Route selection process for handling congestion with relay proximity-based services

A method in a core network node configured to communicate with a first wireless device, WD, the first WD being configurable to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and a network node at least via at least one other WD, the at least one other WD being configured to perform relay communication, the method comprising:

• determining that a first coverage area meets a predefined criterion;
• transmitting to the first WD a first indication, the first indication being based on the first coverage area meeting the predefined criterion for restricting any other WD associated with the first coverage area from being used by the first WD to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and the network node;
• and
• determining that a second coverage area does not meet the predefined criterion, the first indication being transmitted further based on the determination that the second coverage area does not meet the predefined criterion, the first indication further enabling the first WD to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and the network node via any other WD associated with the second coverage area.

A first wireless device, WD, configurable to indirectly communicate with one or both of a core network node and a network node at least via at least one other WD, the at least one other WD being configured to perform relay communication, the first WD comprising processing circuitry configured to:

• receive a first indication, the first indication being based on a first coverage area meeting a predefined criterion for restricting any other WD associated with the first coverage area from being used by the first WD to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and the network node;
• and
• select another WD that is not in the first coverage area to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and the network node based on the first indication,
• wherein the first indication is further based on a determination that a second coverage area does not meet the predefined criterion, the first indication further enabling the first WD to indirectly communicate with one or both of the core network node and the network node via any other WD associated with the second coverage area.