6.25 Non-public networks

22.2613GPPRelease 18Service requirements for the 5G systemTS

6.25.1 Description

Non-public networks are intended for the sole use of a private entity such as an enterprise, and can be deployed in a variety of configurations, utilising both virtual and physical elements. Specifically, they can be deployed as completely standalone networks, they can be hosted by a PLMN, or they can be offered as a slice of a PLMN.

In any of these deployment options, it is expected that unauthorized UEs, those that are not associated with the enterprise, will not attempt to access the non-public network, which could result in resources being used to reject that UE and thereby not be available for the UEs of the enterprise. It is also expected that UEs of the enterprise will not attempt to access a network they are not authorized to access. For example, some enterprise UEs can be restricted to only access the non-public network of the enterprise, even if PLMN coverage is available in the same geographic area. Other enterprise UEs can access both a non-public network and a PLMN where specifically allowed.

In addition to the requirements in this section, all requirements and KPIs in other sections of TS 22.261, that are not exclusively for PLMNs (i.e. explicitly using the term PLMN) also apply to (i.e. are in scope of) non-public networks, except the requirements in sections 5.1, 6.2.4 and 6.3.2.2. However, hereby it is important to realize that requirements and features are optional to be supported by a non-public network, since non-public network deployments can include different subsets of 5G system requirements and services described in the sections of TS 22.261. The deployment choices are dependent on verticals needs and regulation.

6.25.2 Requirements

The 5G system shall support non-public networks.

The 5G system shall support non-public networks that provide coverage within a specific geographic area.

The 5G system shall support both physical and virtual non-public networks.

The 5G system shall support standalone operation of a non-public network, i.e. a non-public network may be able to operate without dependency on a PLMN.

Subject to an agreement between the operators and service providers, operator policies and the regional or national regulatory requirements, the 5G system shall support for non-public network subscribers:

– access to subscribed PLMN services via the non-public network;

– seamless service continuity for subscribed PLMN services between a non-public network and a PLMN;

– access to selected non-public network services via a PLMN;

– seamless service continuity for non-public network services between a non-public network and a PLMN.

Subject to an agreement between the operators and service providers, operator policies and the regional or national regulatory requirements, the 5G system shall enable a UE, with multiple subscriptions, to simultaneously access multiple non-public networks and corresponding services, via those NPNs or via a different network (PLMN or NPN).

Subject to regional or national regulatory requirements for emergency services, 5G system shall be able to support IMS emergency services for non-public networks.

A non-public network subscriber to access a PLMN service shall have a service subscription using 3GPP identifiers and credentials provided or accepted by a PLMN.

The 5G system shall support a mechanism for a UE to identify and select a non-public network.

NOTE: Different network selection mechanisms may be used for physical vs virtual non-public networks.

The 5G system shall support identifiers for a large number of non-public networks to minimize collision likelihood between assigned identifiers.

The 5G system shall support a mechanism to prevent a UE with a subscription to a non-public network from automatically selecting and attaching to a PLMN or non-public network it is not authorized to select.

The 5G system shall support a mechanism to prevent a UE with a subscription to a PLMN from automatically selecting and attaching to a non-public network it is not authorized to select.

The 5G system shall support a mechanism for a PLMN to control whether a user of a UE can manually select a non-public network hosted by this PLMN that the UE is not authorized to select automatically.

The 5G system may broadcast a human readable network name that a UE may display for manual selection of a non-public network.

The 5G system shall support a change of host of a non-public network from one PLMN to another PLMN without changing the network selection information stored in the UEs of the non-public network.

The 5G system shall enable an NPN to support multiple third-party service providers.

In the event of a loss of communication between RAN and core network, the 5G system shall be able to provide capability to securely re-connect an NPN network function within a short period of time (< 1s).