A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a first node and methods performed thereby for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The present disclosure also relates generally to a second node, and methods performed thereby for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The present disclosure further relates generally to a third node and methods performed thereby for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The present disclosure further relates generally to a fourth node and methods performed thereby for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The present disclosure further relates generally to a fifth node and methods performed thereby for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The present disclosure also relates generally to computer programs and computer-readable storage mediums, having stored thereon the computer programs to carry out these methods.

BACKGROUND

Communication devices within a telecommunications network may be user equipments (UEs), e.g., stations (STAs), wireless devices, mobile terminals, wireless terminals, terminals, and/or Mobile Stations (MS). User equipments are enabled to communicate wirelessly in a cellular communications network or wireless communication network, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system, cellular system, or cellular network. The communication may be performed e.g., between two user equipments, between a user equipment and a regular telephone, and/or between a user equipment and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN) , and possibly one or more core networks, comprised within the telecommunications network. User equipments may further be referred to as mobile telephones, cellular telephones, laptops, or tablets with wireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The user equipments in the present context may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable, hand-held, computer- comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN, with another entity, such as another terminal or a server.

The telecommunications network may cover a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, each cell area being served by a network node, e.g., a radio network node or Transmission Point (TP), for example, an access node such as a Base Station (BS), e.g. a Radio Base Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g., evolved Node B (“eNB”),“eNodeB”,“NodeB”,“B node”, or BTS (Base Transceiver Station), depending on the technology and terminology used. The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g. Wide Area Base Stations, Medium Range Base Stations, Local Area Base Stations and Home Base Stations, based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is the geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base station at a base station site. One base station, situated on the base station site, may serve one or several cells. Further, each base station may support one or several communication technologies. The telecommunications network may also be a non-cellular system, comprising network nodes which may serve receiving nodes, such as user equipments, with serving beams.

In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may be directly connected to one or more core networks. All data transmission in LTE is controlled by the radio base station.

The standardization organization 3GPP is currently in the process of specifying a New Radio Interface called NR or 5G-UTRA, as well as a Fifth Generation (5G) Packet Core Network, which may be referred to as Next Generation (NG) Core Network, abbreviated as NG-CN, NGC or 5G CN.

Internet of Things (loT)

The Internet of Things (loT) may be understood as an internetworking of

communication devices, e.g., physical devices, vehicles, which may also referred to as "connected devices" and "smart devices", buildings and other items— embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that may enable these objects to collect and exchange data. The loT may allow objects to be sensed and/or controlled remotely across an existing network infrastructure.

"Things," in the loT sense, may refer to a wide variety of devices such as heart monitoring implants, biochip transponders on farm animals, electric clams in coastal waters, automobiles with built-in sensors, DNA analysis devices for

environmental/food/pathogen monitoring, or field operation devices that may assist firefighters in search and rescue operations, home automation devices such as the control and automation of lighting, heating, e.g. a“smart” thermostat, ventilation, air conditioning, and appliances such as washer, dryers, ovens, refrigerators or freezers that may use telecommunications for remote monitoring. These devices may collect data with the help of various existing technologies and then autonomously flow the data between other devices.

It is expected that in a near future, the population of loT devices will be very large. Various predictions exist, among which one assumes that there will be >60000 devices per square kilometer, and another assumes that there will be 1000000 devices per square kilometer. A large fraction of these devices are expected to be stationary, e.g., gas and electricity meters, vending machines, etc.

Machine Type Communication (MTC)

Machine Type Communication (MTC) has in recent years, especially in the context of the Internet of Things (loT), shown to be a growing segment for cellular technologies.

An MTC device may be a communication device, typically a wireless communication device or simply user equipment, that is a self and/or automatically controlled unattended machine and that is typically not associated with an active human user in order to generate data traffic. An MTC device may be typically more simple, and typically associated with a more specific application or purpose, than, and in contrast to, a conventional mobile phone or smart phone. MTC involves communication in a wireless communication network to and/or from MTC devices, which communication typically may be of quite different nature and with other requirements than communication associated with e.g. conventional mobile phones and smart phones. In the context of and growth of the loT, it is evident that MTC traffic will be increasing and thus needs to be increasingly supported in wireless communication systems.

In the course of their operation, communication devices operating on MTC may use services provided by Application Servers (Ass). The end-to-end communications, between an MTC Application in a communication device, e.g., a UE, and an MTC

Application in an external network, may use services provided by the 3GPP system, and services provided by a Services Capability Server (SCS). Different models of

communication are foreseen for the MTC traffic between an Application Server and a communication device. One of the models that are contemplated is a Hybrid model, where the Application Server may connect to operators network for direct plane communications with the communication device along with SCS.

The SCS may be understood as an entity which may connect to the 3GPP network to communicate with communication devices that may be used for MTC and/or Services Capabilities Exposure Function (SCEF) in a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN). The SCS may offer capabilities for use by one or multiple MTC Applications. A communication device may host one or multiple MTC Applications. The corresponding MTC Applications in the external network may be hosted on one or multiple ASs.

loT is the main example of a use case for MTC in 5G. In the predominant scenarios, sensors may collect data about the environment and this data may be processed for decision making, which may be automated or manual.

To enable massive loT expansion, operators may need to embrace the Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies, such as, NarrowBand loT (NB-loT), and LTE Cat-M1 and/or M2. loT devices may be understood to require small data transfers, and 3GPP has determined that delivery via the control plane is much preferred over using the data plane.

In Release 13, 3GPP has proposed that the SCEF be used for Non Internet Protocol (IP) Data Delivery (NIDD), as the preferred mechanism for small amounts of data to be transferred between loT devices and Application Servers. 3GPP has made NIDD a requirement for small data transfers.

The Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) may be understood as a relevant entity within the 3GPP architecture for service capability exposure, which may be understood to provide a means to securely expose the services and capabilities that may be provided by 3GPP network interfaces, see 3GPP TS 23.682, v. 16.2.0.

When the SCEF belongs to a trusted business partner of the HPLMN, it may still be seen as an HPLMN entity by other HPLMN or Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) functional entities invoked by the SCEF, e.g., Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or Mobility Management Entity (MME). Applications operating in the trust domain may require only a subset of functionalities, e.g., authentication, authorization, etc., that may be provided by the SCEF.

Network Slicing

Currently, in the 5G architecture, the concept of network slicing has been

introduced, which may be understood as“a set of network functions, and resources to run these network functions, forming a complete instantiated logical network to meet certain network characteristics required by the Service Instance(s).” An instantiated logical network may be understood as a dedicated set of instantiated network resources, software and hardware, that may be understood to form a complete network configuration isolated from other logical network instances, for a set of user terminals authorized to be connected to the logical network instance, that is, a network slice instance.

Network slicing may be understood to primarily comprise the following components: physical resource, logical resource, and network function. Physical resource may be understood as a physical asset capable of performing computation, storage or transport including radio access. Logical resource may be understood as a partition of a physical resource, or grouping of multiple physical resources dedicated to a Network Function or shared between a set of Network

Functions. A Network Function (NF) may be understood to refer to processing functions executing a dedicated task in a network. This may include, but is not limited to, telecom nodes functionality, as well as switching functions e.g., Ethernet switching function, and Internet Protocol (IP) routing functions. A Virtual Network Function (VNF) may be understood as a virtualized version of a NF. Further details on VNF may be found in the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) NFV. Network Functions are not regarded as resources.

A Network slice may be defined within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and may be understood to include a Core Network Control Plane and User Plane Network Functions, and, in the serving PLMN, at least one of the following: the NG Radio Access Network and the N3IWF functions to the non-3GPP Access Network.

In the home network, the PLMN Operator may manage and orchestrate the Network Slicing operations for the 5G subscribers. These slicing operations may include design, instantiate, operate and decommission Network Slices for the 5G subscribers.

In spite of the advances in design and performance of communication networks, the signalling involved in their operations may incur into high costs for their users.

SUMMARY

It is an object of embodiments herein to improve the handling of resource consumption in a communications network.

According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a first node. The method is for handling resource consumption in a communications network. The first node operates in the communications network. The first node obtains, from one or more second nodes operating in the communications network, first information. The first information is on at least one of: i) an electricity source and ii) a type of the electricity source. The electricity source is of one or more radio network nodes operating in the communications network, the source being one of a primary source and a secondary source. The type of the electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes. The type is one of green and non-green. The first node also obtains, from one or more third nodes operating in the communications network, second information. The second information is on at least one of: i) a cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) a timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes. The first node additionally obtains, from one or more fourth nodes operating in the communications network, third information on. The third information is on an expected timeframe of file transfers of a size above a threshold via the one or more radio network nodes. The first node determines, using a machine- implemented learning procedure and based on the obtained first, second and third information, a predictive model of a cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes. The first node further initiates providing a first indication of the determined predictive model to at least one of: the set of user equipments, one of the one or more radio network nodes, and a fifth node operating in the communications network.

According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a second node. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The second node operates in the communications network. The second node provides, to the first node operating in the communications network, the first information. The first information in on at the least one of: i) the electricity source and ii) the type of the electricity source. The electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes operating in the communications network. The source is one of a primary source and a secondary source. The type of the electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes. The type is one of green and non-green. The second node obtains, from the first node, and based on the provided first information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of : a) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments operating in the communications network.

According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a third node. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The third node operates in the communications network. The third node provides, to the first node operating in the communications network, the second information on the at least one of: i) the cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes operating in the communications network, and ii) the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes. The third node also obtains, from the first node, and based on the provided second information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments operating in the communications network. According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a fourth node. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The fourth node operates in the communications network. The fourth node provides, to the first node operating in the communications network, the third information on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via the one or more radio network nodes operating in the communications network. The fourth node also obtains, from the first node, and based on the provided third information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments operating in the communications network.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method, performed by a fifth node. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The fifth node operates in the communications network.

