TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The example and non-limiting embodiment s relate generally to interference management and coordination and, more particularly, to frequency band interference .

BACKGROUND

[0002] It i s known, in network communications , to enable a UE to provide measurement report s regarding neighboring cells .

SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is merely intended to be illustrative . The summary is not intended to limit the s cope of the claims .

[0004] In accordance with one aspect , an apparatus comprising : at least one proces sor; and at least one memory including computer program code ; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to , with the at least one proces sor, cause the apparatus at least to : determine at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; perform measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network ; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and transmit the report according to the determined route .

[ 0005] In accordance with one aspect , a method compri sing : determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and transmitting the report according to the determined route .

[ 0006] In accordance with one aspect , an apparatus compris ing means for performing : determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network; and transmitting the report according to the determined route .

[0007] In accordance with one aspect , a non-trans itory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one proces sor, cause the at least one proces sor to : determine at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; cause measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and cause transmitting of the report according to the determined route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and nonlimiting example system in which the example embodiments may be practiced;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein; and [0016] FIG . 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows :

3 GPP third generation partnership project

5G fifth generation

5GC 5G core network

AMF access and mobility management function

BWP bandwidth part

CU central unit

DL downlink

DU distributed unit eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)

EN-DC E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity en-gNB or En-gNB node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and acting as secondary node in EN-DC

E-UTRA evolved universal terrestrial radio access, i.e., the LTE radio access technology gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G/NR, i.e., a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC

GNSS global navigation satellite system

HAPS high altitude platform system

IE information element I/F interface loT Internet of Things

LI layer 1

LTE long term evolution

MAC medium access control

MME mobility management entity ng or NG new generation ng-eNB or NG-eNB new generation eNB

NR new radio

NTN non-terrestrial network

N/W or NW network

PDCP packet data convergence protocol

PHY physical layer

PLMN public land mobile network

RACH random access channel

RAN radio access network

RAT radio access technology

RF radio frequency

RLC radio link control

RRC radio resource control

RRH remote radio head

RS reference signal

RU radio unit

Rx receiver

SDAP service data adaptation protocol

SGW serving gateway

SIB system information block SMF session management function

SpCell secondary group primary cell

TN terrestrial network

Tx transmitter

UAV unmanned aerial vehicle

UE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)

UL uplink

UPF user plane function

[0018] Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element (s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and/or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0019] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR) . In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element (s) 190) . The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and distributed unit (s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs) , of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU) . The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs . The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU . The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g. , as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution) , or any other suitable base station or node.

[0020] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s) ) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor (s) 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory/memories and processor (s) , and/or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0021] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and/or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways . The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0022] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards . [0023] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH/DU, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU) , gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH/DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s) .

[0024] It is noted that description herein indicates that "cells" perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions . The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station's coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells. [0025] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet) . Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function (s) (AMF (s) ) and/or user plane functions (UPF (s) ) and/or session management function (s) (SMF (s) ) . Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) /SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element (s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to a network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g. , an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s) ) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0026] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects .

[0027] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0028] In general, the various embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions . In addition, various embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, vehicles, devices integrated into vehicles, infrastructure associated with vehicular travel, wearable devices used by pedestrians or other non-vehicular users of roads, user equipment unrelated to traffic users, and user equipment configured to participate in sidelink scenarios, such as public safety user equipment and/or other commercial user equipment. In addition, various embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, unmanned arial vehicle (UAV) , devices integrated into UAV, drones, devices integrated into drones, airships/aircrafts, devices integrated into airships/aircrafts, satellites, devices integrated into satellites, Internet of Things (loT) devices, etc .

[0029] Having thus introduced one suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments of the present disclosure, example embodiments will now be described with greater specificity.

[0030] Features as described herein generally relate to interference management and coordination in environments such as a non-terrestrial network (NTN) . More specifically, features as described herein may generally relate to frequency band interference management and coordination. Interference management and/or coordination may be performed with UEs and/or NW elements, such as NTN gNBs, which may be located on the ground or integrated in a satellite. It may be noted that a NW may comprise RAN nodes (cells) and/or network elements.

[0031] Interference may occur between NTN and terrestrial networks (TN) . While examples of the present disclosure may specifically refer to NTN-TN conflicts, this is not limiting; example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applicable to NTN-NTN conflicts.

