Patent ID: 7561692
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating a mobile terminal in a first wireless network, the first network comprising a plurality of traffic conveying entities capable of conveying traffic to/from said mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a request for authenticating said mobile terminal in said first wireless network, wherein said first wireless network is operative to provide services at a location where said mobile terminal is currently present; receiving said request at one base station out of a plurality of base stations associated with said first wireless network; and selecting an authentication access entity from among a plurality of authentication access entities associated with said first wireless network to be operative as a single authentication access entity for said mobile terminal, wherein said selected authentication access entity is operative to be in communication with said plurality of traffic conveying entities; exchanging communications between said selected authentication access entity and an authentication server in a home network of said mobile terminal to authenticate said mobile terminal; upon completion of authentication of said mobile terminal by the authentication server, allowing transmission and reception of communications by said mobile terminal via at least one of said plurality of traffic conveying entities and via at least one of said plurality of base stations, and using said selected single authentication access entity to authenticate said mobile terminal when traffic is conveyed to/from said mobile terminal operating within said first wireless network, via any other of said plurality of traffic conveying entities.