The fifth node obtains, from the second node operating in the communications network, one or more second indications. The one or more second indications indicate at least one of: i) one or more timers and ii) a third indication. The one or more timers are for the set of user equipments operating in the communications network. The one or more timers comprise one of: a power saving mode timer, and a location update timer. The third indication is for the one of the one or more radio network nodes or to the fifth node, to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies. The fifth node also determines, based on the obtained one or more second indications, whether or not at least one of: i) one or more radio network nodes operating in the communications network are to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies; and ii) the one or more timers are to be updated, based on one or more of the user equipments in the set of user equipments being in power saving mode. The fifth node further sends one or more fifth indications to the one or more radio network nodes. The one or more fifth indications indicate a result of the determination

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the first node, for handling resource consumption in the communications network . The first node is configured to operate in the communications network. The first node is further configured to obtain, from the one or more second nodes configured to operate in the communications network, the first information. The first information is on the at least one of: i) the electricity source and ii) the type of the electricity. The electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes configured to operate in the communications network. The source is configured to be one of a primary source and a secondary source. The type of the electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes. The type is configured to be one of green and non-green. The first node is also configured to obtain, from the one or more third nodes configured to operate in the communications network, second information. The second information is on at least one of: i) the cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes. The first node is further configured to obtain, from the one or more fourth nodes configured to operate in the communications network, the third information. The third information is on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via the one or more radio network nodes. The first node is additionally configured to determine, using the machine- implemented learning procedure and based on the obtained first, second and third information, the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes. Finally, the first node is further configured to initiate providing the first indication of the predictive model configured to be determined to at least one of: a) the set of user equipments, b) one of the one or more radio network nodes, and c) a fifth node configured to operate in the communications network.

According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the second node, for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The second node is configured to operate in the communications network. The second node is further configured to provide, to the first node configured to operate in the

communications network, the first information. The first information is on the at least one of: i) the electricity source and ii) the type of the electricity source. The electricity source is of one or more radio network nodes configured to operate in the communications network. The source is configured to be one of the primary source and the secondary source. The type of the electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes. The type is configured to be one of green and non-green. The second node is further configured to obtain, from the first node, and based on the first information configured to be provided, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments configured to operate in the communications network.

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the third node, for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The third node is configured to operate in the communications network. The third node is further configured to provide, to the first node configured to operate in the communications network, the second information. The second information is on the at least one of: i) the cost of energy supply to one or more radio network nodes configured to operate in the communications network, and ii) the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes. The third node is further configured to obtain, from the first node, and based on the second information configured to be provided, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments configured to operate in the communications network.

According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the fourth node, for handling resource consumption in the communications network. The fourth node is configured to operate in the communications network. The fourth node is further configured to provide, to the first node configured to operate in the

communications network, the third information. The third information is on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via one or more radio network nodes configured to operate in the communications network. The fourth node is further configured to obtain, from the first node, and based on the third information configured to be provided, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments configured to operate in the communications network.

According to a eighth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by the fifth node, for handling resource consumption in the communications network . The fifth node is configured to operate in the communications network. The fifth node is further configured to obtain, from the second node configured to operate in the communications network, the one or more second indications. The one or more second indications are configured to indicate the at least one of: i) the one or more timers and ii) the third indication. The one or more timers are for the set of user equipments configured to operate in the communications network. The one or more timers are configured to comprise one of: the power saving mode timer, and the location update timer. The third indication is for the one of the one or more radio network nodes or to the fifth node, to shutdown, or limit, communication in the one or more radio frequencies. The fifth node is further configured to determine, based on the one or more second indications configured to be obtained, whether or not at least one of: i) one or more radio network nodes configured to operate in the communications network are to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies; and ii) the one or more timers are to be updated, based on one or more of the user equipments in the set of user equipments being in power saving mode. The first node is additionally configured to send the one or more fifth indications to the one or more radio network nodes, the one or more fifth indications being configured to indicate the result of the determination.

According to a ninth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first node.

According to a tenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the first node.

According to an eleventh aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the second node.

According to a twelfth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the second node.

According to a thirteenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the third node.

According to a fourteenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the third node.

According to a fifteenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the fourth node.

According to a sixteenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the fourth node.

According to a seventeenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the fifth node.

According to an eighteenth aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method performed by the fifth node.

By the first node obtaining the first, second and third information, the first node is then enabled to determine the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes and thereby further enabled to determine the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments. The first node is then enabled to determine how to handle communications by the set of user equipments so that energy is used in the communications network in an environmentally-friendly manner, optimizing the use of green energy, as well as reducing the cost of the communications. This is done by considering the availability of different types of energy, as well as the demand of the energy, in a way that user satisfaction is improved. By providing the first indication, the first node is further enabling the nodes receiving the indication to perform actions to reach the same end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, according to the following description.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 2 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a first node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 3 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a third node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a fourth node, according to embodiments herein. Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a fifth node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting example of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram depicting examples of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to existing methods.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram depicting examples of signalling between nodes in a communications network, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, a) and b), of a first node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, a) and b), of a second node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, a) and b), of a third node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, a) and b), of a fourth node, according to embodiments herein.

Figure 17 is a schematic block diagram illustrating two non-limiting examples, a) and b), of a fifth node, according to embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As part of the development of embodiments herein, a problem with exiting methods will first be identified and discussed.

Currently, the existing 3GPP 4G architecture may comprise nodes, such as e.g., eNodeBs, MME, HSS, Serving Gateway (S-GW), Packet Data Network Gateway (P- GW), Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), etc. The MTC end to end call flow comprising a communication device and an AS for Non IP Data Delivery (NIDD), may be understood to involve the communication device, the MME and the SCEF. The communication device may be understood as the MTC User Equipment which may have the embedded MTC event triggering and event data generation logic. The AS via SCEF may probe the MME and may eventually reach out to the communication device for any Non-IP Data Delivery mechanism, see 3GPP TS 23.682, v. 16.2.0.

A similar view may be understood to apply in 5G, which may include Service based architecture primarily including network nodes, a communication device, an AMF, a Network Exposure Function (NEF), a Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), etc.

However, these signaling procedures may happen over the control plane of the MME, the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the communication device, which is seen as an additional load over and above the traditional services that may be supported, e.g., voice and data signaling procedures. Any signaling attempts for MTC communication may be seen as an additional overhead above those for data sessions.

This signaling procedures may sometimes be critical and at times non-critical in nature, that is, contextually. If the MTC communication corresponds to any Smart Metering, non-production event notification etc, then it may be termed as non-critical communication. However, there may be some critical MTC messages for the delivery of NIDD messages, such as emergency messages for natural disasters, SoS related healthcare messages, and traffic monitoring networks etc.

To define the boundary of the problem area, these MTC NIDD messages when using the 3GPP RAN network, may depend on the eNodeB node for paging and communication device triggering mechanisms. For an operator, the eNodeB node when running on a primary Electricity source, which may be referred to as a Main Electricity supply, it may be understood to be more environmentally friendly, e.g., have a smaller carbon footprint, as well as less costly in terms of Operating Expenditure (OPEX).

Hence, it may be understood to be advantageous to transmit and/or receive non critical NIDD messages when the eNodeB is operating on a primary electricity source.

In some countries, e.g., India, there are many regions where electricity outage is quite frequent, e.g., 2-8 hours per day, or even 4-8 hours per day. This leads to a high operational cost, due to the fact that the systems may need to be transferred to a secondary power source, which incurs in a substantial cost of power. Therefore, for non-critical communication, it may be understood to be advantageous to defer the actual data transfers in order to reduce OPEX.

However, when the eNodeB node is powered up by a secondary electricity source, e.g., a battery backup using diesel genset, the signaling priority may be understood to be given to traditional voice and/or data sessions and non critical NIDD communication. Hence, handling resource consumption in a communications network may be improved by embedding intelligence in the 3GPP core network to learn on the details of resource consumption, availability and cost, to be able to perform informed decisions on resource usage for signalling purposes in the communications network.

In earlier approach to this problem described in WO2018229528,“System and method for optimized signaling for Non IP Data Delivery (NIDD) communication”, primarily in a 4G network, an eNodeB/RAN node conveys information to an MME on the source on electricity on which eNodeB is currently running, such as like primary source of electricity or secondary source of electricity. The MME then connects with an SCEF to share this information with the SCEF, so that non critical loT activity, e.g., firmware updates, may be deprioritized based on the source of electricity.

However, network operations may incur into high costs for their users due to the unmanaged usage of resources based on energy supply availability. Several embodiments are comprised herein, which address these problems of the existing methods. Embodiments herein provide for methods to further enhance handling of resource consumption in a communications network, that may be applicable in 5G architecture, e.g., at the PLMN level. Embodiments herein may be understood to achieve this goal by bringing further intelligence to the communications network. This may include, but not be limited to, for example: a) performing predictive analysis on expected cost of electricity at a certain time of the day, even if it may be of a primary source of electricity, across network slices, e.g., enabled by a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), b) further analyzing the information real-time shared by electricity suppliers on pricing information, c) prioritizing the data transfer when the source of electricity may be green energy, d) informing the Application Server, an Enterprise Service such as an AS for Data mining application, for future data transfers planned timing and/or dates, such as e.g., push for firmware updates on 3-5 am, since the cost of electricity is lowest, e) further optimization in the communications network may be considered to be as adjusting the Power Saving Mode (PSM) for millions of

communication devices, e.g., NB-loT communication devices, on the communication network side, , e.g., eNodeB, AMF, according to traffic and cost of electricity.

Embodiments herein may therefore be understood to address the optimization and build the intelligence, including predictive analysis, within the core network, including NEF and/or NWDAF, to minimize the cost per byte over radio interfaces. This optimization may be understood to be primarily based for Non IP data communication. However, the analytics build in the system may be further used for other optimization at different levels of the communications network.

Some sessions, due to their non-criticality nature, e.g., for basic MTC use cases, may be contextualized at the NEF node. Accordingly, when network nodes find it incurring more OPEX in transmission of the message to a communication device, the network nodes may schedule, optimize the network, e.g., modify the PSM time, and also apprise the application server, that is the application functions/application server owned by an enterprise, to modify the communication timing. Embodiments herein may encompass an overall focus on the business aspect to minimize the OPEX without impacting the customer need or experience for non-critical communication. For the above scenario, a node such as e.g., in 5G the NWDAF node, may store and categorize the information of multiple (R)AN nodes and its source of electricity and/or power, load behavior, cost incurred by each (R)AN etc. Since the NWDAF node may be at the PLMN, this information may then be used across network slices.

The NWDAF, or a node of similar function, may comprise the historical data as well as information collaborated from the respective power and/or electricity vendor to predict and plan the optimization on communication at the radio side.

In summary, embodiments herein may therefore be understood to be related to a system and method for optimized RAN usage, from a resource perspective, in 5G or similar systems. In particular, embodiments herein may be understood to be related to a system and method for optimized RAN usage from a perspective of energy cost, in 5G or similar systems.

The embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples are shown. In this section, embodiments herein are illustrated by exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. Components from one embodiment or example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment or example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1 depicts two non-limiting examples, in panels“a” and“b”, respectively, of a communications network 10, in which embodiments herein may be implemented. In some example implementations, such as that depicted in the non-limiting example of Figure 1a, the communications network 10 may be a computer network. In other example implementations, such as that depicted in the non-limiting example of Figure 1b, the communications network 10 may be implemented in a telecommunications network 100, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system, cellular network or wireless communications system. In some examples, the telecommunications network may comprise network nodes which may serve receiving nodes, such as wireless devices, with serving beams.

