Abstract: To address the need for more resource efficient methods of providing service in multi-RAN communication systems (600), various embodiments are described for informing a cross-paging RAN that a targeted remote unit (601) is not accepting a service request, for informing a serving RAN that the targeted remote unit is accepting the service request, and for informing an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network (611) that the targeted remote unit is moving from the serving RAN to the cross-paging RAN (or simply moving to another RAN without being cross-paged). Thus, embodiments such as those described herein can enable multi-RAN communication systems to more quickly release unneeded resources, to reduce the amount of unnecessary paging, and to minimize cross-paging when an IMS core network is available to deliver voice over IP (VoIP) calls.

Abstract: A communication system provides for reporting a pilot channel of a second network when a mobile station is operating in a first network, wherein the second network implements a different air interface communication technology than the first network. While the mobile station is operating in the first network via radio frequency (RF) resources associated with the first network, the mobile station monitors a pilot channel associated with the second network and determines whether to report the monitored pilot channel based on one or more of an inter-system hard handoff add threshold and an inter-system hard handoff drop threshold. The inter-system hard handoff add and drop thresholds may be pre-programmed into the mobile station or may be provisioned to the mobile station by the first network.

Abstract: A method and system for balancing load in a multi-band cellular network (100) is disclosed. The method includes generating a candidate carrier list (208) at a communication device (108). The candidate carrier list comprises carriers from at least two bands in the multi-band cellular network. The method further includes selecting a band through a carrier selection from the candidate carrier list. A carrier is selected from carriers in the band. The communication device then connects to the carrier.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that minimizes access message collisions when multiple mobile stations attempt to access a network after updating configuration information and/or access parameters information via a same overhead message by providing for each such mobile station to determine whether, or when, to convey an access message based on a time period corresponding to a wait for the overhead message by the mobile station.

Abstract: A method of reducing access to communication system resources by a fraudulent Mobile Station (102). The Mobile Switching Center (104) sends a message to the Authentication Center (106) to invoke a first authentication procedure. The Authentication Center responds with a message including the results of the first procedure, and possibly, parameters for performance of an additional authentication procedure. Based on the contents of the message, the Mobile Switching Center decides whether to delay call setup until after the additional authentication procedure has completed successfully or whether to initiate call setup in parallel with the additional authentication procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing paging related delays between a mobile station and a base station is provided, which includes the use of a fractional slot cycle index. A first value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value less than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a determined proportion of a reduced slot cycle period, and a second value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value greater than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a remaining portion of the reduced slot cycle period.

Abstract: A method of reducing access to communication system resources by a fraudulent Mobile Station (102). The Mobile Switching Center (104) sends a message to the Authentication Center (106) to invoke a first authentication procedure. The Authentication Center responds with a message including the results of the first procedure, and possibly, parameters for performance of an additional authentication procedure. Based on the contents of the message, the Mobile Switching Center decides whether to delay call setup until after the additional authentication procedure has completed successfully or whether to initiate call setup in parallel with the additional authentication procedure.