Methods for session transfer between access networks for a user equipment

1. A method for session transfer between access networks for a User Equipment (UE), said method comprising insertion in a signaling path of a Visited Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (V-SCC-AS) anchoring said session in IMS, said method comprising:

a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) receiving an Invite message for an outgoing session from a UE roaming in a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (V-FLMN), wherein the P-CSCF comprises a first memory storing computer-readable instructions and at least one first processor configured to execute said computer-readable instructions;

said P-CSCF detecting that said UE is subject to insertion in a signaling path of a V-SCC-AS located in said V-PLMN, wherein the V-SCC-AS comprises a second memory storing computer-readable instructions and at least one second processor configured to execute said computer-readable instructions;

said P-CSCF forwarding said Invite message to said V-SCC-AS; and

said V-SCC-AS anchoring said session, and forwarding said Invite message to a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) in a Home Public Land Mobile Network (H-PLMN) of said UE.

2. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:

said P-CSCF adding said V-SCC-AS in a Route of said Invite message.

3. A method according to claim 1 , comprising, at IMS registration for said UE:

said P-CSCF routing a REGISTER request from said UE to said V-SCC-AS.

4. A method according to claim 1 , comprising, at IMS registration for said UE:

said P-CSCF adding said V-SCC-AS in a Route of a REGISTER request from said UE.

5. A method according to claim 1 ,

wherein said V-SCC AS allocates a Visited Session Transfer Number (V-STN) value, to be transferred to a Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving CPRS Support Node (SGSN).

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said V-SCC-AS is dedicated to Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC).

7. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:

said P-CSCF determining at registration of said UE, that said UE is to be subject to said V-SCC-AS insertion.

8. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:

said P-CSCF determining at IMS registration, that said UE is to be subject to said V-SCC-AS insertion, when following conditions are met: said P-CSCF is handling a mobile Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) capable UE, roaming conditions are detected by said P-CSCF, and local V-PLMN policies are satisfied.

9. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:

upon reception a REGISTER request at IMS registration of said UE, said V-SCC-AS adding itself in a Path sent to said S-CSCF.

10. A Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF), comprising a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute said computer-readable instructions to cause said P-CSCF to:

receive an Invite message for an outgoing session from a User Equipment (UE) roaming in a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (V-PLMN);

detect that said UE is subject to insertion in a signaling path of a Visited Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (V-SCC-AS) located in said V-PLMN; and

forward said Invite message to said V-SCC-AS.

11. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to:

add said V-SCC-AS in a Route of said Invite message.

12. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to, at IMS registration for said UE:

route a REGISTER request from said UE to said V-SCC-AS.

13. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to, at IMS registration for said UE:

add said V-SCC-AS in a Route of a REGISTER request from said UE.

14. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said V-SCC-AS is dedicated to Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC).

15. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to determine at IMS registration, that said UE is to be subject to said V-SCC-AS insertion.

16. A P-CSCF according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to determine at IMS registration, that said UE is to be subject to said V-SCC-AS insertion, when following conditions are met: said P-CSCF is handling a mobile Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) capable UE, roaming conditions are detected by said P-CSCF, and local V-PLMN policies are satisfied.

17. A Visited Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (V-SCC-AS) comprising a memory storing computer-readable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute said computer-readable instructions to cause said V-SCC-AS to:

receive, by said V-SCC-AS in a Visited Public Land Mobile Network (V-PLMN) of a User Equipment (UE), an Invite message for an outgoing session from said UE roaming in said V-PLMN; and

anchor said session, and forward said Invite message to a Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) in a Home Public Land Mobile Network (H-PLMN) of said UE.

18. A V-SCC-AS according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to

allocate a Visited Session Transfer Number (V-STN) value, to be transferred to a Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

19. A V-SCC-AS according to claim 17 , wherein said V-SCC-AS is dedicated to Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCCI).

20. A V-SCC-AS according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is configured to, upon reception a REGISTER request at IMS registration of said UE, adding the V-SCC-SC in a Path sent to said S-CSCF.