment. However, network deployment for sharing the network requires changes to various configuration information of the operators, and the connection requirements of the wireless and core network are more, so the degree of upgrading and reconstruction of the network is relatively large. Therefore, combined with the actual network deployment, the operators propose a network sharing mode without direct connection between the wireless and core network, which is called indirect network sharing. Indirect network sharing is achieved by modifying the core network to realize network sharing, without modifying the base station and terminal device, so that network sharing can be realized without affecting the existing base stations and terminals in the existing network. SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by an access management network element, and includes: sending a subscription data request to a data storage network element, the subscription data request including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that a terminal device currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner; and receiving subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data storage network element.

[0005] In another aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a data storage network element, and includes: receiving a subscription data request sent by an access management network element, the subscription data request including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that a terminal device currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner; and sending subscription data of the terminal device to the access management network element.

[0006] In yet another aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a network slice selection network element, and includes: receiving a slice query request sent by an access management network element, the slice query request including: a network identifier of a network selected by a terminal device; and sending authorized slice information of the terminal device to the access management network element.

[0007] In a further aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a session management network element, and includes receiving a session establishment request sent by an access management network element. The session establishment request includes slice information corresponding to a network selected by a terminal device and slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device.

[0008] In a further aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to an access management network element, and includes a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to send a subscription data request to a data storage network element. The subscription data request includes indication information, which is used to indicate that a current access network of a terminal device is an indirect network sharing. The receiving module is configured to receive subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data storage network element.

[0009] In a further aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a data storage network element, and includes a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a subscription data request sent by an access management network element. The subscription data request includes indication information, which is used to indicate that a current access network of a terminal device is an indirect network sharing. The sending module is configured to send subscription data of the terminal device to the access management network element.

[0010] In a further aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a network slice selection network element, and includes a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a slice query request sent by an access management network element. The slice query request includes a network identifier of a network selected by a terminal device. The sending module is configured to send authorized slice information of the terminal device to the access management network element.

[0011] In a further aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a session management network element, and includes a receiving module. The receiving module is configured to receive a session establishment request sent by an access management network element. The session establishment request includes slice information corresponding to a network selected by a terminal device and slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device.

[0012] In a further aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a memory and a processor. The memory is coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The processor is configured to implement the communication method described above when executing the computer program.

[0013] In a further aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer program instructions. The computer program instructions are executed by a processor to implement the communication method described above.

[0014] In a further aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes computer program instructions. The computer program instructions are executed to implement the communication method described above. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in some embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an indirect network sharing architecture according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the process of transmitting PLMN and slice information in a registration process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the process of transmitting PLMN and slice information in a PDU session establishment process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 16 is a structural schematic diagram of yet another communication apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of yet another communication apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solutions in the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0034] It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to describe examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described in the present disclosure by the words such as "exemplary" or "for example" shall not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0035] Hereinafter, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for descriptive purposes, and shall not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined by the terms "first", "second", and the like can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0036] In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in the present disclosure is only used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: only A, only B, and A and B. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more.

[0037] When a terminal device accesses a network in a manner of indirect network sharing, the network information related to the terminal device (for example, the subscription information of the terminal device) transmitted in the network may be incorrect. Therefore, how to correctly transmit the network information related to the terminal device when the terminal device accesses the network in a manner of indirect network sharing becomes a problem to be solved.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, it is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The 5G system includes the following (1) to (9) functional entities.

[0039] (1) User Equipment (UE), which can access an operator network or a customer premises network through a wireless base station.

[0040] (2) Radio Access Network (RAN), in which the base station can be a macro base station or a micro base station.

[0041] (3) Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), which is an access management network element in the present disclosure, and is used for mobility management, reachability management, connection management and registration management of the UE. The AMF terminates the N2 interface to the RAN and the N1 interface to the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of the UE. For messages related to session management of the N1 interface and the N2 interface, the AMF transmits them to the SMF.

[0042] (4) Session Management Function (SMF), which is a session management network element in the present disclosure, and is used for management of a session established by a user, including establishment, modification and deletion of the session, and also establishment of the session on the network side and the user plane.

[0043] (5) Unified Data Management (UDM), which is a data storage network element in the present disclosure, and is used for management of subscription data, application data and the like of the UE, which can be stored in a Unified Data Repository (UDR). In the 5G network, the UDM and the UDR can be usually combined together. The subscription data includes access and mobility management subscription data and session management subscription data. The AMF and the SMF can respectively obtain the subscription data from the UDM.

[0044] (6) Policy Control Function (PCF), which can be divided into UE-PCF, AM-PCF and SM-PCF according to different policies. The AMF and the SMF respectively interact with these PCFs to obtain the policy of the UE, the access management policy and the session management policy. The PCF is connected with an Application Function (AF), which is used for interworking with the core network to provide services for the user.

[0045] (7) User Plane Function (UPF), SMF formulates rules of data detection, forwarding, monitoring, etc. according to session management subscription, session management policy and other related information, and sends them to UPF. UPF, as a user plane data transmission node, executes the related rules formulated by SMF. Before sending the session management rules of UE to UPF, SMF must first establish a node-level associated connection with UPF, and exchange information such as available ports and addresses of UPF. The node-level association can be initiated by SMF or UPF. UPF is connected with Data Network (DN), and DN is an external network that users want to access, such as the Internet or a company network.