[0032] During ongoing discussion within 3GPP standardization workgroup 4 related to the management of band licensing for NTN, it has become evident that conflicts between already defined terrestrial NR band(s) and new NTN band(s) may occur. Currently, the deployment of NTN systems is assumed to be on S-Band and L- band (for frequencies below 6 GHz) and on Ka-band (for frequencies above 6 GHz) .

[0033] The band n256 was designated in RAN4 as the band to correspond to S-Band operations in NTN. The band n256 designates an uplink (UL) operating band between 1980 and 2010 MHz, and a downlink (DL) operating band between 2170 and 2200 MHz. However, the NTN band n256 overlaps with other designated bands already in use in some countries for 5G NR operation in terrestrial networks. Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated are some channel band definitions. Bands nl (210) , n2 (220) , n25 (230) , and n70 (240) are illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0034] While specific bands are mentioned in the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these bands only; other bands, additional bands, and/or differently defined bands are also possible.

[0035] Satellite network operations are supposed to cover large areas, which may encompass several regions or countries, all which may have terrestrial networks deployed in the overlapping bands . In traditional terrestrial network operation, the channel bands are licensed within regions/countries borders, and the "spillover" effect is easier to control based on, for example, antenna downtilt and bearing. However, the uplink of NTN band n256 overlaps with several DL bands for terrestrial NR. Referring now to FIG. 2, the uplink operating band of n256 (250) may overlap with the downlink operating bands of n2 (220) at, for example, 1985-1990 MHz; n25 (230) at, for example, 1985-1995 MHz; and n70 (240) at, for example, 2000-2010 MHz. It may also be noted that NTN coverage may move; there may be overlap between NTN frequency bands and TN frequency bands only during certain time periods. For example, if an NTN is provided by a satellite that is not geosynchronous, it is possible that, at a first time period, no frequency bands allocated/associated/licensed to the NTN overlap with frequency bands of a given TN; at a second time period, some frequency bands allocated to the NTN overlap with frequency bands of the TN; and during a third time period, a different set of frequency bands allocated to the NTN overlap with frequency bands of a given TN. It may be noted that this example is not limiting.

[0036] In the next RAN4 meeting(s) , discussions are expected to address the potential for conflict that overlap presents. For example, the discussions may address whether there are acceptable transmission power levels in UL that could be used in the case of n256 overlap in harmonious coexistence. For example, the discussions may address whether there are other means (other than a global geofencing) to prevent band overlapping, in the case that the area of coverage of the satellite approximates the area licensed for a terrestrial application/network .

[0037] Currently, terrestrial network operators holding/owning the license (s) for the terrestrial bands are suggesting to completely forbid the UL transmission on band n256 in areas close to the areas where the terrestrial bands are licensed. However, this may drastically limit the application of NTN in certain areas, and is therefore highly unpopular as an option by companies interested in NTN.

[0038] In 4G and 5G, UEs may provide measurement reports with the measured power level of neighbor cells. For example, the following events are defined: Event A3 - neighbor becomes offset better than SpCell; Event A4 - neighbor becomes better than threshold; and Event Bl - inter RAT neighbor becomes better than threshold. The measurements for these measurement reports may also contain measurement objects of, or in, different carriers and/or bands. These measurement events may be applicable for NTN, but further enhancements may be necessary to detect interference in a scenario involving an NTN.

[0039] It may be noted that measurement objects have to be setup by the NW, which limits the applications only for NTN UEs in connected mode, and only for the frequencies indicated by the NW configured objects. It may be noted that there are no measurement reports available for measurements in different PLMNs (i.e. from other operators) . It may be noted that the measurement reports are triggered only if a certain "measurement level" is achieved. If the power is set too low to increase UE sensitivity, it may be triggered several times (one for each cell in a given frequency) , causing the UE to send multiple reports. Accordingly, measurement reports may be considered limited to the framework of, for example, 4G and 5G.

[0040] Transmitting from an NTN UE may cause co-channel interference to the DL of a terrestrial network (TN) UE . Interference may lead to performance degradation for the (victim) TN UE when the TN UE and the NTN UE are close to each other. The interference may be prevented by controlling satellite spectrum allocation in the relevant region (s) . In other words, the regional regulatory requirements may ensure that n256 would not be used with overlapping frequency ranges of bands n2 , n25 , and n70 in the same geographic region . For example , in the concept of geo-fencing, in principle, frequency band areas are limited based on geographical locations .

