Patent ID: 6553219
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A method of authenticating a mobile terminal in a communications access network, wherein the mobile terminal subscribes to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and has a billing relationship therewith, the method comprising:allocating to the mobile terminal a unique International Mobile Identity (IMI); transmitting the IMI or a part thereof to an access network as part of an initial registration process for the mobile terminal with the network wherein the IMI or said part thereof identifies said ISP; receiving the IMI or said part thereof at the access network and using an ISP IP address database to map the IMI or said part thereof to the IP address of the ISP; transmitting an authentication request from the access network to the ISP over the Internet using the identified IP address as part of the initial registration process; and the ISP responding to the authentication request by transmitting an authorization response indicating that the access network may establish a radio link with the mobile terminal and that the ISP will accept charges so as to allow users, not subscribing to an access network but rather to the ISP, to attach to access network(s) without disrupting conventional access network registration procedures.