[0046] (8) Network Repository Function (NRF), as a functional network element for storing and querying network function (NF) profiles, NRF can store the profiles of other NFs in the network. When other NFs need to use a certain NF but do not know the information of this NF, they can query the NRF by inputting key parameters.

[0047] (9) Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), i.e. the network slice selection network element in the present disclosure, NSSF can intelligently select the appropriate network slice according to different requirements and priorities to optimize the utilization of network resources and provide better user experience. NSSF is responsible for selecting the most suitable network slice according to the user's request and network policy to ensure that users can obtain the required network service quality and performance.

[0048] Network slicing is one of the basic functions of 5G networks, aiming to provide flexible and efficient network services by virtualizing and partitioning network resources. It allows operators to create multiple independent virtual networks on the same physical network infrastructure, and each network slice can be optimized according to specific application requirements, thereby achieving diversified services.

[0049] On the basis of FIG. 1, by modifying the core network, a schematic diagram of an indirect network sharing architecture can be obtained as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, it is a schematic diagram of an indirect network sharing architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the indirect network sharing architecture, the network providing the base station (i.e., RAN) is referred to as a Hosting Network (i.e., the network accessed by the terminal device in the present disclosure), and the network participating in sharing without network connection with the base station is referred to as a Participating Network (i.e., the network selected by the terminal device in the present disclosure).

[0050] In the deployment mode of the indirect network sharing architecture, the network side multiplexes the related procedures of Home Routed under the roaming architecture. Then, when the terminal device accesses the network through the indirect network sharing mode, the network message related to the terminal device transmitted in the network can be incorrect. However, in the related procedures, the network message and its parameters of the terminal device and the base station cannot change the filling mode or add new parameters, so as to avoid the modification of the terminal device and the base station.

[0051] For example, the RAN broadcasts the Public Land Mobile Network Identifier (PLMN ID) representing the Participating Network, the UE selects to camp on the RAN, and selects the PLMN ID representing the Participating Network (i.e., the Participating Network PLMN ID, i.e., the network identifier of the network selected by the terminal device in the present disclosure). Exemplarily, the AMF determines that the UE is a terminal device using indirect network sharing access according to the Participating Network PLMN ID selected by the UE, instead of a roaming user. In order to avoid the influence on the terminal, the AMF returns the PLMN ID contained in the Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI) to the terminal, the PLMN ID is the PLMN ID requested by the UE, and the Allowed Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (Allowed NSSA) returned by the AMF to the UE contains the slice information: one or more pairs of slice information mapped by the PLMN ID selected by the UE and the Home PLMN ID (HPLMN ID).

[0052] In the registration procedure of the UE, the AMF also needs to perform authentication of the UE, and perform access control of the UE according to the subscription data of the UE obtained from the UDM. When the UE initiates transmission data for an application, the UE matches the application with the UE route selection policy (URSP) or the UE local configuration, finds the corresponding single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), and initiates a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request (i.e., the session establishment request in the present disclosure) carrying the matched home domain S-NSSAI, or a pair of UE-selected PLMN ID (i.e., Participating Network PLMN ID) and home PLMN ID (i.e., HPLMN ID) mapped slice information.

[0053] For the above procedure, in order to correctly transmit the PLMN information and slice information of the UE related to the terminal device, and without changing the filling mode of the network message and its parameters of the terminal device and the base station or adding new parameters, so as to avoid the modification of the terminal device and the base station, the present disclosure provides a communication method. In the communication method of the present disclosure, the access management network element sends a subscription data request including indication information to the data storage network element, to indicate that the data storage network element indicates that the terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner. In this way, the data storage network element can send the subscription data of the terminal device associated with the indirect network sharing to the access management network element, thereby avoiding the problem that the obtained subscription data of the terminal device is incorrect when the terminal device accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner, and further correctly transmitting the network information related to the terminal device when the terminal device accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, it is a communication system schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system can include: a terminal device 301, a base station 302, an access management network element 303, and a data storage network element 304.

[0055] The terminal device 301 accesses the base station 302, and accesses the access management network element 303 through the base station 302. The access management network element 303 can send, to the data storage network element 304, a subscription data request including indication information indicating that the data storage network element terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner. Illustratively, the data storage network element 304 can send, to the access management network element 303, subscription data of the terminal device 301 according to the subscription data request, to achieve that the data storage network element 304 sends, to the access management network element 303, the subscription data of the terminal device 301 associated with the indirect network sharing.

[0056] The terminal device 301 can be a device with wireless transceiving function. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the application scenarios. The terminal can also be referred to as a user, a user equipment (UE), an A-IoT device, an access terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a transmitter, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a UE terminal, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE apparatus, and the like, and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0057] The base station 302 can be a base station or evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution advanced (LTE A), a base station device (gNB) in a 5G network, or a base station in a future communication system, etc. The base station can include various macro base stations, micro base stations, home base stations, wireless remote devices, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), routers, relay stations, transmission and reception points (TRPs), receivers, access points, wireless fidelity (WIFI) devices, and various network side devices. The base station can also be referred to as a reader for communication with the terminal.

