Telecommunications network for two telecommunications systems

DEPUTY NAME

Telefonaktiebolaget L Anders Håkan Persson, SE, Ghisler, Upplands Väsby SE

Aros Patent AB

Procedure and arrangement of telecommunication systems

PROMISED PUBLICATIONS: - - SUMMARY:

The present invention relates to a system comprising at least two telecommunication systems intended to extend the range of at least two service networks (GSM1, GSM2) having the same specified signal standards, a first telecommunication system (TS1) and a second telecommunication system (TS2). A radio unit (GUI) located in an access network (ACC2) to the second system (TS2) is registered as belonging to a service network (GSM1) in the first system (TS1) a so-called home network, and wherein the access network (ACC2) in the second system ( TS2) is connected to the home network (GSM1) via a first port (P1 1), and signal carriers are established in the second access network between the radio unit (GUI) and the first port (P1 1).

<img file="SE517603C2_D0001.tif" />

The numbers in parentheses indicate international identification code, INID code. Letter in parentheses indicates international document code.

<td colspan="4">FPRV Patents uses the following document codes for their patents</td><td rowspan="2"></td>

<td>code</td><td>plain text</td><td>code</td><td>plain text</td>

<td>A</td><td>publicly available patent application</td><td>L</td><td>publicly available</td><td></td>

<td>B</td><td>spelling *</td><td>TI</td><td>translation of the requirements of the European patent application</td><td></td>

<td>B5</td><td>corrected spelling *</td><td>T2</td><td colspan="2">correction of the translation of the requirements of the European patent application</td>

<td>C</td><td>patent *</td><td>T3</td><td>translation of European patent specification</td><td></td>

<td>Cl</td><td>patent *</td><td>T4</td><td>translation of European patent specification in amended version</td><td></td>

<td>C2</td><td>patent specification</td><td>T5</td><td>corrected translation of European patent specification</td><td></td>

<td>C3</td><td>corrected patent specification</td><td>T8</td><td>corrected translation of European patent specification</td><td></td>

<td>C5</td><td>corrected patent specification *</td><td>T9</td><td>corrected translation of European patent specification</td><td></td>

<td>C8</td><td>corrected front page to patent specification</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>E</td><td>patent specification in amended wording</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>E8</td><td>corrected front page to patent specification in amended wording</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>^E’</td><td>corrected patent specification in amended wording</td><td colspan="2">* published under older legislation</td><td> )</td>

AtionMation codes

<img file="SE517603C2_D0002.tif" />

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TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for increasing the area of ​​telecommunication networks, so-called service networks.

BACKGROUND

The increased need for mobility in telecommunication systems requires that telephone networks cover larger geographical areas. A natural solution to increase the geographical area of ​​a telephone network is to expand the network. The expansion is optimized to fit the specified network standards. European patent application 0 602 857 discloses another solution for expanding the area of ​​a telephone network. The application illustrates how services in a fixed telephone network can be accessed transparently from a mobile device located in a mobile telephone network. According to this publication, all outgoing calls from the mobile are first routed or routed to a program unit in the fixed telephone network. The call is then treated as if it had been connected from the program unit and access is given to the services in the fixed network. Another solution is disclosed in International Patent Application WO 94/13112, which illustrates a method of providing radio-based access to a terrestrial telecommunication system. The previously mentioned applications teach solutions for extending a telephone network that has a specified signal standard, to cover a larger geographical area. If the solutions illustrated in these publications would_t , 25 applied to extend the coverage of several networks that have between each other · / 'different specified standards, the total cost of vaije * would. network owners be out of reach. The US patent specification. US 5,303,286 discloses a telecommunication system which includes PCN ... systems (Personal Communications Network) which have been integrated with a

J, 30 cellular network. The PCN system is part of the cellular network and when the PCN •, the system is heavily loaded, certain frequencies in the cellular network can be allocated. : ·. to users in the PCN system. The telecommunications system includes&gt;

. ':', also a terrestrial power supply capable of transmitting signals from PCN517 603

<img file="SE517603C2_D0003.tif" />

the user to the PCN system via the cellular network, so that the user of the PCN system feels present in the PCN network even though the cellular network is used in the radio access. The two systems can be accessed from the cellular network. A common radio unit is used for access to both 5 systems. The solution proposed in the US patent specification is complicated and fails to provide system flexibility and also requires a standard radio interface that has been specially adapted for the two systems included. Adding additional service networks that have other types of specified signaling standards would require additional an10 adjustments, in addition to those already made, and make the solution even more complicated. The problem of expanding the geographical coverage areas of several telecommunications networks that have different specified standards among themselves comes from the costs that will be necessary for the network owners when expanding each individual network. Efforts to optimize telecommunications networks, so-called service networks, have long been a mental obstacle to using a common telecommunications network for several telecommunications networks that have different specified standards. A specified network standard is defined as the signaling protocol used by the network for communication within said network, i.e.

The "language" that signaling nodes within the network use to communicate with each other. Another problem associated with expanding the geographical coverage of a network is the requirement for a common interface to the subscribers of the common network. A subscriber in the common network can belong to both a terrestrial service network and a radio-based service network. This problem is solved by the Swedish patent application SE 9501497 by connecting the service networks to a: common radio-based universal network. The universal network includes a ·: ··· access network part and a transport network part. First, a transparent ·; ··; signaling connection, a so-called signal carrier, through the access network between a radio unit in said access network and the service network to which the radio unit belongs, the so-called radio unit home network. This enables communication between the radio unit and the home network to be achieved with the same specified signaling standards as those used within the home network.

517 603 :::·.· ..· ..· ·..· ·..· .:. :

The radio unit comprises an access part which, via a radio connection to the access network, handles the establishment of the transparent connection to the home network through the access network. The radio unit also includes a service part which can transmit and receive the desired signaling messages via the transparent connection. In this regard, the service part receives and transmits signals with the same specified signaling standards as the standard used in the home network. Thus, first, a signal carrier is established through the access network, between the access part of the radio unit and the home network of said unit. Messages can then be transported transparently through the access network, via the signal carrier between the service part and the home network. When signaling between the radio unit and the home network, a transparent data carrier can be established on request, according to the Swedish application, through the previously mentioned transport network. Data can then be transmitted between the service part and the home unit of the radio unit at the same transmission rate or rate as that used in the home network. Audio data (speech) and video data are examples of data information that have different transmission rates in different service networks.

SUMMATION

It is known to establish a signal carrier through an access network, in order to enable a radio unit which is in the access network and which is registered as a home subscriber in one of the service networks, the so-called home network, to communicate with the home network by means of the specified signal25 the standards for said home network. A problem can occur when different countries each provide their own access networks and when radio units are moved: between the networks. The described problem is solved according to the invention by providing diagonal connections between access networks and service networks belonging to other access networks and by enabling calls originating from,^:3 * 0 a mobile radio device that has been roamed to be connected to either. * ·: The home service network or to the service network belonging to the access network.

