Method and apparatus for providing network analytics in a wireless communication system

A first network data analytics function (NWDAF) in a communications network, the first NWDAF comprising:

• a transceiver;
• and
• a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to:
• receive, from a NWDAF service consumer, a first request for first analytics information, the first request including first time information on a first time duration when the first analytics information is needed for the NWDAF service consumer;
• transmit, to a second NWDAF, a second request for second analytics information, the second request including second time information on a second time duration when the second analytics information is needed for the first NWDAF;
• receive, from the second NWDAF, a second response including the second analytics information;
• and
• transmit, to the NWDAF service consumer, a first response including the first analytics information generated based on second analytics information received from the second NWDAF,
• wherein the first NWDAF is an aggregator NWDAF, and
• wherein the second time duration expires before the first time duration.