Methods and apparatuses for sharing a radio node

摘要

A method and a radio node (RN) shared by operators of separate cellular networks having operator specific tracking area plans. The radio node (RN) broadcasts (1:1) system information with network identities of the cellular networks (PLMN IDs) and multiple operator specific tracking area codes (TACs) valid in respective tracking area plans of the cellular networks, each tracking area code being associated with a corresponding network identity in the system information. Thereby, the operators are enabled to use their own operator specific tracking area codes for their respective operator specific tracking areas that include a cell (100) covered by the radio node.

主权项

1. A method in a radio node (RN) shared by operators of separate cellular networks having operator-specific tracking area plans, the method comprising:
broadcasting system information that comprises network identities of said cellular networks and multiple operator-specific tracking area codes valid in respective tracking area plans in said cellular networks, each tracking area code being associated with a corresponding network identity in said system information, thereby enabling said operators to use operator-specific tracking area codes for operator-specific tracking areas that include a cell covered by said radio node; receiving a message from a mobile terminal; reading a network identity of a preferred cellular network in the received message; determining an operator-specific tracking area code associated with the read network identity; establishing a session for the terminal with a core network corresponding to the read network identity; and sending the operator-specific tracking area code to said core network.