Network slicing with a radio access network node

A Radio Access Network (RAN) node comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the RAN node to:
• receive, from a User Equipment (UE) and via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, a registration request;
• send, to a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), via an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and based at least in part on the registration request, a slice selection request;
• receive, from the NSSF, a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) value;
• store an association of the NSSAI value to a network slice;
• send, to the UE and via the RRC connection, the NSSAI value;
• and
• establish a bearer with the UE, wherein the bearer is based at least in part on the NSSAI value.

A system comprising:

• one or more network slices;
• and
• a Radio Access Network (RAN) node including non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause the RAN node to:
• receive, via a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, a registration request including a request for a Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI) value;
• receive, from a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Service Level Agreement (SLA) associated with a User Equipment (UE);
• send to a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), a slice selection request;
• receive, from the NSSF and via an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the NSSAI value;
• store an association of the NSSAI value to a network slice of the one or more network slices;
• and
• send, via the RRC connection, the NSSAI value for storage at the UE,
• wherein at least one of the slice selection request or the NSSAI value is based at least in part on the SLA.