US 6,636,502 B1Granted

GPRS-subscriber selection of multiple internet service providers

AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson

InventorsPer Lager, Kurt Essigmann

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Abstract

A switching device (PLMN-SW) in a mobile radio communication system (PLMN) which supports a GPRS-network allows to connect a terminal station (GPRS-MS) of the mobile radio communication network (PLMN) with one of a plurality of packet data communication networks (PDN1, PDN2, IN). The selection of the packet data communication network (PDN1, PDN2, IN) is based on the transmission of a specific network indication parameter (NIP) from the terminal station (GPRS-MS) of the mobile radio communication network (PLMN). The network indication parameter (NIP) is transmitted to a serving (GPRS) support node (SGSN) as a special parameter in a PDP context activation procedure. Thus, a large number of internet service providers (ISP1, ISP2, ISP3) can be connected to a GPRS-network.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method for providing packet data communications between a first terminal station and a second terminal station of a telecommunication system, the telecommunication system comprising:

at least one mobile radio telecommunication network with which the first terminal station is connected;
and
a plurality of packet data communication networks wherein the second terminal station is connected to one packet data communication network via a communication path;
and
wherein said packet data communication networks are respectively connected, through a communication tunnel, with a switching device including:
a reception device;
a plurality of access devices each providing an access to one of said connected packet data communication networks and each including a communication tunnel set-up device for setting up a respective communication tunnel between said access device and a respective switching device of the respective packet data communication network;
a selection device for selecting one of said access devices;
and
a control device in each access device;
the method comprising the steps of:
sending a network indication parameter indicating a predetermined packet data communication network from said first terminal station to said switching device of said mobile radio telecommunication network;
receiving, by said reception device of said switching device, said network indication parameter;
selecting, by said selection device, the access device in accordance with the network indication parameter;
and
activating, by said control device, of the communication tunnel set up device provided in said selected access device;
and
setting-up, by said communication tunnel set-up device, of a communication tunnel to said respective switching device of the packet data communication network connected to said selected-access device when said access device is selected by said selection device.

15 more elements

A switching device for providing packet data communications between a first terminal station of a mobile radio telecommunication network and a second terminal station of one of a plurality of packet data communication networks wherein the second terminal station is connected to one of said packet data communication networks via a communication path;

and wherein said packet data communication networks are respectively connected, through a communication tunnel, the switching device which includes;
a reception device adapted to receive a network indication parameter, indicating a predetermined packet data communication network, from said first terminal station;
a plurality of access devices each adapted to provide an access to one of said connected packet data communication networks;
wherein
each access device includes a communication tunnel set up device for setting up a respective communication tunnel between said access and a respective switching device of the respective packet data communication network;
a selection device adapted to select one of said access devices in accordance with the network indication parameter;
and wherein
a control device is provided in said access device adapted to activate the communication tunnel set up device provided in the selected access device for setting up a communication tunnel to said respective switching device of the packet data communication network connected to said selected access device when said access device is selected by said selection device.

5 more elements

A telecommunication system for providing packet data communications between a first and a second terminal station thereof, comprising:

at least one mobile radio communication network to which said first terminal station is connected;
and
a plurality of packet data communication networks, said second terminal station being connected to one of said packet data communication networks via a communication path, and said communication networks being connected, respectively, via a communication tunnel to a switching device including:
a reception means for receiving a network indication parameter indicating a predetermined packet data communication network from said first terminal station;
a plurality of access devices each providing an access respectively to one of said connected packet data communication networks;
wherein each said access device includes a communication tunnel set up device for setting up a respective communication tunnel between said access device and a respective switching device of the respective packet data communication network;
a selection device adapted to select one of said access devices in accordance with the network indication parameter;
and wherein
a control device is provided in said access device adapted to activate the communication tunnel set up device provided in the selected access device for setting up a communication tunnel to said respective switching device of the packet data communication network connected to said selected access device when said access device is selected by said selection device.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.