Abstract: A system and method for enhanced support for handling of Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs) and sharing of Radio Access Network (RAN) for home base stations and other small cells. An enhanced System Information (SI) structure indicates multiple CSG IDs and CSG Indications, thereby making it possible to support different CSG IDs and CSG Indications for every Public Land Mobile Network Identity (PLMN-ID) and also to support a PLMN-ID with multiple associated CSG IDs and CSG Indications. The enhanced SI makes it possible to have different CSG IDs for different operators, to have multiple CSG IDs for one operator (i.e., a single PLMN), and to selectively use the CSG concept for some PLMNs (as given by their respective CSG Indications), but not for all. A network of base stations (e.g., a RAN) thus can be effectively shared by multiple operators, leading to better cellular coverage, peak rates, and capacity.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (WCD), network node, and methods for determining whether to steer traffic from a first access point to a second access point according to an access network selection policy. The WCD obtains at least one input parameter for use in an algorithm that is part of the access network selection policy, obtains a random value, and determines whether to steer traffic from the first access point to the second access point based at least in part on the at least one obtained input parameter and the obtained random value. The at least one input parameter may be determined by the network node and signaled to the WCD. The network node may signal an indication to the WCD to cause the WCD to apply a random value when determining whether to steer traffic in accordance with the access network selection policy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method at a first node in a first wireless network comprising a first mobility control function for a User Equipment, UE, connected to the first wireless network. The method includes the step of storing the identity of a second node in a second wireless network to which the UE is connected, the second node including a second mobility control function for the UE. When it is determined that the first mobility control function for the UE is transferring from the first node to a target node the identity of the target node and an indication that mobility control functionality for the UE is transferring from the first node to the target node, is transmitted to the second node or to the UE, or the identity of the second node and an indication that the second node includes the second mobility control function for the UE is transmitted to the target node or to the UE.

Abstract: A method and a radio node (RN) shared by operators of separate cellular networks having operator specific tracking area plans. The radio node (RN) broadcasts (1:1) system information with network identities of the cellular networks (PLMN IDs) and multiple operator specific tracking area codes (TACs) valid in respective tracking area plans of the cellular networks, each tracking area code being associated with a corresponding network identity in the system information. Thereby, the operators are enabled to use their own operator specific tracking area codes for their respective operator specific tracking areas that include a cell (100) covered by the radio node.

Abstract: A method that comprises maintaining, in a first node serving a mobile terminal over a connection protected by at least one first key, said first key and information about the key management capabilities of the mobile terminal. Upon relocation of the mobile terminal to a second node the method includes: if, and only if, said key management capabilities indicate an enhanced key management capability supported by the mobile terminal, modifying, by said first node, the first key, thereby creating a second key; sending, from the first node to the second node, the second key; and transmitting to the second node the information about the key management capabilities of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods, a wireless device, a radio access node and computer programs for improving wireless device mobility between a first radio access network arranged to operate according to a first radio access technology and a second radio access network arranged to operate according to a second radio access technology. In particular, the disclosure relates to handover preparation procedure to improve handover of a wireless device (20) connected to a first radio access network (11) arranged to operate according to a first radio access technology to a second radio access network (12) arranged to operate according to a second radio access technology. The handover preparation procedure includes the sending of a handover prepare message (S47) from an access node (30) of a first radio access network to a connected wireless device (20).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling whether a user equipment attached in idle mode to a first radio access technology should be served by a second radio access technology.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to user equipment (20) mobility between a first radio access network (11) arranged to operate according to a first radio access technology and a second radio access network (12) arranged to operate according to a second radio access technology. A user equipment (20) connected to the first radio access network (11) retrieves information associated with an anonymized temporary identifier assigned to the user equipment (20) by a radio access node (30) in the first radio access network (11), stores the information in the user equipment (20) and presents the temporary identifier to a radio access point (40) of the second radio access network, when seeking to connect.

Abstract: Bearer-based and mobile terminal-based mobility indicators are disclosed. These enable the core network to indicate radio-bearer-level or terminal-level mobility preferences for a mobile terminal to the RAN, enabling the RAN to take bearer-level or terminal-level mobility decisions. An example method is carried out in a core network node of a wireless communication system that includes a first radio access network, RAN, supporting a first radio access technology, RAT, and a second RAN supporting a second RAT. The example method includes signaling (720), to a node in the first RAN, a mobility indicator that indicates whether mobility with respect to a second RAT is allowed or disallowed for a particular radio bearer or for the entire context of a mobile terminal, or whether there is a preference for or against mobility to the second RAT. In some embodiments, the first RAT is a 3GPP RAT and the second RAT is Wi-Fi.

