Network signaling optimization for light connected mode

Abstract

Various communication systems can benefit from signaling optimization. For example, communication systems including fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) networks may benefit from network signaling optimization for light connected mode. A method can include identifying, by a device, that a user equipment has left an area. The method can also include starting, by the device, a suspend procedure for the user equipment based on identifying that the user equipment has left the area.

1 . A method, comprising:
 identifying, by a device, that a user equipment has left an area; and   starting, by the device, a suspend procedure for the user equipment based on identifying that the user equipment has left the area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying that the user has left the area comprises receiving a message which has been sent upon receiving a message transmitted from a user equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the received message is received over an X2 interface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the received message applies to an interface between two access nodes of a mobile network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the message transmitted from the user equipment is autonomously generated by the user equipment upon detecting that an area identifier has changed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the area identifier comprises at least one of an access node identifier or a radio access network area identifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area comprises a radio access network area comprising one cell or a plurality of cells in which light connected mode is permitted. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 identifying, by a device, that a user equipment has left an area; and   communicating, by the device, with an access node in the area to inform the access node that the user equipment has left the area.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the communicating comprises generating a message upon receiving a message from the user equipment. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, at a device, a first area identifier corresponding to a first radio access network area or a first access node;   receiving, at the device, a second area identifier corresponding to a second radio access network area or a second access node different from the first radio access network area or respectively different from the first access node;   determining, by the device, that the second area identifier is different from the first area identifier; and   generating, by the device, an indication toward an access node based on the determination.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the indication comprises a location report. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   identify that a user equipment has left an area; and   start a suspend procedure for the user equipment based on identifying that the user equipment has left the area.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the user having left the area is identified by receiving a message which has been sent upon receiving a message transmitted from a user equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the received message is received over an X2 interface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the received message applies to an interface between two access nodes of a mobile network. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the message transmitted from the user equipment is autonomously generated by the user equipment upon detecting that an area identifier has changed. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the area identifier comprises at least one of an access node identifier or a radio access network area identifier. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the area comprises a radio access network area comprising one cell or a plurality of cells in which light connected mode is permitted. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   identify that a user equipment has left an area; and   communicate with an access node in the area to inform the access node that the user equipment has left the area.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the communicating comprises generating a message upon receiving a message from the user equipment. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   receive a first area identifier corresponding to a first radio access network area or a first access node;   receive a second area identifier corresponding to a second radio access network area or a second access node different from the first radio access network area or respectively different from the first access node;   determine that the second area identifier is different from the first area identifier; and   generate an indication toward an access node based on the determination.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the indication comprises a location report.