The telecommunications network 100 may for example be a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN). LPWAN technologies may comprise Long Range physical layer protocol (LoRa), Haystack, SigFox, LTE-M, and Narrow-Band loT (NB-loT).

In some examples, the telecommunications network 100 may for example be a network such as 5G system, or Next Gen network, or a newer system supporting similar functionality. The telecommunications network 100 may also support other technologies, such as a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, e.g. LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex (HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, Wdeband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) TDD, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, GSM/Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) network, Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB),

EDGE network, network comprising of any combination of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) such as e.g. Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base stations, multi-RAT base stations etc., any 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular network, Wireless Local Area Network/s (WLAN) or WFi network/s, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), IEEE 802.15.4-based low-power short-range networks such as IPv6 over Low- Power Wreless Personal Area Networks (6LowPAN), Zigbee, Z-Wave , Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or any cellular network or system.

Although terminology from Long Term Evolution (LTE)/5G has been used in this disclosure to exemplify the embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, support similar or equivalent functionality may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure. In future radio access, e.g., in the sixth generation (6G), the terms used herein may need to be reinterpreted in view of possible terminology changes in future radio access technologies.

The communications network 10 comprises a plurality of nodes, whereof a node 111 , and an another node 112 are depicted in Figure 1. Each of the node 111 , and the another node 112 may be understood, respectively, as a computer system, and another computer system. In some examples, the another node 112 may be implemented, as depicted in the non-limiting example of Figure 1b, as a standalone server in e.g., a host computer in the cloud 120. Each of the node 111 , and the another node 112 may in some examples be a distributed node or distributed server, with some of their respective functions being implemented locally, e.g., by a client manager, and some of its functions implemented in the cloud 120, by e.g., a server manager. Yet in other examples, each of the node 111 and the another node 112 may also be implemented as processing resources in a server farm. Each of the node 111 and the another node 112 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider.

The communications network 10 may comprise a plurality of nodes, whereof a first node 111 , one or more second nodes 112, one or more third nodes 113, one or more fourth nodes 114 and a fifth node 115 are depicted in Figure 1. Any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be understood, respectively, as a first computer system, a second computer system, a third computer system, a fourth computer system, and a fifth computer system. In some examples, any of the first node

111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be implemented as a standalone server in e.g., a host computer in the cloud 120. Any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes

114 and the fifth node 115 may in some examples be a distributed node or distributed server, with some of their respective functions being implemented locally, e.g., by a client manager, and some of its functions implemented in the cloud 120, by e.g., a server manager. Yet in other examples, any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes

112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node

115 may also be implemented as processing resources in a server farm.

In some embodiments, any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be independent and separated nodes. In other embodiments, any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be co-located, or be the same node.

All the possible combinations are not depicted in Figure 1 to simplify the Figure. In some examples of embodiments herein, the first node 111 may be a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), e.g., in 5G, or a node capable of performing a similar function in the communications network 10. Any of the one or more second nodes 112 may an Access Management Function (AMF), e.g., in 5G, or a node capable of performing a similar function in the communications network 10. Any of the one or more third nodes 113 may be a Network Exposure Function (NEF), an Over-The-Top (OTT) application server , or a node capable of performing a similar function in the

communications network 10. Any of the one or more fourth nodes 114 may be an loT or an Enterprise Application Function (AF) , or a node capable of performing a similar function in the communications network 10. The fifth node 115 may be any of an

Operation Support System node (OSS), a Self-Organizing Network (SON) node, an AMF, an NEF, or an AF.

Any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be a core network node, e.g., a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Service GW node (SGW), Packet data GW node (PGW), Self-Organizing Network (SON) node, Operation Support System node (OSS), or similar coordinating and assistance node for supervising and assistance in network predictions for dimensioning purpose. In some particular examples, any of the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114 and the fifth node 115 may be Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a Home Location Register (HLR), or a Business support system (BSS) of a core network. In some particular embodiments, any of the one or more fourth nodes 114 may be an AF of an electricity distributor, and may be located in a remote location with respect to the other nodes.

The communications network 10 may comprise one or more radio network nodes 130, whereof one radio network node is depicted in Figure 1 b. Each of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may typically be a base station or Transmission Point (TP), or any other network unit capable to serve a wireless device or a machine type node in the communications network 10. Any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be e.g., a 5G gNB, a 4G eNB, or a radio network node in an alternative 5G radio access technology, e.g., fixed or WiFi. Any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be e.g., a Wide Area Base Station, Medium Range Base Station, Local Area Base Station and Home Base Station, based on transmission power and thereby also coverage size. Any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be a stationary relay node or a mobile relay node. Any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may support one or several communication technologies, and its name may depend on the technology and terminology used. Any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be directly connected to one or more networks and/or one or more core networks.

The communications network 10 covers a geographical area which may be divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area may be served by a radio network node, although, one radio network node may serve one or several cells. In the non-limiting example depicted in Figure 1b, the radio network node depicted serves a cell 140.

The communications network 10 comprises a set of user equipments 150. The set of user equipments 150 is represented in Figure 1b with a single user equipment, to simplify the Figure. Any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 may be also known as e.g., a wireless device, mobile terminal, wireless terminal and/or mobile station, mobile telephone, cellular telephone, or laptop with wireless capability, or a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), just to mention some further examples. Any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 in the present context may be, for example, portable, pocket- storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or a vehicle-mounted mobile device, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via a RAN, with another entity, such as a server, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a tablet computer, sometimes referred to as a tablet with wireless capability, or simply tablet, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, a device equipped with a wireless interface, such as a printer or a file storage device, modem, Laptop Embedded Equipped (LEE), Laptop Mounted Equipment (LME), USB dongles, CPE or any other radio network unit capable of communicating over a radio link in the communications network 10. Any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 may be wireless, i.e., it may be enabled to communicate wirelessly in the communications network 10 and, in some particular examples, may be able support beamforming transmission. The communication may be performed e.g., between two devices, between a device and a radio network node, and/or between a device and a server. The communication may be performed e.g., via a RAN and possibly one or more core networks, comprised, respectively, within the communications network 10. In some particular embodiments, any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 may be loT devices, e.g., NB loT devices. In further particular embodiments, any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive loT devices. Massive non-critical loT devices may be understood as devices, e.g., sensors, weather parameter devices to read humidity, sunshine, etc , whose communication may be delayed without really affecting the end users; they will be big in numbers such as in 3GPP 5G, 1 km ² of area may have to support millions of these kind devices. The first node 111 may communicate with the one or more second nodes 112 over a respective first link 161 , e.g., a radio link or a wired link. The first node 111 may communicate with the one or more third nodes 113 over a respective second link 162, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. The one or more third nodes 113 may communicate with the one or more fourth nodes 114 over a respective third link 163, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. Any of the one or more second nodes 112 may communicate with any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 over a respective fourth link 164, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. Any of the radio network nodes 130 may communicate with any of the UEs in the set of user equipments 150 over a respective fifth link 165, e.g., a radio link. Any of the one or more second nodes 112 may communicate with the fifth node 115 over a respective sixth link 166, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. Any of the one or more second nodes 112 may communicate with the third node 113 over a respective seventh link 166, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. The fifth node 115 may communicate with any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 over a respective eighth link 168, e.g., a radio link or a wired link. Any of the third link 163, the fourth link 164, the fifth link 165, or the eighth link 168, may be a direct link or a comprise one or more links, e.g., via one or more other nodes, network nodes, radio network nodes or core network nodes.

Any of the first link 161 , the second link 162, the third link 163, the sixth link 166, and the seventh link 167 may be a direct link or it may go via one or more computer systems or one or more core networks in the communications network 10, or it may go via an optional intermediate network. The intermediate network may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network may comprise two or more sub-networks, which is not shown in Figure 1.

In general, the usage of“first”,“second”,“third”,“fourth”,“fifth ”,“sixth”,“seventh” and/or“eighth” herein may be understood to be an arbitrary way to denote different elements or entities, and may be understood to not confer a cumulative or chronological character to the nouns they modify.

Embodiments of method, performed by the first node 111 , will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 2. The method may be understood to be for handling resource consumption in a communications network 10. The first node 111 operates in the communications network 10. The method may comprise the actions described below. In some embodiments some of the actions may be performed. In some embodiments all the actions may be performed. In Figure 2, an optional action is indicated with a dashed box. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other examples.

Embodiments herein may be understood to be drawn to methods to optimize resource consumption in the communications network 10. In particular, embodiments herein may provide methods to optimize the resources of the communications network 10, especially the RAN, based on the electricity source type, e.g., green, non-green, and respective cost. The optimization may be understood to be done by performing predictive analysis on expected cost of electricity. In some embodiments, the optimization may be performed for non-critical loT communication. However, the scope of embodiments herein may be further optimized for non critical loT communication optimization also.

The method may be understood to be subdivided in two parts or phases. In a first phase or pre collection phase, the relevant information may be populated from different nodes, e.g., network functions (NFs) and Application Functions ( AFs), towards the first node 111 e.g., a NWDAF, to have a super set information available for implementing intelligence and automation, an aspect of Rel. 16, 3GPP. In a second phase or post collection phase, the first node 111 may use the information available and/or derived at the first node 111 e.g., the NWDAF, for an optimized decision making, e.g., providing the information to other nodes, e.g., AFs and NFs, to optimize the use of resources. The first phase may be understood to comprise Actions 201 , 202 and 203. The second phase may be understood to comprise Action 204, optionally, and Action 206 and Action 205.

Action 201

In existing systems, there may be a lot of relevant information available in nodes, e.g., network functions, individually. That is, the information may be scattered and not shared with any central node to enable a more informed and correlated decision.

In order to gather relevant data to perform the predictive analysis of embodiments herein, in this Action 201 , the first node 111 obtains, from the one or more second nodes 112 operating in the communications network 10, first information on at least one of the following options. The first option is an electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10. The source is one of a primary source and a secondary source.

A primary source may be understood as a de facto energy mode generated by an electricity grid that may be managed by a government, such as like via electricity, coal , etc..

A secondary source may be understood as a source that may typically generated and/or stored locally at a network station, such as a diesel genset, or an invertor, that is, stored electricity in batteries, or even a local source of energy which may be costlier than the primary source.

Based on the electricity outage status, the one or more second nodes 112 may report the electricity source as primary or secondary.

The second option is a type of the electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130. The type is one of green and non-green.

A primary source may be green if electricity is generated from a renewable source e.g., wind or solar energy.

The non-green type may be understood as electricity that is not generated from a renewable source, but from a source such as for example, a fossil fuel.

