Scheduling gap availability notification

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code;
• the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:
• enable scheduling gap usage in relation to a terminal node device with multiple subscriptions, the multiple subscriptions comprising:
• at least a first 3GPP subscription configured to enable a first user equipment at the terminal node device to cause the terminal node device to function as the first equipment based on the first 3GPP subscription, and
• a second enhanced support of non-public networks (eNPN) subscription configured to enable a second user equipment at the terminal node device to cause the terminal node device to function as the second user equipment based on the eNPN subscription;
• determine if there is traffic to schedule for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment when in RRC CONNECTED mode, during a part of a configured scheduling gap for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment, the part of the configured scheduling gap corresponding to a paging occasion of the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment when the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment is in RRC INACTIVE mode;
• receive assistance information, the assistance information comprising information at least indicative of an early paging indication configuration of the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment at a network, wherein the assistance information further comprises paging probability information;
• determine to schedule traffic for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap based, at least in part, on the paging probability information, wherein the paging probability information comprises:
• information at least indicative of a probability that the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment will be paged at a given paging occasion, and
• information at least indicative of how frequently the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment has been paged over a number of previous paging occasions;
• based on determining that there is traffic to schedule for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap, transmit configuration information to the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment to configure the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment to provide a response indicating availability for the part of the configured scheduling gap, wherein the configuration information comprises:
• a physical downlink control channel with a single uplink grant,
• information to inform the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment that there is traffic to be scheduled for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap,
• information at least indicative of a traffic type and a service type associated with the traffic,
• information to configure the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment to resume radio connected operation during the part of the configured scheduling gap unless the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment receives an early indication of paging;
• transmit pre-configuration information to the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment, the pre-configuration information comprising information to inform the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment that scheduling of traffic for the terminal node functioning as the first user equipment will start prior to end of the configured scheduling gap;
• monitor for a response from the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment;
• in case of a response from the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment indicating that the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment is available for scheduling of traffic in the part of the configured scheduling gap, schedule traffic for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap;
• in case of a response from the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment indicating that the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment is not available for scheduling of traffic in the part of the configured scheduling gap, prevent scheduling of traffic for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap;
• and
• in case of no response from the first user equipment, schedule traffic for the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment during the part of the configured scheduling gap,
• wherein the terminal node device functions as the first user equipment with a first network and functions as the second user equipment with a second network different from the first network,
• wherein the terminal node device cannot receive from both the first network and the second network simultaneously, and
• wherein a radio connection of the terminal node device functioning as the first user equipment with the first network can be interrupted by paging by the second network for the terminal node device functioning as the second user equipment.