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An object of the invention is to provide a user of a radio unit with the possibility of selecting either a home network or a service network other than the home network, for outgoing calls.

An important advantage provided by the invention comes from the improvement in mobility and flexibility achieved with respect to subscribers belonging to different service networks.

Another advantage provided by the invention comes from the low cost, which becomes necessary by the improvement for increasing mobility and flexibility, in comparison with costs which become necessary in the expansion of each service network itself.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an access network connected to a plurality of service networks.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the principles of an OSI model for signaling according to signaling system no. 7.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the telecommunication system, in which signal and data bearers have been marked.

Fig. 4 is an overview of the access network connected to two service networks which: ': have different specified standards.

: Fig. 5 illustrates signaling in a method for registering a "": radio unit belonging to a GSM network and located in the access network.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the signaling procedure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 illustrates the signaling performed when a call connection is established * ·. '' Up to another radio device belonging to a PSTN network and located in the '·' access network.

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Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the signaling procedure shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an overview of two access networks which are connected diagonally to service networks according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a telecommunication system TS, which includes a universal mobile telephone network UMTS. The universal mobile telephone network UMTS 10 includes an access network ACC and a transport network TRN. Both the ACC access network and the TRN transport network are shown by common symbols in Fig. 1. The TRN transport network will be explained in more detail later. The access network ACC includes a number of base stations BS1 and BS2, each of which covers a geographical area with radio signals, a so-called cell Cl resp. C2. Fig. 1 shows only some of the base stations BS1, BS2 which are located in the access network ACC.

The base stations BS1 and BS2 are connected to a radio control unit RNC2. The radio controller RNC2 distributes signals to and from the connected base stations BS1, BS2. The telecommunication system TS in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of service networks VOD, GSM, PSTN and INTERNET. A service network VOD, which is a video network (Video on Demand), is used e.g. by a video rental agency to transport signals from a video film to the person renting the film, i.e. to the said person's TV equipment TE, for a fee. A service network GSM is a mobile telephone network that is used to transport e.g. of voice signals to and from the mobile telephone equipment ME by a subscriber in the mobile telephone network. A service network PSTN is a public switched telephone network used to transport voice signals to a permanent: connected telephone unit PE for a subscriber in the public telephone network. A '' service network INTERNET is used to transport electronic mail to and * 'from the CE computer equipment for a user of the postal network. A specified network standard is defined by the signaling protocol used by the network at&gt; *&gt;

; / communication within said network, ie the "language" that the signaling nodes use within the network to communicate with each other. Examples of protocols are MAP and BSSAP, both of which are used in the mobile telephone network

517 603

GSM. The signaling protocols are well described in the specified standards of resp. web.

<img file="SE517603C2_D0004.tif" />

Vaije service network VOD, GSM, PSTN and INTERNET in the telecommunication5 system TS is connected to the access network ACC via at least one input port

Ol, P1, P2, P3, P4, Q1, R1. According to the illustrated embodiment, the radio control unit RNC2 in the access network ACC is connected to at least one of the input ports Ol, P1, Q1, R1 to each service network. The telecommunication system TS includes radio units TU, GU, PU and CU, which are located within the radio coverage area of ​​the access network ACC. Each of the radio units TU, GU, PU, ​​CU can establish a connection with each of the base stations BS1, BS2 in the access network ACC. Signal transport between one of the radio units and a selected service network takes place via so-called signal carriers. A signal carrier moves data transparently between two signaling nodes. Example 15 of different signaling nodes in the access network ACC are the input ports O1, P1, P2,

P3, P4, Q1, R1, the radio control unit RNC2, the base stations BS1, BS2 and the radio units TU, GU, PU, ​​CU.

A first signal carrier SC1 has been marked in Fig. 1 with a dashed line between an input port P2, which is connected to a service network of the GSM type, and the radio control unit RNC2. A second signal carrier SC2 has been marked in Fig. 1 with a dashed line between the radio control unit RNC2 and a portable radio unit GU, via the base station BS2. The signal carriers SC1 and SC2 will be described in more detail later. The radio units TU, GU, PU and CU include an access part and a service part. The access part belongs to the access network ACC and handles the: signaling required to establish the second signal carrier SC2 between: the radio unit GU and the radio control unit RNC2 in the access network ACC. The *: ·: radio-based part of the second signal carrier SC2 in the illustrated '· "' embodiment comprises a CDMA-based radio interface. This interface&gt;&gt; ». '30 will be described in more detail later. The service part belongs to one of the service networks VOD, GSM, PSTN or INTERNET and receives and transmits * · .. · signals according to the specified standards for the service network, via the

517 603

<td> 5</td><td>established the signal carriers SC1 and SC2. The radio unit's access part and service part will be described in more detail later. Thus, at least one signal carrier is established through the access network, between the radio unit and the home network of said unit. A message is then transported transparently over the signal carrier through the access network between the service part and the home network of the radio unit.</td>

<td> 10</td><td>Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the construction of a signal carrier. Fig. 2 illustrates a signal transport system of the type CCITT signaling system no. 7. Signaling according to system no. 7, so-called C7 signaling, is known in the art and is well described in CCITT Blue book Volume VI, recommendation</td>

<td> 15</td><td>Q.700. A brief description of the principles of C7 signaling is given below. The signal carrier includes a transport mechanism MTP which transports a message reliably between two specified signaling nodes. The message is "unpacked" in an origin node. The message is then transported on a physical link from the source node to a destination node, in which the message</td>

<td> 20</td><td>"Unpacked". This unpacking, transport and unpacking of the message is performed using the transport mechanism MTP, which will be described in more detail later. The transport mechanism MTP is part of a C7 signal transport system and is represented by a so-called OSI model, which is a standard model for network communication. The entire OSI model is shown schematically</td>

<td> 25</td><td>in Fig. 2a and will be found to comprise a total of seven layers L7-L1. The three lowest layers L3, L2, L1 correspond to the message transport part MTP, mentioned above, and are explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 2b. The top four layers L7,</td>

<td> • »</td><td>L6, L5 and L4 correspond to the specified signaling standard for a service network. The previously mentioned radio units TU, PU, ​​RLL and CU are</td>

<td>» : 'S0 * 1 &gt; » t</td><td>examples of devices that generate messages according to the standards of a service network. The deeper a layer is placed in the OSI model, the more generally the layer can be used by a number of different service networks that have different specified standards. On the other hand, the higher a layer is placed in the OSI model, the more said layer is adapted specifically for a particular service network. MAP</td>

517 603

<img file="SE517603C2_D0005.tif" />

(Mobile Application Part) and BSSAP (Base Station System Application Part), both of which are intended for GSM, are examples of protocols belonging to the top layer L7. Telephone User Parts TUP (Telephone User Part) which generates messages for PSTN and which belong to the top two layers L6 and L7 are other examples of user protocols. The figure shows a further example of protocols belonging to the top layers, e.g. ISUP (Integrated Services Digital Network User Part) which generates messages intended for ISDN.

