Method of and system for selecting a plmn for network sharing

Abstract

A method for selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) from a plurality of available PLMNs more particularly, one embodiment of the invention includes the steps of transmitting, via a mobile network, information related to the plurality of available PLMNs. The method further includes the step of receiving, at a mobile station, the information related to the plurality of available PLMNs, and responsive to the step of receiving, sending, to the mobile network, of a Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) signaling message including an identification data for selecting one PLMN from the plurality of available PLMNs. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

1 . A method for selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) from a plurality of available PLMNs, the method comprising: 
 utilizing a shared radio access network to allow access by a mobile station to a list of the plurality of PLMNs available to the mobile station through the shared radio access network;    transmitting, through the shared radio access network, information related to said plurality of available PLMNs;    receiving, at a mobile station, said information related to said plurality of available PLMNs;    selecting by the mobile station, one of the plurality of PLMNs available through the shared radio access network; and    responsive to said step of receiving, sending by the mobile station to said shared radio access network, of a Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) signaling message including an identification data for selecting one PLMN from said plurality of available PLMNs.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said information is transmitted to said mobile station through broadcast control channels (BCCH).  
   
   
       3 . The method if  claim 1 , wherein said information is transmitted to said mobile station directly through signaling.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shared radio access network comprises a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shared radio access network comprises a Universal Mobile Telephony Service (UMTS) network  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said NAS signaling message is a Location Updating Request message.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said NAS signaling message is an Attach Request message.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said NAS signaling message is Routing Area Update Request message.  
   
   
       9 . A mobile station adapted to select a public land mobile network (PLMN) from a plurality of available PLMNs comprising: 
 a wireless receiver for receiving from a shared radio access network a list of said plurality of available PLMNs, wherein the plurality of PLMNs are available to the wireless device through the shared radio access network;    means for selecting a PLMN from the plurality of PLMNs available through the shared radio access network; and    a transmitter for transmitting a Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) signaling message to the shared radio access network, said NAS signaling message including an identification data for selecting one PLMN from said plurality of available PLMNs.    
   
   
       10 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein said mobile station adapted to receive information about available PLMNs through broadcast control channels (BCCH).  
   
   
       11 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein said mobile station adapted to receive information about available PLMNs directly through signaling.  
   
   
       12 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , adapted to operate in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.  
   
   
       13 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , adapted to operate in wherein said shared radio access network comprises a Universal Mobile Telephony Service (UMTS) network  
   
   
       14 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein said NAS signaling message is a Location Updating Request message.  
   
   
       15 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein said NAS signaling message is an Attach Request message.  
   
   
       16 . The mobile station of  claim 9 , wherein said NAS signaling message is Routing Area Update Request message.  
   
   
       17 . A wireless telecommunication system, comprising: 
 a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMN);    at least one mobile station adapted to select a public land mobile network (PLMN) from the plurality of available PLMNs, at least one of said mobile stations further comprising (i) a wireless receiver for receiving from a shared radio access network a list of said plurality of available PLMNs, wherein the plurality of PLMNs are available to the wireless device through the shared radio access network, (ii) a means for selecting a PLMN from the plurality of PLMNs available through the shared radio access network; and (iii) a transmitter for transmitting a Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) signaling message to the shared radio access network, said NAS signaling message including an identification data for selecting one PLMN from said plurality of available PLMNs.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said mobile stations is adapted to receive information about available PLMNs through broadcast control channels (BCCH).  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , adapted to operate in a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17 , adapted to operate in a Universal Mobile Telephony Service (UMTS) network