Patent ID: 9603004
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: H04W

Claim:
1. A method for determining a permanent identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cellular communication system comprising at least one core network element operably coupled to an access point, the method comprising, at an access point: serving a first cell, receiving an assignment of a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area that is different from a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area assigned to neighbouring cells; broadcasting a signal containing the assigned tracking area identifier, receiving a connection request from a wireless communication unit located within the first cell, wherein the connection request includes: a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit, forwarding the connection request message to a network node; receiving an instruction from the network node, in response to the network node receiving a requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit from an identified, most recently serving core network element, where the instruction is to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point, and sending, on receipt of said instruction, the connection request to the core network element supporting the access point.