Abstract: According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method in a method in a network node for handling beacon signal transmission. The beacon signal transmission is for discovering devices for Device to Device, D2D, transmission. The network node is associated with a cellular communications network. The network node obtains (1401) information from a number of master devices within a specific area comprised in the cellular communications network. The respective information comprises information about location and capability of D2D transmission of the respective master devices. The network node then decides (1403) properties for beacon signal transmission from a first master device. The deciding is based on the obtained information, and the number of master devices within the specific area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a technique for maintaining communication established between a mobile node (20) and a home network (100) of the mobile node (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method wherein the network initiates a PDP context activation for a second PDP context using a new IP address that can be used for new transport sessions whenever one or more operator configured criteria apply. For example, the present invention can be used to: (1) route ongoing and new communication sessions from the old network device associated with the old IP address through a new network device associated with the new IP address using the old IP address; (2) route ongoing communication sessions from the old network device through the new network device using the old IP address, and new communication sessions directly through the new network device; or (3) route ongoing communication sessions from the old network device through the new network device without using the new IP address, and new communication sessions directly through the new network device.

Abstract: A telecommunications network adapted to process data packets according to the client mobile internet protocol domain is extended to provide bearer capability, such that subsessions can be used to distinguish one portion of traffic from another. A different Quality of Service (QoS) can be assigned to each bearer. The bearers can be setup by a mobile node or a home agent in the telecommunications network.

Abstract: The technology described in this application increases the reliability of mobile networks. A radio communications node broadcasts a primary radio network code that indicates that subscribed mobile user equipment terminals may obtain service from a primary PLMN operator. In certain circumstances, the node may receive an instruction to broadcast a standby radio network code during a standby mode of operation. During the standby mode of operation, second mobile user equipment terminals that are not subscribed may obtain radio communications service from the primary PLMN operator.

Abstract: Access control according to a policy defined for a plurality of electronic devices comprising a cellular modem and associated with the same user If an end user has two electronic devices, such as a fire alarm or an electricity meter, which both have a cellular modem and are allowed to operate in parallel under the same subscription, the end user can abuse this subscription by lending or selling one of the devices to another person. This abuse can be prevented by the present invention in that the network access is controlled according to a policy defined for the plurality of electronic devices operating under the same subscription. In particular, the policy defines a threshold distance between a primary electronic device and each additional electronic device belonging to said plurality of electronic devices operating under the same subscription which specifies the maximum distance from the primary electronic device which still allows to gain access to the network.

Abstract: A method of sending user plane data between a user device and a network entity within a packet core network via a radio access network. The method comprises 1) authenticating the user device to the network entity and establishing a Security Association between the user device and the network entity; 2) maintaining the user device in a connectionless state, such that no Security Association is established between the user device and the radio access network and no data bearer is set up between the user device and said packet core network; 3) with the user device in said connectionless state, sending uplink and downlink user plane data between the user device and said network entity by including the data within signalling messages on the Non Access Stratum.

Abstract: A method in a access control node for selecting of a local gateway co-located with or near a home node is provided. The access control node receives (201) a connectivity request from a user equipment. The user equipment requests a local or remote connection to the home node. The access control node obtains (202) an access point name of the home node. The access control node selects the local gateway co-located with or near the home node by the action of sending (203) a domain name system query to a home node gateway associated with the home node, by addressing a domain name system server. The query comprises a request for an IP address of the local gateway that is associated with the obtained access point name. The access control node selects the local gateway co-located with or near the home node by the further action of receiving (204) a response from the domain name system server. The response comprising the requested IP address of the local gateway.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of controlling packet data traffic of a packet service in a communication network 10, where in accordance with the packet service a communication with a terminal 12 involves a terminal serving entity 101 and a gateway entity 102. Furthermore, a decision entity 103 is provided for performing a decision procedure for deciding whether to process packet data traffic from the terminal 12 in the gateway entity 102 of the network 10, or to tunnel the traffic on to a home communication network 13 of the visiting terminal 12.

Abstract: The technology described in this application increases the reliability of mobile networks. A radio communications node broadcasts a primary radio network code that indicates that subscribed mobile user equipment terminals may obtain service from a primary PLMN operator. In certain circumstances, the node may receive an instruction to broadcast a standby radio network code during a standby mode of operation. During the standby mode of operation, second mobile user equipment terminals that are not subscribed may obtain radio communications service from the primary PLMN operator.

