Patent ID: 8644824

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: at a user entity that is initially operating in a first of a plurality of tracking areas in a radio access network (RAN), subsequently determining that the user entity has moved into a first coverage area of a second tracking area in the RAN in which the user entity is not registered; determining that the second tracking area that is not included in a tracking area list (TAI list) of the user entity; and in response to determining that the second tracking area that is not included in the TAI list: (a) the user entity refraining from sending a registration message to register in the second tracking area until the earlier of: (i) a threshold period of time elapsing and (ii) the user entity moving into another coverage area in the second tracking area that is different from the first coverage area; and (b) the user entity subsequently sending the registration message to register in the second tracking area in response to the earlier of (i) the user entity determining that the user entity has remained in the first coverage area of the second tracking area for the threshold period of time and (ii) the user entity determining that the user entity has moved into a second coverage area in the second tracking area.