Network element and method for providing access control for a cellular communication network

A method for providing access control to a core network of a cellular communication network for a wireless communication unit operating within a communication cell supported by the network element, the method comprising:

• receiving a message from the wireless communication unit comprising identity information;
• determining whether to permit the wireless communication unit access to the core network, based at least in part on the received identity information;
• and
• constructing a User Authentication Request message comprising an invalid Authentication Token in response to the determining that the wireless communication unit is not permitted access to the core network.

A computer-readable storage element having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming signal processing logic to perform a method for providing access control to a core network of a cellular communication network for a wireless communication unit operating within a communication cell supported by the network element, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a message from the wireless communication unit comprising identity information;
• determining whether to permit the wireless communication unit access to the core network, based at least in part on the received identity information;
• and
• constructing a User Authentication Request message comprising an invalid Authentication Token in response to the logic determining that the wireless communication unit is not permitted access to the core network.