Caching in wireless communication networks

A method in a user equipment (UE) for controlling data transfer between the UE and a network cache in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• requesting, from a Network Reporting Entity (NRE) a report regarding the status of the wireless communication network,
• receiving, from the NRE, the report regarding the status of the wireless communication network, and
• determining whether to initiate data transfer between the UE and the network cache based on said received status report of the wireless communication network.

A Network Reporting Entity (NRE) for use in a wireless communication network, the NRE being operative to enable control of data transfer between a first UE in a cell and a network cache, the NRE being operative to communicate with a Network Conditions Information Entity (NCIE) the NRE comprising:

• a receiving unit operative to receive, from the first UE, a request to start reporting network status,
• a transmitting unit adapted operative to transmit, to the first UE, information regarding the status of the network, the information pertaining to whether network condition is in a state where a data transfer is preferred or not, wherein the NRE obtains the information regarding the status of the network from the NCIE,
• thereby enabling the first UE to control the data transfer between the UE and the network cache.

A User Equipment (UE) operative to control data transfer between the UE and a network cache in a wireless communication network, the UE comprising:

• a requesting unit operative to request, from a Network Reporting Entity (NRE) a report regarding the status of the wireless communication network,
• a receiving unit operative to receive, from the NRE, the report regarding the status of the wireless communication network, and
• a determining unit adapted operative to determine whether to initiate data transfer between the UE and the network cache based on said received status report of the wireless communication network.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed on a processing unit of a network reporting entity (NRE) used in a wireless communication network for enabling controlling data transfer between a first user equipment (UE) in a cell and a network cache, cause the NRE to perform the following:

• receive, from the first UE, a request to start reporting network status;
• and
• transmit, to the first UE, information regarding the status of the network, the information pertaining to whether network condition is in a state where a data transfer is preferred or not, wherein the NRE obtains the information regarding the status of the network from a Network Conditions Information Entity (NCIE), thereby enabling the first UE to control data transfer between the UE and the network cache.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed on a processing unit of a user equipment (UE) that controls data transfer between the UE and a network cache in a wireless communication network, cause the UE to perform the following:

• request, from a Network Reporting Entity (NRE), a report regarding the status of the wireless communication network;
• receive, from the NRE, the report regarding the status of the wireless communication network, and
• determine whether to initiate data transfer between the UE and the network cache based on said received status report of the wireless communication network.