Authenticating a mobile station that communicates through a local premises wireless gateway

Abstract

To authenticate a mobile station that is able to access packet-switched services in a packet-switched services network, an intermediate server receives a registration request from a local premises wireless gateway on behalf of the mobile station. In response to the registration request, the intermediate server performs an authentication procedure with an authentication infrastructure in a circuit-switched network, where the authentication infrastructure contains authentication information relating to the mobile station to enable authentication of the mobile station.

1 . A method of operating a local premises wireless gateway to enable a circuit-switched network to route communications for a mobile station through the packet-switched services network to the mobile station when an authentication procedure is performed with an authentication infrastructure in the circuit-switched network, the method comprising:
 sending a registration request on behalf of the mobile station to an intermediate server to cause the intermediate server to perform an authentication procedure with the authentication infrastructure in the circuit-switched network, wherein the authentication infrastructure contains authentication information relating to the mobile station to enable authentication of the mobile station;   receiving, from the intermediate server, an acknowledgment of the authentication of the mobile station; and   in response to the authentication of the mobile station, enabling the mobile station to access packet-switched services in the packet-switched services network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising communicating with the intermediate server over a Ut interface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tunnelling the registration request through the packet-switched services network to the intermediate server.