[ 0041 ] It may be noted that , for unlicensed operation, there are many techniques for band management and detection, for example as developed by 3GPP for LTE-U and NR-U . There are also techniques for band management and detection for Wi-Fi and MulteFire , as well as for use of TV white space/ radar frequencies .

[ 0042 ] In an example embodiment , a signaling framework may be implemented that may have the technical effect of enabling discovery of conflict of overlapped frequency bands between TN and NTN . In an example embodiment , an NTN UE may attempt to detect , measure, and report if there is a TN operating in the same frequency band as the NTN that the NTN UE is being serving by, for example in certain geographical areas and/or during a certain time window ( s ) . In an example embodiment , the UE may be triggered to make a reporting attempt via a safest route, for example in view of the detected interference . In an example embodiment , an NTN UE may be configured with an enhanced measurement configuration . The NTN UE may be served by a base station in an NTN (e . g . satellite and/or HAPS ) . A (NTN) gNB may be located in/on the ground, and may be connect to the UE via (NTN) satellite . Additionally or alternatively, a (NTN) gNB may be mounted in (NTN) satellite. The NTN UE may additionally be connected with a base station in one or more TNs and/or may be configured to communicate with sidelink operation.

[0043] In an example embodiment, a signaling framework may be implemented in which the NTN UE scans for and informs about the existence of bands that are potentially interfering, that are becoming interfered, and/or that are interfered by the UE transmissions. This may be useful in the context of NTN satellite transmissions and high altitude platform system (HAPS) transmissions. However, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to that context.

[0044] In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may comprise a step of signaling support for the network (NW) providing information about potentially overlapping bands, which may be limited to certain geographical areas and/or certain time window (s) . In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may comprise a step of performing a measurement procedure for the UE to identify and report potential conflicts. In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may comprise a method for the UE to choose the best route for signaling the conflict to either of the affected networks.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a flowchart of a framework, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, for UE-based detection of interference between overlapping bands. At 310, the (NTN) network may indicate potentially conf licting/af fected PLMNs or areas. For example, the PLMNs may at least partially overlap with resources of the network. At 320, the NTN UE, or the NW, may determine if the UE is in a relevant area, i.e., an area with potentially overlapping/ conf licting bands. Additionally, it may be determined if the NTN UE is in the relevant area during a relevant time period. If the UE is not in a relevant area, the UE and/or the NW may proceed with legacy procedures, at 370. If the UE is in a relevant area (optionally during/at a relevant time) , at 330, the UE may perform measurements in the potentially conflicting bands. At 340, the UE, or the NW, may determine whether a conflicting cell has been found. For example, a cell may be determined to be conflicting based on the performed measurements, which may or may not include power level measurements. If conflicting cells are not found, the UE and/or the NW may proceed with legacy procedures, at 370.

[0046] If an overlapping and conflicting cell is f ound/determined, the UE may trigger a reporting procedure (e.g. 350, 360, 380, 390) . As part of the reporting procedure, the UE may determine a route for the report signaling. The route for the report signaling may depend on the UE status. At 360, the UE may determine whether it is in an active mode (e.g. RRC_CONNECTED or RRC_IDLE) . In other words, the UE may determine its current RRC mode. In an example embodiment, active UEs may send the reported conflict via RRC message, at 350. If the UE is in an RRC_IDLE mode, the UE may perform a further step to determine the safest route for initiating a RACH procedure (e.g. 380, 390) . The safest route for initiating a RACH procedure may have the technical effect of minimizing the interference caused in the conflicting band(s) . At 380, the UE may choose a band(s) in which to perform RACH . The safest route for initiating a RACH procedure may comprise choosing frequency band(s) that, in comparison to other frequency band(s) available to the NTN UE, experience less interference due to frequency band overlap between NTN and TN(s) , and/or cause less interference. At 390, the UE may report the conflict via the RACH procedure using the chosen band (s) .

[0047] While not illustrated in FIG. 3, a conflicting network (i.e. a network informed of a conflict) may take an action that may have a technical effect of promoting the harmonious coexistence between TNT and TN band allocations. For example, the conflicting network may cause dynamic reallocation of the NTN UL Bandwidth Parts (BWP) . Additionally or alternatively, the conflicting network may cause the two networks to negotiate permission (s) for the particular geographical location (s) .