Fig. 2b shows the transport mechanism MTP, here represented by the three lowest layers L1, L2 and L3 in the OSI model. A DATA message is generated according to the specified signaling standard by a service network. The message DATA, which can be a MAP-type message, is delivered from an overlying layer, marked with&gt; = 4 in the figure, to the third layer L3. The third layer L3 is a network layer, which distributes and directs the message DATA to the correct signaling node. The message DATA is placed in the third layer together with an origin address OPC and a destination address DPC, among others. The contents of the third layer L3 are delivered to the second layer L2. The second layer L2 is responsible for reliably transporting the contents from the third layer. The contents of the third layer are placed in the second layer together with the checksum CK and error correction bits Corr, among others. The contents of the second layer L2 are then delivered to the first layer L1. The first layer L1 includes hardware necessary for signaling transport. The first layer converts bit information from the second layer into pulses of the correct size and shape. The pulses are transported to their correct destination, a physical signaling link. As mentioned earlier, this is accomplished by the lower layers L3, L2 and L1 when a transparent connection between a radio unit and a service network is established through the universal network. The signal carrier shown in Fig. 2 is only one:: example of possible signal carriers.

ttt&gt; »» »»

According to one embodiment, the previously mentioned first signal carrier is established

SC1 by means of another signal transport system, which is a signaling517 603

<img file="SE517603C2_D0006.tif" />

X.75 type system. Signaling according to the X.75 system is known in the art and is well described in CCITT Blue Book Vol. VIII, recommendation X.75. The principles of the X.75 signaling system will be briefly described below. X.75 signaling includes a transport means by means of which messages 5 are transported between two signaling nodes. The transport means includes a package warehouse, a link warehouse and a physical warehouse. A message to be moved from a first signaling node to a second node is delivered to the packet store. The packet warehouse converts the message into a format that is adapted for transport within an X.75-based network. The content from the packet layer is delivered to the link layer. The link layer ensures reliable transport of the packaged message to the specified signal node, by including a checksum and parity bits, among other things. The contents of the link layer are then delivered to the physical layer. The physical storage includes hardware necessary for signal transport. The physical layer converts bit information from the second layer into electrical pulses of the correct size and shape.

The pulses are transported to their real destination on a physical link. The layers thus together form a transport mechanism, which transports the message reliably to a correct signaling node. In its most basic form, the message includes a plurality of binary characters whose mutual order has no bearing on the transport mechanism. Since the content of the message is unimportant for the transport mechanism, messages generated in networks having different signaling standards can be transported by the transport mechanism. The content of the message is not important, or significant, until it reaches the signal nodes that constitute terminal points, i.e. a node in which the message is formed before it is delivered_;'. to the signal carrier, or a node in which the message is to be read and processed • after reception from the signal carrier. The first signal carrier SC1 shown in FIG.

·: ··· 1 transports GSM messages transparently between the GSM input port

P2 and the radio control unit RNC2. It is understood that the first signal carrier SC1:_t: 30 is only an example of a signal carrier through the ACC access network. Other types of signal carriers are possible, e.g. signal carriers of the previously mentioned type

CCITT no. 7.

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0007.tif" />

The second signal carrier SC2 shown in Fig. 1 between the radio control unit RNC2 and a radio unit GU is established by means of a logic channel dedicated specifically for this purpose, between the radio control unit RNC2 and the radio unit GU. The dedicated channel is established at the request of either the radio control unit RNC2 or the radio unit GU. After the dedicated channel is established, signal transport can be performed over said channel from either the radio control unit RNC2 to the radio unit GU or vice versa. The dedicated channel is maintained dedicated for signaling between the radio control unit and the radio unit until a disconnection is requested. In the illustrated embodiment, the air-based part of the second signal carrier comprises

SC2 between the radio unit GU and the base station BS2 a CDMA-based radio interface. The ground-based part of the second signal carrier SC2 is a signal carrier according to the X.25 system described in CCITT Blue Book Vol. VIII, recommendation X.25. The previously mentioned parts forming the second signal carrier SC2 are only examples of possible signal carriers within the access network ACC.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram in which the universal network UMTS, which has previously been referred to with reference to Fig. 1, is connected to a service network of the GSM20 type, a so-called GSM network. The two networks UMTS and GSM are mutually connected via the input port P2. The access network ACC in the universal network includes the portable radio unit GU, the base station BS2, the radio control unit RNC2 and part of the input port P2. The radio unit GU is registered as a home unit in the GSM network and is a so-called GSM unit GU. The GSM device GU includes an access part

APG and a service part SPG. The access part APG belongs to the access network ACC and handles the signaling necessary to establish the previously mentioned signal carrier SC2 between the GSM unit GU and the radio control unit_: RNC2. The aforementioned first signal carrier SC1 and the second signal carrier SC2 have been marked in Fig. 3 with solid thick lines between the GSM unit GU, the radio control unit RNC2 and the input port P2. Service part

SPG belongs to the GSM network and transmits and receives signals in accordance with the specified standard for the GSM network, via the first and the second signal carriers SC1 and SC2. The RNC2 radio controller includes one

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0008.tif" />

radio resource unit RRR which, together with the access unit APG in the GSM unit GU, establishes, maintains and disconnects the second signal carrier SC2 between the radio control unit RNC2 and the GSM unit GU. The radio control unit RNC2 includes a signal terminal STER which, together with a signal terminal STEP in the input port P2, handles the establishment, maintenance and disconnection of the first signal carrier SC1 between the radio control unit RNC2 and the input port P2. The signal terminals STER and STEP generate the previously mentioned transport bearings (packet, link and physical bearings) in the X.75 system. The radio control unit RNC2 includes a transmission unit TER which moves the message from the first established signal carrier SC1 to the second signal carrier SC2 and vice versa. The input port P2 also includes a transmission unit TEP, which moves the message between the first established signal carrier SC1 and a GSM signal carrier SCGSM which has been established in the GSM network between the input port P2 and a mobile telephone exchange MSC in the GSM15 network. This transport of the message has been marked in Fig. 3 above the transmission unit TEP with a thick solid line having arrow-shaped ends. This transmission of messages from one type of signal carrier to another type forms part of conventional telephone technology and is well described in e.g.

