Location request control

1. A method, comprising:

dynamically allocating a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements within a mobile wireless network, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request for periodically updating location information for a respective one of location services within the mobile wireless network between a user equipment and a location services provider.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network elements include at least one of a user equipment, an element of a radio access network, and an element of a core network.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the dynamic allocation of the control point is carried out by a core network.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the dynamic allocation of the control point is carried out by a gateway of the core network.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the characteristics include at least one of a quality of service level to be supported, a periodic interval of the location updates, a current network load, and an operator business logic.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network elements includes a gateway of a core network.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the gateway is a gateway mobile location center.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the network is a packet switched network and the plurality of network elements includes a serving general packet radio service support node.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the network is a circuit switched network and the plurality of network elements includes a mobile switching center.

10. A system, comprising:

at least a radio access network;

a core network;

a location services provider; and

an allocator configured to dynamically allocate the control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements, wherein the mobile wireless network supports location services, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request; and

said control point configured to initiate periodic location requests for updates of location information for a respective one of said location services, in response to the location service request.

11. A system, comprising:

an apparatus configured to provide location services in a mobile wireless network between a user equipment and a location services provider; and

an allocator configured to dynamically allocate a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request, and said control point being configured to initiate periodic location requests for updates of location information for a respective one of said location services, in response to the location service request.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

dynamically allocate a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements within a mobile wireless network, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request for periodically updating location information for a respective one of location services within the mobile wireless network, and the mobile wireless network comprising a radio access network, a core network, a location services provider, and the apparatus,

wherein the mobile wireless network supports the location services.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is within a network element of the core network.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein said network element is a gateway of the core network.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said gateway is a gateway mobile location center.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of network elements include at least one of a user equipment, an element of the radio access network, and an element of the core network.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the mobile wireless network is a packet switched mobile wireless network, and the element of the radio access network is a serving general packet radio service support node.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the mobile wireless network is a circuit switched mobile wireless network, and the element of the radio access network is a mobile switching center.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the element of the core network is a gateway element.

20. A method, comprising:

dynamically allocating by an allocator a control point for at least one periodic location service request to one of a plurality of network elements, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request and wherein the allocator operates in a mobile wireless network comprising a radio access network, core network, a location services provider, and the allocator, and

wherein the mobile wireless network supports location services.

21. A method, comprising:

providing location services in a mobile wireless network between a user equipment and a location services provider; and

dynamically allocating a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements, wherein the dynamic allocation of the control point is carried out by a core network.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

an allocator configured to dynamically allocate a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements in a mobile wireless network comprising a radio access network, core network, a location services provider, and the allocator comprising a network element of the core network,

wherein the mobile wireless network supports location services.

23. A method, comprising:

providing by an apparatus location services in a mobile wireless network between a user equipment and a location services provider;

dynamically allocating by an allocator a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements; and

initiating by said control point periodic location requests for updates of location information for a respective one of said location services, in response to the location service request.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

an allocator configured to dynamically allocate a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements, wherein said control point is configured to initiate periodic location requests for updates of location information for a respective one of location services, in response to the location service request, and wherein the allocator is configured to operate in a mobile wireless network comprising a radio access network, core network, a location services provider, and the allocator, and

wherein the mobile wireless network supports location services.

25. A computer readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:

dynamically allocating a control point for a location service request to one of a plurality of network elements within a mobile wireless network, the control point being dynamically allocated in dependence on characteristics of the location service request for periodically updating location information for a respective one of location services within the mobile wireless network between a user equipment and a location services provider.