[0058] The access management network element 303 can be an AMF for mobility management, reachability management, connection management, and registration management of the UE.

[0059] The data storage network element 304 can be a UDM for managing subscription data, application data, and the like of the UE.

[0060] It should be noted that FIG. 3 is only an exemplary framework diagram, the number of devices included in FIG. 3, and the name of each device are not limited, and in addition to the devices shown in FIG. 3, the communication system can also include other devices, such as core network devices.

[0061] The application scenarios of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited. The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a communication method. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication method is performed by an access management network element, including S401 and S402.

[0063] In S401, a subscription data request is sent to a data storage network element.

[0064] The subscription data request includes indication information. The indication information is used to indicate that the current access network of the terminal device of the data storage network element is indirect network sharing.

[0065] In some embodiments, FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of passing PLMN and slice information in a registration procedure. As shown in FIG. 5, in an indirect network sharing scenario, when a terminal device (i.e., UE) is located in a certain area, a shared base station (i.e., Shared RAN) in the area can broadcast a plurality of PLMN IDs of operators. The network in the area is a Hosting Network (i.e., a hosting network accessed by the terminal device). For example, the UE can listen to the broadcast and select a PLMN ID representing a Participating Network as a Participating Network PLMN ID. Since the home domain of the UE is the Participating Network, the UE will select the PLMN ID representing the Participating Network as the Participating Network PLMN ID when there is an available PLMN ID of the Participating Network. That is, the UE can listen to the PLMN ID of the operator to which the UE belongs and select an available PLMN ID of the operator to which the UE belongs as the Participating Network PLMN ID.

[0066] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the UE can initiate a registration request to a base station through the Shared RAN. The registration request includes a registration message of the NAS layer. The registration message is contained in a radio connection setup complete message to be sent to the AMF through the Shared RAN. According to the registration message, the UE can indicate the PLMN ID selected by the UE to the network. The registration message can also carry the requested network slice selection assistance information (Requested NSSAI). If the Participating Network PLMN ID is different from the PLMN ID (i.e., HPLMN ID) contained in the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the UE, the Requested NSSAI can contain the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID and the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the HPLMN ID.

[0067] It should be noted that the NAS layer is responsible for transferring information between the UE and the core network. The Requested NSSAI is used to specify the network slices that the UE needs to use. The Participating Network PLMN ID can be different from the HPLMN ID, because the SUPI is a unique identifier of the UE, that is, the HPLMN ID is only one, while the PLMN ID of the operator to which the UE belongs can be multiple, that is, the HPLMN ID is one of the PLMN ID of the operator to which the UE belongs, and then the Participating Network PLMN ID can be different from the HPLMN ID.

[0068] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, the base station can select an AMF for the UE according to the PLMN ID (i.e., the Participating Network PLMN ID) selected by the UE in the registration request, and send the registration request to the AMF. The AMF can determine that the UE is a user of the Participating Network using indirect network sharing according to the PLMN ID selected by the UE in the registration request. That is, the AMF belongs to the network accessed by the UE, and if the PLMN ID selected by the UE is not the PLMN ID of the network accessed by the UE, but the PLMN ID of the network that has signed an indirect network sharing agreement with the network, the AMF can determine that the UE is a user of the Participating Network using indirect network sharing.

[0069] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, if the UE needs to be authenticated, the AMF can send an authentication request to an authentication server function (AUSF). The authentication request includes a serving network name, and the serving network name includes a serving PLMN ID. Exemplarily, after receiving the authentication request, the AUSF detects whether the serving network included in the HTTP header message of the authentication request has the right to use the serving network name included in the authentication request. In addition, the AUSF temporarily saves the serving network name.

[0070] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, the AUSF determines that the serving Network has the right to use the serving Network name contained in the authentication request, and then allows the serving Network to access. Then, the AUSF can send a UE authentication information obtaining message to the UDM. The UE authentication information obtaining message carries the SUPI or SUCI of the UE and the serving Network name obtained from the AMF. Exemplarily, the UDM can send the authentication vector used by the required authentication algorithm to the AUSF according to the UE authentication information obtaining message. The authentication vector can be a set of parameter groups used for authentication.

[0071] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, after the AUSF obtains the authentication vector, the authentication process can be initiated to the UE through the AMF. The messages between the UE and the AUSF in the authentication process are transparently transmitted through the AMF, and the AMF does not need to analyze the content of the messages. In the authentication process, a Key used later will be generated, that is, all encryption and integrity protection of the UE later depend on the Key generated in the authentication process, and the serving Network name is an input parameter for generating the Key. Therefore, it is required that the UE and the AUSF use the same serving Network name.

[0072] It should be noted that the serving Network name used by the UE is based on the network selected by the UE. In order to avoid the influence on the UE, in this scenario, the serving PLMN ID contained in the serving Network name used by the UE is the Participating Network PLMN ID selected by the UE. Therefore, the serving Network name sent by the AMF to the AUSF also needs to be set as the Participating Network PLMN ID selected by the UE. And the information obtained by the AUSF comes from the AMF, so the Participating Network PLMN ID is used in the subsequent authentication vector obtained by the AUSF from the UDM and the authentication process initiated by the AUSF.

[0073] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, after authentication, if the AMF does not have a valid UE context, the AMF needs to initiate a registration request to the UDM. After the UDM registers according to the registration request, other NFs can obtain the information of the AMF from the UDM in order to communicate with the AMF. The information of the AMF can include an instance identifier (instance ID) of the AMF and registration (GUMMEI) information. The GUMMEI information includes a PLMN ID. In order to enable other NFs to find the AMF located in the hosting network, the GUMMEI filled by the AMF is a GUMMEI that can be used to address the AMF, that is, the PLMN ID included in the GUMMEI is the PLMN ID representing the hosting network (that is, the hosting network PLMN ID).

[0074] It should be noted that the UE context refers to the total information and state related to the UE in the communication network.

[0075] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, after registration, if the AMF does not have the subscription data of the UE, the AMF can send a subscription data request to the UDM. The subscription data request is used to request to obtain the access and mobility subscription data of the UE. The subscription data request includes the serving PLMN ID of the UE. Since the home network of the UE (that is, the current access network of the UE) can sign different roaming agreements or network sharing agreements with other multiple operators, when the UE accesses from the network of different operators, the UDM located in the home network needs to judge different subscription data to be returned according to different serving PLMN IDs. That is, if the serving PLMN ID in the subscription data request is the hosting network PLMN ID or the participating network PLMN ID, the subscription data of the UE sent by the UDM to the AMF is the subscription data under the roaming agreement signed by the current access network and the hosting network.

[0076] The subscription data under the roaming agreement can be different from the subscription data under the indirect network sharing agreement. Therefore, in the indirect network sharing scenario, if the current access network of the UE is indirect network sharing, the subscription data sent by the UDM to the AMF can be incorrect.

[0077] Therefore, the AMF sending the subscription data request to the UDM can include indication information indicating that the UE currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner. Then, the UDM can know that the UE currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner, and the subscription data of the UE sent by the UDM to the AMF is subscription data under an indirect network sharing agreement between the current access network and the hosting network, so as to ensure the correctness of the obtained subscription data.

[0078] Since the AMF is located in the hosting network, but the UE selects the PLMN ID of the participating network, in order to enable the UDM to issue correct subscription data, the UDM can be indicated in the following two ways that the UE currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner.

[0079] As an implementation manner, the indication information includes a network identity of a hosting network accessed by the terminal device and a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device. The network identity of the hosting network accessed by the terminal device (i.e., the hosting network PLMN ID) can be used as the serving PLMN ID.

[0080] In some embodiments, if the indication information included in the subscription data request sent by the AMF to the UDM includes the hosting network PLMN ID and the network identity of the network selected by the terminal device (i.e., the participating network PLMN ID), the UDM can determine whether the terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner in the following two ways. Way one: compare whether the hosting network PLMN ID and the participating network PLMN ID are the same. Way two: judge whether additional information is carried in the message. For example, for way one, if the hosting network PLMN ID and the participating network PLMN ID are not the same, the terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner. If the hosting network PLMN ID and the participating network PLMN ID are the same, the terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner. For way two, if the network identity of the network selected by the terminal device or the hosting network PLMN ID is filled in the original information element (IE) in the message, and another PLMN ID is carried in the newly added information element, it is determined that the terminal device currently accesses the network in an indirect network sharing manner.

[0081] As an implementation manner, the indication information comprises: a network identity of a hosting network accessed by the terminal device or a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device. The indication information further comprises: indication information that the current network access manner of the terminal device is indirect network sharing.

[0082] In some embodiments, if the indication information included in the subscription data request sent by the AMF to the UDM comprises: the Hosting Network PLMN ID or the Participating Network PLMN ID, and the indication information that the current network access manner of the terminal device is indirect network sharing. The Hosting Network PLMN ID or the Participating Network PLMN ID can be used as the serving PLMN ID. Then, the UDM can know that the current network access manner of the terminal device is indirect network sharing according to the indication information that the current network access manner of the terminal device is indirect network sharing.

[0083] In S402, the subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data storage network element is received.

[0084] In some embodiments, the AMF can receive the subscription data of the UE sent by the UDM. The subscription data of the UE can comprise the slice information of the Participating Network and / or the Hosting Network.

[0085] Exemplarily, in the indirect network sharing scenario, the radio access technologies (RATs) allowed for the UE to access in the subscription data of the UE can be different from the RATs allowed for the UE to access in the roaming scenario or the scenario where the UE accesses in the home domain.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a communication method. As shown in FIG. 6, after the above-mentioned S402, the communication method further comprises S601 and S602.

[0087] In S601, a slice query request is sent to a network slice selection network element.

[0088] The slice query request comprises: a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device (i.e., the Participating Network PLMN ID).

[0089] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the AMF can send a slice query request to a network slice selection network element (i.e., NSSF) according to the subscription data of the UE obtained from the UDM. The slice query request can include the Requested NSSAI sent by the UE. If the Requested NSSAI sent by the UE carries the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID selected by the UE and the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the HPLMN ID, the AMF can carry the HPLMN ID and the subscribed S-NSSAIs (i.e., the list of subscribed slices corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID or the Participating Network PLMN ID) in the subscription data obtained from the UDM in the slice query request sent to the NSSF to obtain the Allowed NSSAI. The Allowed NSSAI includes the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID and the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID.