CCITT Blue Book Vol. VIII, recommendation X.75. Briefly, 20 "pointers" are stored in the TEP transmission unit when establishing the two signal carriers

SC1 and SCGSM. When a message arrives from the first signal carrier SC1, the GSM signal carrier SCGSM is pointed out. When a message arrives from the GSM signal bearer SCGSM, the first signal bearer SC1 is pointed out. As previously mentioned, the specified standard according to which a message is generated is unimportant to the signal carriers, provided that the signal carriers are solely responsible for transparent transport or transmission of the message and transmission of the message from one carrier to another upon arrival at a signaling node. The input port P2 includes a message transport unit • MTTP which by means of signaling according to signaling system no. 7 handles: the establishment, maintenance and disconnection of the GSM signal carrier: SCGSM. The MSC mobile telephone exchange includes a message transport unit^: MTPM which, together with the transport unit MTPP for the input port P2, handles the GSM signal carrier SCGSM. The MSC mobile phone exchange includes one

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0009.tif" />

signaling node SPM, which generates a message according to a specified standard in the GSM network. The aforementioned BSSAP protocol is an example of such a standard. In the illustrated case, the signaling node SPM is an output point or a terminal point in the GSM network for the BSSAP message transported between the GSM network and the GSM unit GU. The SPG service part in

The GSM device GU forms another starting point or terminal point for the transport of BSSAP messages. The BSSAP message is transported in the GSM network via the GSM signal carrier SCGSM. Using the TEP transmission unit in the input port, the BSSAP message is transported from the GSM10 signal carrier SCGSM to the first signal carrier SC1, which is of the X.75 type. The BSSAP message is transported via the first signal carrier SC1 and is received in the radio control unit RNC2. After being received in the radio control unit, the BSSAP message is transmitted from the first signal carrier SC1 to the second signal carrier SC2, which includes a ground-based part 15 of the X.25 type, by means of the Transmission unit TER in the access network of the radio control unit. The message is transported from the radio control unit to the GSM unit GU, via the base station BS2. The BSSAP message is thus transparently transported from the mobile telephone exchange MSC via the GSM signal carrier through the access network to the GSM unit GU, via the first signal carrier SC1 and the second signal carrier SC2. The different signaling procedures performed when signaling takes place through the access network between the radio units TU, GU, PU, ​​CU and their respective home networks VOD, GSM, PSTN, INTERNET will be explained in more detail later with reference to different embodiments. The previously mentioned signal carriers SC1, SC2 and SCGSM are well specified in these specifications mentioned earlier in the text. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the message can be transported transparently through the access network by means of another type of signal carrier, and that signals generated in accordance with various specified standards can be transported transparently via said signal carrier.

In addition to showing the access network ACC, Fig. 3 also shows the transport network TRN. Similar to the access network, the transport network includes the TRN GSM device

GU, the base station BS2, the radio control unit RNC2 and part of the input port

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P2. The transport network TRN includes a ground-based part ATM between the input port P2 and the base station BS2, which part is of an ATM type in the illustrated case. The transport network TRN also includes an airborne part CDMA between the base station BS2 and the radio unit, which in the illustrated case is a

CDMA type. Data is transported via data carriers in the transport network TRN in basically the same way as the previously described signal transport. The transport network also includes devices corresponding to APG, RRR, STER, STEP, MTPP and MTPM as described above as being necessary to establish the signal carriers SC1, SC2 and SCGSM. However, these devices have not been shown in Fig. 3. The ground-based ATM part includes a first data carrier DC1 between the input port P2 and the radio control unit RNC2, and a first part of a second data carrier DC2 between the radio control unit RNC2 and the base station BS2. As previously mentioned, the second part of the second data carrier DC2 between the base station BS2 and the GSM unit GU 15 is air-based and of the CDMA type. Data carriers are marked with thick hollow lines in Fig. 3. The principle according to which data is transferred from one data carrier to another is the same as previously described with reference to transfer between different signal carriers. Pointer is stored in the TEP Transmission Unit at the same time as the data carrier DC1 and the GSM data carrier DCGSM are established in the GSM network.

Upon arrival of e.g. a data packet from the first data bearer DC1, the pointers point to the GSM signal bearer DCGSM, and upon arrival of data from the GSM signal bearer, the pointers point to the first data bearer. This transfer is well described in B-ICI, Specification of the ATM Forum (version 1.0, September 1993). The ATM network enables data to be transmitted at a desired rate or speed. The ATM network is known in the art and is well described in B-ICI, AAL and

UNI specifications of the ATM forum. Similar to the ATM network, the SDMA network enables data to be transmitted at a variable transfer rate or.: Rate. A report relating to a CDMA network with variable data transmission rates has been submitted for publication in the IEEE Journal of Selected Areas in: '; 30 Communication, special edition on "CDMA networks". The report shows one

CDMA systems that have variable data transfer rates. In addition to the previously mentioned dedicated channels which are specially dedicated for signaling between the GSM unit GU and the base station BS2, a

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0010.tif" />

dedicated channel is allocated for data transmission between the GSM unit GU and the base station BS2. The ATM network and the CDMA network enable data to be transmitted over a wide range. The two networks enable data to be transmitted over a wide frequency range, ie data transmission at varying speeds.

Examples of carrier services of different transmission speeds are:

* Narrowband: 0 to 64 Kbit / s.

* Intermediate: 63 Kbit / s to 2 Mbit / s * Broadband: 2 Mbit / s to 155 Mbit / s

Examples of different data transfers are:

- Speech, which generally uses the narrowband.

- Low speed data, which generally uses the intermediate band.

- Lan, which generally uses the intermediate band.

- Multimedia mail, which generally uses the middleband.

Sound, which generally uses the intermediate band.

Video, which generally uses the middleband.

The ATM network and the CDMA network should only be seen as examples of different networks used for implementation.

Fig. 4 illustrates the access network ACC discussed earlier with reference to Figs. 1 and 3. The access network ACC includes location areas, so-called search areas, LAI, LA2, LA3 and LA4, each of which includes a plurality of cells. As mentioned earlier, the cells symbolize the radio coverage area of ​​different base stations BS2. The boundaries between the different search areas LAI, LA2,

LA3 and LA4 have been marked with thick solid lines in the figure, between the cell clusters in the respective search areas. The base stations BS2 in each search area LA1,

LA2, LA3 and LA4 are handled by one of the radio controllers RNC1, RNC2, RNC3 and RNC4. As mentioned earlier, the portable radio unit GU in the access network is a so-called GSM unit, which is registered as belonging to the GSM network. The GSM network is thus the home network for the radio unit, a so-called GSM home network.