Abstract: A method, femto Base Station, and network service node for connecting a User Equipment UE, to local devices in a local network. The femtoBS includes a femtoBS part and a Packet Data Network Gateway, PDN-GW, part comprising a subset of PDN-GW functions. The UE sends a PDN connection request that includes a special Access Point Name, APN, which indicates the request ts for local IP access. The network service node, such as a Mobility Management Entity, MME1 includes a gateway selection mechanism that, based on the special APN1 selects the PDN GW part of the femtoBS device to serve the connection. A route optimization function in the femtoBS shortcuts the traffic between the femtoBS part and the PDN GW part, providing direct access to the local network. The UE may access the Internet through a residential gateway in the local network and a fixed access connection.

Abstract: A cellular radio communications system, method, mobile station, and base station for a smooth hard handover. Selected base stations prepare radio links for potential communication with a mobile station although only one radio link is actively used for transmission. A handover is then performed from the active radio link to one of the prepared radio links. The smooth hard handover is faster and more secure than a conventional hard handover, while requiring a less complex system architecture than a conventional soft handover.

Abstract: A cellular radio communications system, method, mobile station, and base station for a smooth hard handover. Selected base stations prepare radio links for potential communication with a mobile station although only one radio link is actively used for transmission. A handover is then performed from the active radio link to one of the prepared radio links. The smooth hard handover is faster and more secure than a conventional hard handover, while requiring a less complex system architecture than a conventional soft handover.

Abstract: A core network node (40) maintains history information configured to provide a log (L) of location information, and uses the history information to determine whether a wireless terminal (30) is in a location update toggling scenario. The history information can also be used to curtail the toggling scenario. One example mode comprises using the history information to determine whether the wireless terminal is toggling between plural radio access networks of differing radio access technologies. Another example mode comprises using the history information to determine whether the wireless terminal is toggling between a first area update location and a second area update location. Yet another example mode comprises using the history information to determine whether the wireless terminal is toggling between a first core network node and a second core network node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellular radio communications system and especially a method, a mobile station and a base station for a smooth hard handover. The smooth hard handover includes preparing radio links in selected base stations for potential communication with a mobile station. This is similar to selecting base stations for the active set in the prior art soft handover. A difference is though that just one radio link is actively used for transmission. The handover from the active to a prepared radio link is quick and safe, as compared to conventional hard handover, because of the preparation, while requiring a less complex system architecture then the conventional soft handover. The smooth hard handover can replace the soft handover.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a system and method reduce central database signalling. The system and method select a gateway in response to an event; determine whether to transmit a gateway identifier identifying the selected gateway to a central database; and indicate whether the gateway identifier has been transmitted to the central database.

Abstract: A technique for route optimization in a communication network is provided. A method implementation of this technique comprises the steps of providing a first data element containing information about first data session between a mobile terminal and a first gateway node and further containing mobility management information regarding the mobile terminal, wherein the first data element is associated with a first network address, providing a second data element containing information about a second data session between the mobile terminal and a second gateway node and further containing mobility management information regarding the mobile terminal, wherein the second data element is associated with a second network address, and switching an association of network traffic with the first data element to an association of network traffic with the second data element in order to optimize the flow of network traffic within the communication network.

Abstract: A method of allocating users to core network nodes of a cellular telecommunications System, where users access the core network via a radio access network and where the nodes of the core network are grouped into a plurality of local pool areas and the local pool areas are further grouped into one or more pool areas, and each local pool area corresponds to a geographic area covered by the access network. The method comprises allocating a user to a core network node of a local pool area corresponding to the geographic area within which the user is located, maintaining the core network node while the user moves within the local pool area, and, in the event that the user moves out of the local pool area but remains in the same pool area, maintaining said allocation at least temporarily.

Abstract: A method and network node for generating and applying policy rules in an IP network. A Policy Enforcement Function (PEF) is implemented in a node such as a Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN) routing packet flows to and from network users. An Application Function (AF) determines source and destination addressing information for a packet flow and sends the information to a Policy and Charging Decision Function in a Policy and Charging Control Function (PCRF) having access to service and mobility policies for network users. The PCRF generates policy rules based on the addressing information and the appropriate service and mobility policies. The PCRF sends the policies rules to the PEF for application to the traffic flow.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of controlling packet data traffic of a packet service in a communication network 10, where in accordance with the packet service a communication with a terminal 12 involves a terminal serving entity 101 and a gateway entity 102. Furthermore, a decision entity 103 is provided for performing a decision procedure for deciding whether to process packet data traffic from the terminal 12 in the gateway entity 102 of the network 10, or to tunnel the traffic on to a home communication network 13 of the visiting terminal 12.