CONTROLLING THE USE OF ACCESS POINTS IN A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

A GSM or UMTS mobile telecommunications network is disclosed. In addition to the conventional radio access network comprising the base stations (3), one or more additional access points (20) are provided. An access point (20) is connected to the network core (12) by an IP transport broadband connection. The access point (20) is configured to appear to the mobile terminal 1 as a conventional base station - that is, it communicates with the mobile terminal using GSM or UMTS transport protocols and does not require any modification to a standard GSM or UMTS mobile terminal. Access Points are typically not under the direct control of the network provider, and so are more susceptible to security threats, such as illicit eavesdropping of user data. Arrangements are therefore disclosed which allow the network provider to verify that the access point a mobile terminal is about to commence communicating through is a legitimate and trusted base station and/or is at a particular location. By confirming the legitimacy of the base station to the mobile terminal before communication commences, and accordingly before sensitive information is transmitted to the network provider via the base station, enhanced network security can be achieved. Differential charging may be performed in dependence upon a subscriber's location.