Method and device for network selection in multiple access technologies

1. A method operable on a wireless user equipment (UE) device, comprising:

storing network information in a database structure on said wireless user equipment device, said network information containing a plurality of network entries arranged by radio access technology, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of the network entries comprise both a radio access network (RAN) identification code and a core network (CN) identification code associated therewith and having a priority within the radio access technology and further wherein a first network entry of the plurality of network entries comprises a CN identification code associated with two or more RAN identification codes and RANs represented by the two or more RAN identification codes operate in at least two different radio access technologies;

determining a currently preferred order of access technologies; and

selecting a network entry according to the currently preferred order of radio access technologies and the priority of network entries within the radio access technologies.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a first network entry of the plurality of network entries comprises a RAN identification code associated with two or more CN identification codes.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network entries comprises prohibited networks.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network entries comprises both preferred networks and prohibited networks.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the database structure is enterprise-controlled.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising determining an order of priority for use of the plurality of structures.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising applying a policy in determining the currently preferred order of access technologies.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein an enterprise policy prohibits use of a given WLAN near enterprise premises.

9. A wireless user equipment (UE) device, comprising:

a processor operably coupled to a memory and a transceiver;

a logic module for storing network information in a database structure on said wireless user equipment device, said network information containing a plurality of network entries arranged by radio access technology, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of the network entries comprise both a radio access network (RAN) identification code and a core network (CN) identification code associated therewith and having a priority within the radio access technology and further wherein a first network entry of the plurality of network entries comprises a CN identification code associated with two or more RAN identification codes and RANs represented by the two or more RAN identification codes operate in at least two different radio access technologies;

a logic module for determining a currently preferred order of access technologies; and

a logic module for selecting a network entry according to the currently preferred order of radio access technologies and the priority of network entries within the radio access technologies;

wherein the logic modules are embodied in any of hardware, firmware and software stored in the memory.

10. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , wherein a first network entry of the plurality of network entries comprises a RAN identification code associated with two or more CN identification codes.

11. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of network entries comprises prohibited networks.

12. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the plurality of network entries comprises both preferred networks and prohibited networks.

13. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the database structure is enterprise-controlled.

14. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a logic module for determining an order of priority for use of the plurality of structures.

15. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , further comprising a logic module for applying a policy in determining the currently preferred order of access technologies.

16. The wireless UE device as recited in claim 9 , wherein an enterprise policy prohibits use of a given WLAN near enterprise premises.