Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating WLAN selection by a mobile node
View Patent ↗Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate selection of a WLAN through which a mobile node communicates. Selection takes into account the geographic positioning of the mobile node. The mobile node ascertains its geographic positioning by monitoring cellular-positioning signals. And, availability of WLANs through which to communicate is ascertained by detecting signals broadcast by the WLANs.
1. A method for facilitating wireless network selection of a first-type wireless network at a user equipment, said method comprising:
detecting, at the user equipment, second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information that includes at least one of a country code designation and a network code designation of a second-type wireless network, wherein the second-type wireless network operates according to a technology different from a technology of the first-type wireless network;
maintaining a network list of at least first-type wireless networks at the user equipment, the network list identifying the at least first-type wireless networks and respective associated location information, wherein the location information of the first-type-wireless-networks identified in the network list comprises second-type-wireless-network location information;
detecting, at the user equipment, first-type-wireless-network-identifying information;
selecting, at the user equipment, a first-type wireless network from among the first-type wireless networks identified by the network list with which to communicate, the selecting made utilizing the second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information, the network list of the at least first-type wireless networks and the associated second-type-wireless-network location information, and the first-type-wireless-network-identifying information.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining of the network list comprises maintaining a home wireless network list comprising entries that identify first-type wireless networks and associated geographic areas of operation.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining of the network list comprises maintaining a preferred network list comprising entries that identify first-type wireless networks and associated geographic areas of operation.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining of the network list comprises maintaining a neutral network list comprising entries that identify first-type wireless networks and associated geographic areas of operation.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maintaining of the network list comprises maintaining a plurality of network lists, each network list of the plurality of network lists associated with a different location.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information is detected responsive to a channel scan.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first-type wireless networks identified by the network list include wireless local area networks (WLANs).
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the second-type wireless network is a cellular wireless network.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected first-type wireless network operates according to a communication protocol different from a communication protocol of the second-type wireless network.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the country code designation of the second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information specifies a country code associated with the second-type wireless network.
11. A method at a user equipment (UE) for wireless network selection, the method comprising:
maintaining a list of one or more first-type wireless networks at the UE, the list comprising at least a first country code;
detecting, at the UE, a second country code received from a second-type wireless network, wherein the second-type wireless network is operable in a band different from the one or more first-type wireless networks;
detecting, at the UE, first wireless-network identifying information of a given first-type wireless network; and
selecting, at the UE, the given first-type wireless network, the selecting made utilizing the first country code and the second country code.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the UE is operable to communicate in conformity with a first operating protocol with the given first-type wireless network, the first operating protocol not operable on the second-type wireless network.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first country code is a Mobile Country Code of a PLMN identity.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the list of one or more first-type wireless networks comprises a list of one or more wireless local area networks (WLANs).
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second-type wireless network is a cellular wireless network.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the selecting of the given first-type wireless network is responsive to determining that the list includes a country code associated with the given first-type wireless network that matches the second country code received from the second-type wireless network.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the list maintained at the UE identifies a plurality of first-type wireless networks including the given first-type wireless network, and includes a plurality of first country codes associated with the plurality of first-type wireless networks.
18. A user equipment comprising:
a network list identifying at least first-type wireless networks and respective associated location information, wherein the location information of the first-type wireless networks of the network list comprises second-type-wireless network location information;
at least one processor; and
a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable on the at least one processor to:
detect second-type-wireless-network-transmitted location information transmitted by a second-type wireless network and that includes at least one of a country code designation and a network code designation of the second-type wireless network, wherein the second-type wireless network operates according to a communication protocol different from a communication protocol of the first-type wireless networks;
detect first-type-wireless-network-identifying information; and
select a first-type wireless network from among the first-type wireless networks identified by the network list with which to communicate, the selecting based on the second-type-wireless network-transmitted location information, the network list of the at least first-type wireless networks and the associated second-type-wireless network location information, and the first-type-wireless-network-identifying information.
19. The user equipment of claim 18 , wherein the first-type wireless networks identified by the network list include wireless local area networks (WLANs).
20. The user equipment of claim 19 , wherein the second-type wireless network is a cellular wireless network.