. ;_;30 Another radio unit in the access network, a so-called PSTN unit PU, is registered. · .: as belonging to a service network of the PSTN type, the so-called PSTN home network for the radio unit PU. The GSM home network is connected to the access network ACC via the input ports P1, P2, P3 and P4 as mentioned earlier with reference to

517 603 fig. 1. The figure further shows ports P2 'and P2'. The additional input ports belong to operators (owners) other than the operator who manages the GSM home network.

Examples of Swedish GSM operators are TELIA, EUROPOLITAN, and COMVIQ.

Each operator operates a service network GSM, GSM 'and GSM "and each network is connected to the access network ACC via ports P2, P2' and P2". Each port is connected to at least one of the radio controllers RNC1, RNC2, RNC3 and RNC4. According to the illustrated embodiment, all the ports P2, P2 ', P2' for said operators are located in the same place and connected to the same radio control unit RNC2. The GSM home network includes a mobile telephone exchange MSC and is connected to signaling nodes within the GSM home network. Examples of signaling nodes within the GSM network are a home location register HLR and a visitor location register VLR. The mobile telephone exchange is also connected to the input ports P1, P2, P3 and P4. The GSM unit GU is permanently registered in the home location register CPR as belonging to the GSM home network.

The GSM device GU may be temporarily registered in the visitor location register

VLR as a visitor to one of the cells in the GSM network handled by the mobile telephone exchange MSC. The GSM device can also be registered as a visitor in a cell in the ACC access network. The cell can be reached by the mobile telephone exchange MSC via one of the ports P1, P2, P3, P4. Information about the port P1, P2, P3 or P4 through which the GSM unit can be accessed is stored in the visitor location register VLR. In order to be able to manage access to both the radio interface in the own home network GSM and the access network ACC, it is necessary to have a mobile telephone unit, which has a dual radio interface, a so-called dual mode unit. The dual mode device enables the mobile phone to select a first radio interface used within the ACC access network and a second radio interface used within the GSM home network. The interface selected: will depend on which of the two networks ACC, GSM mobile is located. When »

·: ··· the mobile moves from the access network ACC to the GSM network, ie passes one; ··; cell boundary between the two networks ACC and GSM, the registration in the GSM ::: 30 network is affected in accordance with conventional GSM technology. When the mobile moves from the GSM 'network GSM to the ACC access network, this is registered in the access network in a manner described later in the text. The aforementioned PSTN device PU is a, '^: permanently installed telephone unit in the ACC access network, which communicates

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0011.tif" />

with its home network PSTN via a radio interface in the access network ACC. The PSTN home network includes a first local station LE1, a second local station LE2 and a transit station TE. A PE telephone unit in the PSTN network is connected to the first local station LE1. The transit station TE connects the two local exchanges LE1 and LE2. The second local station LE2 is connected to the access network via the input port Q1. Port Q1 is connected to the radio controller RNC2. The signaling from the previously mentioned radio units GU and PU to the respective home network GSM and PSTN will now be described with reference to several process steps. It will be appreciated that the method does not claim to illustrate all the steps required in the various signaling procedures. The order between the procedure steps may also vary. It is also noted that the structure of the access network may vary slightly. It e.g. it is possible that each of the radio control units RNC1, RNC2, RNC3 and RNC4 belong to said input ports P1, P2, P3 and P4.

The procedure for registering the GSM device GU is illustrated in Fig. 5. Eg. a GSM device can be registered when it passes from the GSM network to the access network. Other examples are when the GSM device passes a search area or when the GSM device is activated. Fig. 5 should be studied together with Fig. 4.

The process is preceded by storage in the radio control unit RNC2 of information showing the service network boundaries of the input ports to which the radio control unit is connected. The procedure includes the following steps:

The GSM device is activated. This is shown in Fig. 5 with a round thick ring 1.

A broadcast message 2 is sent to the GSM unit GU from the radio control unit RNC2, via the base station BS2. Message 2 includes. . . information necessary for the GSM device to understand that registration j is necessary to keep the GSM device's position updated in the GSM «: ··· home network. An example of information in message 2 could be: ·: location area identity (LAID), channel description or power requirement for ::: 30 access to the ACC access network.

: '- A “channel request message” 3 is sent to the radio control unit RNC2 from the GSM unit GU via the base station BS2. The message includes one

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0012.tif" />

request for a channel that can be dedicated for signaling exclusively between the GSM unit and the base station BS2, a so-called dedicated channel.

An acceptance message 4 is sent from the radio control unit RNC2 to the GSM unit GU. The acceptance message 4 points out the dedicated channel. The dedicated channel is pointed out after choosing between different available channels.

The second signal carrier SC2 is established when the dedicated channel has been allocated for signaling between the GSM unit and the base station BS2. The signal carrier SC2 is maintained upright until its disconnection is requested.

An access message 5 is sent from the GSM unit GU to the radio control unit RNC2, via the second signal carrier SC2. The access message includes a subscriber identity AI which identifies the GSM device user. The access message 5 also includes a service network identity which in the case of the illustrated embodiment is designated as a first service network identity and which points out the GSM service network which is the home network of the user.

The access message 5 is analyzed in the radio control unit RNC2 and the port P2 is pointed out as the input port to the GSM home network by means of the previously stored information. This has been marked in the figure with a thick round ring 6.

The first signal carrier SC1, which is an X.75 type in the illustrated case, is established between the radio control unit RNC2 and the designated input port P2, as previously explained in the text. The first signal carrier SC1 is kept upright until its disconnection is requested.

The two established signal carriers SC1 and SC2 are connected to each other. This interconnection of the signal carriers enables messages from the other

Y; the signal carrier SC2 can be delivered continuously to the first signal carrier • SC1, and vice versa, provided that both signal carriers are established. The first&gt;

·: * And the second signal carrier SC1 and SC2 thus form a common signal carrier, as illustrated in the figure by the designation SC2 &amp; SC 1.

Ύ · '30 - The subscriber identity AI is forwarded from the radio control unit RNC2 to the ',' · · input port P2 via the first signal carrier SC 1, as shown by arrow 7.

The GSM signal carrier SCGSM is established between the input port P2 and,^{: :} the mobile telephone exchange MSC according to the transport system used in the home network

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0013.tif" />

GSM. According to the illustrated example, the GSM signal carrier SCGSM is a no. 7type and established in accordance with the specification previously indicated in the text. The GSM signal carrier SCGSM is maintained until its disconnection is requested.

