Abstract: Common authentication and authorization (AA) between networks having disparate access technologies may enable a seamless user transition between the networks. A set of AA credentials from a user attempting to gain access to one of the networks may be received, and a subscriber database of another of the networks may be used to verify the set of AA credentials. A communication protocol common to the networks may be used. Additionally, the user may employ a single set of authentication and authorization (AA) credentials, usable over multiple communication protocol layers. Further, a user may perform a single authentication and authorization (AA) operation when roaming across two or more networks by gathering user's key material during an AA challenge and reply session at a data link layer. The gathered material may be used for an AA challenge at an upper network layer or another network as the user transitions between networks.

Abstract: A method of generating a unified billing statement common to at least two independent networks is described, where accounting records of a user are collected from at least two networks and a single billing statement encompassing the two networks is generated for the user based on the accounting records. The accounting records may include Call Data Records (CDRs) in a UMTS, Usage Data Records (UDRs) in a cdma2000 system and accounting records of a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example. The accounting records may include user attribute information common to each of the networks. This common user attribute information may be used to generate common billing records which are then used to generate the single, unified billing.

Abstract: Common authentication and authorization (AA) between networks having disparate access technologies may enable a seamless user transition between the networks. A set of AA credentials from a user attempting to gain access to one of the networks may be received, and a subscriber database of another of the networks may be used to verify the set of AA credentials. A communication protocol common to the networks may be used. Additionally, the user may employ a single set of authentication and authorization (AA) credentials, usable over multiple communication protocol layers. Further, a user may perform a single authentication and authorization (AA) operation when roaming across two or more networks by gathering user's key material during an AA challenge and reply session at a data link layer. The gathered material may be used for an AA challenge at an upper network layer or another network as the user transitions between networks.