Abstract: A system comprises a subscriber station and a network, the network comprising an access service network and connectivity service network. In an improved communication method an access service network a quality of service profile for a subscriber is received by an anchor gateway of the subscriber. On the basis of the quality of service profile, a first set of transmission control parameters for the subscriber is determined. The anchor gateway applies the first set of transmission control parameters to user data packets addressed to the subscriber.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to the optimization of handovers and ranging in a wireless network. According to an example embodiment, an information request may be received, which may include a handover information request, such as a ranging request for handover. Resources for handover information requests may be allocated or applied at a higher priority level than at least some non-handover information requests. Further, a mobile station may perform ranging with a base station, wherein a first value of a retransmission timer at the mobile station is used for non-handover ranging, and a second value of the retransmission timer that is less than the first value is used for handover ranging. Further, a ranging request message including a ranging purpose indication indicating a ranging purpose may be received. Resources for processing the ranging request message may be allocated at a priority level based on the ranging purpose indication.

Abstract: The invention allows providing a fixed access point for a terminal device. One of multiple access points is assigned to serve as a fixed access point for a terminal device based on a received identifier of the terminal device. A notification about the assignment of the fixed access point is transmitted to at least one of the terminal device and a gateway node serving the terminal device. As a result, Mobile IP based handover between GPRS and WLAN will be seamless. Furthermore, the invention allows using a dedicated gateway for infected terminals to provide quarantined access to network services.

Abstract: Session continuity is supported by placing suitable functionality in a communications device and a communications system. In a communications device, a first interface is provided for transmitting data via an access network. A virtual interface corresponding to the first interface also is provided. Communications via the access network take place using the first interface and sending data between the first interface and the virtual interface. In a communications network, it is detected that a communications device is establishing communications via an access network. A network address used earlier by the communications device is determined, and the network address is retained when the communications device communicates via the access network.

Abstract: In the described system, one or more base stations transmit a signal to a mobile station. The signal is transmitted using polarisation diversity, whereby the signal is transmitted in one direction using two signal beams, each signal beam being differently polarised. A method of beam-hoping may be employed whereby the polarisation of the transmitted beams during hand off is varied according to predefined sequence. The sequence may be determined according to the data loading within the respective transmission cells. Also disclosed is a method of soft or softer hand off within a wireless communication system where the total number of signal beams transmitted from two base stations to a single mobile station during hand off is kept constant.

Abstract: A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.

Abstract: A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for providing location information regarding mobile terminals, especially regarding WLAN terminals. In order that the known mechanism for locating users of a mobile cellular network could be utilized for locating WLAN terminals, a location service request concerning a WLAN terminal is received and routed by the same network elements that receive and route location service requests concerning users of a mobile cellular network. However, in the case of a WLAN terminal the location service request is diverted to a predetermined network element, where the access point currently serving the WLAN terminal is identified. The location information corresponding to the said access point is then determined, and the location information is returned as the location of the terminal. The location of the serving WLAN access point thus represents the location of the WLAN terminal.

Abstract: A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.