Abstract: Shared network area (SNA) information is distributed using indicators that represent the SNA information. First SNA information for a first group of first network mobile subscribers is mapped to a first SNA indicator. Similarly, (SNA) information for a second group of second network mobile subscribers is mapped to the second SNA indicator. Those mappings are established in a core network node and sent to radio network nodes and used to determine from the SNA mappings the network access restrictions for a subscriber. The network access restriction information is not sent—only the indicator. The indicator is used to ensure that the cell selected to establish a call connection or for a handover is permitted based on the SNA information.

Abstract: Shared network area (SNA) information is distributed using indicators that represent the SNA information. First SNA information for a first group of first network mobile subscribers is mapped to a first SNA indicator. Similarly, second shared access network information for a second group of second network mobile subscribers is mapped to the second SNA indicator. Those mappings are established in a core network node and sent to radio network nodes and stored for future use. For example, when a call connection is set up (or soon thereafter) with one of the first network mobile subscribers, the core network node sends the first SNA indicator to the radio network node setting up the connection. That node uses the first indicator to determine from its stored SNA mappings the network access restrictions for this subscriber. The network access restriction information is not sent—only the indicator.