LTE network extension (LNE) system, methods, and apparatus

An LTE communications system comprising:

• a storage device including memory storing service provider core network access information for a plurality of different service provider core networks associated with a shared PLMN ID (sPLMN ID), said service provider core network access information including a PLMN ID of each individual service provider core network and corresponding address information for the individual service provider core network for which a PLMN ID is stored;
• an LTE access radio including a first processor configured to:
• operate the LTE access radio to transmit said shared PLMN ID;
• operate the LTE access radio to receive a first attach request from a first user equipment (UE) device;
• and
• operate the LTE access radio to forward the first attach request to an LTE access gateway;
• and
• the LTE access gateway, the LTE access gateway including a second processor configured to control the LTE access gateway to:
• perform a service provider access request check, performing the service provider access request check including sending a check service provider access message to the storage device, said storage device including information on individual service provider core networks associated with the shared PLMN ID for which access service is to be provided, said check service provider access message including a first PLMN ID of an individual service provider core network used to provide network access to the first UE, said first PLMN ID being a PLMN ID identifying a first target network, said first PLMN ID being different from said shared PLMN ID;
• and
• wherein said storage device includes a third processor, and wherein said third processor is configured to:
• operate the storage device to check stored information to determine if the first PLMN ID is a PLMN ID for which service provider core network contact address information is provided;
• and
• operate the storage device to send from the storage device, a service provider access request response message, said service provider access request response message indicating one of:
• i) access is allowed for the first target network identified by the first PLMN ID or ii) access is not allowed.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors of a LTE communications system cause the LTE communications system to perform the steps of:

• storing in a storage device service provider core network access information for a plurality of different service provider core networks associated with a shared PLMN ID (sPLMN ID), said service provider core network access information including a PLMN ID of each individual service provider core network and corresponding address information for the individual service provider core network for which a PLMN ID is stored;
• operating an LTE access radio to transmit said first shared PLMN ID;
• operating the LTE access radio to receive a first attach request from a first user equipment (UE) device;
• operating the LTE access radio to forward the first attach request to a LTE access gateway;
• operating the LTE access gateway to perform a service provider access request check, performing the service provider access request check including sending a check service provider access message to the storage device, said storage device including information on individual service provider core networks associated with the first shared PLMN ID for which access service is to be provided, said check service provider access message including a first PLMN ID of an individual service provider core network used to provide network access to the first UE, said first PLMN ID being a PLMN ID identifying a first target network, said first PLMN ID being different from said shared PLMN ID;
• operating the storage device to check stored information to determine if the first PLMN ID is a PLMN ID for which service provider core network contact address information is provided;
• and
• sending from the storage device a service provider access request response message, said service provider access request response message indicating one of:
• i) access is allowed for the first target network identified by the first PLMN ID or ii) access is not allowed.