A METHOD FOR MIGRATING A MOBILE STATION IDENTITY FROM A MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO AN INTERNATIONAL MOBILE STATION IDENTITY

摘要

In one aspect of the instant invention, a method is provided for controlling a communications system. The method comprises storing a 15-digit universal identifier in a mobile device in two locations ordinarily used to store a 15-digit MIN-based _IMSI and a 15-digit true IMSI. The universal identifier is comprised of a 10-digit Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and a 5-digit Home Network Identifier (HNI), which is comprised of a 3-digit Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a 2-digit Mobile Network Code (MNC). Generally, the communications system uses the universal identifier to control international roaming. However, the mobile device transmits only the 10-digit MIN in response to the mobile device being within a home network. To form the 15-digit universal identifier, the home network appends its HNI to the received MIN. When the mobile device is outside of its home network, the mobile device transmits the entire 15-digit universal identifier.