Additionally, there may be a possibility in the future, where the secondary source may also be based on a green or a non green electricity source. In this case, the electricity type may be green, while the electricity source may be secondary. Some of the one or more second nodes 112 may have individual and/or local solar power generating equipment support and, hence, may be able to generate the green power locally.

Obtaining, may comprise receiving, collecting or gathering. In this Action 201 , the obtaining may be implemented, e.g., via the first link 161 , the fourth link 164, the sixth link 166, and/or the eighth link 168.

The first information may be obtained in this Action 201 every time there may be change in power source. This first information may then be saved at the first node 111 for being able to derive a historical pattern, and/or for enabling to predict the future predictions as well. The first information may then be preserved for at least, e.g., one year.

Table 1 depicts a non-limiting example of the first information that may be obtained from the one or more second nodes 112, e.g., NFs, by the first node 111 in this Action 201.

Table 1.

In some embodiments, the first node 111 may be, e.g., a NWDAF component of a 5G architecture, and may be understood to have the functionality of being able to provide slice specific network data analytics to a Home NetWork Slice Life Cycle Management function (H-NWS LCM). This procedure of providing Network Slice instance load level information to be used by an NF service consumer, as the H-NWS LCM, or e.g., Policy Control Function, PCF), may be realized in a request response procedure.

As a particular example of this section in embodiments wherein the communications network 10 may be a 5G network, the one or more second nodes 112 may comprise an AMF and an AF. The first information obtained by the first node 111 , e.g., a NWDAF, from the AMF may comprise electricity source related information of the one or more radio network nodes 130. The AF may be an electricity distribution AF, which may be understood to not be part of a traditional 4G/5G network function. The electricity distribution AF of embodiments herein may be understood as a third party application server which may provide the electricity rate, or cost, to consumers of the enterprise, e.g., a network operator.

The first information obtained by the first node 111 , e.g., a NWDAF, from the AMF may comprise the electricity source, primary or secondary, of the one or more radio network nodes 130, that is, access nodes, such as eNB and/or gNB. The first information obtained by the first node 111 , e.g., a NWDAF, from the AMF may also comprise the type of electricity source, green energy or non-green energy. This first information may then be provided by the first node 111 to any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 to the fifth node 115, e.g., an MME.

Action 202

In developing countries, energy, e.g., electricity, supply may still not be available continuously. There may be electricity outages, during some periods. During the electricity outages, access nodes such as the one or more radio network nodes 130 may need to run on secondary sources, e.g., power generator sets, which may usually run on fossil fuel and may be understood to be costly as compared to electricity from the grid. Additionally, some of the one or more radio network nodes 130, e.g., in the metropolitan cities, may be upgraded to provide green power when available, for example, to have a setup such as solar cells.

In this Action 202, the first node 111 , obtains, from the one or more third nodes 113 operating in the communications network 10, second information on at least one of: i) a cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) a timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130. The energy may be, e.g., electricity.

In this Action 202, the obtaining may be implemented, e.g., via the second link 162. The obtaining in this Action 202 may be directly from one single third node 113, or may be via, e.g., two intermediate third nodes 113. For example, the one or more third nodes 113 may comprise an AF and an NEF, and the first node 111 , e.g., an NWDAF, may receive the second information from the AF via the NEF.

The cost of energy, e.g., electricity, supply may, in some embodiments, be dynamic, based on day, time and other factors. The cost of energy may comprise service cost details.

Energy outages, may be real-time or planned outages. This may provide the first node 111 with visibility on in which location an energy, e.g., electricity, source may change from primary to secondary or vice-versa. There may be a cost involved with primary and secondary sources. As discussed above, a secondary source may generally be costlier than a primary source. Historical data from such events may also be used by first node 111 to prepare such records of electricity availability.

The first node 111 may obtain the second information directly or indirectly from the one or more third nodes 113. In some non-limiting examples, the one or more third nodes 113 may comprise an AF from an electricity distributor. In such examples, the first node 111 may obtain the second information from the AF from an electricity distributor, a third party. The second information may comprise service cost details and any planned electricity outage details. As the NEF may be understood to be the interface towards the outside world, the AF may provide the second information to the NEF over an OMA interface using REST APIs or a similar interface. The NEF may then relay this information to the first node 111 , an NWDAF. If the second information is not available from an electricity distributor directly, it may be collected offline and provisioned in the first node 111 , e.g., the NWDAF, by using an OSS, or another inventory management system. Table 2 depicts a non-limiting example of the first set of information that may be comprised in the second information, in this example electricity outage details from the one or more third nodes 113, e.g., access nodes, such as NFs.

Table 3 depicts a non-limiting example of the second set of information that may be comprised in the second information, in this example electricity pricing details from the one or more third nodes 113, e.g., an electricity distributor AF . Apart from the electricity outage details, the one or more third nodes 113 may also provide the pricing of the electricity at different times. In this non-limiting example, the electricity source is not changing but the price is changing based on the time of day. This second information may also be used by the first node 111 for making a decision about optimizing the RAN based on electricity cost in Action 205 .

In case this second information may not be available from the AF through an API, the first node 111 may be provisioned with this second information based on the offline calculations done for OPEX calculations.

Table 3.

Action 203

In certain cases, the one or more fourth nodes 114, e.g., one or more loT

Application Functions, may need to download large amount of data to the set of user equipments 150, e.g., loT devices, for example, a firmware update. In certain

environments, e.g., for an loT eco-system, large sized downloads may not be regular, which may have implications for the energy consumption. It may therefore be advantageous that the one or more fourth nodes 114, e.g.., Application Functions report such events to the first node 111 , so that resources may be optimized. This may be understood to represent that, e.g., an between Enterprise AF and a telecommunications provider have a mutual agreement.

In this Action 203, the first node 111 , obtains the from one or more fourth nodes 114 operating in the communications network 10, third information on: an expected timeframe of file transfers of a size above a threshold via the one or more radio network nodes 130.

Following the example provided earlier, an application server may send

comparatively large software downloads e.g., firmware updates, to e.g., loT devices. The third information may comprise details of such downloads, which may be obtained by the first node 111 , e.g., a NWDAF, in this Action 203, for enabling to keep the historical data and analyzing the same for predicting the updates in the future. For example, the one or more fourth nodes 114, which in some non-limiting examplesmay comprise an loT/Enterprise AF, may provide the update on expected large file transfer timeframe.

In this Action 203, the obtaining may be implemented, e.g., via the second link 162, and/or the third link 163.

Table 4 depicts a non-limiting example of what may be comprised in the third information. In this example, the third information comprises the schedule of download data, e.g., large downloads, captured by the first node 111 , here an NWDAF. The third information comprises the information about the timing of data downloads to three user equipments, Dev-X, Dev-Y and Dev-Z, comprised in the the set of user equipments 150, as well as the size of the downloaded data. There may be different types of user equipments with different firmware and update time, for example, user equipments of type NB-loT and user equipments of type LTE-M etc. These user equipments may have different schedules for firmware updates, which is considered in Table 4.

Table 4. Action 204

In the post collection phase, all collected data may be analyzed and used to make policy decisions. These decisions may be understood to be relevant for prioritizing the subscribers and/or selecting an appropriate network slice to perform operations in the communications network 10.

As highlighted earlier, the first node 111 may have been populated with relevant information including, but not limited to, e.g., the electricity source information of access nodes, electricity supply cost and schedule, and download data details, including size, timing, etc.

In this Action 204, the first node 111 , determines, using a machine-implemented learning procedure and based on the obtained first, second and third information, a predictive model of a cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130.

Determining may be understood as calculating, deriving, predicting, estimating, or similar.

The machine learning procedure may be for example, Random Forest and Bayesian Modeling, or based on analytics algorithms such as, e.g., linear regression, logistic Regression , classification and Regression Trees, etc.

Action 205

In some embodiments, the first node 111 may also pro-actively plan when the messages, such as the firmware, meta data, weather counters, etc.., may be delivered to the set of user equipments 150, and, based on this, the first node 111 may derive which may be the best time to keep the set of user equipments 150 in power saving mode (PSM).

In this Action 205, the first node 111 may determine, based on the determined predictive model, a schedule of transfer of data for a set of user equipments 150 operating in the communications network 10.

In other words, based on the determined predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, for example, based on when the outages may be more likely, for how long, when the set of user equipments 150 may be most likely to download large amounts of data, and how much data, for how long, etc... the first node 11 may determine the schedule of transfer of data. The determined schedule may not necessarily be fixed timetable, but it may be represent a general optimization of the use resources, energy, processing, in the communications network 10.

The determining in this Action 205 of the schedule may be further based on a relevance level of the data to be transferred by the set of user equipments 150. If the use-case of electricity outage in a particular location is considered, this information may be used to make optimal decisions. For example, whenever there may be non-critical large download messages, the first node 111 may help in re-prioritizing this delivery for access nodes, e.g., one or more radio network nodes 130, which may be on a secondary or expensive source of electricity.

In some embodiments, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive loT devices.

Action 206

In some embodiments, the first node 111 , in this Action 206, initiates providing a first indication of at least one of: i) the determined predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the determined schedule to at least one of: a) the set of user equipments 150, b) one of the one or more radio network nodes 130, and c) the fifth node 115 operating in the communications network 10.

Initiating may be understood as triggering, starting, or enabling, e.g., another node to provide, e.g., the AMF.

Providing may be understood as e.g., sending, for example, via any of the first link 161 , and the second link 162.

In some examples, the first indication may comprise details on a schedule of downlink transfers of data at a location X.

In some examples, the first indication may comprise details on electricity cost and/ or electricity source.

Two alternatives may be considered for optimizing the electricity usage according to embodiments herein, based on the determined predictive model and the determined schedule.

According to a first alternative, the first node 111 may inform the fifth node 115, e.g., the one or more second nodes 112 such as an AMF, to tune PSM and/or Traffic Area Update (TAU) parameters for electricity outage of the set of user equipments 150.

The first node 111 may store the second information from the one or more third nodes 113 on the expected electricity outages and electricity pricing for record and analysis. Since the first node 111 may have all the relevant information available, it may further apprise the respective one or more second nodes 112 so that the respective UEs of the set of user equipments 150 that may be connected to respective one or more radio network nodes 130 may be reconfigured with an appropriate change in PSM mode at the time when electricity may be comparatively expensive and hence so that minimum data transfer may happen then. As an illustrative example, the case of electricity outage for setting the respective UEs of the set of user equipments 150 in PSM may be considered. For example, if an electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM, then the first node 111 may try to ensure that all the UEs of the set of user equipments 150 in a particular radio network node 130 are in PSM during that time. But this may also be applied for case where UEs are set to PSM based one the electricity cost or traffic peak hour. That is, UEs may be set to PSM for 8- 9PM if it is known that the electricity price for that duration is high, or if that duration of time has traffic load on the particular radio network node 130.

