RADIO-ACCESS-TECHNOLOGY-SPECIFIC ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Various communication systems may benefit from appropriate restriction on use. For example, certain wireless communication systems may benefit from radio-access-technology-specific access restrictions. A method can include registering a user equipment with a network element. The registering can include identifying user equipment capabilities. The method can also include receiving a response from the network element indicating restriction on use of at least one radio access technology.
1 . A method, comprising:
registering a user equipment with a network element, wherein the registering comprises identifying user equipment capabilities;
receiving a response from the network element indicating restriction on use of at least one radio access technology; and
operating the user equipment in accordance with the indicated restriction.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capabilities are provided via S1 or non-access stratum signaling.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the response comprises a tracking area update acceptance message or attach acceptance message.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capabilities comprise capabilities for using a plurality of radio access technologies.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
disabling at least one radio access technology for the user equipment based on the response.
6 . A method, comprising:
receiving a registration request for a user equipment at a network element, wherein the request identifies user equipment capabilities;
determining a restriction on use of at least one radio access technology for the user equipment; and
at least one of sending a response to the user equipment indicating the restriction on use of at least one radio access technology, or indicating to an access node that the access node is to impose at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to the user equipment.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
obtaining subscription information regarding the user equipment from a further network element, wherein the restriction on use is determined based on the subscription information.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the restriction on use is determined further based on roaming information regarding the user equipment.
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the capabilities are provided via S1 or non-access stratum signaling.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the response comprises a tracking area update acceptance message or attach acceptance message.
11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the capabilities comprise capabilities for using a plurality of radio access technologies.
12 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the determination is further based on a timer related to use of at least one radio access technology.
13 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the determination is further based on access control validity information related to use of at least one radio access technology.
14 . A method, comprising:
receiving a context setup message indicating at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to a user equipment; and
imposing the at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to the user equipment, based on the context setup message.
15 . An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,
wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
register a user equipment with a network element, wherein the registering comprises identifying user equipment capabilities;
receive a response from the network element indicating restriction on use of at least one radio access technology; and
operate the user equipment in accordance with the indicated restriction.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the network element comprises a mobility management entity.
17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the capabilities are provided via S1 or non-access stratum signaling.
18 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the response comprises a tracking area update acceptance message or attach acceptance message.
19 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the capabilities comprise capabilities for using a plurality of radio access technologies.
20 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to disable at least one radio access technology for the user equipment based on the response.
21 . An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,
wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
receive a registration request for a user equipment at a network element, wherein the request identifies user equipment capabilities;
determine a restriction on use of at least one radio access technology for the user equipment; and
at least one of send a response to the user equipment indicating the restriction on use of at least one radio access technology, or indicate to an access node that the access node is to impose at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to the user equipment.
22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the network element comprises a mobility management entity.
23 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to obtain subscription information regarding the user equipment from a further network element, wherein the restriction on use is determined based on the subscription information.
24 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the restriction on use is determined further based on roaming information regarding the user equipment.
25 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the further network element comprises a home subscriber server or unified data manager.
26 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the capabilities are provided via S1 or non-access stratum signaling.
27 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the response comprises a tracking area update acceptance message or attach acceptance message.
28 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the access node comprises an evolved Node B or a next generation Node B.
29 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the capabilities comprise capabilities for using a plurality of radio access technologies.
30 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the determination is further based on a timer related to use of at least one radio access technology.
31 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the determination is further based on access control validity information related to use of at least one radio access technology.
32 . An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,
wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to
receive a context setup message indicating at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to a user equipment; and
impose the at least one restriction on serving at least one radio access technology to the user equipment, based on the context setup message.