METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND USING RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGY PREFERENCES IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

Methods and apparatuses exemplified in this disclosure provide mechanisms for a wireless communication device to indicate its Radio Access Technology (RAT) preferences to a wireless communication network, and for a wireless communication network to consider the RAT preferences of a given device when deciding which RAT the device will use. As a non-limiting example of the advantages flowing from these mechanisms, devices operating within a network that includes or is associated with multiple RATs can indicate their preferences for which RAT they use, while still allowing the network to retain control of the RAT selection decisions. Such flexibility offers significant advantages in 5G networks that provide tight integration between multiple RATS-e.g., between LTE and NR air interfaces. However, the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein are not limited to 5G networks.