[0048] While not illustrated in FIG. 3, once interference is detected, use of resources causing interference may be excluded/ avoided . Additionally or alternatively, use of resources causing interference may be excluded/avoided for a predetermined period of time, after which detection of interference, for example according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attempted again.

[0049] In an example embodiment, in a first stage, the network may provide an indication of potentially affected public land mobile network (PLMN) area(s) . In an example embodiment, the NW may indicate, to the UE, if the current UE PLMN corresponds to a geographical area that may overlap bands from other licensed PLMNs (e.g. from terrestrial operators) . The indication may also provide further details of the potentially overlapping bands, such as: the PLMN, the frequency channel number, the channel bandwidth, the band identification, and/or the type of conflict.

In an example embodiment, the indication may also include a time dimension, for example a time window during which the potentially overlapping bands may be overlapped. The time window may be indicated, for example, with a start time only, or with a start time and an end time, or with a start time and a time period.

[0050] In an example embodiment, the indication may provide the potential type (s) of conflict (s) , as provided in TABLE 1, below. For example, in the first type of conflict (U-D) , NTN uplink band(s) may be conflicted with downlink of terrestrial band(s) .

TABLE 1 [0051] In an example embodiment , the type of signaling for the network indication may be via radio resource control (RRC ) , system information block ( SIB ) , or other .

[0052] In some cases , there may exist a "global" PLMN for satellite systems . In such cases , in an example embodiment the UE may not identify the potentially affected regions by the PLMN alone . In such cases , in an example embodiment the NW may broadcast the country code of the potentially affected areas . In such cases , in an example embodiment the country code may be used instead of the PLMN for verification of whether the UE is as sociated with a relevant area (e . g . second stage ) .

[0053] In an example embodiment , in a second stage, the NTN UE and/or the NW may verify whether the NTN UE is as sociated to/with a relevant area . In an example embodiment , a relevant area may be as sociated with a network using frequency bands that at least partially overlap with the resources allocated to/used by the NTN, which may be potentially af fected by band conflicts . For example, the NTN may have some reason to believe that a conflict exists in the relevant area, and may request that the NTN UE determine whether a conflict exist s so that a deconflict procedure may be performed . Optionally, it may be verified that the NTN is as sociated with a relevant area during a relevant time period . There may be different scenarios to be considered for triggering the verification of if the UE belongs to a relevant area . For example , the criteria for the verification may depend on i f the network cell is broadcasting in one or multiple PLMNs , and/or may depend on if the verification must be performed by the UE or by the NW . In other words , the verification criteria may be different in different scenarios ; the verification criteria may be selected based on one or more factors , for example broadcasting range and/or entity performing the verification of the second stage .

[0054] In a first case , the NW may indicate a potential conflict , and only one PLMN may be as sociated to this NTN cell . In an example embodiment , in the first case, no further veri fication may be needed; the UE may be as sumed to be in the potentially conflicted region . Optionally, the UE may be as sumed to be in the potentially conflicted region at a time at which there may be a potential conflict , or prior to such a time .

[0055] In a second case , more than one PLMN may be as sociated to thi s NTN cell (e . g . PLMN A, PLMN B, and PLMN C ) and the network may indicate , in signaling, which of the broadcasted PLMNs correspond to a geographical area with potentially conflicted bands . Optionally, the network may indicate, in s ignaling, a time period/window during which there may be potentially conflicted bands . For example, PLMN B may be flagged as potentially conflicted, while PLMN A and C might not be flagged as areas with potentially conflicted bands . The UE may be tasked to identify whether its current PLMN is as sociated to a potentially conflicted geographic area . Alternatively, the NW may indicate the di fferent bands that may overlap with the different PLMNs in different geographical areas . Optionally, the UE may determine whether it is in the potentially conflicted geographic area during a specific time period/window.

[0056] While in this example scenario, three PLMN are associated with the NTN cell, and one PLMN is flagged, these numbers of PLMN are not limiting; fewer or more PLMN may be associated with the NTN cell, and/or fewer or more PLMN may be flagged. In an example embodiment, in the second case, the NTN UE may get/receive its global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position and associate it to a PLMN(s) . This is assumed to be a baseline procedure at Release 17 for NTN UEs .

