Network slicing serving function

A communication apparatus comprising a processor for providing network services to a mobile device operating in a visited network;

• wherein the processor operates as a mobility function in the visited network and is configured for:
• receiving, from the mobile device, a message identifying requested network slice assistance information that indicates a corresponding network slice;
• obtaining, by the mobility function in the visited network, from a network repository function in a home network, identification of a session management function in the home network for the mobile device, wherein the obtaining is performed based on a result of querying the network repository function in the home network for the mobile device with the requested network slice assistance information identified in the message;
• and
• providing, by the mobility function in the visited network to a session management function in the visited network, the identification of the session management function in the home network that is obtained by the mobility function in the visited network from the network repository function in the home network, and
• wherein the querying the network repository function in the home network is performed through an entry point in the visited network configured to receive a request for the querying from a network repository function in the visited network and communicate with an entry point in the home network that relays the request to the network repository function in the home network to generate the result of the querying,
• wherein the entry point in the visited network is at a logical level above the network repository function in the visited network and the entry point in the home network is at a logical level above the network repository function in the home network, and
• wherein the processor is further configured for, before the receiving the message:
• receiving, from a network slice selection function in the visited network, an indication of a new target mobility function in the visited network.

A computer program product comprising a computer readable memory having code stored thereupon, the code, when executed, causing a processor to implement a method for providing network services to a mobile device operating in a visited network;

• comprising:
• receiving, by a mobility function in the visited network, from the mobile device, a message identifying requested network slice assistance information that indicates a corresponding network slice;
• obtaining, by the mobility function in the visited network, from a network repository function in a home network, identification of a session management function in the home network for the mobile device, wherein the obtaining is performed based on a result of querying the network repository function in the home network for the mobile device with the requested network slice assistance information identified in the message;
• and
• providing, by the mobility function in the visited network to a session management function in the visited network, the identification of the session management function in the home network that is obtained by the mobility function in the visited network from the network repository function in the home network, and
• wherein the querying the network repository function in the home network is performed through an entry point in the visited network configured to receive a request for the querying from a network repository function in the visited network and communicate with an entry point in the home network that relays the request to the network repository function in the home network to generate the result of the querying,
• wherein the entry point in the visited network is at a logical level above the network repository function in the visited network and the entry point in the home network is at a logical level above the network repository function in the home network, and
• wherein the method further comprises, before the receiving the message,
• receiving, from a network slice selection function in the visited network, an indication of a new target mobility function in the visited network.