PLMN Selection for Network Sharing Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network sharing scenarios, existing technologies face challenges in correctly selecting a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) during handovers, leading to unnecessary signaling and errors, especially when dealing with User Equipment (UE) that support or do not support network sharing.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station receives a handover request message from the core network containing information on the UE's network sharing capability, and selects and transmits a matching PLMN ID to ensure correct PLMN selection based on the UE's status, thereby reducing errors and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base station broadcasts a common PLMN ID for non-supporting UEs, then non-supporting UEs can operate normally in network sharing mode, but supporting UEs cannot utilize additional PLMN IDs efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE population into two distinct groups: supporting UEs and non-supporting UEs. Each group is provided with appropriate PLMN information through different mechanisms - non-supporting UEs receive common PLMN ID via broadcast, while supporting UEs receive additional PLMN IDs through dedicated signaling, allowing each segment to operate optimally for its capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that receives PLMN configuration information from the core network and selectively distributes appropriate PLMN IDs to UEs based on their capability status. The handover request message serves as the intermediary channel that carries UE capability information from source to target base station
2Productivity
If the target base station selects PLMN without considering UE network sharing capability, then the handover procedure is simple, but incorrect PLMN selection occurs leading to signaling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The source base station performs preliminary action by including UE network sharing capability information in the handover request message before the handover execution. This allows the target base station to make accurate PLMN selection decisions without adding complexity to the handover procedure, as the capability information is already available in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the UE's network sharing capability information (received in handover request) to guide the PLMN selection process at the target base station. This feedback mechanism ensures that the PLMN selection adapts to the specific UE capabilities, preventing selection errors while maintaining efficient handover
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for network sharing, and a method of communicating at a base station according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: receiving from a core network a handover request message including information on whether to support network sharing of user equipment (UE); selecting a PLMN identification (ID) by using information on whether to support network sharing of the UE; and transmitting the selected PLMN ID to the UE. According to one embodiment of the present invention, since a source base station, a target base station or a core network node may select a correct PLMN depending on the situation of UE when carrying out a handover, it is possible to decrease unnecessary signaling and errors in a network sharing situation.