Patent ID: 7245918
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for use in a shared network mobile communications system including a first network associated with a first operator and a second network associated with a second operator, comprising: generating first mapping information associating one or more first sets of location areas in a first shared network area (SNA) with a first SNA identifier so that each first set of location areas has its own corresponding first SNA identifier; generating second mapping information associating one or more second sets of location areas in a second shared network area (SNA) with a second SNA identifier so that each second set of location areas has its own corresponding second SNA identifier; generating third mapping information that associates one or more of the first SNA identifiers with a first SNA indicator, where the first SNA indicator includes substantially less information than one or more of the first SNA identifiers; generating fourth mapping information that associates one or more of the second SNA identifiers with a second SNA indicator, where the second SNA indicator includes substantially less information than one or more of the second SNA identifiers; sending a message from a core network node to a first radio network node including the first, second, third, and fourth mapping information; for a call connection associated with a mobile subscriber of the first network, sending a handover request message that includes the first SNA indicator, where the handover request is to an SNA coverage area where the first network and second network operators compete; and using the first SNA indicator to restrict handover of the call connection to the competing SNA coverage area to a cell in a location area controlled by the first network operator and prevent handover of the call connection to a cell in a location area controlled by the first network operator.