6g control plane network functions in service-based architecture

An apparatus for a next generation NodeB (xNB), the apparatus comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• provide a central unit-control plane (CU-CP) as part of control plane network functions in a service-based architecture via a service based interface (SBI) over an N2 interface;
• and
• decode and generate a response to a request from a user equipment (UE) for services from a network function (NF) via the CU-CP, the request comprising a NF identifier (ID) of the NF or a service ID and message contents for the NF;
• and memory configured to store the request.

An apparatus for a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• encode, for transmission to a central unit-control plane (CU-CP) of a next generation NodeB (xNB), a request for services from a network function (NF), the CU-CP providing part of control plane network functions in a service-based architecture via a service based interface (SBI) over an N2 interface, the request comprising a NF identifier (ID) of the NF or a service ID and message contents for the NF;
• and
• decode, from the xNB, a response to the request;
• and
• memory configured to store the response.