Method of enabling mobile device communication via an access network, method of managing a subscriber database in a home operator network, method of communicating between a satellite access network and home operator network, network entity and computer software

Abstract

A method of enabling mobile device communication via an access network is provided. The access network is a satellite access network that does not have permanent connectivity with a subscriber authentication center in the HPLMN. The method comprises receiving, at a satellite access node of the satellite access network, a request from a mobile device to use the satellite access network. The request comprises an identifier of a mobile subscriber associated with the mobile device. The method further comprises sending a message to a subscriber database in a home operator network of the mobile subscriber. The message comprises the identifier and one or more of: a) a timestamp indicating when the mobile device requested to use the satellite access network; and b) information to enable the home operator network to determine that the access network is a satellite access network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.