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example of setup for band deconflict verification at the UE side. An NTN UE (410) may get/receive its global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position at 430. The NTN UE (410) may camped or connected to an NTN cell (e.g. base station) (420) , at 440. The NTN cell (420) may indicate PLMN(s) with potential conflicts to the NTN UE (410) at 450. At 460, the NTN UE (410) may associate its position to a PLMN selection.

[0058] In a third case, more than one PLMN may be associated to an NTN cell. In an example embodiment, in the third case, the network may verify the PLMN selection by the UE, and may only perform the indication of potential conflict (s) to the UE(s) in the potentially affected PLMNs . Optionally, the network may verify that the UE is in a potentially conflicted area during a time period/window of interest, and may only perform the indication of potential conflict (s) to the UE(s) in the potentially affected PLMNs during the time window of interest. This signaling may only be available for UEs in an RRC_CONNECTED mode .

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example of setup for band deconflict verification at the NW side. The NTN UE (510) may be connected to the NTN cell (520) , at 540. The NTN cell (520) may transmit a trigger for PLMN verification to the NTN UE, at 550. The NTN UE (510) may transmit a PLMN indication to the Core NW (530) , at 560. The PLMN indication may be transmitted via the NTN cell (520) . At 570, the Core NW (530) may transmit, to the NTN cell (520) , an indication of information regarding the UE PLMN. At 580, the NTN Cell (520) may indicate potential conflicts in this PLMN to the NTN UE (510) .

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example of indication of different procedures for verification of if/whether the UE is in a relevant area, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. At 610, it may be determined whether the NTN cell broadcasts to multiple PLMNs. If the NTN Cell does not broadcast to multiple PLMNs (i.e. only broadcasts to one PLMN) , at 630 the UE may be assumed to be in the conflicted geographical area. If the NTN Cell does broadcast to multiple PLMNs (i.e. at least two PLMNs) , at 620 it may be determined who is performing PLMN verification (i.e. the NW or the UE) .

[0061] If the NW is performing PLMN verification, at 640, the NW may verify the UE' s PLMN selection and may determine if the UE belongs to a potentially affected area. Optionally, the NW may verify if the UE belongs to a potentially affected area during a time period or at a time. At 650, the NW may perform signaling, to the UE, regarding potential conflict between bands.

[0062] If the UE is performing PLMN verification, at 660, the NW may perform signaling, to the UE, regarding potential conflict between bands. At 670, the UE may verify whether it is in an affected/ (potentially) conflicted PLMN(s) . Optionally, the UE may verify whether it is in an affected/ (potentially) conflicted PLMN(s) during a time period specified by the NW.

[0063] In an example embodiment, in a third stage, the measurement procedure may be started/performed. The time at which the measurement procedure is performed may depend, at least partially, on timing information indicated by the NW. The type of measurement procedure may depend, in certain scenarios, on the type of conflict (e.g. as in TABLE 1) .

[0064] For example, for U/D, UL transmission (s) by the UE may cause interference in DL transmissions by the terrestrial bands (observed at UE side) . In an example embodiment, the UE may only be required to perform measurements in the potentially affected DL bands prior to an UL transmission. If a "check" was performed before an UL transmission, the "check" may be valid, and no other check may be needed while the UE does not move from the current position. If the UE can detect a NR cell in such DL bands, the UE may trigger the signaling procedure. [0065] For example, for U/U, the UL transmission (s) may interfere with UL transmission (s ) from terrestrial UE(s) . This may be similar to the case of U/D, in that the UE may perform measurements in potentially affected DL bands prior to an UL transmission. However, in the case of U/U, in an example embodiment, the NTN UE may read SIB1 of all detected 5G NR PLMNs in order to find, from Frequencylnf oUL-SIB and UplinkConf igCommonSIB parameters, if there is an UL channel that is interfered by the NTN UL channel.

[0066] For example, for D/U, the DL transmission (s) of NTN cell may interfere with UL transmission ( s ) of terrestrial UE(s) . In an example embodiment, this may be detected at the terrestrial gNB . In an example embodiment, the UE may perform measurements in potentially affected UL bands. Additionally or alternatively, the NTN UE may perform a scan in all NR cells in order to find out if, in SIB1, there is an DL channel that is interfered by the NTN UL channel .

