Network Elements, Wireless Communication System and Methods Therefor

摘要

A radio access network element (101) obtains a permanent subscriber identity (IMSI) of a User Equipment (103) in an LTE wireless communication system (100) by sending a “fake” service reject message to a User Equipment which has attempted to attach to a cell (102) in a request for services message which includes its S-TMSI. The reject message may include a cause code which results in the UE attempting to attach again, this time using its IMSI. The fake service reject message may be generated in a an eNode B serving one or more macrocells or a evolved Home Node B serving a small cell.

主权项

1. A method for determining a permanent subscriber identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cell of a wireless communication system comprising a radio access network and a core network, the method including, at a network element serving said cell in the radio access network, receiving a request for services from a wireless communication unit wherein the request for services includes a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, in response to receiving said request for services, at the network element, generating and transmitting to the wireless communication unit a response message wherein the response message prompts the wireless communication unit to make a second request for services including its permanent subscriber identity, and at said network element, receiving said second request for services including the permanent identity of the wireless communication unit.