Method and nodes for authorizing network access

A method performed by a Home Location Register (HLR) for enabling authorization of a wireless device to access a first network while simultaneously accessing a second network which the wireless device is currently accessing, the method comprising:

• the HLR receiving, from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server, a location update message comprising i) a device identifier identifying the wireless device and ii) information associated with the first network which the wireless device has requested to access, wherein the HLR receives the location update message while the wireless device is registered with and is being served by a network node in the second network;
• based on the device identifier, obtaining network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• and
• transmitting, to the AAA server, the obtained network profile data, wherein
• the HLR is configured such that, as a result of receiving the location update message, the HLR refrains from transmitting a Cancel Location message to the network node serving the wireless device in the second network.

An Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for enabling authorization of a wireless device to access a first network while simultaneously accessing a second network which the wireless device is currently accessing, the AAA server being adapted to:

• send to a Home Location Register (HLR) an authentication request comprising a wireless device identifier identifying the wireless device;
• obtain an authentication response transmitted by the HLR in response to the authentication request;
• in response to obtaining the authentication response, transmit to the HLR a profile request message requesting network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• obtain, from the HLR, the requested network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• based on the obtained network profile data, authorize the wireless device to access the first network;
• and
• transmit, to the wireless device, information indicating the authorization to access the first network.

A Home Location Register (HRL) for enabling authorization of a wireless device to access a first network while simultaneously accessing a second network which the wireless device is currently accessing, the HLR being adapted to:

• obtain, from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server, a location update message comprising i) a device identifier identifying the wireless device and ii) information associated with the first network which the wireless device has requested to access, wherein the HLR receives the location update message while the wireless device is registered with and is being served by a network node in the second network;
• based on the device identifier, obtain network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• and
• transmit, to the AAA server, the obtained network profile data, wherein
• the HLR is configured such that, as a result of receiving the location update message, the HLR refrains from transmitting a Cancel Location message to the network node serving the wireless device in the second network.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer instructions for:

• sending to a Home Location Register (HLR) an authentication request comprising a wireless device identifier identifying the wireless device;
• receiving an authentication response transmitted by the HLR in response to the authentication request;
• in response to receiving the authentication response, transmitting to the HLR a profile request message requesting network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• receiving, from the HLR, the requested network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• based on the received network profile data, authorizing the wireless device to access the first network;
• and
• transmitting, to the wireless device, information indicating the authorization to access the first network.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer instructions for:

• receiving, from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server, a location update message comprising i) a device identifier identifying the wireless device and ii) information associated with the first network which the wireless device has requested to access, wherein the HLR receives the location update message while the wireless device is registered with and is being served by a network node in the second network;
• based on the device identifier, obtaining network profile data associated with the wireless device;
• transmitting, to the AAA server, the obtained network profile data;
• and
• as a result of receiving the location update message, refraining from transmitting a Cancel Location message to the network node serving the wireless device in the second network.