Abstract: An apparatus for managing contention in a communications system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor. The programming may include instructions to receive a ranging code from a device in a ranging channel, the ranging code corresponding to a current ranging attempt. The programming may further include instructions to broadcast a message acknowledging reception of the ranging code. The programming may further include instructions to receive a ranging request message from the device, the ranging request message comprising a ranging retries parameter that specifies a number of ranging retries that the device performed during the current ranging attempt.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing contention in a communications system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor. The programming may include instructions to receive a ranging code from a device in a ranging channel, the ranging code corresponding to a current ranging attempt. The programming may further include instructions to broadcast a message acknowledging reception of the ranging code. The programming may further include instructions to receive a ranging request message from the device, the ranging request message comprising a ranging retries parameter that specifies a number of ranging retries that the device performed during the current ranging attempt.

Abstract: A system and method for local operations in a communications system are provided. A method for device operations includes identifying, at a communications controller of a communications system, identification information in a packet received from a machine-to-machine device, and determining if the packet is to be processed locally according to the identification information. The method further includes routing the packet to a local destination if the packet is to be processed locally, and routing the packet to a remote destination if the packet is not to be processed locally.

Abstract: A method and system for notifying a target mobile station, which is temporarily out of communication with a network device over a primary connection, are provided. By way of example, one method includes receiving a notification from the network device over the primary connection. The notification indicates that data is available for the target mobile station. The notification is transmitted to the target mobile station over a secondary connection. The notification requests or instructs the target mobile station to establish communication with the network device over the primary connection in order to receive the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reporting events in a machine-to-machine environment are provided. Upon detection of an event, a determination is made whether to report the event with or without a delay. If the event is to be reported with a delay, then reporting is delayed for a period of time. If an event notification is received prior to the expiration of the delay period, then the reporting of the event may be canceled as event has already been reported by another element. If not, then another determination is made whether to report the event with or without another delay. This process continues until either the event has been reported or an event notification corresponding to the event has been received from another element.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing contention in a communications system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the processor. The programming may include instructions to receive a ranging code from a device in a ranging channel, the ranging code corresponding to a current ranging attempt. The programming may further include instructions to broadcast a message acknowledging reception of the ranging code. The programming may further include instructions to receive a ranging request message from the device, the ranging request message comprising a ranging retries parameter that specifies a number of ranging retries that the device performed during the current ranging attempt.

Abstract: A method and system for notifying a target mobile station, which is temporarily out of communication with a network device over a primary connection, are provided. By way of example, one method includes receiving a notification from the network device over the primary connection. The notification indicates that data is available for the target mobile station. The notification is transmitted to the target mobile station over a secondary connection. The notification requests or instructs the target mobile station to establish communication with the network device over the primary connection in order to receive the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reporting events in a machine-to-machine environment are provided. Upon detection of an event, a determination is made whether to report the event with or without a delay. If the event is to be reported with a delay, then reporting is delayed for a period of time. If an event notification is received prior to the expiration of the delay period, then the reporting of the event may be canceled as event has already been reported by another element. If not, then another determination is made whether to report the event with or without another delay. This process continues until either the event has been reported or an event notification corresponding to the event has been received from another element.

Abstract: A system and method for local operations in a communications system are provided. A method for device operations includes identifying, at a communications controller of a communications system, identification information in a packet received from a machine-to-machine device, and determining if the packet is to be processed locally according to the identification information. The method further includes routing the packet to a local destination if the packet is to be processed locally, and routing the packet to a remote destination if the packet is not to be processed locally.

Abstract: System and method for providing wireless communications is provided. Communications are established between a mobile station and a base station, and the mobile station is provided a list of network providers that can be accessed via the base station. The list of network providers may include identifiers of the available network service providers or both identifiers and names of the available network service providers, and may be provided as a result of a broadcast message or in response to a request. The mobile station may further request the realm of a visited network service provider in order to properly decorate an EAP authentication information request. By transmitting a properly decorated EAP authentication request, the mobile station can determine the type of authentication to be performed and provide it to the visited network service provider.