[0090] However, the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID selected by the UE can be different from the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN. If the slice query request only includes the HPLMN ID and the Hosting Network PLMN ID, the AMF will not be able to obtain the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, resulting in incorrect slice information. Therefore, the slice query request sent by the AMF to the NSSF can include the Participating PLMN ID, the HPLMN ID and the Hosting Network PLMN ID to obtain the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID and the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID from the NSSF, ensuring that the obtained slice information is correct.

[0091] The AMF can send the slice query request including the Participating Network PLMN ID to the NSSF in the following two ways.

[0092] As an implementation manner, the slice query request includes: a network identity of a network selected by a terminal device, and a network identity of a hosting network accessed by the terminal device.

[0093] In some embodiments, the Participating Network PLMN ID can be added in the slice query request sent by the AMF to the NSSF, i.e., the slice query request can include the Participating Network PLMN ID, the Hosting Network PLMN ID, and the HPLMN ID. Then, the Allowed NSSAI returned by the NSSF to the AMF can include the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID, and the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID.

[0094] As an implementation manner, the slice query request includes a first slice query request and a second slice query request. The first slice query request includes the network identity of the hosting network accessed by the terminal device. The second slice query request includes the network identity of the network selected by the terminal device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the AMF can send two slice query requests to the NSSF, i.e., a first slice query request and a second slice query request. The first slice query request can include the Hosting Network PLMN ID and the HPLMN ID. Then, when the NSSF receives the first slice query request, the Allowed NSSAI returned by the NSSF to the AMF can include the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID and the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID. Exemplarily, the HPLMN ID in the first slice query request can be filled as the Participating Network PLMN ID to obtain the second slice query request. Then, when the NSSF receives the second slice query request, the Allowed NSSAI returned by the NSSF to the AMF can further include the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID.

[0096] In S602, the authorized slice information of the terminal device sent by the network slice selection network element is received.

[0097] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the AMF can receive the authorized slice information of the terminal device sent by the NSSF. The AMF generates and stores the authorized slice information of the terminal device locally according to the above two implementation manners, i.e., one-time request acquisition or two-time request acquisition. The authorized slice information can include slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID, and slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID. In addition, the AMF can locally save the mapping relationship among the three.

[0098] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 5, the AMF can send a registration accept message to the UE through the Shared RAN. In order to avoid affecting the terminal and the Shared RAN, the mapping information of the slice corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID and the mapping information of the slice corresponding to the HPLMN ID are included in the Allowed NSSAI in the registration accept message. This is because the mapping relationship included in the Request NSSAI sent by the UE is also the mapping information of the slice corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID and the mapping information of the slice corresponding to the HPLMN ID. In this way, the UE can be avoided from being affected. In addition, the serving PLMN ID included in the GUTI sent to the UE in the registration accept message is the Participating Network PLMN ID.

[0099] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a communication method. As shown in FIG. 7, after S602, the communication method further includes S701.

[0100] In S701, a session establishment request is sent to a session management network element.

[0101] The session establishment request includes slice information corresponding to a network selected by a terminal device and slice information corresponding to a hosting network accessed by the terminal device.

[0102] In some embodiments, FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a PDU session establishment process for transferring PLMN and slice information. As shown in FIG. 8, the UE can initiate a PDU session establishment request to the AMF through the Shared RAN. The PDU session establishment request can carry a slice (i.e., S-NSSAI) matched with a terminal route selection policy (UE Route Selection Policy, URSP) rule, which can be one of the Allowed NSSAI or the Configured NSSAI obtained in the registration process.

[0103] It is noted that, in the registration procedure, the slice mapping information contained in the Allowed NSSAI obtained by the UE is the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the PLMN ID of the Participating Network (i.e. the Participating Network PLMN ID) and the mapping information of the slices corresponding to the HPLMN ID. Therefore, if the S-NSSAI contained in the PDU session establishment request by the UE is from the Allowed NSSAI, the S-NSSAI contains the slices corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID and the slices corresponding to the HPLMN ID.

[0104] In some embodiments, exemplarily as shown in FIG. 8, the AMF can select the SMF according to the S-NSSAI contained in the received PDU session establishment request. For example, the AMF can select the SMF (i.e. the V-SMF) in the Hosting Network according to the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID obtained in S602. And, the AMF can select the SMF (i.e. the H-SMF) in the Participating Network according to the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID obtained in S602.

[0105] In some embodiments, exemplarily as shown in FIG. 8, the AMF can send the PDU session establishment request to the V-SMF. The PDU session establishment request can carry the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, and the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID. In this way, the V-SMF can obtain all the slice information to decide how to fill the slice information in the N1 message (i.e. the session establishment response message sent to the UE) and the N2 message (i.e. the session establishment response message sent to the base station (i.e. the Shared RAN) connected to the UE) according to all the slice information, to ensure the correct transmission of the PLMN and the slice information in the PDU session establishment procedure.

