Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing selection of cells serving network slices for an area

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described that support non-uniform network slice deployment across a service area of a registration area or tracking area covered by at least a radio access network. A network function transmits a plurality of tracking area codes associated with a network to user equipment to indicate primary and secondary tracking area codes to the user equipment. Selection of a tracking area code may be completed by the user equipment based on the primary and secondary tracking area codes and a forbidden tracking area identities list. The user equipment may be blocked from receiving services from a network slice based on the service area in which the user equipment attempts to access the network slice. Network functions may limit reporting of tracking area codes to user equipment based on a serving cell identity. Network slices may be restricted to private networks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.