Service request and response handling

A first service communication proxy (SCP) node configured to operate as an SCP between a first network function (NF) node of a first service consumer and one or more groups of second NF nodes of one or more service producers, the first SCP node comprising processing circuitry configured to:

• receive, from the first NF node, a first service request that is a request by the first NF node for a first service, wherein the first service request includes an identity of the group of second NF nodes to which belongs a second NF node that is selected to provide a second service requested by a third NF node of a second service consumer;
• wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to, before receiving the first service request:
• receive, from the second NF node selected to provide the second service, a second response to a second service request, wherein the second service request is a request by the third NF node for the second service;
• and
• in response to receiving the second response, initiate transmission of a third response to the second service request towards the third NF node, wherein the third response includes the identity of the group of second NF nodes to which belongs the second NF node selected to provide the second service.