The established signal carriers SC1 &amp; SC2 and SCGSM are connected. This interconnection enables the messages from the GSM signal carrier SCGSM in the GSM network to be delivered continuously to the signal carriers SC1 &amp; SC2 in the access network, and vice versa, provided that all the signal carriers are established. This message delivery has been explained previously. The first signal carrier SC1, the second signal carrier SC2 and the GSM signal carrier SCGSM thus form a common signal carrier designated SC2 &amp; SC1 &amp; SCGSM in the figure.

The subscriber identity is forwarded from the input port P2 to the mobile telephone exchange MSC, as indicated by arrow 8.

Signaling necessary for authorization checks is transmitted in both directions over the signal carriers SC1, SC2 and SCGSM between the service part SPG in the GSM unit GU and the home network GSM. Signaling is performed in accordance with the specified standard for the home network GSM and is shown in the figure with a bidirectional arrow 9.

The subscriber is accepted as belonging to the home network GSM and the subscriber identity AI is stored in the visitor location register in the mobile telephone exchange together with data relating to the input port P2. This data storage has been marked with a round ring 10 in Fig. 5.

A request 11 for the disconnection of the signal carriers is made in connection with the end of the signaling process.

The established signal carriers SC1, SC2 and SCGSM are disconnected. This disconnection is shown in Fig. 5 with two thick solid arrows 12.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart briefly describing the main steps of the previously described procedure. Fig. 6 should be read in conjunction with Figs. 4 and 5. The flow chart of Fig. 6 illustrates the following steps:

The GSM device is activated. This is shown in Fig. 6 with a block 101.

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0014.tif" />

The channel request message 3 is sent from the GSM unit GU to the radio control unit RNC2 via the base station BS2, in accordance with block 102. This message includes a request for a channel that can be allocated for signaling exclusively between the GSM unit and the base station BS2, a so-called

dedicated channel.

An acceptance message 4 is sent from the radio control unit RNC2 to the GSM unit GU, according to block 103. The acceptance message 4 points out the dedicated channel. The dedicated channel is selected after choosing between possible available channels. The second signal carrier SC2 is established when the dedicated channel has been allocated for signaling between the GSM unit and the base station BS2.

The access message 5 is sent from the GSM unit GU to the radio control unit RNC2 via the second signal carrier SC2, according to block 104. The access message 5 includes the subscriber identity AI which designates the user of the GSM15 unit. The access message 5 also includes the first service network identity that points to the GSM network as the user's home network.

The access message 5 is analyzed in the radio control unit RNC2 and the port P2 is pointed out as the input port to the GSM home network. This has been marked in the figure with a block 105.

The first signal carrier SC1 is established between the radio control unit RNC2 and the input port P2 designated, according to block 106.

The subscriber identity AI is transmitted from the radio control unit RNC2 to the input port P2 through the first signal carrier SC1, according to block 107.

The GSM signal carrier SCGSM is established between the input port P2 and the mobile telephony exchange MSC according to block 108.

. . - Signaling necessary for authorization checks is transmitted between: the service part SPG in the GSM unit GU and the home network GSM, according to block 109.

; &gt; .: - The subscriber identity AI is forwarded from the input port P2 to •: · ·; the mobile telephony exchange MSC, according to block 110.

: ':': 30 - The subscriber identity AI is stored in the visitor location register VLR in the mobile telephony exchange, together with data relating to the input port P2.

^:This storage of data has been marked in Fig. 6 with a block 111.

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The established signal carriers SC1, SC2 and SCGSM are disconnected. This carrier coupling is shown in Fig. 6 with a block 112.

<img file="SE517603C2_D0015.tif" />

The activity illustrated in the above signaling example with reference to Figs. 4-6 is the registration of the GSM unit, although other activities are possible which originate in the GSM unit GU, e.g. the connection of call connections or other types of service requests.

It is necessary to establish different signal carriers SC1 and SC2 to perform the activity. Transparent signaling is performed through the access network, after establishing the signal carriers. In this respect, the GSM unit is perceived by the home network GSM as being a radio unit located within the GSM home network. It will be described in the following how the PSTN unit PU which is located in the access network ACC and which uses a standard signaling protocol other than the GSM protocol BSSAP and which has a home network which differs from the GSM home network is perceived as being a radio device within its home network , ie within the PSTN home network.

The following example shows how a call connection is connected from an A-subscriber in the PSTN network to a B-subscriber in the ACC access network. After a call connection has been established, voice signals are transported via the data transport network TRN. In the present case, the transport network is partly of the ATM type (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and partly of the CDMA type, which was previously mentioned with reference to Fig. 3. When the PSTN device is installed in the ACC access network, the device is registered as being permanently present in either the cell managed by the base station BS2 or in one of the six_{: ;} the cells surrounding the cell 2. The PSTN is registered in the PSTN with one; telephone numbers of the same type as the remaining subscribers to the PSTN network. Upon ·; ··· registration of the PSTN, the input port Q1 is given as the port through ': · *: which the radio unit can be reached. Changes in the radio space may cause the PSTN J 30 device to be perceived as being located in one of the surrounding cells. The PSTN ',' · j unit is therefore registered in the radio control unit RNC2 as being potentially present in one of these cells surrounding cell C2 as handled by the base station BS2. In Fig. 4, the cell C2 has been shown slightly larger than the surrounding ones

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0016.tif" />

the cells. The PSTN unit can thus be located in either the cell handled by the base station BS2, or in one of the six cells surrounding the cell C2.

The procedure for connecting a call between a user of a permanently connected telephone unit PE in the PSTN network and a user of the PSTN unit PU is shown in the access network ACC in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 should be studied together with Fig. 4. The procedure does not claim to illustrate the whole signaling procedure followed in the various procedural steps. The procedure includes the following steps:

The A-subscriber who uses the permanently connected telephone unit PE in the PSTN network requests a call connection to the PSTN unit PU in the access network ACC, by giving the telephone number, a so-called B-number, to the PSTN unit PU. This request is shown in the figure with a round ring 21.

The B-number is analyzed in the first local station LE1. The first local station LE1 detects that the B-number points to a subscriber not found in the local station LE1 and forwards the call request to the transit station TE, which also analyzes the B-number and discovers that the B-number points to a subscriber in the second local station LE2. The call is forwarded to the other local station LE2. In its analysis, the other local station LE2 discovers that the subscriber concerned is connected to port Q1.

Gate Q1 forms a so-called V5.1 interface (see ETSI standard ETS 300 324-1 February 1994) towards the other local station LE2. The second local station LE2 sends a call connection request to port Q1, where a port number is pointed out which represents the subscriber in the V5.1 interface. The call connection request is translated into a paging request in the input port Q1.

Paging request includes the identity of the PU PSTN.

; The method step is shown by an arrow 22 in Fig. 7.

