A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to provide a network controlled radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment mechanism. The method, apparatus and computer program product receive a registration request originating with user equipment in a communication network. The method, apparatus and computer program product then construct a registration accept message. The registration accept message includes an Access Stratum Connection Establishment NSSAI (Network Slice Selection assistance information) Inclusion Mode parameter. The method, apparatus and computer program product then transmit the registration accept message to the user equipment.