Abstract: Methods are provided to enable a roaming Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) customer to select from multiple PLMNs using a single standard SSID. The methods include addition of a Mobile Country Code (MCC) to the SSID; addition of an MCC and a series of Mobile Network Codes (MNC) to the SSID; and reverse Domain Name Server (DNS) lookup for the gateway IP address through the designated DNS server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing voice and date services in a femtocell wireless network. The proposed approach integrates IWLAN architecture into femtocell architecture by introducing a gateway to serve both IWLAN and femtocell users. The proposed approach handles the voice and data in a different way so that it enhances the data handling efficiency while re-using existing MSC investment. The proposed approach carries the data traffic from a femtocell base station to the gateway in native IP packet, instead of encapsulating them in 3G data, thus enhancing the efficiency and performance for the data traffic. The data traffic can then be sent to GGSN or directly to packet data network. The approach tunnels voice traffic to MSC through the gateway as in conventional Iu-CS approach.

Abstract: A proxy server (208) provides an anchor point for access network changes in a wireless environment. One example embodiment uses the concept of proxy server in order to preserve a uniform connectivity to a gateway service node while roaming across different networks through a handover mechanism. In one embodiment, the client connects to a proxy server through one access network (204), and the proxy server manages and keeps track of the user session toward the gateway service node. The client then connects to any packet service network, including Internet, through the proxy. When the client moves from one network to another, it indicates the change to the proxy and proxy, using a handover mechanism, switches the access network while maintaining the user session toward the gateway service node. The handover mechanism involved is efficient, with minimal messaging overhead, and preserves the application layer IP address of the client.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for integrating a WLAN radio access network into a GSM/GPRS core network wherein gateways are added that transparently transport services between the two networks. A further aspect of the invention is secure authentication The system has two network elements: a Radio Link Manager (RLM) and a Radio Access Controller (RAC), and a software application, a Multi-Link Client (MLC) to control the functionality of the integration and the authentication. The MLC resides on a user device. The RAC provides protocol stacks and interworking functions to allow the MLC to talk to a Home Location Register (HLR). The RLM and MLC set up a “tunnel” employing, for example, PPP over Ethernet (PPPOE), and all of the data packets received on this tunnel are forwarded by the RLM to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN over a further tunnel using the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP).

Abstract: A system and method for continuous voice calls when a user switches between packet data and circuit switched access networks. In one example embodiment, the present innovations include an interworking system that supports voice call continuity for a user that moves between IP-CAN and CS networks (e.g., PSTN or GSM). In one example embodiment, the present innovations comprise a voice call continuity application server (VCC-AS) that serves as an anchor point for a voice call (i.e., it is the node from which a handover is initiated) and controls and handles voice calls to and from the user equipment (UE) regardless of the access network.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for integrating a WLAN radio access network into a GSM/GPRS core network wherein gateways are added that transparently transport services between the two networks. A further aspect of the invention is secure authentication. The system has two network elements: a Radio Link Manager (RLM) and a Radio Access Controller (RAC), and a software application, a Multi-Link Client (MLC) to control the functionality of the integration and the authentication. The MLC resides on a user device. The RAC provides protocol stacks and interworking functions to allow the MLC to talk to a Home Location Register (HLR). The RLM and MLC set up a “tunnel” employing, for example, PPP over Ethernet (PPPOE), and all of the data packets received on this tunnel are forwarded by the RLM to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN over a further tunnel using the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP).

Abstract: A services gateway, which links client access by any technology to multiple service nodes, even if the client access technology is not directly compatible with the service node. The universal convergence border gateway (UCBG) utilizes the IP layer as a harmonizing layer to decouple standard services from their normally-associated access technologies. This is particularly advantageous with multifunction client devices because the best available wireless access technology can be used independently of the type of service being accessed. The UCBG uses a single encryption scheme to multiplex the traffic for various services with different characteristics into multiple data flows. The UCBG uses a single encryption scheme to converge the data flows to the client using a single control path without losing each traffic's characteristics such as QoS. The gateway also demultiplexes the converged traffic that it receives from the client in order for the data to reach the appropriate service node.

Abstract: A system and method using the concept of secondary PDP context defined in the 3GPP specification in order to preserve a uniform connectivity to a GGSN while roaming from different networks through a handover mechanism. The handover mechanism involved is efficient, with minimal messaging overhead, and preserves the IP address of the client. Thus the data connections do not suffer from interruptions. In one example embodiment, the present innovations establish a secondary PDP context through an alternate, non-GPRS access network in areas covered by both GPRS and a non-GPRS access technology (such as a WLAN). The GPRS access network uses a primary PDP context, which is maintained (though dormant) while the alternate access network and secondary PDP context are used.

Abstract: An authorization system and method for accessing networks. In one example class of embodiments, the APN (access point name) mechanism of GPRS/UMTS networks is extended to provide service authorization in an interworked WLAN. Example implementations include an external mapping function, and population of an existing authorization database of user profiles and APNs (such as a home location registry) with a global authorization indicator. The global authorization indicator is also preferably stored on a server or node that has authorization functions, which cross references with the user's subscriber profile to determine if WLAN authorization is proper. These innovations permit re-use of the subscriber profile database to perform WLAN authorization without requiring modifications to the 3GPP specifications of the nodes involved.

Abstract: A proxy server provides an anchor point for access network changes in a wireless environment. One example embodiment uses the concept of proxy server in order to preserve a uniform connectivity to a gateway service node while roaming across different networks through a handover mechanism. In one embodiment, the client connects to a proxy server through one access network, and the proxy server manages and keeps track of the user session toward the gateway service node. The client then connects to any packet service network, including Internet, through the proxy. When the client moves from one network to another, it indicates the change to the proxy and proxy, using a handover mechanism, switches the access network while maintaining the user session toward the gateway service node. The handover mechanism involved is efficient, with minimal messaging overhead, and preserves the application layer IP address of the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing SIM-based authentication and authorization in a WLAN Internet Service Provider (WISP) network supporting the universal access method (UAM) of authentication and authorization enabling roaming for customers of mobile service providers onto said networks. In addition, the invention provides a secure way of authenticating the customer's client device to the mobile service provider's network by employing temporary credentials for authentication that provide privacy of the user's identity and prevent replay attacks. Finally, if the WISP network supports the ‘pass-through’ facility, the authentication can be done more securely and quickly.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for integrating a WLAN radio access network into a GSM/GPRS core network wherein gateways are added that transparently transport services between the two networks. A further aspect of the invention is secure authentication. The system has two network elements: a Radio Link Manager (RLM) and a Radio Access Controller (RAC), and a software application, a Multi-Link Client (MLC) to control the functionality of the integration and the authentication. The MLC resides on a user device. The RAC provides protocol stacks and interworking functions to allow the MLC to talk to a Home Location Register (HLR). The RLM and MLC set up a “tunnel” employing, for example, PPP over Ethernet (PPPOE), and all of the data packets received on this tunnel are forwarded by the RLM to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN over a further tunnel using the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP).