Method, apparatus and computer program product for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures

A method for enabling access of a user equipment to a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, comprising:

• receiving a message from the user equipment, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information is queried from the network before actually connecting to the network;
• accepting the request without authentication and transmitting network access information to the user equipment;
• upon receiving information about a selection of a service provider by the user equipment, binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• upon receiving a Non-Access Stratum service request from the user equipment, allowing authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

An apparatus including a function for a user equipment for accessing a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor,
• wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform
• identifying an available access point of the local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures;
• transmitting a message to the access point, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information is queried from the network before authorization and actually connecting to the network;
• selecting a service provider of the network based on received network information for binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• conveying a Non-Access Stratum service request to the network to cause authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network.

An apparatus including a function for enabling access of a user equipment to a local area scoped network having non-access-stratum procedures, comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processor,
• wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform
• receiving a message from the user equipment, indicating a request for retrieving network information, wherein the information is queried from the network before actually connecting to the network;
• accepting the request without authentication and transmitting network access information to the user equipment;
• upon receiving information about a selection of a service provider by the user equipment, binding the network identity to the selected service provider for accessing;
• and
• upon receiving a Non-Access Stratum service request from the user equipment, allowing authentication of the user equipment for connecting to the network