Methods and apparatus for assisted emergency preparedness communication services (EPCS)

1 . An access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless network, the AP MLD comprising:

one or more APs; and

a processor coupled to the one or more APs, the processor configured to:

determine a need for assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service;

based on the determination that the assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service is needed, determine that at least one external AP device is available to provide the assistance for support of emergency communication priority access service;

transmit a request frame to the at least one external AP device to request assistance for support for emergency communication priority access services;

receive a response from the at least one external AP device;

based on the response from the at least one external AP device, provide, with the assistance from the at least one external AP device, support of emergency communication priority access service to a non-AP device associated with the AP MLD; and

transmit a request frame to the at least one external AP device to terminate assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service for the non-AP device associated with the AP MLD.

2 . The AP MLD of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive an advertisement from the at least one external AP device advertising a capability to provide support for emergency communication priority access service.

3 . The AP MLD of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:

determine that a plurality of external AP devices are available to provide the assistance for support of emergency communication priority access service; and

transmit the request frame to each of the plurality of external AP devices.

4 . The AP MLD of claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the request frame to each of the plurality of external AP devices sequentially.

5 . The AP MLD of claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to:

receive two or more response frames from two or more external AP devices from the plurality of external AP devices; and

rank the one or more external AP devices based on one or more predetermined criteria.

6 . The AP MLD of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to:

select from the two or more external AP devices an external AP device having the highest rank; and

based on the response from the external AP device having the highest rank, provide, with the assistance from the external AP device having the highest rank, support of emergency communication priority access service to the non-AP device associated with the AP device.

7 . An access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless network, the AP MLD comprising:

one or more APs; and

a processor coupled to the one or more APs, the processor configured to:

determine a need for assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service;

based on the determination that the assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service is needed, determine that at least one external AP device is available to provide the assistance for support of emergency communication priority access service;

transmit a request frame to the at least one external AP device to request assistance in performing emergency communication priority access service authorization for a non-AP device associated with the AP MLD for support for emergency communication priority access services;

receive a response from the at least one external AP device; and

based on the response from the at least one external AP device, provide, with the assistance from the at least one external AP device, support of emergency communication priority access service to a non-AP device associated with the AP MLD.

8 . The AP MLD of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to:

wait for a response from the at least one external AP device; and

after a pre-determined time and not receiving the response from the at least one external AP device, the processor is configured to transmit another request frame to the at least one external AP device to request assistance in performing emergency communication priority access service authorization.

9 . The AP MLD of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive unsolicited messages from a subscription service provider network (SSPN) interface via the at least one external AP device.

10 . The AP MLD of claim 1 , wherein the request frame includes an information indicating request for immediate support for emergency communication priority access service.

11 . The AP MLD of claim 1 , wherein the request frame includes an information indicating request for future support for emergency communication priority access service.

12 . An access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless network and coupled to a subscription service provider network (SSPN) interface, the AP MLD comprising:

one or more APs; and

a processor coupled to the one or more APs, the processor configured to:

advertise a capability to provide support for emergency communication priority access service;

receive a request frame from an external AP device requesting assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service for the external AP device;

determine to accept to provide support for emergency communication priority access service for the external AP device;

generate a response to accept to provide support for emergency communication priority access service for the external AP device;

transmit the response to the external AP device; and

receive a request frame from the external AP device requesting termination of assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service for a non-AP device associated with the external AP device.

13 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to determine to accept to provide support for emergency communication priority access service for the external AP device based on information included in the request frame.

14 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to receive a request frame from the external AP device requesting assistance in performing emergency communication priority access service authorization for a non-AP device associated with the external AP device.

15 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to:

receive one or more unsolicited messages from the SSPN interface; and

transmit the one or more unsolicited messages to the external AP device.

16 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the response includes an information field indicating an assistance duration.

17 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the AP MLD is a mobile device.

18 . The AP MLD of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to:

receive a request frame from a second external AP device requesting assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service;

determine to accept to provide support for emergency communication priority access service for the second external AP device;

generate a response to accept to provide support for emergency communication priority access service for the second external AP device; and

transmit the response to the second external AP device.

19 . The AP MLD of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to receive unsolicited messages from a subscription service provider network (SSPN) interface via the at least one external AP device.

20 . The AP MLD of claim 7 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit a request frame to the at least one external AP device to terminate assistance for support for emergency communication priority access service for the non-AP device associated with the AP MLD.