According to a second alternative, the first node 111 may inform the fifth node 115, e.g., the one or more fourth nodes 114 such as an loT AF, about modifying the data transfer schedule, so that it may coincide with the active period of the set of user equipments 150, and when the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be on the best electricity source.

Also, in order to simplify the description of embodiments here, the case of transfer of non-IP data towards the set of user equipments 150 has been considered here. But embodiments here may also be used for IP data transfer. In that case, the first node 111 may still notify the fifth node 115, e.g., the one or more fourth nodes 114 such as an loT AF, to change the data download schedule, although the fifth node 115 may eventually transfer the data over a user plane via a traditional packet gateway e.g., PGw, UPF.

According to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the first indication may comprise an instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter a power saving mode during a period of time, and b) refrain from performing a location update, e.g., a TAU.

In some examples, the first indication may comprise another indication for the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 or to the fifth node 115 to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies.

The another indication may be, e.g., a recommendation, or an instruction, or information that may allow the receiving node to derive such a recommendation and/or instruction.

Embodiments of a method performed by any second node 112 comprised in the one or more second nodes 112, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 3. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The second node 112 operates in the communications network 10. The method may comprise the following actions. Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments, some actions may be performed, in other embodiments, all actions may be performed. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other examples. In Figure 3, optional actions are represented in boxes with dashed lines.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here to simplify the description. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet-of-things devices.

Action 301

In this Action 301 , the second node 112 provides, to the first node 111 operating in the communications network 10, the first information. The first information, as described earlier, is on the at least one of: i) the electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10, the source being one of a primary source and a secondary source, and ii) the type of the electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130, the type being one of green and non-green.

Providing may be understood as e.g., sending or sharing , for example, via the first link 161.

In some embodiments, the second node 112 may provide the first information to the first node 111 every time there may be change in power source.

In some examples, the second node 112 may be an AMF, which in this Action 301 may share information on the electricity source of the access node.

Action 302

After providing the first information to the first node 111 , in this Action 302, the second node 102 obtains, from the first node 111 , and based on the provided first information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 operating in the communications network 10. The obtaining, may comprise receiving, e.g., via the first link 161.

In some embodiments, the first indication may comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing a location update, e.g., a TAU.

Action 303

In this Action 303, the second node 112 may determine, based on the obtained first indication, one or more timers for the set of user equipments 150. The one or more timers may comprise one of: a power saving mode timer, and a location update timer.

In some embodiments, the determining of the one or more timers may comprise ensuring that the determined one or more timers are synchronized with the indicated schedule of transfer of data. This may be understood to be performed to ensure that the set of user equipments 150 are in PSM and/or do not perform location updates when there may be a power outage, when the one or more radio network nodes 130 may be using the secondary source of electricity, or the non-green type of electricity, or when the cost of the energy supply may be high.

Action 304

If all the UEs of the set of user equipments 150 in a particular radio network node 130 are in sleep mode, e.g., PSM, and may no longer send or receive data for next few hours, the second node 112, e.g., an AMF, may also, or alternatively, shutdown, or limit, the respective spectrum/frequency communication rather than the full radio network node 130, assuming this may be appropriate, for example, in the case that the particular radio network node 130 is not a dedicated node for Massive loT traffic also, since, in parallel, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) data may also be transferred.

In view of the foregoing, in some embodiments, the second node 112 may, in this Action 304, send one or more second indications to at least one of: the set of user equipments 150 and a fifth node 115 operating in the communications network 10. The one or more second indications may indicate at least one of: i) the determined one or more timers, and ii) a third indication for the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 or to the fifth node 115 to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies.

This option may be further broken down in different scenarios because there may be non-critical loT data which may be supported by the respective second node 112 in a same slice, or across network slices. Typically, it may be recommended that operators have at least three different network slices covering enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), including voice and data calls, massive loT ( m-loT) and C-loT (Critical loTs). The second node 112 may be shared among different traffic and /or flows , most probably among different network slices. In that case, the traffic of the second node 112 may need to be further analysed. For example, any of the following scenarios may apply:

a) A first second node 112, e.g., AMF1 , is only used for non-critical loT use cases, with e.g., a dedicated NF. Therefore the electricity outage and/or closure may be used without affecting any other communication;

b) A second second node 112, e.g., AMF2, has 30% voice and normal data calls and 70% non-critical loT information.

c) A third second node 112, e.g., AMF3, has 80% voice and normal data transition, and 20% non-critical loT data.

To simplify the description of embodiments herein, the use cases of scenario a) may be only covered in this disclosure. However, similar methods may be applied to scenarios b) and c), where the second node 112 is shared among different traffic and /or flows , most probably among different network slices.

As an illustrative example, the case of electricity outage for setting the UEs in PSM may be considered. For example, if an electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM then the second node 112 may try to ensure that all the UEs of the set of user equipments 150 in a particular radio network node 130 are in PSM during that time. But this may also be applied for case where UEs may be set to PSM based one the electricity cost or traffic peak hour. That is, UEs may be set to PSM for 8-9PM if it is known that the electricity price for that duration is high or if that duration of time has traffic load on the particular radio network node 130.

In some particular examples, the second node 112 may be an AMF, and the fifth node 115 may be and OSS. In such examples, in this Action 304, the AMF may therefore update the OSS for optimization of radio resources.

Action 305

After the electricity is restored, or whenever the electricity source or type may change, any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may update the second node 112 with the electricity availability or the electricity source change.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the second node 112 may, in this Action 305, send one or more fourth indications to at least one of: the set of user equipments 150 and the fifth node 115 operating in the communications network 10. The one or more fourth indications may indicate an update to the one or more timers. In some examples, the fifth node 115 may be an OSS/SON system.

Performing this Action may be understood to be advantageous because, for example, there may be some counters and/or timers, such as a PSM timer, an eDRX timer, etc.., which may be sent from the fifth node 115 towards one of the one or more radio network nodes 130, and the respective user equipments, in case there is change of electricity source, cost , etc. Having the second node 112 send the one or more fourth indications in this Action 305 may be understood to help optimizing the usage and/or cost of the communications network 10, which may have been modified due to higher electricity cost or vice versa.

Embodiments of a method performed by any third node 113 comprised in the one or more third nodes 113, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 4. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The third node 113 operates in the communications network 10.

The method comprises the following actions. Several embodiments are comprised herein. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other examples.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here to simplify the description. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet-of-things devices.

Action 401

In this Action 401 , the third node 113 provides, to the first node 111 operating in the communications network 10, the second information on at least one of: the cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10, and the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130.

Providing may be understood as e.g., sending or sharing , for example, via the second link 162. In some non-limiting examples, the third node 113 may be an electricity distribution AF, which in this Action 401 may share electricity service details.

Action 402

In this Action 402, the third node 113, obtains, from the first node 111 , and based on the provided second information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 operating in the communications network 10.

Obtaining, which may be understood as e.g., receiving, may be performed , for example, via the second link 162.

As described earlier, the first indication may comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing the location update.

Embodiments of a method performed by any fourth node 114 comprised in the one or more fourth nodes 114, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 5. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The fourth node 114 operates in the communications network 10.

The method comprises the following actions. Several embodiments are comprised herein. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other examples.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here to simplify the description. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet-of-things devices.

Action 501

In this Action 501 , the fourth node 114 provides, to the first node 111 operating in the communications network 10, the third information on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via the one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10.

Providing may be understood as e.g., sending or sharing, for example, via the second link 162 and the third link 163.

The fourth node 114 may be in some embodiments, e.g., an loT/Enterprise AF, which, in this Action 501 , may share large download details.

Action 502

In this Action 502, the fourth node 114, obtains, from the first node 111 , and based on the provided third information, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 operating in the communications network 10.

Obtaining, which may be understood as e.g., receiving, may be performed , for example, via the second link 162 and the third link 163.

As described earlier, the first indication may comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing the location update.

Embodiments of a method performed by the fifth node 115, will now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in Figure 6. The method is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The fifth node 115 operates in the communications network 10.

The method may comprise the following actions. Several embodiments are comprised herein. In some embodiments, some actions may be performed, in other embodiments, all actions may be performed. One or more embodiments may be combined, where applicable. All possible combinations are not described to simplify the description. It should be noted that the examples herein are not mutually exclusive. Components from one example may be tacitly assumed to be present in another example and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other examples. In Figure 6, an optional action is represented in a box with dashed lines.

The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here to simplify the description. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet-of-things devices.

Action 601

In this Action 601 , the fifth node 115 obtains, from the second node 112 operating in the communications network 10, the one or more second indications. The one or more second indications indicate at least one of. i) the one or more timers for the set of user equipments 150 operating in the communications network 10, the one or more timers comprising one of: the power saving mode timer, and the location update timer, and b) the third indication for the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 or to the fifth node 115, to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies.

Obtaining, which may be understood as e.g., receiving, may be performed , for example, via the sixth link 166.

In some embodiments, whenever there may be a change in supply of the electricity source for the one or more radio network nodes 130, from primary to secondary, or vice versa, the change may be notified to the fifth node 115, e.g., an MME, through for example, the S1 interface. This message may be similar to that of a configuration update over SI interface request, e.g., an eNodeB Configuration Update over SI interface request, and may be acknowledged by the fifth node 115, e.g., the MME. The fifth node 115, e.g., the MME, may store this state transition of the electricity source of each of the one or more radio network nodes 130 in its cache database for any reference.

Action 602

The fifth node 115, in this Action 602, determines, based on the obtained one or more second indications, whether or not, at least one of: i) one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10 are to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies; and ii) the one or more timers are to be updated, based on the one or more of the user equipments in the set of user equipments 150 being in power saving mode.

The determining in this Action 602 may be based on the traffic on the respective one or more radio network nodes 130 that what kind of traffic may be currently catered by the respective one or more radio network nodes 130, for example, 100 connection towards massive loT, 1200 voice calls.. The fifth node may evaluate whether it may be possible to shut down the power to the one or more radio network nodes 130 if there many voice calls are ongoing, for example. Different rules may be configured by an operator the communications network 10. Action 603

In this Action 603, the fifth node 115, sends one or more fifth indications to the one or more radio network nodes 130. The one or more fifth indications indicate a result of the determination in Action 602. That is, the one or more fifth indications may indicate whether or not, at least one of: i) one or more radio network nodes 130 operating in the communications network 10 are to shutdown, or limit, communication in one or more radio frequencies; and ii) the one or more timers are to be updated, based on the one or more of the user equipments in the set of user equipments 150 being in power saving mode.

