Indicating handover-persistent release preference

1 . A method for a user equipment (UE) configured with user credentials for first and second public land mobile networks (PLMNs), the method comprising:

while registered in the first and second PLMNs and in a connected state for the first PLMN, transmitting to a first network node in the first PLMN a first indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

initiating a timer upon transmitting the first indication;

subsequently performing a handover to a second network node in the first PLMN; and

performing one or more of the following:

stopping the timer; and

transmitting to the second network node in the first PLMN a second indication that the UE wants to enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN is one of the following: RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_IDLE with stored context.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving from the first network node in the first PLMN a first timer value in an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCResume message, wherein the timer is initiated to the first timer value.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first timer value is included in a series of nested information elements for a multiple subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) configuration.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first indication and the second indication is transmitted in a UEAssistanceInformation message.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising entering the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN in response to any of the following:

a message received from the second network node while the timer is running, wherein the message indicates that the UE should enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN; and

expiration of the timer.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a second timer value from the second network node while the timer is running; and

refraining from reinitiating the timer to the second timer value.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, based on determining that the second network node does not support indications that UEs want to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN, stopping the timer and refraining from entering the reduced-energy state.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining that the second network node does not support indications that UEs want to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN is based on one of the following:

a message received from the second network node during the handover; or

a message received from the second network in response to the second indication.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

performing the handover to the second network node comprises receiving a handover command from the second network node; and

transmitting the second indication is based on a period between transmitting the first indication and receiving the handover command being less than a threshold.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first indication indicates that it is an initial indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN; and

the second indication indicates that it is a subsequent indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN.

12 . A method for a first network node configured to operate in a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and to manage a user equipment (UE) configured with user credentials for the first PLMN and for a second PLMN, the method comprising:

while the UE is registered in the first and second PLMNs, and in a connected state for the first PLMN, receiving from the UE a first indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

sending to a second network node in the first PLMN a request to handover the UE to the second network node, wherein the request includes a second indication that the UE wants to enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

receiving from the second network node a confirmation of the handover request; and

sending to the UE a command to handover to the second network node.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN is one of the following: RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_IDLE with stored context.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising sending the UE a timer value in an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCResume message.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the timer value is included in a series of nested information elements for a multiple subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) configuration.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the first indication is received in a UEAssistanceInformation message.

17 . A user equipment (UE) configured with user credentials for first and second public land mobile networks (PLMNs), the UE comprising:

communication interface circuitry configured to communicate with network nodes in the first and second PLMNs; and

processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to:

while registered in the first and second PLMNs and in a connected state for the first PLMN, transmit to a first network node in the first PLMN a first indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

initiate a timer upon transmitting the first indication;

subsequently perform a handover to a second network node in the first PLMN; and

perform one or more of the following:

stopping the timer; and

transmitting to the second network node in the first PLMN a second indication that the UE wants to enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN.

18 . The UE of claim 17 , wherein:

the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to in response to the first indication, receive from the first network node a timer value in an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCResume message;

the timer value is included in a series of nested information elements for a multiple subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) configuration; and

the timer is initiated to the first timer value.

19 . A first network node configured to operate in a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and to manage a user equipment (UE) configured with user credentials for the first PLMN and for a second PLMN, the first network node comprising:

communication interface circuitry configured to communicate with the UE and with a second network node of the first PLMN; and

processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to:

while the UE is registered in the first PLMN and second PLMNs, and in a connected state for the first PLMN, receive from the UE a first indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

send to a second network node in the first PLMN a request to handover the UE to the second network node, wherein the request includes a second indication that the UE wants to enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN;

receive from the second network node a confirmation of the handover request; and

send to the UE a command to handover to the second network node.

20 . The first network node of claim 19 , wherein:

the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to, in response to the first indication, send the UE a timer value in an RRCReconfiguration message or an RRCResume message,; and

the timer value is included in a series of nested information elements for a multiple subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) configuration.