Patent ID: 11882491
Assignee: SPRINT SPECTRUM LP
Field: Digital communication (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H | IPC H

Claim 7:
8. A method for dynamically controlling connectivity of a user equipment device (UE), the method comprising:
when the UE has standalone connectivity with a first access node under a first radio access technology (RAT), (a) detecting by the UE that the UE is within threshold strong coverage of a second access node under a second RAT and (b) responsive to the detecting, making a selection by the UE between (i) engaging in inter-RAT handover from the first access node to the second access node and (ii) having inter-RAT dual connectivity with the first access node and the second access node; and
causing by the UE the first access node to take action in accordance with the UE's selection,
wherein, while the UE has standalone connectivity with the first access node, the UE is registered with a first core network rather than with a second core network, wherein having the inter-RAT dual connectivity will maintain the UE being registered with the first core network rather than with the second core network, and wherein engaging in the inter-RAT handover will result in the UE being registered with the second core network rather than with the first core network, and
wherein making the selection by the UE is based on slice support of the second core network.