The sending in this Action 603 may be implemented via e.g., the eighth link 168.

Action 604

In some embodiments, the fifth node 115, in this Action 604, may obtain the one or more fourth indications from the second node 112. The one or more fourth indications may indicate an update to the one or more timers. The fifth node 115 may obtain the one or more fourth indications after the electricity may be restored after an outage, or whenever the electricity source or type may change, and any of the one or more radio network nodes 130 may update the second node 112 with the electricity availability or the electricity source change.

In some examples, the fifth node 115 may be an OSS/SON system.

The methods just described as being implemented by the first node 111 , the second node 112, the third node 113, the fourth node 114, and the fifth node 115 will now be described in further detail with specific non-limiting examples in the next six figures.

Figure 7 is a signalling diagram depicting a non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the first node 111 is a NWDAF, the second node 112 is an AMF and one or more radio network nodes 130 is an gNB. The diagram depicts an AMF sharing electricity source information with the NWADF. The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 7: At 1 , the gNB sends a modified S1-MME or S1-AP to the second node 112, indicating a change in supply of the electricity source for the gNB, from primary to secondary, or vice versa. This message may be similar to that of a configuration update over S1 interface request, e.g., an eNodeB Configuration Update over S1 interface request. At 2, the message is received and acknowledged by the second node 112. At 3, in accordance with Action 301 , the second node 112 sends the first information to the first node 111 in a Service Notify, comprising the access node electricity source details, location etc. In accordance with Action 201 , the first node 201 receives the first information.

Figure 8 is a signalling diagram depicting a non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the first node 111 is a NWDAF, and the one or more third nodes 113 comprise a NEF and an electricity distributer AF, which is depicted here sharing the electricity details with the NWDAF. The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 8: At 1 , in accordance with Action 401 , the AF sends the second information comprising electricity pricing details, and electricity outage details at a location X to the NWDAF, via the NEF. The NEF receives the second information in a REST API, and then, in accordance with Action 401 , sends it to the NWDAF in a service notify, which is received by the NWDAF in accordance with Action 202.

Figure 9 is a signalling diagram depicting a non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the one or more fourth nodes 114 comprise an loT AF and a NEF, and the first node 111 is a NWDAF. The diagram depicts how an loT AF may update a NWDAF about large downloads. The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 9: At 1 , in accordance with Action 501 , the loT AF sends the third information comprising the schedule for large downloads to the NWDAF, via the NEF. The NEF receives the third information in a REST API, and then, in accordance with Action 501 , sends it to the NWDAF in a service notify, which is received by the NWDAF in accordance with Action 203.

Figure 10 is another signalling diagram depicting another non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the first node 111 is the NWDAF, the second node 112 is the AMF, one of the one or more the third nodes 113 is the AF of the electricity distributor, another of the one or more third nodes 113 is the NEF, one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 is a gNodeB and one of the set of user equipments 150 is a UE. In this non-limiting example, the NWDAF informs the AMF to tune the PSM and/or TAU parameters for massive loT, and the AMF updates UE parameters, as per the electricity schedule.

The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 10: 1. The third party application function from the particular electricity distribution company, updates the NEF about the electricity pricing and the timing of energy outages, e.g., at a particular location X with a Rest API. The NEF works as an interface towards the outside world for the core network of the telecommunications network 100.

2. In return, the NEF, in accordance with Action 401 , relays this second information towards the NWDAF transparently, in a service notify, or in an equivalent communication message that may be used to notify an event....

3. After receiving the second information according to Action 202, the NWDAF stores this second information from the electricity distributor AF on the expected electricity outages and timing of energy outages for record and analysis according to Action 204 and Action 205. Now, since the NWDAF has all the relevant information available, it may further apprise the respective AMF/gNB, so that the respective UEs, e.g., massive loT - non critical devices, connected to the respective gNB may be reconfigured with the appropriate change in PSM mode at the time when the electricity is comparatively expensive, and hence when it may be advantageous that the minimum data transfer take place.

4. The NWDAF, according to Action 206, updates the AMF about the electricity source details by providing the first indication in a service notify. The first indication may comprise the preferred electricity source and/or the electricity outage details at the location X. For example, the first indication may indicate that the electricity cost will be high from 6-7 PM today, therefore there may be a higher OPEX. Please avoid any non critical activity in this duration.

5. The AMF obtains the first indication according to Action 302, and, according to Action 303, recalculates the UE timers, e.g., the periodic TAU and/or PSM active timer etc., as per the electricity source availability, in order to synchronize them with the electricity availability and timing. Therefore, whenever a new attach request may be raised by the UEs that are related to this AF, the AMF may provide, according to Action 304, the preferred periodic TAU and PSM active timers for reconfiguration.

6. Later, the UE starts an“attach request” towards the telecommunication network 100, which reaches the AMF via a respective gNodeB. It may be noted that the above point and point 6 are, in this example, asynchronous.

7. The normal attach procedure is completed.

8. The AMF provides the recalculated timers to the UE, so that the UE is configured to try to transfer data when the gNodeB is on the primary source of power, or is on green energy, so as that a lower OPEX may be incurred. Therefore, the UE will be reconfigured to get into the PSM mode during an electricity outage, in accordance with Action 305.

9. During electricity outages, the UEs refrain from initiating, that is, do not initiate, the periodic TAU procedure or transfer any data. Only after electricity restoration, which may be expected and/or calculated by the AMF, will the UE initiate the TAU request.

Any electricity source change in the gNodeB is reported to AMF, as part of the pre collection phase, although this is not shown in call flow depicted in Figure 10.

Figure 11 is another signalling diagram depicting another non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the first node 111 is the NWDAF, the second node 112 is the AMF, the fifth node 115 is one or more of the third nodes 113, here, the NEF, and/or one or more of the fourth nodes 114, here, the loT AF, one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 is a gNodeB and one of the set of user equipments 150 is a UE. In this non-limiting example, the NWDAF informs the loT AF about modifying the schedule of transfer of data. The loT AF may then plan the delivery messages, e.g., a firmware update, or a message to share the reading of a smart meter, as per the electricity schedule.

The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 11.

As described in Figure 10, the third party application function from the electricity distribution company updated the NWDAF via the NEF about the electricity pricing and schedule. The NWDAF may have stored this second information for record and analysis. The NWDAF may also check which loT AF it may have to update about the downlink schedule and at what time.

1. The NWDAF, according to Action 206, updates the NEF about the downlink schedule details at a location X, by providing to it the first indication comprising these details in a service notify. The NWDAF ensures, by having performed Action 204 and Action 205, that big data downlinks such as, e.g., firmware updates are only provided at times when the gNodeB is using the primary source of energy or the green source of energy. The NEF obtains the first indication according to Action 402.

2. The NEF selects the correct loT AF, and passes this information transparently via a REST API. The loT then obtains the first indication from the NWDAF, via the NEF, according to Action 502. This enables that when there is an electricity outage, as per the first indication of the determined schedule, the AMF has ensured that all UEs in that gNodeB are in Power Saving Mode (PSM) during that time. For example, if the electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM then the AMF tries to ensure that all the UEs in that particular gNodeB are in PSM during that time.

3. Due to above information, the loT AF only initiates big downlink after the expected electricity is supposed to be restored, after the electricity outage at the gNodeB.

4. After that, the NEF may send a NIDD submit request message toward the AMF in case of non-IP data. But it may also be used for IP data transfer. In that case, the NWDAF the still notify the loT AF to change the data download schedule, although the loT AF may eventually transfer the data through Gateway.

5. The AMF will deliver this message to UE.

6. The MME sends an NIDD submit response success message towards the NEF.

7. The NEF notifies to loT AF, mentioning that the NIDD MT message has been delivered.

Figure 12 is another signalling diagram depicting another non-limiting example of embodiments herein. In this non-limiting example, the second node 112 is the AMF, the fifth node 115 is an OSS and/or SON system, one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 is a gNodeB, and one of the set of user equipments 150 is a UE. In this non-limiting example, the AMF updates the OSS or SON (referred to herein as the OSS/SON) system for optimization of radio resources. In particular, this flow updates the OSS/SON system about which gNodeBs are affected by the electricity outage, and if all loT devices in that gNodeB are in Power Saving Mode (PSM). The optimization of RAN resources may be therefore based on the electricity source. Once the AMF realizes that all PSM timers are in sync with the electricity schedule that may be required, for all the UEs attached to one particular gNodeB, it notifies the OSS/SON so as to either shutdown or limit the usage of the gNB/eNB on some restricted spectrum and/or frequency band, e.g., by shutting down the frequency used by NB-loT communication only.

For simplicity, we have considered the case of Electricity outage for setting the UEs in Power Saving Mode. For example, if electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM then the second node 112 tries to ensure that all the UEs in particular gNodeB are in PSM during that time. But this can also be applied for case where UEs are set to PSM based one the Electricity cost or traffic peak hour. i.e. UEs can be set to PSM for 8-9PM if it is known that Electricity price for that duration is high or if that duration has traffic load on gNodeB.

As described in Figure 10, the third party application function from the electricity distribution company updated the NWDAF via the NEF about the electricity pricing and schedule. The NWDAF may have stored this second information for record and analysis. After the analysis, the NWDAF may have decided to update the AMF. The AMF now updates the PSM parameters of the UEs to synchronize them with the electricity source change or the electricity outage.

The signalling flow in this non-limiting example is the following, according to the numbering depicted in Figure 12.

1. The AMF, in accordance with Action 303, analyzes if the PSM timers are in synchronicity with the electricity schedule for all the UEs attached to one the gNodeB. For example, if the electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM, then it tries to ensure that all the UEs in the particular gNodeB are in PSM during that time.

2. The AMF, in accordance with Action 304, notifies the OSS\SON system about the gNodeB and PSM details, in accordance with Action 304, by sending the one or more second indications.

3. The OSS\SON obtained the one or more second indications, in accordance with Action 601 , analyzes this information, in accordance with Action 602, and later updates, in accordance with Action 603, the relevant gNodeBs whether they need to shut down the specific RAT, e.g., NB-loT RAT, or if some parameter of surrounding gNodeBs may need to be increased temporarily to cater to some of the UEs which are not in PSM.

4. After this analysis, the OSS\SON decides to send, in accordance with Action 603, the messages to the gNodeB to instruct the shutdown of RAT and/or the change of parameters, in a service notify.

5. The gNodeB adjusts the parameters as per the notification from the OSS\SON. Particular gNodeB for which the electricity outage is going to happen may shut down the NB-loT RAT, or may change to a low power state. Neighboring gNodeBs may be directed to increase their power to communicate with any NB-loT devices which are not in PSM.

This enables that when there is an electricity outage, as per the first indication of the determined schedule, the AMF has ensured that all UEs in that gNodeB are in Power Saving Mode (PSM) during that time. For example, if the electricity outage is planned for 6-7 PM then the AMF tries to ensure that all the UEs in that particular gNodeB are in PSM during that time.

6. After the electricity is restored, then the gNodeB updates the AMF after the electricity availability or the electricity source change. Alternatively, the OSS/SON may trigger the gNodeB to revert the RAT and parameter changes based on the first indication of the determined schedule from NWDAF.

7. After the calculated timer for checking the source of electricity expires, optionally, the AMF, in accordance with Action 305, sends the one or more fourth indications indicating the update to the one or more timers to the OSS/SON system about the electricity source of the gNodeB. This is performed in a service notify, which the

OSS/SON receives according to Action 604.

8. The OSS/SON updates the gNodeB to revert the power and timer details later.

As a simplified example overview of the foregoing, embodiments herein may be understood to relate to a build the intelligence within the core network and NEF to understand the electricity source of the gNB, and respectively, decide whether to use the respective gNodeB for non-critical MTC messages or to defer the communication.

This aspect is very important since a 5G/5G EPC network may need to support millions of loT devices in the future, and it may be understood to be relevant to consider the following aspects: a) reducing the overall load on the 5G network for non critical communication including small data transfers, and/or b) optimizing the communication with loT devices due to the limited battery life and processing power for millions of devices.

One advantage of embodiments herein is that to provide flexibility for the mobile operator to prioritize the signaling traffic on its core network, by classifying the signaling messages based on RAN electricity source, including the cost perspective, and hence lower OPEX. A cheaper electricity source for the RAN network may be more suitable for relaying on non-critical MTC messages across the same. Another advantage of embodiments herein is that they may be implemented using the built on 3GPP 5G specifications for the Network Exposure feature and Network Data Analytics Function. Embodiments herein may catalyze the 3GPP network nodes to be more optimal for delivering loT/M2M use cases with minimum changes to the core and/or the radio network. Yet other advantages of embodiments herein is that the overall user experience is enhanced. A further advantage of embodiments herein is that the OPEX is reduced. These advantages on the user experience and the OPEX may be achieved with information and artificial intelligence built on the input that may be available from telecom and/or operator’s world, and the enterprise domain. The NEF type of nodes may be understood as a classical example where the information from the enterprise world may be shared with the operator world, and vice versa, for achieving the enhanced user experience and the reduced OPEX. A further advantage of embodiments herein is that the NWDAF node, in existing methods covers the information at the network slice level, and the respective load condition. However optimizing performance with such advanced information, such as higher cost for data transportation at a particular time kind, may further build technical foundation for further enablement of the platform to build a network where the user experience is enhanced, and the OPEX is lowered.

Figure 13 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the first node 111 may comprise to perform the method actions described above in relation to Figure 2. In some embodiments, the first node 111 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 13a. The first node 111 is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The first node 111 is configured to operate in the communications network 10.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. In Figure 13, optional boxes are indicated by dashed lines. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet- of-things devices.

The first node 111 is configured to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 1301 within the first node 111 configured to, obtain, from the one or more second nodes 112 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the first information on the at least one of: the electricity source and the type of electricity. The electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes 130 configured to operate in the communications network 10. The source is configured to be one of the primary source and the secondary source. The type of the electricity source is of the one or more radio network nodes 130. The type is configured to be one of green and non-green.

The first node 111 is also configured to obtain, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit 1301 , from the one or more third nodes 113 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the second information. The second information is on at least one of: i) the cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130.

The first node 111 is additionally configured to obtain, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit 1301 , from the one or more fourth nodes 114 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the third information on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via the one or more radio network nodes 130.

The first node 111 is also configured to, e.g. by means of a determining unit 1302 within the first node 111 configured to, determine, using the machine-implemented learning procedure and based on the obtained first, second and third information, the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130.

In some embodiments, the first node 111 is configured to, e.g. by means of an initiating unit 1303 within the first node 111 configured to, initiate providing the first indication of the predictive model configured to be determined to at least one of: a) the set of user equipments 150, b) the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130, and c) the fifth node 115 configured to operate in the communications network 10.

The first node 111 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of the determining unit 1302, based on the determined predictive model, the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 configured to operate in the communications network 10. To determine 205 the schedule is configured to be further based on the relevance level of the data to be transferred by the set of user equipments 150. In such embodiments, the first indication may be of the determined schedule of transfer of data.

In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing a location update.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1304 in the first node 111 depicted in Figure 13, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the first node 111. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the first node 111.

The first node 111 may further comprise a memory 1305 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1305 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first node 111.

In some embodiments, the first node 111 may receive information from, e.g., the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150 through a receiving port 1306. In some examples, the receiving port 1306 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the first node 111. In other embodiments, the first node 111 may receive information from another structure in the communications network 10 through the receiving port 1306. Since the receiving port 1306 may be in communication with the processor 1304, the receiving port 1306 may then send the received information to the processor 1304. The receiving port 1306 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1304 in the first node 111 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a sending port 1307, which may be in communication with the processor 1304, and the memory 1305.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the units 1301-1303 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1304, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Any of the units 1301-1303 described above may be the processor 1304 of the first node 111 , or an application running on such processor.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first node 111 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1308 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1304, cause the at least one processor 1304 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first node 111. The computer program 1308 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1309. The computer- readable storage medium 1309, having stored thereon the computer program 1308, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1304, cause the at least one processor 1304 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first node 111. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1309 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, or stored in the cloud space. In other embodiments, the computer program 1308 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1309, as described above.

The first node 111 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the first node 111 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150. In some particular examples, the interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the first node 111 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 13b. The first node 111 may comprise a processing circuitry 1304, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1304, in the first node 111 and the memory 1305. The first node 111 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1310, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1306 and the sending port 1307. The processing circuitry 1304 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to Figure 2, in a similar manner as that described in relation to Figure 13a. The radio circuitry 1310 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the first node 111 operative to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10, the first node 111 being operative to operate in the communications network 10. The first node 111 may comprise the processing circuitry 1304 and the memory 1305, said memory 1305 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1304, whereby the first node 111 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the first node 111 , e.g., in Figure 2.

Figure 14 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the second node 112 may comprise to perform the method actions described above in relation to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the second nodes 112 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 14a. The one or more second nodes 112 is configured to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10. The second node 112 is configured to operate in the communications network 10.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. In Figure 14, optional boxes are indicated by dashed lines. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the first node 111 , and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet- of-things devices.

The second node 112 is configured to, e.g. by means of a providing unit 1401 within the second node 112 configured to, provide, to the first node 111 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the first information on at least one of: i) the electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the source being configured to be one of the primary source and the secondary source, and ii) the type of the electricity source of the one or more radio network nodes 130, the type being configured to be one of green and non-green .

The second node 112 is also configured to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 1402 within the second node 112 configured to, obtain, from the first node 111 , and based on the first information configured to be provided, the first indication. The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 configured to operate in the communications network 10.

In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing a location update.

In some embodiments, the second node 112 may be configured to, e.g. by means of a determining unit 1403 within the second node 112 configured to, determine, based on the first indication configured to be obtained, the one or more timers for the set of user equipments 150. The one or more timers may be configured to comprise one of: a) the power saving mode timer, and b) the location update timer.

To determine the one or more timers may be configured to comprise ensuring that the one or more timers configured to be determined are synchronized with the schedule of transfer of data configured to be indicated. In some embodiments, the second node 112 may be configured to, e.g. by means of a sending unit 1404 within the second node 112 configured to, send the one or more second indications to at least one of: the set of user equipments 150 and the fifth node 115 configured to operate in the communications network 10. The one or more second indications may be configured to indicate at least one of: i) the one or more timers configured to be determined, and ii) the third indication for the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 or to the fifth node 115 to shutdown, or limit, communication in the one or more radio frequencies.

In some embodiments, the second node 112 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of the sending unit 1404 within the second node 112 configured to, send the one or more fourth indications to at least one of: the set of user equipments 150 and the fifth node 115 configured to operate in the communications network 10. The one or more fourth indications may be configured to indicate the update to the one or more timers.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1405 in the second node 112 depicted in Figure 14, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the second node 112. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the second node 112.

The second node 112 may further comprise a memory 1406 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1406 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the second node 112.

In some embodiments, the second node 112 may receive information from, e.g., the first node 111 , any of the other one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a receiving port

1407. In some examples, the receiving port 1407 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the second node 112. In other embodiments, the second node 112 may receive information from another structure in the communications network 10 through the receiving port 1407. Since the receiving port 1407 may be in communication with the processor 1405, the receiving port 1407 may then send the received information to the processor 1405. The receiving port 1407 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1405 in the second node 112 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 111 , any of the other one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a sending port 1408, which may be in communication with the processor 1405, and the memory 1406.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the units 1401-1404 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1405, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Any of the units 1401-1404 described above may be the processor 1405 of the second node 112, or an application running on such processor.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second node 112 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1409 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1405, cause the at least one processor 1405 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second node 112. The computer program 1409 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1410. The computer- readable storage medium 1410, having stored thereon the computer program 1409, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1405, cause the at least one processor 1405 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second node 112. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1410 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, or stored in the cloud space. In other embodiments, the computer program 1409 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1410, as described above.

The second node 112 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the second node 112 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150. In some particular examples, the interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the second node 112 may comprise the following

arrangement depicted in Figure 14b. The second node 112 may comprise a processing circuitry 1405, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1405, in the second node 112 and the memory 1406. The second node 112 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1411 , which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1407 and the sending port 1408. The processing circuitry 1405 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to Figure 3, in a similar manner as that described in relation to Figure 14a. The radio circuitry 1411 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first node 111 , the one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the second node 112 operative to handle resource consumption in a communications network 10, the second node 112 being operative to operate in the communications network 10. The second node 112 may comprise the processing circuitry 1405 and the memory 1406, said memory 1406 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1405, whereby the second node 112 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the second node 112, e.g., in Figure 3.

Figure 15 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the third node 113 may comprise to perform the method actions described above in relation to Figure 4. In some embodiments, the third node 113 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 15a. The third node 113 is configured to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10. The third node 113 is configured to operate in the communications network 10.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. In Figure 15, optional boxes are indicated by dashed lines. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the third node 113, and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet- of-things devices.

The third node 113 is configured to, e.g. by means of a providing unit 1501 within the third node 113 configured to, provide, to the first node 111 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the second information on at least one of: i) the cost of energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130 configured to operate in the communications network 10, and ii) the timing of energy outages in the energy supply to the one or more radio network nodes 130.

The third node 113 is also configured to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 1502 within the third node 113 configured to, obtain, from the first node 111 , and based on the second information configured to be provided, the first indication . The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 150 configured to operate in the communications network 10.

In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 150 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing the location update.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1503 in the third node 113 depicted in Figure 15, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the third node 113. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the third node 113.

The third node 113 may further comprise a memory 1504 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1504 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the third node 113.

In some embodiments, the third node 113 may receive information from, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, any of the other one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a receiving port 1505. In some examples, the receiving port 1505 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the third node 113. In other embodiments, the third node 113 may receive information from another structure in the communications network 10 through the receiving port 1505. Since the receiving port 1505 may be in communication with the processor 1503, the receiving port 1505 may then send the received information to the processor 1503. The receiving port 1505 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1503 in the third node 113 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, any of the other one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a sending port 1506, which may be in communication with the processor 1503, and the memory 1504.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the any of the units 1501-1502 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1503, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Any of the d units 1501-1502 described above may be the processor 1503 of the third node 113, or an application running on such processor.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the third node 113 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1507 product, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1503, cause the at least one processor 1503 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the third node 113. The computer program 1507 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1508. The computer- readable storage medium 1508, having stored thereon the computer program 1507, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1503, cause the at least one processor 1503 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the third node 113. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1508 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, or stored in the cloud space. In other embodiments, the computer program 1507 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1508, as described above.

The third node 113 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the third node 113 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, any of the other one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150. In some particular examples, the interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the third node 113 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 15b. The third node 113 may comprise a processing circuitry 1503, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1503, in the third node 113 and the memory 1504. The third node 113 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1509, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1505 and the sending port 1506. The processing circuitry 1503 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to Figure 4, in a similar manner as that described in relation to Figure 15a. The radio circuitry 1509 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, any of the other one or more third nodes 113, the one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 150.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the third node 113 operative to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10, the third node 113 being operative to operate in the communications network 10. The third node 113 may comprise the processing circuitry 1503 and the memory 1504, said memory 1504 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1503, whereby the third node 113 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the third node 113, e.g., in Figure 4.

Figure 16 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the fourth node 114 may comprise to perform the method actions described above in relation to Figure 5. In some embodiments, the fourth node 114 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 16a. The fourth node 114 is configured to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10. The fourth node 114 is configured to operate in the communications network 10. Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. In Figure 16, optional boxes are indicated by dashed lines. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the fourth node 114, and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the set of user equipments 160 may be non-critical massive internet- of-things devices.

The fourth node 114 is configured to, e.g. by means of a providing unit 1601 within the fourth node 114 configured to, provide, to the first node 111 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the third information on the expected timeframe of file transfers of the size above the threshold via one or more radio network nodes 130 configured to operate in the communications network 10.

The fourth node 114 is also configured to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 1602 within the fourth node 114 configured to, obtain, from the first node 111 , and based on the second information configured to be provided, the first indication . The first indication is of at least one of: i) the predictive model of the cost of energy used by the one or more radio network nodes 130, and ii) the schedule of transfer of data for the set of user equipments 160 configured to operate in the communications network 10.

In some embodiments, the first indication may be configured to comprise the instruction to the set of user equipments 160 to at least one of: a) enter the power saving mode during the period of time, and b) refrain from performing the location update.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1603 in the fourth node 114 depicted in Figure 16, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the fourth node 114. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the fourth node 114.

The fourth node 114 may further comprise a memory 1604 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1604 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the fourth node 114. In some embodiments, the fourth node 114 may receive information from, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, any of the other one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 160, through a receiving port 1605. In some examples, the receiving port 1605 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the fourth node 114. In other embodiments, the fourth node 114 may receive information from another structure in the communications network 10 through the receiving port 1605. Since the receiving port 1605 may be in communication with the processor 1603, the receiving port 1605 may then send the received information to the processor 1603. The receiving port 1605 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1603 in the fourth node 114 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, any of the other one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 160, through a sending port 1606, which may be in communication with the processor 1603, and the memory 1604.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the any of the units 1601-1602 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1603, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Any of the d units 1601-1602 described above may be the processor 1603 of the fourth node 114, or an application running on such processor.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the fourth node 114 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1607 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1603, cause the at least one processor 1603 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the fourth node 114. The computer program 1607 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1608. The computer- readable storage medium 1608, having stored thereon the computer program 1607, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1603, cause the at least one processor 1603 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the fourth node 114. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1608 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, or stored in the cloud space. In other embodiments, the computer program 1607 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1608, as described above.

The fourth node 114 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the fourth node 114 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, any of the other one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 160. In some particular examples, the interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the fourth node 114 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 16b. The fourth node 114 may comprise a processing circuitry 1603, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1603, in the fourth node 114 and the memory 1604. The fourth node 114 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1609, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1605 and the sending port 1606. The processing circuitry 1603 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to Figure 5, in a similar manner as that described in relation to Figure 16a. The radio circuitry 1609 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 113, any of the other one or more fourth nodes 114, the fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 130 and/or the set of user equipments 160.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the fourth node 114 operative to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10, the fourth node 114 being operative to operate in the communications network 10. The fourth node 114 may comprise the processing circuitry 1603 and the memory 1604, said memory 1604 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1603, whereby the fourth node 114 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the fourth node 114, e.g., in Figure 5.

Figure 17 depicts two different examples in panels a) and b), respectively, of the arrangement that the fifth node 115 may comprise to perform the method actions described above in relation to Figure 6. In some embodiments, the fifth node 115 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 17a. The fifth node 115 is for handling resource consumption in the communications network 10. The fifth node 115 is configured to operate in the communications network 10.

Several embodiments are comprised herein. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art how those components may be used in the other exemplary embodiments. In Figure 17, optional boxes are indicated by dashed lines. The detailed description of some of the following corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to the actions described for the fifth node 115, and will thus not be repeated here. For example, the set of user equipments 150 may be non-critical massive internet- of-things devices.

The fifth node 115 is configured to, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 1701 within the fifth node 115 configured to, obtain, from the second node 112 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the one or more second indications. The one or more second indications are configured to indicate at least one of: i) the one or more timers for the set of user equipments 150 configured to operate in the communications network 10, the one or more timers being configured to comprise one of: a) the power saving mode timer, and the location update timer, and ii) the third indication for the one of the one or more radio network nodes 130 or to the fifth node 115, to shutdown, or limit,

communication in one or more radio frequencies.

The fifth node 115 is also configured to, e.g. by means of a determining unit 1702 within the fifth node 115 configured to, determine, based on the one or more second indications configured to be obtained, whether or not at least one of: i) the one or more radio network nodes 130 configured to operate in the communications network 10 are to shutdown, or limit, communication in the one or more radio frequencies; and ii) the one or more timers are to be updated, based on one or more of the user equipments in the set of user equipments 150 being in power saving mode.

The fifth node 115 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a sending unit 1703 within the fifth node 115 configured to, send the one or more fifth indications to the one or more radio network nodes 130. The one or more fifth indications are configured to indicate the result of the determination.

In some embodiments, the fifth node 115 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of the obtaining unit 1701 within the fifth node 115 configured to, obtain the one or more fourth indications from the second node 112. The one or more fourth indications may be configured to indicate the update to the one or more timers.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 1704 in the fifth node 115 depicted in Figure 17, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the fifth node 115. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the fifth node 115.

The fifth node 115 may further comprise a memory 1705 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1705 is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the fifth node 115.

In some embodiments, the fifth node 115 may receive information from, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 117, the one or more fourth nodes 114, any other fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 170 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a receiving port 1706. In some examples, the receiving port 1706 may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the fifth node 115. In other embodiments, the fifth node 115 may receive information from another structure in the communications network 10 through the receiving port 1706. Since the receiving port 1706 may be in communication with the processor 1704, the receiving port 1706 may then send the received information to the processor 1704. The receiving port 1706 may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor 1704 in the fifth node 115 may be further configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 117, the one or more fourth nodes 114, any other fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 170 and/or the set of user equipments 150, through a sending port 1707, which may be in communication with the processor 1704, and the memory 1705.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any of the units 1701-1703 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1704, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Any of the units 1701-1703 described above may be the processor 1704 of the fifth node 115, or an application running on such processor.

Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described herein for the fifth node 115 may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program 1708 product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor 1704, cause the at least one processor 1704 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the fifth node 115. The computer program 1708 product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1709. The computer- readable storage medium 1709, having stored thereon the computer program 1708, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor 1704, cause the at least one processor 1704 to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the fifth node 115. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium 1709 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, or stored in the cloud space. In other embodiments, the computer program 1708 product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage medium 1709, as described above.

The fifth node 115 may comprise an interface unit to facilitate communications between the fifth node 115 and other nodes or devices, e.g., the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 117, the one or more fourth nodes 114, any other fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 170 and/or the set of user equipments 150. In some particular examples, the interface may, for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

In other embodiments, the fifth node 115 may comprise the following arrangement depicted in Figure 17b. The fifth node 115 may comprise a processing circuitry 1704, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor 1704, in the fifth node 115 and the memory 1705. The fifth node 115 may also comprise a radio circuitry 1710, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port 1706 and the sending port 1707. The processing circuitry 1704 may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to Figure 6, in a similar manner as that described in relation to Figure 17a. The radio circuitry 1710 may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the first node 111 , the one or more second nodes 112, the one or more third nodes 117, the one or more fourth nodes 114, any other fifth node 115, the one or more radio network nodes 170 and/or the set of user equipments 150.

Hence, embodiments herein also relate to the fifth node 115 operative to handle resource consumption in the communications network 10, the fifth node 115 being operative to operate in the communications network 10. The fifth node 115 may comprise the processing circuitry 1704 and the memory 1705, said memory 1705 containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry 1704, whereby the fifth node 115 is further operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the fifth node 115, e.g., in Figure 6.

When using the word "comprise" or“comprising”, it shall be interpreted as non limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

As used herein, the expression“at least one of:” followed by a list of alternatives separated by commas, and wherein the last alternative is preceded by the“and” term, may be understood to mean that only one of the list of alternatives may apply, more than one of the list of alternatives may apply or all of the list of alternatives may apply. This expression may be understood to be equivalent to the expression“at least one of:” followed by a list of alternatives separated by commas, and wherein the last alternative is preceded by the“or” term.

Any of the terms processor and circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

As used herein, the expression“in some embodiments” has been used to indicate that the features of the embodiment described may be combined with any other embodiment or example disclosed herein.

As used herein, the expression“in some examples” has been used to indicate that the features of the example described may be combined with any other embodiment or example disclosed herein.