Method and apparatus for routing messages in a network

1 . A method in a communication device, comprising:

transmitting a signaling connection establishment message on a radio connection, the signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

receiving a registration accept message on the radio connection; and

transmitting an uplink signaling message on the radio connection, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the uplink signaling message comprises a non-access stratum signaling message.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the uplink signaling message includes a domain identity.

4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the domain identity comprises at least one of a packet switched domain indicator and a circuit switched domain indicator.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling connection establishment message comprises an initial core network signaling message.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the registration request message includes a desired core network operator identifier.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the registration accept message includes an assigned core network operator identifier.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the core network operator identifier comprises a public land mobile network identity including a mobile country code and a mobile network code.

9 . A method in a mobile communication device, comprising:

receiving a system information broadcast message;

requesting a radio connection;

receiving a grant of a radio connection;

transmitting a signaling connection establishment message on the radio connection, the signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

receiving a registration accept message on the radio connection; and

transmitting an uplink signaling message on the radio connection, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the uplink signaling message comprises a non-access stratum signaling message.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the signaling connection establishment message comprises an initial core network signaling message.

12 . A method for routing messages in a network, comprising:

receiving radio connection request message;

sending a radio connection grant message;

receiving a signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

sending a registration accept message; and

receiving an uplink signaling message, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising determining whether the mobile communication device can receive a core network operator identifier in a registration accept message.

14 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising sending a registration denial message, the registration denial message including a forbidden core network operator identifier.

15 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising sending a radio system broadcast message.

16 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the uplink signaling message comprises a non-access stratum signaling message.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the uplink signaling message includes a domain identity.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the domain identity comprises at least one of a packet switched domain indicator and a circuit switched domain indicator.

19 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the signaling connection establishment message comprises an initial core network signaling message.

20 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the registration request message includes a desired core network operator identifier.

21 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the registration accept message includes an assigned core network operator identifier.

22 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the core network operator identifier comprises a public land mobile network identity including a mobile country code and a mobile network code.

23 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

forwarding the non-access stratum signaling message to a first core network operator when the non-access stratum signaling message is a circuit switched message; and

forwarding the forwarding the non-access stratum signaling message to a second core network operator when the non-access stratum signaling message is a packet switched message.

24 . A mobile communication device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a controller coupled to the transceiver, the controller configured to control the operations of the mobile communication device; and

a signaling message module coupled to the controller, the signaling message module configured to transmit a signaling connection establishment message on a radio connection, the signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message, receive a registration accept message on the radio connection, and transmit an uplink signaling message on the radio connection, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

25 . The mobile communication device according to claim 24 , wherein the uplink signaling message comprises a non-access stratum signaling message and a domain identity, the domain identity comprising at least one of a packet switched domain indicator and a circuit switched domain indicator.

26 . The mobile communication device according to claim 25 , wherein the signaling connection establishment message comprises an initial core network signaling message.

27 . A method for routing messages in a network, comprising:

receiving radio connection request message;

sending a radio connection grant message;

receiving a signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

selecting a core network from a plurality of core networks to process the registration message; and

sending a registration accept message.

28 . The method in claim 27 , wherein the selecting step includes,

selecting a core network from a plurality of core networks in a random manner.

29 . he method in claim 27 , wherein the selecting step includes,

selecting a core network from a plurality of core networks in a round robin manner.

30 . The method in claim 27 , wherein the selecting step includes,

selecting a core network from a plurality of core networks for an indicated domain identity.

31 . A method in a mobile communication device, comprising:

receiving a system information broadcast message;

transmitting a signaling connection establishment message, the signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

receiving a registration accept message; and

transmitting an uplink signaling message, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

32 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein the uplink signaling message includes a domain identity, the domain identity comprising at least one of a packet switched domain indicator and a circuit switched domain indicator.

33 . A method in a communication device, comprising:

transmitting a signaling connection establishment message on a connection, the signaling connection establishment message including a registration request message;

receiving a registration accept message on the connection; and

transmitting an uplink signaling message on the connection, the uplink signaling message including a core network operator identifier.

34 . The method according to claim 33 , wherein the uplink signaling message comprises a non-access stratum signaling message.

35 . The method according to claim 34 , wherein the uplink signaling message includes a domain identity.

36 . The method according to claim 35 , wherein the domain identity comprises at least one of a packet switched domain indicator and a circuit switched domain indicator.

37 . The method according to claim 36 , wherein the signaling connection establishment message comprises an initial core network signaling message.

38 . The method according to claim 33 , wherein the registration request message includes a desired core network operator identifier.

39 . The method according to claim 33 , wherein the registration accept message includes an assigned core network operator identifier.