Method and Apparatus for Receiving Information From a Communications Network

An integrated circuit for a network element for communicating with a wireless communication unit, wherein the integrated circuit comprises:

• an interface for operably coupling to a data store;
• a control processor, operably coupled to the interface, and arranged to:
• intercept a communication from the wireless communication unit to a second network element,
• inspect the communication to determine whether the communication relates to a request for a first item of information;
• request the first item of information from the data store, wherein the control processor is further arranged to not forward the request for the first item of information to the second network element if it is determined that first item of information is stored in the data store;
• receive the first item of information from the data store;
• and
• transmit the first information to the wireless communication unit.

A method for a network element operably coupled to a data store for communicating with a wireless communication unit, wherein the method comprises, at the network element:

• intercepting a communication from the wireless communication unit to a second network element;
• inspecting the communication to determine whether the communication relates to a request for a first item of information;
• requesting the first item of information from the data store, wherein the control processor is further arranged to not forward the request for the first item of information to the second network element if it is determined that first item of information is stored in the data store;
• receiving the first item of information from the data store;
• and
• transmitting the first information to the wireless communication unit.