Enhanced security for access stratum transmission

A method for authenticating an identity of a base station using access stratum transmissions, the method comprising:

• by a user equipment device (UE):
• receiving an authentication message from the base station while the UE is operating in an idle mode as part of an initiation of a connection procedure, wherein the authentication message is a broadcast message comprised within a special system information block (SIB) transmitted from the base station;
• determining, by the UE, whether a signature comprised within the authentication message is valid, wherein the signature is determined from content of the special SIB and at least one other broadcast message;
• and
• continuing the connection procedure with the base station based on a determination that the signature is valid.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to:
• operate in an idle mode;
• while operating in the idle mode, receive an authentication message from a base station as part of an initiation of a connection procedure, wherein the authentication message is a broadcast message comprised within a special system information block (SIB) transmitted from the base station;
• determine whether a signature comprised within the authentication message is valid, wherein the signature is determined from content of the special SIB and at least one other broadcast message;
• and
• continue the connection procedure with the base station based on a determination that the signature is valid.