[0106] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the V-SMF can select a UPF (i.e., V-UPF) in the Hosting Network according to the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID and the location information of the UE, and establish an N4 session. Illustratively, the V-SMF can send a PDU session establishment request to the SMF (i.e., H-SMF) in the Participating Network. The H-SMF can select a UPF (i.e., H-UPF) in the Participating Network and establish an N4 session. Illustratively, after the tunnel of the core network is established, the H-SMF can return a response message (i.e., PDU session establishment response) of the session establishment request to the AMF through the V-SMF. The PDU session establishment response includes an N2 message that needs to be transparently transmitted to the Shared RAN and an N1 message that needs to be transparently transmitted to the UE.

[0107] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a communication method. As shown in FIG. 9, after S701, the communication method further includes S901.

[0108] In S901, a response message of a session establishment request sent by a session management network element is received.

[0109] The response message includes a session establishment message sent to a base station to which a terminal device is connected, and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device. The session establishment message includes slice information corresponding to a hosting network to which the terminal device accesses. The session establishment response message includes slice information corresponding to a network to which the terminal device belongs and slice information corresponding to a network selected by the terminal device.

[0110] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the AMF can receive a response message sent by the H-SMF. The response message includes a session establishment message (i.e., PDU session establishment request, N2 message) sent to a base station to which a terminal device is connected, and a session establishment response message (i.e., PDU session response message, N1 message) sent to the terminal device.

[0111] The PDU session establishment request can require the Shared RAN to which the UE is connected to reserve resources according to the Quality of Service (QoS) and slice information in the message, and the slice information is slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID.

[0112] The PDU session response message contains S-NSSAI, including slice information corresponding to a pair of Participating Network PLMN ID and slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID.

[0113] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the AMF does not need to parse the transparently transmitted N1 message and N2 message. The AMF can forward the N2 message containing the N1 message to the Shared RAN. The Shared RAN does not parse the N1 message and directly forwards the N1 message to the UE. As an example, after the base station completes the radio bearer establishment (also referred to as radio resource configuration), the base station sends the N2 message to the SMF. After receiving the N2 message, the AMF transmits the N2 message to the SMF in a transparent manner.

[0114] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication method, which is performed by a data storage network element. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication method can include S1001 and S1002.

[0115] In S1001, a subscription data request sent by an access management network element is received.

[0116] The subscription data request includes indication information. The indication information is used to indicate that the current access network access mode of the terminal device of the data storage network element is indirect network sharing.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the UDM can receive a subscription data request sent by the AMF, and according to the indication information included in the subscription data request, it is known that the current access network access mode of the UE is indirect network sharing.

[0118] It should be noted that the description of why the subscription data can be incorrect can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0119] In an implementation manner, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device and a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device.

[0120] It should be noted that the description of how the network identifier of the network accessed by the terminal device and the network identifier of the network selected by the terminal device indicate that the current access network access mode of the terminal device of the data storage network element is indirect network sharing can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0121] In an implementation manner, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device or a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device. The indication information further includes indication information that the current access network access mode of the terminal device is indirect network sharing.

[0122] It should be noted that for the description of how the network identifier of the network accessed by the terminal device or the network identifier of the network selected by the terminal device, and the indication information indicating that the current network access mode of the terminal device is indirect network sharing, indicates that the current network access mode of the terminal device is indirect network sharing, reference can be made to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0123] In S1002, the subscription data of the terminal device is sent to the access management network element.

[0124] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case where the UDM knows that the current network access mode of the UE is indirect network sharing, the UDM can send the subscription data of the UE to the AMF as the subscription data under the indirect network sharing agreement between the current access network and the hosting network, so as to ensure the correctness of the obtained subscription data.

[0125] It should be noted that for the description of the information included in the subscription data, reference can be made to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0126] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication method, which is performed by a network slice selection network element. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication method can include S1101 and S1102.

[0127] In S1101, a slice query request sent by an access management network element is received.

[0128] The slice query request includes the network identifier of the network selected by the terminal device.

[0129] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the NSSF can receive the slice query request sent by the AMF. The slice query request can include the Participating PLMN ID, the HPLMN ID and the Hosting Network PLMN ID, so as to obtain the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID and the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID from the NSSF, and ensure the correctness of the obtained slice information.

[0130] It should be noted that for the description of why the slice information is incorrect, reference can be made to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] In an implementation manner, the slice query request includes the network identifier of the network selected by the terminal device and the network identifier of the hosting network accessed by the terminal device.

[0132] It should be noted that the description of how to send the slice query request including the Participating Network PLMN ID to the NSSF can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0133] In an implementation manner, the slice query request includes a first slice query request and a second slice query request. The first slice query request includes the network identity of the hosting network accessed by the terminal device. The second slice query request includes the network identity of the network selected by the terminal device.

[0134] It should be noted that the description of how to send the slice query request including the Participating Network PLMN ID to the NSSF can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0135] In S1102, the authorized slice information of the terminal device is sent to the access management network element.

[0136] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the NSSF sends the authorized slice information of the terminal device to the AMF according to the slice query request. The authorized slice information includes the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID, and the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID.

[0137] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication method, which is executed by a session management network element. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication method can include S1201 and S1202.

[0138] In S1201, a session establishment request sent by an access management network element is received.

[0139] The session establishment request includes the slice information corresponding to the network selected by the terminal device, and the slice information corresponding to the hosting network accessed by the terminal device.