The paging request is forwarded from the input port Q1 to the radio control unit RNC2, as shown in Fig. 7 by an arrow 23.

j · 30 - A paging message 24 is sent from the radio control unit RNC2 to all base stations BS2, in whose cells the PSTN unit PU can or should be located. In the present case, the paging message is sent to the seven base stations in which the PSTN may be located. Message 23 includes information

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0017.tif" />

that the PSTN needs to request a free channel. Examples of such information are port identity, channel description or necessary effect for access to the ACC access network.

A channel request message 25 is transmitted from the PSTN unit PU to the radio control unit RNC2 via the base station BS2. The message includes a request for a channel dedicated specifically for signaling between the PSTN unit PU and the base station BS2.

An acceptance message 26 is sent from the radio control unit RNC2 to the PSTN unit PU. The acceptance message 26 points to a dedicated channel from possible available channels.

A fourth signal carrier SC4 is established by the capability of the dedicated channel which is specially allocated for signaling between the PSTN unit PU and the base station BS2. The signal carrier SC4 is maintained upright until its disconnection is requested.

An access message 27 is sent from the PSTN unit PU to the radio control unit RNC2 via the fourth signal carrier SC4. The access message 27 includes a subscriber identity AI which indicates the user of the PSTN device. The access message 27 also includes a first service network identity, which identifies the PSTN service network as the current user's home network.

The access message 27 is analyzed in the radio control unit RNC2 and the port Q1 is pointed out as the input port to the PSTN home network. This has been marked in the figure with a round ring 28.

A third signal carrier SC3 is established. The third signal carrier SC3 is maintained upright until its disconnection is requested.

. . - The two established signal carriers SC3 and SC4 are bound together. This&gt; · »interconnection enables messages from the fourth signal carrier SC4 to be continuously delivered to the third signal carrier&gt;»

SC3, and vice versa, provided that both signal carriers are established. The third. : .30 and the fourth signal carriers SC3 and SC4 thus form a common_;¹..: signal carrier designated SC4 &amp; SC3 in the figure.

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The subscriber identity AI is transmitted from the radio control unit RNC2 to the input port Q1 via the third signal carrier SC3, as indicated by arrow

<img file="SE517603C2_D0018.tif" />

29.

The subscriber identity AI is analyzed in the input port Q1 and the input port 5 identifies the original call connection request from the second local station LE2. This has been marked with a round ring 30 in the figure.

The PSTN signal carrier SCPSTN is established in accordance with the transport system used in the home network. PSTN signal request SCPSTN is maintained until its disconnection is requested.

- The established signal carriers SC3 &amp; SC4 and SCPSTN are bound together.

This interconnection of the signal carriers enables messages from the PSTN signal carrier SCPSTN in the PSTN network to be continuously delivered to the signal carriers SC3 &amp; SC4 in the access network, and vice versa, provided that the signal carriers are established. The third signal carrier SC3, the fourth signal carrier SC4 and the PSTN signal carrier SCPSTN thus form a common signal carrier denoted SC4 &amp; SC3 &amp; SCPSTN in the figure.

Signaling necessary to establish a call connection is transmitted in both directions over the signal carriers SC3, SC4 and SCPSTN between the PSTN unit PU and the home network PSTN, as shown by arrow 31. Signaling 20 is performed in accordance with the specified standard for the home network PSTN.

The signaling includes a request for connection of data transmission links between the two users of the telephone units PE and PU, the A-subscriber and the B-subscriber, whereby the transmission rate or speed is selected according to the transmission rate of the PSTN home network. Since the transmission of audio data is intended, a carrier service for narrowband is selected.

A PSTN data transmission link DCPSTN is connected through the PSTN network between · *. ' the permanently connected telephone unit PE and the input port Ql. Data^: transmission links are marked in Fig. 7 with wide hollow lines.

• t »· '- A first data transmission link DC1 is connected through the ATM network between the input port Q1 and the radio control unit RNC2, in accordance with the previous one; . said ATM specification.

- A second DC2 data transmission link is connected through the ATM network and the • · / CDMA network between the RNC2 radio controller and the PU PSTN.

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0019.tif" />

The data transfer links are linked together. This interconnection of the links enables data from the PSTN data transmission carrier DCPSTN in the PSTN network to be continuously supplied to the data transmission carriers DC1 and DC2 in the access network ACC, and vice versa, provided that the signal carriers are established. The different data transfer carriers thus form a common carrier designated DC2 &amp; DC1 &amp; DCPSTN in the figure.

Voice data is transmitted 32 between the A-subscriber and the B-subscriber, ie between the permanently connected telephone unit PE and the PSTN unit PU, via the common data transmission carrier DC2 &amp; DC1 &amp; DCPSTN.

Request 33 for disconnecting the data carriers DC2 &amp; DC1 &amp; DCPSTN when the call is ended.

The data transfer links are disconnected. This disconnection has been marked with two wide arrows 34 in Fig. 7.

Request 35 for disconnecting the signal carriers SC4 &amp; SC3 &amp; SCPSTN in connection with termination of the signaling.

The connected signal carriers SC3, SC ° and SCPSTN are disconnected. This disconnection is shown in Fig. 7 by two wide solid arrows 36.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart briefly describing the main steps of the previously described method. Fig. 8 should be read in conjunction with Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. The flow chart of Fig. 8 includes the following steps:

The A-subscriber who uses the permanently connected telephone unit PE in the PSTN network requests a call connection to the PSTN unit PU in the access network ACC, by giving the telephone number, the so-called B-number, for the PSTN unit PU.

This request is shown in the figure shown in the figure with a block 201.

The B-number is analyzed. In its analysis, the second local station LE2 detects that the subscriber concerned is connected to port Q1, in accordance with block 202.

&gt; »* - The request is translated in the gateway Ql to a paging request which»

. Is transmitted from the input port Q1 to the radio control unit RNC2, in accordance with block 203 in Fig. 8.

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0020.tif" />

<img file="SE517603C2_D0021.tif" />

Paging message 24 is transmitted from the radio controller RNC2 to all base stations BS2 in whose cells the PSTN unit PU can or should be located, in accordance with block 204.

The fourth signal carrier SC4 and the third signal carrier SC3 are established in the same manner as the second signal carrier SC2 and the first signal carrier SC1 were established in the previous example. The establishment of the second and the first signal carrier is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This establishment has been marked with a block 205 in Fig. 8.

The PSTN signal carrier SCPSTN is established or connected in accordance with the transport system used in the home network, in accordance with block 206.

Signaling necessary to establish a call connection is transmitted in both directions over the signal carriers SC3, SC4 and SCPSTN, but between the PSTN unit PU and the permanently connected telephone unit PE in the home network PSTN, in accordance with block 207. Signaling takes place in accordance with the specified standard for the home network PSTN. The signaling includes the request for the connection of data transmission links between the two users of the telephone units PE and PU, the A-subscriber and the B-subscriber, the transmission rate being selected in accordance with the transmission rate of the PSTN home network.

