Controlling network access

A network element, configured to

• receive identity information for authentication from a communications device,
• authenticate an identity module relating to the communications device and associated with a further network, when the identity information indicates the identity module, and
• authenticate the communications device, when the identity information indicates the communications device.

A communications device, configured to

• store identity information of the communications device and authentication information relating to the identity information, and
• indicate to a network that the communications device is to be authenticated based the identity information of the communications device instead of using an identity module associated with a further network, when no identity module is operably connected to the communications device.

A method for making an emergency call from a communications device, comprising

• indicating an identity of the communications device during an authentication procedure towards a network, when no identity module is operably connected to the communications device,
• sending during the authentication procedure a portion of verification information based on a portion of emergency call authentication information stored in the communications device, and
• establishing an emergency call via the network.

A method for authenticating a communications device for an emergency call, comprising

• receiving information indicating an identity of the communications device instead of an identity of an identity module during an authentication procedure in a network,
• authenticating the communications device based on a piece of emergency call authentication information, and
• establishing an emergency call from the communications device after successful authentication of the communications device.

A method for providing emergency call authentication information to a communications device, comprising

• authenticating an identity module relating to a communications device, and
• sending to the communications device a portion of emergency call authentication information for later use after successful authentication of the identity module.