A user equipment (UE) can include processing circuitry configured to decode system information including access barring parameters for one or more access categories for accessing a cell of a next generation Node-B (gNB). A network access attempt is detected by a control plane layer of the UE that is higher than a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. The processing circuitry map s, using a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer of the control plane, the network access attempt to at least one access category of a plurality of available access categories based on mapping rules. The processing circuitry performs an access barring check procedure for the mapped at least one access category based on the access barring parameters. Upon determining that access to the cell is not barred, a NAS message is encoded for transmission to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), e.g. an Attach Request message to perform an attach procedure.