Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for supporting simultaneous access to mutally isolated network slices

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described that support access to multiple mutually exclusive, isolated, and/or disjointed network slices by User Equipment, UE, across one or more networks. The UE connects () to multiple network slices via a Radio Access Network, RAN, by way of one or more Radio Resource Control, RRC, connections. The RRC connections are maintained () between the UE and a respective network slice by switching the connection to inactive or idle when another RRC connection needs to be established. The UE and/or the RAN switches () an RRC connection from an inactive state to an active state based on a trigger condition such as receipt of a notification that downlink data is available over the inactive RRC connection. A Unified Data Management Function, UDM, stores and updates registration state information for the UE and multiple Access and Mobility Management Functions, AMFs.