Inter-Network Roaming Access Using EPLMN Lists for 5G Voice Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Terminal devices that do not support voice over new radio (VoNR) experience poor user experience when roaming to a visited network with only a 5G signal, as they cannot perform voice calls.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for inter-network roaming that involves a terminal device determining and transmitting indication information about its VoNR and inter-network roaming capabilities to the core network, allowing the core network to provide an EPLMN list for seamless 5G voice call support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a terminal device roams to a visited network with only 5G signal, then the terminal device can access higher-speed data services, but the terminal device cannot perform voice calls if it does not support VoNR
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs preliminary actions by determining its VoNR support status and inter-network roaming capability before actually roaming. It proactively sends capability information to the core network device in advance, enabling the network to prepare appropriate routing and service configurations before the roaming occurs, thus ensuring voice call continuity while enjoying 5G data services.
Solution Approach 2:
The core network device acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and the visited network. It receives and processes the terminal's capability information, determines the appropriate roaming destination, and facilitates seamless handover while ensuring voice service continuity. The core network device mediates the complexity between the terminal's limitations and the visited network's 5G-only infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device sends capability information to the core network device, then the core network can provide appropriate EPLMN list for seamless roaming, but the terminal device must perform additional determination and transmission operations
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs self-service by autonomously determining its own VoNR support status and inter-network roaming capability, then proactively sending this information to the core network device. This self-identification mechanism enables the network to automatically adapt its routing decisions without requiring manual configuration or complex external intervention, thus improving roaming adaptability while keeping the terminal's operational complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a method and an apparatus for performing access based on inter-network roaming, to help ensure a voice call of a terminal device in an inter-network roaming scenario, thereby improving user experience. The method includes: a terminal device determines first indication information or second indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports voice over new radio VoNR, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports inter-network roaming; the terminal device sends core network capability information to a core network device, where the core network capability information includes the first indication information or the second indication information; the core network device receives the core network capability information from the terminal device; the core network device determines, based on the core network capability information, whether the terminal device supports inter-network roaming; and when the terminal device supports inter-network roaming, the core network device sends an equivalent public land mobile network EPLMN list to the terminal device.