[0140] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the V-SMF can receive the PDU session establishment request sent by the AMF. The PDU session establishment request can carry the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID, the slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID, and the slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID. In this way, the V-SMF can obtain all the slice information, so as to decide how to fill the slice information in the N1 message and the N2 message according to all the slice information, to ensure that the PLMN and the slice information are correctly transmitted in the PDU session establishment process.

[0141] It should be noted that the description of how to fill the N1 message and the N2 message according to the entire slice information can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0142] In S1202, a response message of the session establishment request is sent to the access management network element.

[0143] The response message includes a session establishment message sent to the base station connected to the terminal device, and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device. The session establishment message includes slice information corresponding to the hosting network accessed by the terminal device. The session establishment response message includes slice information corresponding to the network to which the terminal device belongs and slice information corresponding to the network selected by the terminal device.

[0144] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the H-SMF can send a response message to the AMF. The response message includes an N2 message and an N1 message. The N2 message can require the Shared RAN connected to the UE to reserve resources according to the QoS and slice information in the message. The slice information is the slice information corresponding to the Hosting Network PLMN ID. The N1 message contains S-NSSAI, including a pair of slice information corresponding to the Participating Network PLMN ID and slice information corresponding to the HPLMN ID.

[0145] It should be noted that the description of how the N2 message and the N1 message are transparently transmitted can refer to the related description in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0146] It can be understood that the communication device includes hardware structure and / or software modules corresponding to each function to achieve the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that the algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0147] The embodiments of the present disclosure can divide the function modules of the communication device according to the method embodiments described above. For example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one function module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or software. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. The following will be described by taking the division of each function module according to each function as an example.

[0148] FIG. 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device can be applied to an access management network element, and performs the communication method shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication device 1300 includes a sending module 1301 and a receiving module 1302.

[0149] The sending module 1301 is configured to send a subscription data request to a data storage network element. The subscription data request includes indication information. The indication information is used to indicate that the current access network of the terminal device of the data storage network element is indirect network sharing.

[0150] The receiving module 1302 is configured to receive subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data storage network element.

[0151] In some embodiments, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device and a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device or a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device. The indication information further includes indication information that the current access network of the terminal device is indirect network sharing.

[0153] In some embodiments, the sending module 1301 is further configured to send a slice query request to a network slice selection network element. The slice query request includes a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device. The receiving module 1302 is further configured to receive authorized slice information of the terminal device sent by the network slice selection network element.

[0154] In some embodiments, the slice query request includes a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device and a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device.

[0155] In some embodiments, the slice query request includes a first slice query request and a second slice query request. The first slice query request includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device. The second slice query request includes a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the sending module 1301 is further configured to send, to a session management network element, a session establishment request. The session establishment request includes slice information corresponding to a network selected by the terminal device and slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device.

[0157] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1302 is further configured to receive, from the session management network element, a response message of the session establishment request. The response message includes a session establishment message sent to a base station connected to the terminal device and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device. The session establishment message includes the slice information corresponding to the network accessed by the terminal device. The session establishment response message includes slice information corresponding to a network to which the terminal device belongs and slice information corresponding to the network selected by the terminal device.

[0158] FIG. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 1400 can be applied to a data storage network element and perform the communication method shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication apparatus 1400 includes a receiving module 1401 and a sending module 1402.

[0159] The receiving module 1401 is configured to receive a subscription data request sent by an access management network element. The subscription data request includes indication information. The indication information is used to indicate that a current access network of the terminal device is an indirect network sharing. The sending module 1402 is configured to send, to the access management network element, subscription data of the terminal device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device and a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the indication information includes a network identifier of a network accessed by the terminal device or a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device. The indication information further includes indication information that the current access network of the terminal device is an indirect network sharing.

[0162] FIG. 15 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 1500 can be applied to a network slice selection network element and perform the communication method shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 15, the communication apparatus 1500 includes a receiving module 1501 and a sending module 1502.

[0163] The receiving module 1501 is configured to receive a slice query request sent by an access management network element. The slice query request includes a network identifier of a network selected by the terminal device.

[0164] The sending module 1502 is configured to send, to the access management network element, authorized slice information of the terminal device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the slice query request comprises: a network identity of the network selected by the terminal device, and a network identity of the network accessed by the terminal device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the slice query request comprises: a first slice query request and a second slice query request. The first slice query request comprises a network identity of the network accessed by the terminal device. The second slice query request comprises a network identity of the network selected by the terminal device.

[0167] FIG. 16 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 1600 can be applied to a session management network element, and perform the communication method shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 16, the communication apparatus 1600 comprises: a receiving module 1601 and a sending module 1602.

[0168] The receiving module 1601 is configured to receive a session establishment request sent by an access management network element. The session establishment request comprises: slice information corresponding to a network selected by a terminal device, and slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the sending module 1602 is configured to send, to the access management network element, a response message of the session establishment request. The response message comprises: a session establishment message sent to a base station connected to the terminal device, and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device. The session establishment message comprises: slice information corresponding to the network accessed by the terminal device. The session establishment response message comprises: slice information corresponding to a network to which the terminal device belongs, and slice information corresponding to the network selected by the terminal device.

