Method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor,
• wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform
• identifying at a user equipment an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures and a network identity;
• transmitting from the user equipment a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information is queried from the network without authorization of the user equipment and before connecting by the user equipment to the network by a non-access stratum procedure;
• selecting a service provider, being available via the network and having no public land mobile network identity, based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• conveying a non-access stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network for access to the selected service provider.

An apparatus including a function for enabling access of a user equipment to a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor,
• wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform
• receiving, at a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures and a network identity, a message from a user equipment, before the user equipment is connected to the network by a non-access stratum procedure, wherein the message indicates a request for retrieving network information;
• accepting the request without authentication of the user equipment and transmitting network access information to the user equipment;
• upon receiving information about a selection of a service provider being available via the network and having no public land mobile network identity by the user equipment, binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• upon receiving a non-access stratum service request from the user equipment, allowing authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network for access to the selected service provider.

A method comprising:

• receiving, at a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures and a network identity, a message from a user equipment, before the user equipment is connected to the network by a non-access stratum procedure, wherein the message indicates a request for retrieving network information;
• accepting the request without authentication of the user equipment and transmitting network access information to the user equipment;
• upon receiving information about a selection of a service provider being available via the network and having no public land mobile network identity by the user equipment, binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• upon receiving a non-access stratum service request from the user equipment, allowing authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network for access to the selected service provider.