Apple Inc.
Enhancements for Handling Network Slice Quota

Abstract:

A Public Land Mobile Network includes a network slice quota (NSQ) node to implement a quota on the number of user equipments (UEs) or (UE, PDU_Session) pairs that may be registered on a network slice. An access and mobility management function (AMF) queries the NSQ on whether quota is available for registration of a UE on a network slice in response to a notification of successful authorization and/or authentication (AAA) of the UE. Alternatively, the AMF may preemptively capture one or more units of network slice quota for the UE prior to initiation of the AAA procedure. The AMF may start a timer after UE deregistration is initiated, and not relinquish the quota unit held by the UE until after the timer's expiration. The network may also include a session management function (SMF) that provides UE identification as well as PDU Session ID when requesting registration of a UE.