Telecommunications networks and devices

Abstract

A GSM, UMTS or LTE mobile telecommunications network includes a radio access network comprising base stations, and further includes one or more additional access points. An access point may be connected to the network core by an IP transport broadband connection. The access point is configured to appear to the mobile terminal as a base station. Arrangements are disclosed which allow the network to restrict access to the network via these access points whilst also minimizing signaling requirements. The access points may be excluded from traditional Tracking Areas, but associated therewith by a network controller in a mapping in order to notify authorized mobile terminals of the Access Point's existence.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This application relates to a telecommunications network including a radio access network for wirelessly transmitting between a mobile telecommunications device and a base station. This application also relates to a method and arrangement for controlling communication access of a mobile device to one or more base stations, and further relates to a system and method for reducing paging in a mobile telecommunications network and in particular to a system and method for reducing the paging of a mobile terminal with the mobile is camped on an access point / femto-cell.BACKGROUND[0002]When a calling party (whether a subscriber within the mobile telecommunications network or outside it) attempts to call a mobile terminal within the network, that mobile terminal must be paged. Paging is a process of broadcasting a message which alerts a specific mobile terminal to take some action, such as to notify the terminal that there is an incoming call to be received.[0003]The arc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0038]The Access Indicator Field can be used by the mobile terminal to determine if it is authorised to use the Access Point without the need for the mobile terminal signalling an intent to use the AP and determining its authorisation status from the core network. The system described herein therefore reduces the use of signalling resources.

Problems solved by technology

Since these access points are not conventional base stations, however, additional challenges arise.

However, the capacity of such ADSL backhauls are limited, and not under the control of the telecommunications network provider, so there needs to be restrictions put in place on which user terminals (UEs) are able to access each AP in order to maintain an acceptable degree of service quality.

A problem that arises because of the need of such access restrictions is that UEs will be split into those which are authorised to access each AP and those which are not authorised to.

These access rejections are a waste of signalling resources.

This is particularly a problem where an AP exists in an area of high traffic or high penetration of APs, as there is likely to be an unacceptable level of access attempts by UEs, many of which will result in unnecessary signalling.

A further problem faced by mobile communication networks is how to handle paging through APs.

The load of the paging channels in any given cell is proportional to the number of cells in the location area, so when numerous APs are added to the network, the network load naturally increases.

However, if this load becomes too high, the LA would need to be split or cells re-parented into another LA.

Mobile terminal traffic will therefore create a considerable paging load on the femto-layer.

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