Network Slice Selection via Third-Party Requirement Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slice selection methods in 5G networks do not effectively consider the requirements and preferences of third-party service providers, leading to inefficient service provision and potential negative impacts on user experience, especially in back-end business models where revenues from third-party players are involved.
Innovation Solution
A method and architecture that allow network elements to obtain and consider requirement information from third-party service providers, selecting appropriate network slices based on this information to facilitate efficient service provision, including broadcasting available network slice information to terminal devices and generating traffic steering policies to guide optimal slice selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slice selection is based solely on operator policies, then operator control is maintained, but third-party service provider requirements are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The network slice selection process is segmented into multiple independent components: operator policy module, third-party requirement module, and terminal preference module. Each module operates independently and contributes to the final selection decision, allowing the system to handle complex multi-stakeholder requirements without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary network element (such as NSSF or AMF) is introduced to mediate between operator policies, third-party service provider requirements, and terminal device preferences. This intermediary consolidates the selection logic and presents a unified decision, shielding individual components from complexity while maintaining adaptability to diverse requirements
2Loss of information
If network slice information is broadcast to all terminal devices, then service information availability is improved, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Network slice information is not uniformly broadcast to all terminal devices, but rather tailored and provided locally to specific terminals based on their service requirements, device capabilities, and current network conditions. This selective information provision reduces unnecessary signaling while ensuring relevant information is available where needed
Solution Approach 2:
Terminal devices perform preliminary self-assessment of their service requirements and capabilities before requesting network slice information. The network element uses this preliminary information to pre-filter and customize the slice information provided to each terminal, avoiding the transmission of irrelevant information and reducing signaling overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for service provision at a network element in a radio access network associated with a core network comprising a plurality of network slices. The method comprises obtaining information related to one or more network slices of the core network from another network element and facilitating service provision via the core network to a terminal device under coverage of the radio access network by informing the terminal device of information that is based at least on the obtained information. Corresponding methods performed at the other network element are also provided. Correspondingly, there are also provided apparatuses embodied for the network element and the other network element.