[0067] For example, for D/D, the UE may perform measurements in potentially affected DL bands.

[0068] For example, for U/U, D/U, and/or D/D, the UE may read a SIB transmitted by the TN.

[0069] In an example embodiment, the UE may prepare a report of performed measurement ( s ) . Optionally, the report may include timestamps at which measurements were performed. [0070] In an example embodiment, in a fourth stage, if a conflicting cell is found, the UE may trigger the safest mechanism for signaling. In an example embodiment, if a signaling is triggered in the second stage, the UE may choose the safest route to inform one of the affected networks about the potential conflict.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example of a (safest) signaling route decision for U/D. At 710, the UE may determine that there is overlapping in the DL band. At 720, the UE may determine if the NTN initial bandwidth part (BWP) is overlapping with the terrestrial network (TN) DL band. If the NTN UL BWP does not overlap with the DL band detected, the UE may assume that the RACH procedure is safe. At 730, the UE may perform a RACH towards the NTN, and may inform the NTN of the conflict with, for example, an information element (IE) during the RACH procedure (e.g. MSG B or MSG3) . If there is an overlap, UE may assume that the RACH procedure is not safe, as it would cause potential interference to other terrestrial users . In this case, at 740, the UE may determine if the UE current BWP is overlapping with the TN DL band. If the UE has an active UL BWP, the UE is already in connected mode, and the current BWP does not overlap with the DL band, at 750, the UE may inform the NTN of the conflict via RRC signaling. If the UE current BWP does overlap with the TN DL band, at 760, the UE may perform a RACH procedure towards the terrestrial network (which may be a visiting PLMN) , and may inform of the potential conflict in the RACH procedure (Msg3 or MsgB) . [0072] In an example embodiment, the signaling route decision for U/U may be the same as the signaling route decision for U/D, for example as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0073] In an example embodiment, for D/D and/or D/U, the NTN UE may not be the one causing the interference, and the NTN UE may directly inform the NTN serving cell of the conflict.

[0074] In another alternative example implementation, the NW may not need to inform the UE about potential PLMN conflicts (i.e. in the first stage) . The UE may assume, in certain bands (for example n256) , that it may be a source of interference. The UE may then proceed to perform DL measurements before the first UL transmission in a given position. The UE may repeat the procedure after moving by a significant value (which may be set in specifications or NW decided/indicated) . A technical effect of this embodiment may be to enable integration with 3GPP specif ication ( s ) .

[0075] A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to increase the potential interference avoidance opportunities, in comparison with other techniques for band management and detection.

[0076] FIG. 8 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 800. The example method 800 may include: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network, 810; performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, 820 ; determining that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, 830 ; determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, 840 ; and transmitting the report according to the determined route, 850 . The example method 800 may be performed with, for example, an NTN UE . Additionally or alternatively, some of the steps of example method 800 may be performed, for example, by an NTN (e . g . 810 ) .

[ 0077 ] In an example embodiment , the one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network, as described in FIG . 8 , may optionally belong to a second non-terrestrial network that is different from the non-terrestrial network . In other words , the example method 800 may be used to enable detection of interference between a frequency band ( s ) of a first nonterrestrial network and a frequency band ( s ) of a second nonterrestrial network; the example method 800 is not limited to use regarding frequency bands of a terrestrial network .

[ 0078 ] In accordance with one example embodiment , an apparatus may compri se : at least one proces sor; and at least one memory including computer program code ; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one proces sor, cause the apparatus at least to : determine at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network ; perform measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network ; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network ; and transmit the report according to the determined route .

[0079] The example apparatus may be further configured to : receive at least one of : a country code as sociated with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the nonterrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network, wherein there may be a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network, or an indication of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network; and verify that an area in which the apparatus is located at least partially overlaps with at least one of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may be as sociated with the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be as sociated with the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network .

[ 0080 ] The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one of : an identifier of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a frequency channel number as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network, a channel bandwidth as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a band identification as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, information regarding a time window, or a type of conflict as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network .

[ 0081 ] The type of conflict as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one of : a conflict between an uplink resource of the nonterrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between the uplink resource of the nonterrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between a downlink resource of the nonterrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network, or a conflict between the downlink resource of the nonterrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network .

