Parallel core networks for GSM/UMTS

1. A packet switched network architecture comprising a location area, a radio access network, and at least two core networks having the same functionality, the location area being a common location area connected by the radio access network to the at least two core networks, wherein the radio access network is configured to switch packet transmissions from each terminal in the common location area to one of the at least two core networks,

wherein the radio access network is configured to switch packet transmissions from each of the terminals to a respective one of the at least two core networks dependent on the capacity of the core networks,

and wherein each terminal distinguishes the core network to which said terminal is switched by receiving a location area identifier that includes a core network identifier field and including the core network identifier in said terminal's packet transmissions.

2. The packet switched network of claim 1 in which each core network includes a mobile switching center (MSC), said mobile switching center comprising a visitor location register (VLR), the VLR being configured to determine the capacity of the core network.

3. A method of allocating resources by a radio access network in a packet switched mobile network, comprising: allocating at least two core networks having the same functionality to a common location area; and switching, by the radio access network, packet transmissions from each mobile user terminal in the common location area to one of the core networks dependent on the capacity of the core networks by associating each mobile user terminal in the common location area with a respective one of the core networks; wherein each mobile user terminal distinguishes the core network to which said mobile user terminal is associated by receiving a location area identifier that includes a core network identifier field and including the core network identifier in said terminal's packet transmissions.