[0170] In the case of implementing the functions of the above-mentioned integrated modules in the form of hardware, the present embodiment provides another structure of the communication apparatus involved in the above-mentioned embodiments. As shown in FIG. 17, the communication apparatus 1700 comprises: a processor 1702, a bus 1704. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can further comprise a memory 1701. In some embodiments, the communication apparatus can further comprise a communication interface 1703.

[0171] The processor 1702 can implement or execute various example logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor 1702 can be a central processing unit, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. The processor 1702 can implement or execute various example logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor 1702 can also be a combination of computing components, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP (digital signal processor) and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0172] The communication interface 1703 is configured to connect with other devices through a communication network. The communication network can be an Ethernet, a wireless access network, a WLAN (wireless local area network), and the like.

[0173] The memory 1701 can be a ROM (read-only memory) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a RAM (random access memory) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a magnetic disk storage medium, or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0174] As an implementation manner, the memory 1701 can exist independently of the processor 1702, and the memory 1701 can be connected with the processor 1702 through the bus 1704, for storing instructions or program code. When the processor 1702 invokes and executes the instructions or program code stored in the memory 1701, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0175] In another implementation manner, the memory 1701 can also be integrated with the processor 1702.

[0176] Bus 1704, which can be an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, a proprietary bus, or other bus, can be used to couple inter-chip peripherals to the processor 1702 and / or the graphics processor 1706. Bus 1704 can be split into several component buses such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. For simplicity, only one bus is shown in FIG. 17, but those skilled in the art will recognize that a single bus can be split into several buses. The graphics processor 1706 can be coupled to the processor 1702 through a bus, such as bus 1704, or through a separate bus. The graphics processor 1706 can be integrated into the processor 1702 or can be a stand-alone device.

[0177] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readable storage medium (for example, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium) having stored computer program instructions, which when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0178] Exemplarily, the above computer readable storage medium can include, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage device (for example, a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a magnetic tape, etc.), an optical disc (for example, a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), etc.), a smart card, and a flash memory device (for example, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a card, a stick, or a key drive, etc.). The various computer readable storage media described in the present disclosure can represent one or more devices and / or other machine readable storage media for storing information. The term "machine readable storage medium" can include, but is not limited to, a wireless channel and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0179] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program product containing instructions, which when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0180] The above description is merely exemplary of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any change or substitution within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure should be covered in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, performed by an access management network element, comprising: sending a subscription data request to a data storage network element; the subscription data request comprising indication information; the indication information being used to indicate that a terminal device of the data storage network element currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner; receiving subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data storage network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the indication information comprising a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device and a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, the indication information comprising a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device or a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device; the indication information further comprising indication information that the terminal device currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending a slice query request to a network slice selection network element; the slice query request comprising a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device; receiving authorized slice information of the terminal device sent by the network slice selection network element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, the slice query request comprising a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device and a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, the slice query request comprising a first slice query request and a second slice query request; the first slice query request comprising a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device; the second slice query request comprising a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending a session establishment request to a session management network element; the session establishment request comprising slice information corresponding to a network selected by the terminal device and slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving a response message of the session establishment request sent by the session management network element; the response message comprising a session establishment message sent to a base station connected to the terminal device and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device; the session establishment message comprising slice information corresponding to a network accessed by the terminal device; the session establishment response message comprising slice information corresponding to a network to which the terminal device belongs and slice information corresponding to a network selected by the terminal device. 9.A communication method, performed by a data storage network element, comprising: receiving a subscription data request sent by an access management network element; the subscription data request comprising indication information; the indication information being used to indicate that a terminal device of the data storage network element currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner; sending subscription data of the terminal device to the access management network element.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, the indication information comprising a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device and a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, the indication information comprising a network identity of a network accessed by the terminal device or a network identity of a network selected by the terminal device; the indication information further comprising indication information that the terminal device currently accesses a network in an indirect network sharing manner. 12.A communication method, performed by a network slice selection network element, comprising: receiving a slice query request sent by an access management network element; the slice query request comprising: network identity of a network selected by a terminal device; sending, to the access management network element, authorized slice information of the terminal device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, the slice query request comprising: network identity of a network selected by a terminal device, and network identity of a network in which the terminal device accesses.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, the slice query request comprising: a first slice query request and a second slice query request; the first slice query request comprising network identity of a network in which the terminal device accesses; the second slice query request comprising network identity of a network selected by the terminal device. 15.A communication method, performed by a session management network element, comprising: receiving a session establishment request sent by an access management network element; the session establishment request comprising: slice information corresponding to a network selected by a terminal device, and slice information corresponding to a network in which the terminal device accesses. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising: sending, to the access management network element, a response message of the session establishment request; the response message comprising: a session establishment message sent to a base station to which the terminal device connects, and a session establishment response message sent to the terminal device; the session establishment message comprising: slice information corresponding to a network in which the terminal device accesses; the session establishment response message comprising: slice information corresponding to a network to which the terminal device belongs, and slice information corresponding to a network selected by the terminal device.

17. A communications device comprising: a memory and a processor; wherein the memory is coupled to the processor; the memory is configured to store instructions executable by the processor; and the processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-16.

18. A computer readable storage medium, wherein, a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions, which when executed on a computer cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-16.

19. A computer program product, wherein, the computer program product comprising computer instructions, which when executed cause the method according to any one of claims 1-16 to be performed.

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