Private Access Point Containing a Sim Card
An access point, or base station, for a mobile communications network, such as a cellular communications network, can be installed by a user, for use within or close to their own home or office. The base station has a SIM card, and can establish secure communications with the core network of the mobile communications network over the user's existing broadband internet connection. The base station is also able to obtain the necessary ciphering keys, in order to allow the mobile device to communicate securely with the base station, and hence with the core network.
1 . A base station for a cellular communications system, comprising an interface for a SIM card.
2 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , including SIP client software, such that communications in accordance with a GSM/UMTS protocol can be mapped onto corresponding SIP services.
3 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , including UMA client software, such that the base station can communicate over a broadband IP network with a UMA UNC in the core network of the cellular communications system.
4 . A base station as claimed in a claim 3 , wherein software in the base station is adapted to map communications in accordance with a GSM/UMTS protocol to the UMA protocol.
5 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , including IPSec software, whereby the base station is able to provide an encrypted and secure transmission medium between the base station and a core network of the cellular communications systems.
6 . A base station as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the base station is adapted to receive ciphering keys from the core network of the cellular communications system.
7 . A base station as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the base station is adapted to cipher and decipher messages transmitted between the base station and a mobile station, using at least one ciphering key received from the core network of the cellular communications system.
8 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base station is adapted to use identifying data stored on the SIM card to identify itself to a core network of the cellular communications system, such that it is recognized as a mobile device and is enabled to originate and terminate messages and cells.
9 . A base station as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the base station is adapted to use the identifying data stored on the SIM card to set up an IPSec tunnel with the core network of the cellular communications system.
10 . A base station as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base station is adapted to act as a proxy for any communications device connected thereto over a wireless communications protocol, such that the communications device is enabled to communicate with a core network of the cellular communications system.
11 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base station is adapted to receive and act upon an SMS message from a pre-registered user, instructing the base station to perform a specific function.
12 . A base station as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the specific function comprises maintaining a database.
13 . A base station as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the base station is further adapted to update an associated management system with any changes to said database.
14 . A base station as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the specific function comprises controlling a device connected to a user's Local Area Network.
15 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base station is adapted to send an SMS or MMS message to a user, in response to a predefined condition.
16 . A base station as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the predefined condition relates to operation of the base station.
17 . A base station as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the predefined condition relates to a device connected to a user's Local Area Network.
18 . A base station as claimed in one of claims 15 to 17 , wherein, if a mobile communications device of the user is camped on the base station, said SMS or MMS message is sent to said user directly, without passing through a core network of the cellular communications system.
19 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base station is adapted to receive and act upon a call or data session initiated by a user in a wide are network, such that the user can access information on the user's Local Area Network.
20 . A base station as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base station is adapted to initiate a call or data session to a user, in response to a predefined condition.
21 . A base station as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the predefined condition relates to a device connected to a user's Local Area Network.
22 . A base station as claimed in one of claims 20 to 21 , wherein, if a mobile communications device of the user is camped on the base station, said call or data session is initiated with said user directly, without passing through a core network of the cellular communications system.