Relocating an access gateway

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the processor configured to cause the apparatus to:
• select a first non-3GPP interworking function (“N3IWF”) for registering with a mobile communication network via the first N3IWF;
• send a first message to the first N3IWF, the first message containing a non-access stratum (“NAS”) message that initiates a first registration procedure with the mobile communication network;
• receive a first response from the first N3IWF, wherein the first response contains an address of a second N3IWF and an identity of an access and mobility management function (“AMF”) in the mobile communication network;
• send a second message to the first N3IWF, the second message indicating that the first registration procedure via the first N3IWF is to be stopped;
• send a third message to the second N3IWF, the third message indicating that the first registration is to be relocated to the second N3IWF;
• and
• complete the first registration procedure via the second N3IWF.

A method comprising:

• selecting a first non-3GPP interworking function (“N3IWF”) for registering with a mobile communication network via the first N3IWF;
• sending a first message to the first N3IWF, the first message containing a non-access stratum (“NAS”) message that initiates a first registration procedure with the mobile communication network;
• receiving a first response from the first N3IWF, wherein the first response contains an address of a second N3IWF and an identity of an access and mobility management function (“AMF”) in the mobile communication network;
• sending a second message to the first N3IWF, the second message indicating that the first registration procedure via the first N3IWF is to be stopped;
• sending a third message to the second N3IWF, the third message indicating that the first registration is to be relocated to the second N3IWF;
• and
• completing the first registration procedure via the second N3IWF.