Content for  TS 22.261  Word version:  19.4.0

The increased density of access nodes needed to meet future performance objectives poses considerable challenges in deployment and management (e.g. backhaul availability, backhaul capacity and scalability). The use of wireless backhaul for such access nodes helps to address some of the challenges. Wireless self-backhauling in the radio access network can enable simpler deployment and incremental rollout by reducing reliance on the availability of wired backhaul at each access node location. Network planning and installation efforts can be reduced by leveraging plug and play type features -- self-configuration, self-organizing, and self-optimization.

The 5G network shall enable operators to support wireless self-backhaul using NR and E-UTRA. The 5G network shall support flexible and efficient wireless self-backhaul for both indoor and outdoor scenarios. The 5G network shall support flexible partitioning of radio resources between access and backhaul functions. The 5G network shall support autonomous configuration of access and wireless self-backhaul functions. The 5G network shall support multi-hop wireless self-backhauling. The 5G network shall support autonomous adaptation on wireless self-backhaul network topologies to minimize service disruptions. The 5G network shall support topologically redundant connectivity on the wireless self-backhaul.

The proliferation of video services, ad-hoc multicast/broadcast streams, software delivery over wireless, group communications and broadcast/multicast IoT applications have created a need for a flexible and dynamic allocation of radio resources between unicast and multicast services within the network as well as support for a stand-alone deployment of multicast/broadcast network. Moreover, enabling such a service over a network for a wide range of inter-site distances between the radio base stations will enable a more efficient and effective delivery system for real-time and streaming multicast/broadcast content over wide geographic areas as well as in specific geographic areas spanning a limited number of base stations. A flexible multicast/broadcast service will allow the 5G system to efficiently deliver such services.

The following set of requirements complement the requirements listed in TS 22.146, TS 22.246, and clause 32 of TS 22.101. The 5G system shall support operation of downlink only broadcast/multicast over a specific geographic area (e.g. a cell sector, a cell or a group of cells). The 5G system shall support operation of a downlink only broadcast/multicast system over a wide geographic area in a spectrally efficient manner for stationary and mobile UEs. The 5G system shall enable the operator to reserve 0% to 100% of radio resources of one or more radio carriers for the delivery of broadcast/multicast content. The 5G network shall allow the UE to receive content via a broadcast/multicast radio carrier while a concurrent data session is ongoing over another radio carrier. The 5G system shall be able to support broadcast/multicast of UHD streaming video (e.g. 4K/8K UHD). The 5G network shall allow the operator to configure and broadcast multiple quality levels (i.e. video resolutions) of broadcast/multicast content for the same user service in a stand-alone 3GPP based broadcast/multicast system. The 5G network shall support parallel transfer of multiple quality levels (i.e. video resolutions) of broadcast/multicast content for the same user service to the same UE taking into account e.g. UE capability, radio characteristics, application information. The 5G system shall support parallel transfer of multiple multicast/broadcast user services to a UE. The 5G system shall support a stand-alone multicast/broadcast network comprising of multiple cells with inter-site distances of up to 200 km. The 5G system shall support multicast/broadcast via a 5G satellite access network, or via a combination of a 5G satellite access network and other 5G access networks. The 5G system shall support interworking of 5G multicast/broadcast with non-3GPP digital terrestrial broadcast networks. The 5G system shall be able to setup or modify a broadcast/multicast service area within [1s]. The 5G system shall be able to apply QoS, priority and pre-emption to a broadcast/multicast service area. The 5G system shall support downlink parallel transfer of the same content, via broadcast/multicast and/or unicast, such that all receiver group members in a given area receive the media at the same time according to user perception. The 5G system shall support a mechanism to inform a media source of relevant changes in conditions in the system (e.g. capacity, failures). The 5G system shall provide means for a media source to provide QoS requirement requests to the broadcast/multicast service. The 5G system shall provide means for the broadcast/multicast service to inform the media source of the available QoS, including modification of available QoS characteristics and availability of the broadcast/multicast service. The 5G system shall be able to support broadcast/multicast of voice, data and video group communication, allowing at least 800 concurrently operating groups per geographic area. The 5G system shall support delivery of the same UE-originated data in a resource-efficient manner in terms of service bit rate to UEs distributed over a large geographical area. The 5G system shall allow a UE to request a communication service to simultaneously send data to different groups of UEs at the same time. The 5G system shall allow different QoS policy for each group the UE communicates with.

With the Internet of Things, it is expected that the diversity of IoT devices (e.g. sensors, UAVs, smart flower pots) and the usage models will largely vary. Moreover, when the IoT device is manufactured, the deployment location and specific usage might not be known. Sometimes the IoT devices will be added to existing subscriptions, other times they can be part of a new subscription for the user. Sometimes the IoT devices can be leased. During their life cycle these IoT devices go through different stages, involving the change in ownership when the IoT device is deployed and possibly afterwards, the activation of the IoT device by the preferred operator, a possible change of operators, etc. These stages need to be managed securely and efficiently. A method of dynamic subscription generation and management is needed in addition to statically provisioned subscription. Once the subscription is established, subscription management becomes necessary, for example, to modify the subscription when the ownership of the IoT device changes, to update or refresh credentials due to suspected leakage or theft of security keys or as a preventive measure. The Internet of Things will also support various connectivity models: The IoT devices can connect with the network directly or connect with the network using another IoT device as a relay UE, or they can be capable of using both types of connections. The direct device connection between the IoT device and the relay UE can be using 3GPP or non-3GPP RAT. The relay UE can access the network also using 3GPP or non-3GPP access networks (e.g. WLAN, fixed broadband access network). In order to identify and manage the IoT devices, a subscription with the 5G network is needed, even if the access is done via non-3GPP access.

An IoT device which is able to access a 5G PLMN in direct network connection mode using a 3GPP RAT shall have a 3GPP subscription. The 5G system shall allow the operator to identify a UE as an IoT device based on UE characteristics (e.g. identified by an equipment identifier or a range of equipment identifiers) or subscription or the combination of both. The 5G system shall be able to provide mechanisms to change the association between a subscription and address/number of an IoT device (e.g. changing the owner and subscription information associated with the IoT device) within the same operator and in between different operators in an automated or manual way. The 5G system shall be able to support identification of subscriptions independently of identification of IoT devices. Both identities shall be secure. An IoT device which is able to connect to a UE in direct device connection mode shall have a 3GPP subscription, if the IoT device needs to be identifiable by the core network (e.g. for IoT device management purposes or to use indirect network connection mode). Based on operator policy, the 5G system shall support a mechanism to provision on-demand connectivity (e.g. IP connectivity for remote provisioning). This on-demand mechanism should enable means for a user to request on-the-spot network connectivity while providing operators with identification and security tools for the provided connectivity. The 5G system shall support a secure mechanism for a home operator to remotely provision the 3GPP credentials of a uniquely identifiable and verifiably secure IoT device. The 5G system shall support a secure mechanism for the network operator of an NPN to remotely provision the non-3GPP identities and credentials of a uniquely identifiable and verifiably secure IoT device. Based on MNO and NPN policy, the 5G system shall support a mechanism to enable MNO to update the subscription of an authorized UE in order to allow the UE to connect to a desired NPN. This on-demand mechanism should enable means for a user to request on-the-spot network connectivity which is authorized by its MNO. Based on operator policy, the 5G system shall provide means for authorised 3rd parties to request changes to UE subscription parameters for access to data networks, e.g., static IP address and configuration parameters for data network access.