Abstract: A wireless communication device (WCD) transmits to a first serving system a data-connection request that requests a packet data connection. A mobility management entity (MME) determines that an authentication procedure for authenticating the WCD for the requested packet data connection is unavailable. In response, the MME initiates a handover of the WCD from the first serving system to a second serving system. The first and second serving systems use different air interface protocols. When the handover has been successfully completed, the MME stores an indication that the WCD has been diverted to the second serving system. The MME may subsequently determine that the authentication procedure has become available. In response, the MME determines whether the WCD is associated with a valid subscriber profile. If so, the MME requests the second serving system to invite the WCD to connect to the first serving system.

Abstract: A gateway may respond to a data-connection request, relating to a request to establish a packet data connection for a requesting wireless communication device (WCD), based on a request rate determined from the number of other data-connection requests that the gateway has received during a particular period of time. If the request rate is below a first threshold, the gateway may initiate an authentication process to authenticate the requesting WCD and either accept or reject the data-connection request based on whether the authentication process is successful or unsuccessful. If the request rate is greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold, the gateway may accept the data-connection request without initiating the authentication process. If the request rate is greater than the second threshold, the gateway may reject the data-connection request without initiating the authentication process.