Methods and apparatus for use in controlling the selection of communication networks while connected in a generic access network

A computer program product, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium;
• computer instructions stored on the computer readable medium;
• and
• the computer instructions being executable by one or more processors of a mobile communication device for:
• maintaining a communication link with a radio access network, the radio access network being part of a generic access network which further includes a gateway controller;
• maintaining, via the generic access network, a service connection with a core network of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for communications;
• repeatedly performing the following acts while the service connection is maintained, via the generic area network, with the core network of the visited PLMN for communications:
• setting and running a timer;
• in response to an expiration of the timer:
• sending, via the radio access network, a service connection request for a service connection with a core network of a home PLMN of the mobile communication device;
• and
• determining if the service connection request has been accepted, and if the service connection request is determined to have been accepted, then establishing and maintaining, via the generic access network, a service connection with the core network of the home PLMN for communications.

A mobile communication device comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a Radio Access Network (RAN) interface, the RAN interface being coupled to the one or more processors and configured to communicate with a RAN which is part of a generic access network (GAN) which further includes a gateway controller;
• a wireless wide area network (WWAN) radio interface, the WWAN radio interface being coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide for communications via Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs);
• the one or more processors being configured to establish and maintain, with use of the RAN interface, a communication link with the RAN;
• the one or more processors being further configured to establish and maintain, via the RAN interface and the GAN, a service connection with a core network of a visited PLMN for communications;
• the one or more processors being further configured to repeatedly perform the following acts while the service connection is maintained, through the RAN interface and the GAN, with the core network of the visited PLMN:
• set and run a timer;
• in response to an expiration of the timer:
• send, via the RAN interface and the GAN, a service connection request for a service connection with a core network of a home PLMN of the mobile communication device;
• and
• determine if the service connection request has been accepted, and if the service connection request is determined to have been accepted:
• establish and maintain, via the RAN interface and the GAN, a service connection with the core network of the home PLMN for communications.

A method for use by a mobile communication device configured for communications in accordance with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards, the method comprising:

• maintaining a wireless communication link with a radio access network (RAN), the RAN being an IEEE 802.11 network;
• maintaining, over the wireless communication link with the RAN and via a generic access network (GAN) which includes the RAN, a service connection with a core network of a visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for communications;
• repeatedly performing the following acts while the service connection is maintained via the GAN with the core network of the visited PLMN:
• setting and running a timer;
• in response to an expiration of the timer:
• sending, over the wireless communication link with the RAN, a service connection request for a service connection with a core network of a home PLMN (HPLMN);
• and
• determining if the service connection request has been accepted, and if the service connection request is determined to have been accepted, then establishing and maintaining via the GAN a service connection with the core network of the HPLMN for communications.