System and method for network selection in a communication system using a shared RAN
First Claim
1. Method for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes at least one terminal, at least one access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network, comprising the steps the access network broadcasts, to the terminal, a shared network domain, SND, code which indicates that at least two services or service providers are accessible via the access network, the broadcast SND code is changed only when there is a change in available services or service providers accessible via the access network, the terminal checks whether SND code changes, and, when detecting that SND code has changed, checks whether the terminal contains or has access to information regarding available services or service providers associated to the changed SND code, and the terminal or the access network or another network element selects an available service or service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method, system, terminal, and access network for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes at least one terminal, at least one access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network. The access network broadcasts, to the terminal, a shared network domain, SND, code which indicates that at least two services or service providers are accessible via the access network. The broadcast SND code is changed only when there is a change in available services or service providers accessible via the access network. The terminal checks, only when SND code changes, available services or service providers by accessing a memory storing a list of SND codes and associated services or service providers. The terminal or the access network or another network element selects a service or service provider available in the shared network.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Method for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes at least one terminal, at least one access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network, comprising the steps
the access network broadcasts, to the terminal, a shared network domain, SND, code which indicates that at least two services or service providers are accessible via the access network, the broadcast SND code is changed only when there is a change in available services or service providers accessible via the access network, the terminal checks whether SND code changes, and, when detecting that SND code has changed, checks whether the terminal contains or has access to information regarding available services or service providers associated to the changed SND code, and the terminal or the access network or another network element selects an available service or service provider.
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10. System for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes at least one terminal, at least one access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network, wherein
the access network is configured to broadcast, to the terminal, a shared network domain, SND, code which indicates that at least two services or service providers are accessible via the access network, the access network is configured to change the broadcast SND code only when there is a change in available services or service providers accessible via the access network, the terminal is configured to check whether the broadcast SND code changes, and, when detecting that the SND code has changed, to check whether the terminal contains or has access to information regarding available services or service providers associated to the SND code, and the terminal or the access network or another network element is configured to select an available service or service provider.
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18. Terminal for use in a system for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes the terminal, at least one access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network, wherein
the terminal is configured to check whether an SND code broadcast by the access network changes, and when detecting that the SND code has changed, to check whether the terminal contains or has access to information regarding available services or service providers associated to the changed SND code, and the terminal is configured to select, when detecting that it contains or has access to information regarding available services or service providers associated to the changed SND code, an available service or service provider associated to the changed SND code.
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22. Access network for use in a system for selecting a service or service provider in a shared network configuration which includes at least one terminal, the access network, and at least two alternatively selectable services or service providers accessible via the access network, wherein
the access network is configured to broadcast, to the terminal, a shared network domain, SND, code which indicates that at least two services or service providers are accessible via the access network, and the access network is configured to change the broadcast SND code only when there is a change in available services or service providers accessible via the access network.
Specification