Adjusted PLMN search in MICO mode

1 . A method, comprising:

activating, by a processor of a user equipment (UE), a Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) mode;

responsive to being in the MICO mode, performing, by the processor, adjusted periodic public land mobile network (PLMN) searches in the MICO mode, by adjusting a duration between two adjacent periodic PLMN searches or adjusting a frequency of one or more of the adjacent periodic PLMN searches, by postponing a periodic PLMN search; and

allowing a timer controlling the periodic PLMN searches to keep running.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postponing of the periodic PLMN search comprises:

allowing the timer to keep running; and

postponing the periodic PLMN search upon expiry of the timer when the MICO mode is activated.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a value of the timer is stored in the UE and has a default value of 60 minutes.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postponing of the periodic PLMN search comprises stopping the timer until the MICO mode is deactivated.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

deactivating, by the processor, the MICO mode; and

performing, by the processor, the periodic PLMN search responsive to the MICO mode being deactivated.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postponing of the periodic PLMN search comprises interpreting a value of the timer in a way that extends the duration between the two adjacent periodic PLMN searches when the MICO mode is activated.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the interpreting of the value of the timer comprises multiplying the value of the timer with a factor which is in units of hours.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the factor is preconfigured and stored in the UE.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the postponing of the periodic PLMN search comprises utilizing another timer, which is different than the timer, to control the periodic PLMN search when the MICO mode is activated.

10 . An apparatus implementable in a user equipment (UE), comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations comprising:

activating a Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) mode;

responsive to being in the MICO mode, performing adjusted periodic public land mobile network (PLMN) searches in the MICO mode, by adjusting a duration between two adjacent periodic PLMN searches or adjusting a frequency of one or more of the adjacent periodic PLMN searches, by postponing a periodic PLMN search; and

allowing a timer controlling the periodic PLMN searches to keep running.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein, in postponing the periodic PLMN search, the processor is configured to perform operations comprising:

postponing the periodic PLMN search upon expiry of the timer when the MIMO mode is activated.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform operations comprising:

deactivating, by the processor, the MICO mode; and

performing, by the processor, the periodic PLMN search responsive to the MICO mode being deactivated.

13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein, in postponing the periodic PLMN search, the processor is configured to stop the timer until the MICO mode is deactivated.

14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein, in postponing the periodic PLMN search, the processor is configured to interpret a value of the timer in a way that extends the duration between the two adjacent periodic PLMN searches when the MICO mode is activated.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein, in interpreting the value of the timer, the processor is configured to multiply the value of the timer with a factor which is in units of hours.