Methods and apparatuses for handling slice selection data for a user

A distributed slice data repository for handling slice selection data for users equipped with a user equipment, UE, in a network that comprises a plurality of network slices, the distributed slice data repository comprising:

• a slice user data repository, SDR, per network slice basis, each SDR being configured to:
• hold subscription information for each UE to be served by the network slice, the subscription information having slice selection data for the UE;
• receive, from an entity of the network slice, a request for slice selection data for a UE;
• and
• transmit to the entity of the network slice the subscription information with the slice selection data for the UE;
• and
• a slice selection repository, SSR, which is external to any network slice and shared by the plurality of network slices, the SSR being configured to:
• hold slice selection data for every UE in the network, the UE is to be served only by a network slice holding subscription information for the UE;
• receive, from an entity of a network slice, a request for slice selection data for a UE;
• and
• transmit to the entity of the network slice the slice selection data for the UE.

A slice user data repository, SDR, participating on per network slice basis in a distributed slice data repository for handling slice selection data for users equipped with a user equipment, UE, in a network that comprises a plurality of network slices, the SDR configured to:

• hold subscription information for each UE to be served by the network slice, the subscription information comprising slice selection data for the UE;
• receive, via a receiver from an entity of the network slice, a request for slice selection data for a UE;
• transmit, via a transmitter toward the entity of the network slice, the subscription information with the slice selection data for the UE;
• and
• if the subscription information for a UE is not held and available, the SDR is further configured to:
• transmit a request for slice selection data for the UE, via the transmitter toward a slice selection repository, SSR, which is external to any network slice and shared by the plurality of network slices;
• receive the slice selection data, from the SSR via the receiver;
• and
• forward the received slice selection data, via the transmitter toward the entity of the network slice.

A method for selecting a network slice to serve a user equipment, UE, in a network that comprises a plurality of network slices, the method applying at a slice user data repository, SDR, participating in the method per network slice basis, and the method comprising:

• holding subscription information for each UE to be served by the network slice, the subscription information comprising slice selection data for the UE;
• receiving, from an entity of the network slice, a request for slice selection data for a UE;
• transmitting, toward the entity of the network slice, the subscription information with the slice selection data for the UE;
• and
• if the subscription information for a UE is not held and available, the method further comprises:
• transmitting a request for slice selection data for the UE toward a slice selection repository, SSR, which is external to any network slice and shared by the plurality of network slices;
• receiving the slice selection data from the SSR;
• and
• forwarding the received slice selection data toward the entity of the network slice.