Abstract: In a method of enabling radio access network control of selection of radio access technology and traffic steering of radio bearers for user equipment in a heterogeneous wireless communication network, the network comprising at least one ANDSF policy server node with at least one associated user equipment and at least one radio access network node, performing the steps of exchanging at least core network information between the ANDSF policy server node and the at least one radio access network node over a provided communication interface, and controlling the selection of radio access technology and traffic steering of radio bearers for the at least one associated user equipment based on at least the exchanged core network information.

Abstract: In a method performed by a user equipment for controlling radio access network selection and traffic steering for the user equipment in a heterogeneous communication network, said communication network comprising at least said user equipment, at least one radio access network controller node and at least one ANDSF policy server node with which the user equipment is associated, wherein the method includes the steps of adaptively at least partly suspending or activating provided ANDSF policies to enable switching between radio access network control or ANDSF policy control of radio access network selection and traffic steering for the user equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a network node for selecting a gateway for a user equipment in a communications system. The communications system comprises the network node and one or more gateways, configured to provide packet data network connectivity to the user equipment. The network node detects (401) the presence of local gateways among said gateways and obtains (403) a first set of information indicating the type of the user equipment. Based on the first set of information, the network node selects (406) one of the detected local gateways to provide packet data network connectivity to the user equipment when the user equipment type is of a fixed type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for resolving radio resource conflicts occurring in radio networks supporting both local ad-hoc communication and cellular communication. The conflicts are resolved by informing the cellular network about radio resource management restrictions due to the local ad-hoc communication needs and resources that are reserved for local ad-hoc communications.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a terminal device in a first network that is operating according to a first radio access technology, RAT, the terminal device supporting and operating according to a network interworking feature that enables and controls interworking between the first network and a network operating according to a second RAT, the method comprising determining whether a first cell in the first network that is serving the terminal device supports the network interworking feature (1101); and modifying the operation of the terminal device with respect to the network interworking feature if it is determined that the first cell does not support the network interworking feature (1103).

Abstract: Methods, network entities (215a-216c), and user equipment (UE) (210a-210b) are described for use in a communication system (200) including a wireless local area network (WLAN) (204a-204b) and a telecommunications network including a radio access network (202a-202c) and a core network part. A network entity (215b) receives a WLAN access message from a UE (210a). The WLAN access message includes an indication of the UE status with the telecommunication network. The network entity (215b) detects the indication of UE status and determines from the indication whether to allow the UE access to the WLAN (204b). When the WLAN (204b) is integrated with the telecommunications network, the network entity (215b) sends a query to the telecommunication network (e.g. the RAN (202a-202c) or core network part) for a decision based on the UE status with the telecommunication network. The indication may include data representative of RAN or core network accessibility information (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein may provide for the updating, maintenance, and/or transference of a CSG White List that is stored on a user equipment. The CSG White List may be implemented to store information related to the access of CSG cells, such as, for example, femto cells. Additionally, methods and systems described herein may provide for the updating, maintenance, and/or transference of an access control database. The access control database may be stored in one or multiple devices in a communication system. The access control database may be implemented to store information regarding home nodes and which user equipment is allowed to access the femto cell or CSG cell provided by each home node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for resolving radio resource conflicts occurring in radio networks supporting both local ad-hoc communication and cellular communication. The conflicts are resolved by informing the cellular network about radio resource management restrictions due to the local ad-hoc communication needs and resources that are reserved for local ad-hoc communications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for operating a network entity in a communications network. The communications network includes a radio access network including a base station serving a user equipment, and a wireless network including wireless access points. A set of available wireless access points are selected from the wireless access points based on network information associated with radio access network resources, core network part resources, and/or wireless network resources. Wireless access point information associated with the characteristics of the set of available wireless access points is generated for use by the user equipment to access the available wireless access points. The network entity transmits the wireless access point information via base station to the user equipment. The wireless access point information may include rules or conditions for use by the user equipment in determining an available wireless access point to access.

Abstract: The present invention controls the association of a station to a wireless local area network, WLAN. In particular it enables an entity in a WLAN to control when a station requests association with the WLAN to reduce the number of requests that the entity has to process. The method involves an entity of the WLAN transmitting a message including a condition which has to be fulfilled before the station can transmit a request to associate with the WLAN.

Abstract: The invention relates to handover of a mobile station (12) from a source cell to a target cell when the identity of the target cell in a wireless communication network (10, 11) is ambiguous, a source base station (14) defining the source cell receives an event from the mobile station comprising a cell identifier, investigates if there are more cells in the neighborhood sharing the same cell identifier and sends a handover instruction to the mobile station comprising an identity ambiguity indicator if there are more cells sharing the same cell identifier. The mobile station autonomously initiates establishment of a connection to a target base station defining the target cell based on the identity ambiguity indicator in order to effect handover.