Network slice installation-based deployment testing

A method of a network entity apparatus, comprising:

• detecting that a new version of network software is available;
• determining an incorporation plan for migrating to the new version of the network software;
• requesting a new network slice instance for deploying the new version of the network software according to the determined incorporation plan, wherein one or more user equipment (“UE”) devices are assigned to the new network slice instance;
• and
• monitoring performance of the one or more UE devices using the new version of the network software in the new network slice instance.

A network entity apparatus, comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to cause the apparatus to:
• receive a request to create a new network slice instance according to an incorporation plan for deployment of a new version of network software and migrating one or more user equipment (“UE”) devices to the new network slice instance;
• create the new network slice instance according to the incorporation plan;
• and
• one of:
• assign the new network slice instance to a new single network slice selection assistance information (“S-NSSAI”);
• and
• assign the new network slice instance to an existing S-NSSAI.