Method and apparatus for controlling inter-PLMN handover to CSG cell

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling inter-PLMN handover based on CSG lists of equivalent PLMNs is provided. A method for receiving subscriber information of a terminal at a Mobility Management Entity (MME) includes transmitting an update location request message for the terminal to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and receiving an update location acknowledgement message with the subscriber information of the terminal from the HSS, wherein the update location request message comprises a list of equivalent Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) among which the MME supports inter-PLMN handover of the terminal. The method and apparatus for controlling inter-plan handover to a CSG cell according to the present invention is characterized in that a control apparatus of a core network acquires the allowed CSG lists for determining a User Equipments (UEs) capability of access to a CSG cell and determines whether to permit inter-PLMN handover based on the allowed CSG lists.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Apr. 5, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0031360, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling inter-Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) handover to a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling inter-PLMN handover based on CSG lists of equivalent PLMNs.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]A Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) is a limited set of users permitted to access a specific cell (i.e., a CSG cell assigned a CSG ID). In other words, only those users included in the CSG list are permitted to access the specific cell. For example, when a femtocell is deployed for use in a specific l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problem and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an access control method and apparatus that is capable of preventing a handover decision from being made to an inappropriate network or the handover from being blocked.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, if the procedure depicted in FIG. 2 is executed in the network configured as shown in FIG. 1, a problem is caused in that the UE 21 completes the handover and then loses network connection.

That is, the procedure shown in FIG. 4 that is executed in the network configuration of FIG. 3 causes a problem in that the UE fails to perform a handover to the best cell available, resulting in a potential failure of the communication.