[ 0082 ] The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network may be received via radio resource control signaling or via at least one system information block .

[ 0083] Verifying that the area in which the apparatus i s located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine that no further verification i s needed based on : a determination that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a s ingle public land mobile network, and an indication that a potential conflict exist for a resource of the single public land mobile network .

[ 0084 ] Verifying that the area in which the apparatus i s located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine a global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus ; determine that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks ; receive an indication that at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks may be potentially conflicted; and verify that the area in which the apparatus is located at least partially overlaps with the at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks based, at least partially, on the determined global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus .

[ 0085] The indication that the at least one public land mobile network may be potentially conflicted may comprise an indication of a first frequency band of the at least one public land mobile network may be potentially conflicted in a first geographic area .

[ 0086] The example apparatus may be further configured to : determine a public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus based on the determined global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus , wherein the area in which the apparatus is located may compri se the determined public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus .

[ 0087 ] Verifying that the area in which the apparatus i s located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : transmit , to the non-terrestrial network, an indication of a public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus ; and receive an 31 indication that the public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks , wherein the public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus may be one of the plurality of public land mobile networks , wherein the apparatus may be in a connected mode or an inactive mode with the nonterrestrial network .

[ 0088 ] The example apparatus may compri se a user equipment connected to the non-terrestrial network .

[ 0089] Determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine a radio resource control mode of the apparatus ; determine a band for performing a random acces s channel procedure based on a determination that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may comprise an idle mode, wherein the route for transmitting the report may comprise the random acces s channel procedure ; and determine that the route for transmitting the report may comprise a radio resource control mes sage based on a determination that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may comprise a connected mode or an inactive mode .

[ 0090 ] Determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine that an initial bandwidth part of the non-terrestrial network may not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determine that the route for transmitting the report may comprise a random acces s control mes sage to a cell of the non-terrestrial network .

[ 0091 ] Determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine that an initial bandwidth part of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine that a current bandwidth part of the apparatus may not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; and determine that the route for transmitting the report may comprise radio resource control signaling .

[ 0092 ] Determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise the example apparatus being configured to : determine that an initial bandwidth part of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine that a current bandwidth part of the apparatus may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; and determine that the route for transmitting the report may comprise a random acces s control mes sage to a cell of the terrestrial network .

[ 0093] Performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be based, at least partially, on a type of conflict as sociated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network . [0094] Performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may comprise the example apparatus being configured to at least one of : perform measurement of downlink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network before performance of an uplink transmis s ion, based on an indication that a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrest rial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; perform measurement of uplink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network before performance of an uplink transmis s ion, based on an indication that a conflict between the uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; perform measurement of the uplink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on an indication that a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; perform measurement of the downlink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on an indication that a conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; read a system information block transmitted in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on one of : the indication that the conflict between the uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist , the indication that the conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist , or the indication that the conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist .

[ 0095] The report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network may have a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one time stamp as sociated with the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network .

[ 0096] In accordance with one aspect , an example method may be provided comprising : determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network; and transmitting the report according to the determined route .

[ 0097 ] In accordance with one example embodiment , an apparatus may comprise : circuitry configured to perform : determine at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network ; perform measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network ; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network ; and transmit the report according to the determined route .

[0098] In accordance with one example embodiment , an apparatus may comprise : proces sing circuitry ; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to , with the proces sing circuitry, enable the apparatus to : determine at least one frequency band of a nonterrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; perform measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network may have a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and transmit the report according to the determined route .

[0099] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) : (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/ firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit (s) and or proces sor ( s ) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor ( s ) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation." This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device or other computing or network device .

[ 00100 ] In accordance with one example embodiment , an apparatus may comprise means for performing : determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and transmitting the report according to the determined route .

[ 00101 ] The means may be further configured to perform : receiving at least one of : a country code as sociated with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the nonterrestrial network that may at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network, wherein there may be a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network, or an indication of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network ; and veri fying that an area in which the apparatus i s located at least partially overlaps with at least one of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may be as sociated with the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be as sociated with the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network .

[00102] The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks may be as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one of : an identifier of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a frequency channel number as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the nonterrestrial network, a channel bandwidth as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a band identification as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, information regarding a time window, or a type of conflict as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network . [ 00103] The type of conflict as sociated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one of : a conflict between an uplink resource of the nonterrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between the uplink resource of the nonterrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between a downlink resource of the nonterrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network, or a conflict between the downlink resource of the nonterrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network .

