Network Node Preparing VPLMN Slice List for UE Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G systems, User Equipment (UE) faces challenges in selecting a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) that provides a network slice equivalent to its Home PLMN slice while roaming, as it lacks awareness of the PLMN's capabilities until registration, leading to potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A network node associated with the Home PLMN prepares a list of Visited PLMNs capable of providing equivalent network slices and sends it to the UE via a different PLMN, enabling prioritization of these PLMNs during selection, ensuring availability of the desired communication service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs PLMN selection without prior knowledge of VPLMN slice capabilities, then the PLMN selection process is simple and fast, but the UE may select a PLMN that cannot provide the required network slice, leading to service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs preliminary actions by preparing and providing a list of VPLMNs capable of providing equivalent network slices to the UE before the UE performs PLMN selection. This allows the UE to prioritize these VPLMNs during selection, ensuring service continuity without requiring complex real-time capability checking during the selection process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A list of VPLMNs capable of providing equivalent network slices acts as an intermediary between the network's slice capabilities and the UE's selection process. This intermediary list provides the UE with the necessary information to make informed selection decisions without requiring the UE to directly query or understand complex network slice configurations.
2Measurement precision
If the UE checks PLMN slice capabilities during registration, then accurate slice availability information is obtained, but service setup time is increased due to delayed service access
Solution Approach 1:
The capability information is made available to the UE in advance through the provided list of VPLMNs, eliminating the need for time-consuming capability checking during the registration process. The UE can immediately identify suitable PLMNs from the list and proceed with registration without delay.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE roams to a VPLMN without verifying slice support, then roaming mobility is maintained, but the required network slice may not be available, causing service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
Before roaming to a VPLMN, the UE is provided with a list of VPLMNs that are known to support equivalent network slices. This preliminary information allows the UE to maintain roaming mobility by selecting from available networks while ensuring service availability by prioritizing networks confirmed to support the required slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The list of capable VPLMNs serves as an intermediary that reconciles the conflict between roaming mobility and service availability. It enables the UE to roam freely while providing guidance to networks that can actually deliver the required services.
Data Source
AI summary
A network node (21) associated with a first Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) prepares a list indicating at least one Visited PLMN (VPLMN) that is capable of providing an equivalent network slice to a first network slice of the first PLMN (20). In order to cause a User Equipment (UE) (1) whose HPLMN is the first PLMN (20) to prioritize the at least one VPLMN in PLMN selection, the network node (21) sends the list to a User Equipment (UE) (1) via a second PLMN (30). This can, for example, contribute to facilitating the UE to select a VPLMN that is capable of providing a network slice that is equivalent to a particular network slice of its HPLMN.