Patent ID: 6188898
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A cellular mobile communications network adapted to service mobile terminals having different operating protocols so as to provide roaming facilities for those terminals, the network including a plurality of multimode base stations each capable of being operated selectively via a base station controller in at least some of said different operating protocols, a home location register in which information relating to terminals registered with the network is stored, and a mobile switching centre providing access to a fixed network, wherein each base station controller has means for determining, from a request for service received from a mobile terminal currently within an area served by that base station controller the operating protocol requirement of that terminal so as to set up a call from that terminal to the network, wherein each base station controller has means for determining from the information stored in the home location register the operating protocol requirement of a terminal currently within the area served by that base station controller to which a call is to be placed so as to set up a call to that terminal from the network, and wherein the base station controller has means for downloading from a store associated with the base station controller a set of operating instructions for that protocol required by the terminal, and wherein the base station has selection means responsive to the determination by the base station controller of the operating protocol of a said mobile terminal for enabling a control means for that protocol so as to operate the base station in a mode consistent with that operating protocol.