[ 00104 ] The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks as sociated with the terrestrial network may be received via radio resource control signaling or via at least one system information block .

[ 00105] The means configured to perform verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise means configured to perform : determining that no further verification i s needed based on : a determination that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a single public land mobile network, and an indication that a potential conflict may exist for a resource of the s ingle public land mobile network .

[ 00106] The means configured to perform verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise means configured to perform : determining a global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus ; determining that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks ; receiving an indication that at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks may be potentially conflicted; and veri fying that the area in which the apparatus is located may at least partially overlap with the at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks based, at least partially, on the determined global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus .

[ 00107 ] The indication that the at least one public land mobile network i s potentially conflicted may comprise an indication of a first frequency band of the at least one public land mobile network i s potentially conflicted in a first geographic area .

[ 00108 ] The means may be further configured to perform : determine a public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus based on the determined global navigation satellite system position of the apparatus , wherein the area in which the apparatus is located may compri se the determined public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus .

[ 00109] The means configured to perform verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located may at least partially overlap with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise means configured to perform : transmitting, to the non-terrest rial network, an indication of a public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus ; and receiving an indication that the public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein that the at least one public land mobile network as sociated with the nonterrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks , wherein the public land mobile network as sociated with the apparatus may be one of the plurality of public land mobile networks , wherein the apparatus may be in a connected mode or an inactive mode with the non-terrestrial network .

[ 00110 ] The apparatus may comprise a user equipment connected to the non-terrestrial network .

[ 00111 ] The means configured to perform determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise means configured to perform : determining a radio resource control mode of the apparatus ; determining a band for performing a random acces s channel procedure based on a determination that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may compri se an idle mode, wherein the route for transmitting the report may comprise the random acces s channel procedure ; and determining that the route for transmitting the report may compri se a radio resource control mes sage based on a determination that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may compri se a connected mode or an inactive mode .

[ 00112 ] The means configured to perform determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise means configured to perform : determining that an initial bandwidth part of the nonterrestrial network may not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining that the route for transmitting the report may comprise a random acces s control mes sage to a cell of the non-terrestrial network .

[ 00113] The means configured to perform determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise means configured to perform : determining that an initial bandwidth part of the nonterrestrial network may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determining that a current bandwidth part of the apparatus may not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining that the route for transmitting the report may comprise radio resource control signaling .

[ 00114 ] The means configured to perform determining the route for transmitting the report may comprise means configured to perform : determining that an initial bandwidth part of the non- terrestrial network may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determining that a current bandwidth part of the apparatus may overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining that the route for transmitting the report may comprise a random acces s control mes sage to a cell of the terrestrial network .

[ 00115] Measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be based, at least partially, on a type of conflict as sociated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network .

[ 00116] The means configured to perform measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may comprise means configured to perform at least one of : measurement of downlink s ignaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network before performance of an uplink transmis sion, based on an indication that a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; measurement of uplink s ignaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network before performance of an uplink transmis sion, based on an indication that a conflict between the uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; measurement of the uplink s ignaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on an indication that a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; measurement of the downlink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on an indication that a conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist ; reading a system information block transmitted in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, based on one of : the indication that the conflict between the uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist , the indication that the conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resource of the terrestrial network may exist , or the indication that the conflict between the downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resource of the terrestrial network may exist .

[ 00117 ] The report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may comprise at least one time stamp as sociated with the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network .

[ 00118 ] In accordance with one example embodiment , a non- transitory computer-readable medium compri sing program instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one proces sor, cause the at least one proces sor to : determine at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; cause measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network ; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network have a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network ; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and cause transmitting of the report according to the determined route .

[00119] In accordance with another example embodiment , a non- transitory program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations , the operations comprising : determine at least one frequency band of a nonterrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; cause measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determine that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network based, at least partially, on a measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determine a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a potential to interfere with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and cause transmitting of the report according to the determined route .

[00120] It should be understood that the foregoing des cription is only illustrative . Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art . For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination ( s ) . In addition, features from di fferent embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment . Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modification and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims .