RRC idle mode transition for non-terrestrial network cell

1 . A wireless terminal, comprising:

circuitry configured to:

derive a release connection time interval based on a start time of non-terrestrial network (NTN) discontinuous coverage;

perform a connection release to enter an RRC_IDLE state; and

execute, in the RRC_IDLE state, a modified cell search procedure if the connection release occurs within the release connection time interval, wherein during the modified cell search procedure, reselecting previously connected NTN cells is avoided.

2 . The wireless terminal of claim 1 , wherein the wireless terminal enters an RRC_IDLE state without receiving a release message from a core network node.

3 . The wireless terminal of claim 1 , wherein the release connection time interval is derived to prevent re-selection of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell by the wireless terminal for a specific amount of time.

4 . A core network node, comprising:

transmitting circuitry configured to:

derive a release connection time interval based on a start time of non-terrestrial network (NTN) discontinuous coverage;

perform a connection release to cause a wireless terminal to enter an RRC IDLE state; and

cause the wireless terminal to execute, in the RRC_IDLE state, a modified cell search procedure if the connection release occurs within the release connection time interval, wherein during the modified cell search procedure, reselecting previously connected NTN cells is avoided.

5 . The core network node of claim 4 , wherein the release connection time interval is derived to prevent re-selection of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell by the wireless terminal for a specific amount of time.

6 . A method by a wireless terminal, comprising:

deriving a release connection time interval based on a start time of non-terrestrial network (NTN) discontinuous coverage;

performing a connection release to enter an RRC_IDLE state without receiving a release message from a core network node; and

executing, in the RRC_IDLE state, a modified cell search procedure if the connection release occurs within the release connection time interval, wherein during the modified cell search procedure, reselecting previously connected NTN cells is avoided.