Home network-assisted selection of intermediary network for a roaming mobile terminal

Apparatus in a local access network for use in providing a roaming mobile terminal access to communications services, comprising:

• an access entity for receiving from the mobile terminal an access request that requires authentication or authorization with a home service network of the mobile terminal, and
• a server, associated with the access entity, for obtaining a list of intermediary service networks provided by the home service network, selecting from the list provided by the home service network an intermediary service network to be used in authenticating or authorizing the mobile terminal with the home service network, and using the selected intermediary service network to convey the access request towards the home service network.

The apparatus in clam 15, wherein the server is configured to convey subsequent authentication, authorization, or accounting messages between the local access network and the home service network through the selected intermediary service network.

A node for use in providing a roaming mobile terminal access to communications services, comprising:

• a memory for storing a list of intermediary service networks generated or provided by a home service network of the mobile terminal, where the listed intermediary service networks are associated with the home service network, and
• a server for receiving from a local access network an access request message associated with the mobile terminal that requires authentication with the home service network of the mobile terminal or the user of the mobile terminal, and in response, providing the stored list of intermediary service networks to the local access network,
• wherein from which list an intermediary service network is selectable for use in authenticating the mobile terminal with the home service network.