Abstract: A communication system is described in which a mobile device is able to transfer from a home base station operating in a hybrid or closed, CSG, access modes to a target home base station operating in a hybrid or CSG access mode. A novel handover procedure is described in which the core network is informed of the access mode of the target home base station using a path switch request in the handover procedure.

Abstract: An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include communicating a message for a group of one or more user equipment (UE) from a machine type communication-interworking function (MTC-IWF) to a packet data network gateway (PGW), wherein the message includes a group identity (ID) associated with the group of one or more UE; communicating the message from the PGW to one or more serving gateways (SGWs); and communicating the message from each of the one or more SGWs to each of the one or more UE of the group of the one via a tunnel for each of the one or more UE.

Abstract: An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include configuring paging parameters for a group of one or more user equipment (UE) based, at least in part, on a group identifier (ID) for the group of one or more UE; communicating the paging parameters to each of the one or more UE of the group; and paging one or more idle mode UE of the group according to the paging parameters to transition the idle mode UE to a connected mode for receiving a group message. In some instances, configuring the paging parameters can include configuring a paging frame and paging occasion for the group of one or more UE based on the group ID; configuring extended paging cycle radio frames for the group of one or more UE; and/or configuring a paging group Radio Network Temporary Identifier for the group of one or more UE.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which mobile telephones that are members of closed subscriber groups associated with home base stations are able to roam between neighbouring home node base stations in a manner that reduces load on the core network.

Abstract: A communication apparatus which communicates with a base station, the communication apparatus includes a receiving circuit configured to receive a message from the base station, wherein the message includes at least information identifying if the base station is a hybrid access mode base station; and a transmission circuit configured to transmit a parameter which identifies a user equipment to the base station when the base station is the hybrid access mode base station.

Abstract: A method performed by a home base station, the method includes registering with a gateway device, sending the gateway device data identifying whether or not the home base station includes an open access mode or a closed access mode home base station, receiving a request from a mobile communications device, transmitting a registration request for the mobile communications device to the gateway device, and receiving a registration accept message from the gateway device if registration of the mobile communication device is accepted.

Abstract: A home base station registration request message includes data identifying whether or not the home base station comprises an open access mode or a closed access mode home base station.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which a NATed IP address of a home base station is communicated to the home base station by a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity. In one embodiment, the gateway or the mobility management entity receives the NATed IP address from a security gateway that is used to establish a secure tunnel with the home base station through an IP network.

Abstract: A communication system is presented in which a base station operates a each of a plurality of cells using a respective component carrier. When the base station decides to configure a mobile telephone to use additional cells of the plurality of cells, a access control procedure is initiated to determine for each cell whether the configuration should be allowed.

Abstract: A method performed by a home base station, the method includes registering with a gateway device, sending the gateway device data identifying whether or not the home base station includes an open access mode or a closed access mode home base station, receiving a request from a mobile communications device, transmitting a registration request for the mobile communications device to the gateway device, and receiving a registration accept message from the gateway device if registration of the mobile communication device is accepted.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which a mobile device is able to transfer from a home base station operating in a hybrid or closed, CSG, access modes to a target home base station operating in a hybrid or CSG access mode. A novel handover procedure is described in which the core network is informed of the access mode of the target home base station using a path switch request in the handover procedure.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which a handover procedure is provided to allow a mobile device to transfer from a home base station connected to a core network via a home base station gateway to another base station not coupled via the home base station gateway. A novel extension to the handover procedure is provided in which the home base station gateway is informed of the transfer of the mobile device, allowing context and resources assigned to the mobile device at the base station gateway to be released.

Abstract: A mobile communications system is described in which a mobile communications device can register with a Macro RAN base station or with a home base station when in range of the home base station. The home base station may be an open access mode, a closed access mode or a hybrid access mode home base station. The home base station sends a gateway device information about its access mode so that unnecessary access control is avoided. This information may be signalled to the gateway device by the presence or absence of an optional element of a registration request or by the presence or absence of entries within a mandatory element within the registration request.

Abstract: A user communications device having active and idle states operates in a cellular communications network in which user communications devices communicate via network communications devices of cells of the network. History data identifying the cells in which the user communications device has camped whilst in the idle mode or identifying the cells in which the mobile device has been connected whilst in the connected mode is maintained. This history data can be used to identify a home base station.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which mobile telephones that are members of closed subscriber groups associated with home base stations are able to roam between neighbouring home node base stations in a manner that reduces load on the core network.

Abstract: A mobile communications system is described in which a mobile communications device can register with a Macro RAN base station or with a home base station when in range of the home base station. The home base station may be an open access mode, a closed access mode or a hybrid access mode home base station. The home base station sends a gateway device information about its access mode so that unnecessary access control is avoided. This information may be signalled to the gateway device by the presence or absence of an optional element of a registration request or by the presence or absence of entries within a mandatory element within the registration request.