Method of anonymously reporting minimization of drive test measurements

A method for anonymously reporting minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements by an evolved node b (eNB), the method comprising:

• determining whether anonymization of MDT data is based on a type allocation code (TAC);
• generating a cell traffic trace message based on the determination;
• and
• transmitting the generated cell traffic trace message to a mobility management entity (MME),
• wherein the TAC of a user equipment (UE) is transmitted by the MME to a trace collection entity (TCE) if the anonymization of the MDT data is based on the TAC.

A mobility management entity (MME) for anonymously reporting minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements, the MME comprising:

• a transceiver configured to transmit and receive related messages;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive, via the transceiver, a cell traffic trace message from an evolved node b (eNB),
• identify information related to anonymization of MDT data based on the cell traffic trace message,
• transmit, via the transceiver, a type allocation code (TAC) of a user equipment (UE) to a trace collection entity (TCE) if the information related to the anonymization of the MDT data indicates that the TAC is required, and
• transmit, via the transceiver, an international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity and software version (IMEISV) of the UE to the TCE if the information related to the anonymization of the MDT data indicates that the TAC is not required.

An evolved node b (eNB) for anonymously reporting minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements, the eNB comprising:

• a transceiver configured to transmit related messages;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• determine whether anonymization of MDT data is based on a type allocation code (TAC),
• generate a cell traffic trace message based on the determination, and
• transmit, via the transceiver, the generated cell traffic trace message to a mobility management entity (MME),
• wherein the TAC of a user equipment (UE) is transmitted by the MME to a trace collection entity (TCE) if the anonymization of the MDT data is based on the TAC.