In a Fifth Generation (5G) network having an enhanced SBA (eSBA) architecture, a message with a header used to signal binding information (e.g. HTTP custom header for 3gpp-Sbi-Binding) may be received at a recipient NF (service) instance in a direct communication or via a service communication proxy (SCP) in an indirect communication. A binding indication comprising an address of an NF (service) instance may be obtained from the header. One or more alternative binding indications comprising one or more alternative addresses of one or more alternative NF (service) instances may also be obtained from the header. The one or more alternative NF (service) instances may be equivalent NFs (services) of the same NF (Service) Set as the NF (service) instance. The address may be used for communication of messages to the NF (service) instance, and the one or more alternative addresses may be used for load balancing or backup failure.