The PSTN data transmission link DCPSTN is established through the PSTN network, between the permanently connected telephone unit PE and the input port Q1, in accordance with block 208.

The first data transmission link DC1 is established through the ATM network, between the input port Q1 and the radio control unit RNC2, in accordance with block 209.

The second data transmission link DC2 is established through the ATM network and the CDMA network, between the radio control unit RNC2 and the PSTN unit PU, in accordance with block 210.

Audio data is transmitted 32 between the A-subscriber and the B-subscriber, ie between the permanently connected telephone unit PE and the PSTN unit PU, via the common data transmission carrier DC2 &amp; DC1 &amp; DCPSTN, in accordance with block 211.

Request 33 for disconnecting the data carriers DC2, DC1 and DCPSTN after the call has ended, in accordance with block 212.

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The data transfer links are disconnected. This disconnection is shown in Fig. 8 with a block 213.

The established signal carriers SC3, SC4 and SCPSTN are disconnected. This disconnection is shown in Fig. 8 with a block 214.

Fig. 9 shows a telecommunication network comprising two telecommunications systems TS1 and TS2 of the same type as the system shown earlier in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 illustrates in accordance with the invention two service networks GSM1, GSM2 with two respective access networks, a first access network ACC1 and a second access network ACC2. The first GSM1 service network and the first ACC1 access network are located in Sweden, while the second GSM2 service network and the second ACC2 access network are located in Finland. The ACC1 and ACC2 networks include localization ranges, each including a plurality of cells. As previously mentioned, the cells symbolize the radio coverage area of ​​different base stations. The first access network ACC1 includes a set of first locating areas LA 11 and LA 12 and the second access network ACC2 includes a set of other locating areas LA21 and LA22. The boundary between the two different access networks has been marked with a thick solid line between the cell clusters in the boundary location areas. The first GSM home network GSM1 is connected to the first access network ACC1 via a first I / O port P12 and a second GSM home network GSM2 is connected to the second access network ACC2 via a second I / O port P21. The two home networks GSM1 and GSM2 both have the same configuration as the home network shown earlier in Fig. 4. In Fig. 9, portable radio units are located in the access networks. A first GSM unit GUI is registered as belonging to the first GSM network GSM1 and a second GSM unit GU2 located in the second access network is registered as belonging to the second GSM network GSM2. GSM '·' networks GSM1 and GSM2 are thus the home networks for respectively, radio units GUI and^: , GU2.

*

The embodiment of Fig. 9 differs by the diagonal connections as well. between the first access network ACC1 and the second service network GSM2 via I / O&gt; I port PS22 as between the second access network ACC2 and the first service network GSM1 via I / O port Pil. If the first mobile GUI moves

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0022.tif" />

from the first access network ACC1 to the second access network ACC2, as can be seen in Fig. 9, signaling carriers will be established between the second access network and the first home network GSM 1. The signal carriers will thereby be established from the first mobile GUI through the second access network ACC2 to the first home network GSM1. The user of the first mobile GUI now has a choice to choose between connections to the second home network GSM2 and the first home network GSM 1 via the access network ACC2 for outgoing calls. This choice is made e.g. by analyzing the called number in the access network and determining whether the cost is lower when connecting via the GSM1 or GSM2 service network, either automatically or manually, e.g. depending on the dialed number. This choice is useful e.g. when the outgoing user dials a cellular mobile radio number belonging to the same country, in which the calling subscriber is currently present. In the present case, this choice avoids unnecessary detour routings also called "tromboning" by selecting the service network in the visited country GSM2 rather than GSM1. However, if the visiting user wants to contact his / her mailbox, a direct connection to the home service network GSM1 is selected rather than to GSM2.

Several variants of the method illustrated in Fig. 9 are possible.

As mentioned earlier, several variants of the previously described and illustrated methods are also possible. It is e.g. it is possible for a subscriber located within the cell area of ​​a radio control unit in the access network to be registered as belonging to a surface network, which is handled by an operator or owner who differs from the operators handling the service networks connected to the radio control unit. In this case, the procedure can be continued by storing in the radio control unit information concerning cooperating conditions such as ^:_t exists between different operators and when receiving an identity for a&gt; * * »&gt;». service network, which includes an operator unknown to the radio control unit, »i. . 30 designate another operator with whom cooperating conditions exist. In the fall • . when no cooperating conditions exist, an operator of a service network of the same specified network type as the network managed by the

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V operator displayed by the service network identity either randomly or in accordance with a predetermined order list.

<img file="SE517603C2_D0023.tif" />

Other modifications are also possible. Information that is necessary for an operator of the access network to invoice operators of the respective home network for the use of the access network can e.g. stored in connection with the designation of the home networks GSM or PSTN. Further signaling examples are presented in the Swedish patent application no. 9404285-0 filed by LM Ericsson 941207. This application illustrates the case in which a mobile telephone unit located in a mobile telephone network (corresponding to the ACC access network) belongs to a terrestrial telephone network (corresponding to a home network). The Swedish application presents how the mobile telephone unit is registered in the terrestrial network (home network) and how call connections can be established and how transfers of the mobile in the mobile telephone network (access network) are handled. It will be appreciated that the previously described and illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example. For example, the radio interface in the access network can be satellite-based, ie communication between a radio unit in the access network and a base station in the access network takes place via a satellite. Also, the transmission of radio signals need not take place by means of CDMA techniques as in accordance with the embodiments. It is also possible that radio signals may be transmitted using Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) or other suitable transmission techniques. The signal carrier which transports standard signals transparently through the access network can be selected from a number of possible types, as previously mentioned and shown by example.

Of course, other types of service networks with different signaling standards than those presented here are also possible. Other examples of network types are NMT, AMPS, TACS, PDC. Future types of networks are also possible, e.g. computer game network GOD (Game On Demand) which is used e.g. by a computer game agency which transports computer game signals to the computer game equipment of a person renting the game for a fee.

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<img file="SE517603C2_D0024.tif" />

<img file="SE517603C2_D0025.tif" />

Several variants in the construction of the access network are also possible without departing from the concepts of the invention. It is e.g. also possible to block access to certain service networks from certain parts of the access network. It is also possible for radio controllers and ports to be located in one and the same place and to belong to one and the same hardware unit in some cases. Other examples of variants include separate access networks and transport networks instead of common networks with respect to hardware illustrated above and referred to in the text as a universal network.

It is therefore to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the previously illustrated and described exemplary embodiments thereof, and that modifications may be made within the scope of the following claims.