The present document investigates possible enhancements of the Diameter base protocol (IETF RFC 6733) and existing Diameter applications to support load control mechanisms in 3GPP core networks. This work is based on the related work done in the IETF Diameter Maintenance and Extensions (DiME) working group. The Diameter overload control work and specifications done in IETF (e.g. IETF RFC 7068 and IETF RFC 7683) and 3GPP will be taken into account. This study covers:

• the identification of the set of requirements for load information exchange over Diameter based signalling interfaces used in 3GPP core networks, compared to those already expressed in IETF RFC 7068 and any other requirements specified by the DiME working group;
• the evaluation of the IETF solution for load information exchange and applicability to 3GPP;
• possible enhancements specific to 3GPP;
• the identification of the 3GPP interfaces as possible candidates for the support of the load information exchange.

The results of this study will contribute to and rely on the work done within the IETF DiME working group on Diameter load control. Objective is to use the solution(s) that will be defined for Diameter load control by IETF DiME for 3GPP Diameter based networks and to avoid 3GPP specific enhancements. Depending on this study outputs, normative work may be required to support load control mechanisms over Diameter-based 3GPP interfaces and applications.