Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a finite blockchain is provided. The blockchain comprises a genesis block that is the first block of the blockchain. The genesis block comprising a genesis expiry time. The method comprises the steps of creating a reincarnation block when a predefined condition is satisfied and appending it to the blockchain; determining whether the genesis expiry time has elapsed based on an expiry period; if the genesis expiry time has elapsed then identifying a first reincarnation block; if the first reincarnation block is identified then deleting all the blocks preceding the first reincarnation block including the genesis block in the block chain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a finite blockchain is provided. The blockchain comprises a genesis block that is the first block of the blockchain. The genesis block comprising a genesis expiry time. The method comprises the steps of creating a reincarnation block when a predefined condition is satisfied and appending it to the blockchain; determining whether the genesis expiry time has elapsed based on an expiry period; if the genesis expiry time has elapsed then identifying a first reincarnation block; if the first reincarnation block is identified then deleting all the blocks preceding the first reincarnation block including the genesis block in the block chain.

Abstract: A method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) (600), including a universal subscriber identity module USIM (625), for identifying a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell are disclosed. The WTRU (600) receives a broadcast from a cell including a cell identifier (ID). If the cell ID is associated with a CSG cell, the WTRU (600) determines whether the CSG ID is programmed in the USIM (625). The cell broadcast may include a single bit information element (IE) indicating that the cell is a CSG cell. If the cell ID is a CSG ID, the cell ID may further include a plurality of fields which indicate at least one of a country, a region, an operator, and a home evolved Node-B (HeNB) number. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating whether the CSG cell is public or private. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating that emergency calls are allowed from all users.

Abstract: A method and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) (600), including a universal subscriber identity module for identifying a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell are disclosed. The WTRU (600) receives a broadcast from a cell including a cell identifier (ID). If the cell ID is associated with a CSG cell, the WTRU (600) determines whether the CSG ID is programmed in the USIM (625). The cell broadcast may include a single bit information element (IE) indicating that the cell is a CSG cell. If the cell ID is a CSG ID, the cell ID may further include a plurality of fields which indicate at least one of a country, a region, an operator, and a home evolved Node-B (HeNB) number. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating whether the CSG cell is public or private. The cell broadcast may further include a bit indicating that emergency calls are allowed from all users.

Abstract: A method of charging a subscriber for using GPRS services provided by a mobile communications network. The method is based on including a flag in PDP activation or modification messages sent from a UE used by the subscriber to a GGSN of the network; the flag indicates whether the PDP context is to be used for signaling data or user data. The flag is examined within the network or at a node external to the network; if the flag indicates that the PDP context is to be used for carrying signaling data, a first charging regime is applied to the subscriber for establishing and using the context and, if the flag indicates that the PDP context is to be used for carrying user data, a different charging regime is applied to the subscriber for establishing and/or using the context.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprising an O&M (Operation and Maintenance) hierarchical layer structure comprising at least two O&M nodes in at least two hierarchical layers, where O&M actions may be initiated at said nodes. The system is arranged for generation of an O&M transaction identifier when an O&M action is initiated, and is transferred to all nodes in all management layers used for said O&M action, which is initiated inside an O&M session, allowing O&M actions and sessions to be tracked in the O&M hierarchical layer structure. The present invention also relates to a method for tracking O&M actions in an O&M hierarchical layer structure.

Abstract: A method of using accounting certificates to allow a subscriber of a home network to purchase services or products via a mobile communications network, the method comprising sending a request for an accounting certificate from a subscriber's mobile terminal to a certificate issuing node, upon receipt of the request at said node, sending an authorisation request from said node to an online charging system of the subscriber's home network, at the online charging system, making a decision on said request based upon the subscriber's account data, and returning either an accept or deny service request message to said node, in the event that an accept service request message is received by said node, sending the requested accounting certificate to the subscriber terminal, and sending the accounting certificate from the subscriber terminal to the provider of a product or service to be paid for.

Abstract: A method of charging a subscriber for using GPRS services provided by a mobile communications network. The method comprises including in PDP activation messages sent from a UE used by the subscriber to a GGSN of the network, a flag indicating whether the PDP context is to be used for signalling data or user data. This flag is examined within the network or at a node external to the network, and if the flag indicates that the PDP context is to be used for carrying signalling data, a first charging regime is applied to the subscriber for establishing and using the context, and if the flag indicates that the PDP context is to be used for carrying user data, a different charging regime is applied to the subscriber for establishing and for using the context. The flag may be distributed by the GGSN to other network nodes for inclusion in charging messages.