A method by a user equipment, UE, (50, 900) for attaching the UE to a mobile communications network, the method comprising: receiving (201, 405, 406) a list of network slice identities, wherein a network slice identity identifies a portion of the mobile communications network that serves as a logical network for a set of UE; receiving (405, 406) network slice capabilities tags associated with respective network slice identities, wherein a network slice capability tag relates to the functional capabilities of the associated portion of the mobile communications network; selecting (203, 407) a network slice based on one or more criteria, wherein the network slice is selected using an anchoring application running on the UE, the anchoring application is preloaded onto the UE, or loaded onto the UE by a user of the UE; sending (205, 408, 409) a network slice attachment request to a network node, for requesting attachment of the UE to the selected network slice of the mobile communications network; receiving, from the network node, a temporary UE identity obtained from a mobile virtual network operator, MVNO, and an authentication access point for use by the anchoring application running on the UE for performing initial authentication, presenting, to the user of the UE, an authentication procedure; sending, by the anchoring application running on the UE, an authentication request to the MVNO, the authentication request containing the temporary UE identity of the UE and security information input by the user; receiving, from the MVNO, a base network slice application anchoring point to the anchoring application running on the UE; and anchoring (418, 600, 603), by the anchoring application, the UE to a base network slice such that all traffic is then routed to and from the base network slice. receiving (201, 405, 406) a list of network slice identities, wherein a network slice identity identifies a portion of the mobile communications network that serves as a logical network for a set of UE; receiving (405, 406) network slice capabilities tags associated with respective network slice identities, wherein a network slice capability tag relates to the functional capabilities of the associated portion of the mobile communications network; selecting (203, 407) a network slice based on one or more criteria, wherein the network slice is selected using an anchoring application running on the UE, the anchoring application is preloaded onto the UE, or loaded onto the UE by a user of the UE; sending (205, 408, 409) a network slice attachment request to a network node, for requesting attachment of the UE to the selected network slice of the mobile communications network; receiving, from the network node, a temporary UE identity obtained from a mobile virtual network operator, MVNO, and an authentication access point for use by the anchoring application running on the UE for performing initial authentication, presenting, to the user of the UE, an authentication procedure; sending, by the anchoring application running on the UE, an authentication request to the MVNO, the authentication request containing the temporary UE identity of the UE and security information input by the user; receiving, from the MVNO, a base network slice application anchoring point to the anchoring application running on the UE; and anchoring (418, 600, 603), by the anchoring application, the UE to a base network slice such that all traffic is then routed to and from the base network slice.