Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating WLAN selection by a mobile node
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 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 according to a second technology different from a first technology for the one or more first-type wireless networks; and
selecting, at the UE, a first-type wireless network from the list, the selecting made utilizing the first country code and the second country code.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting, at the UE, first-wireless-network-identifying information of the first-type wireless network.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first technology is according to a first operating protocol, and the second technology is according to a second operating protocol.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE is operable to communicate in conformity with a first operating protocol with the first-type wireless network, and a second operating protocol with the second-type wireless network, wherein the first and second operating protocols are different.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first country code comprises a Mobile Country Code of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identity.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second-type wireless network is operable in a frequency band within allocated frequency bands.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more first-type wireless networks in the list comprise one or more cellular wireless networks.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first-type wireless network is operable in a first band different from a second band of operation of the second-type wireless network.
9. A user equipment (UE) comprising:
at least one processor; and
a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable on the at least one processor to:
maintain a list of one or more first-type wireless networks at the UE, the list comprising at least a first country code;
detect a second country code received from a second-type wireless network, wherein the second-type wireless network is operable according to a second technology different from a first technology for the one or more first-type wireless networks; and
select a first-type wireless network from the list, the selecting made utilizing the first country code and the second country code.
10. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are executable on the at least one processor to:
detect first-wireless-network-identifying information of the first-type wireless network.
11. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first technology is a first protocol, and the second technology is a different second protocol.
12. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first country code comprises a Mobile Country Code of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identity.
13. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the UE is operable to communicate in conformity with a first operating protocol with the first-type wireless network, and a second operating protocol with the second-type wireless network, wherein the first and second operating protocols are different.
14. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the second-type wireless network is operable in a frequency band within allocated frequency bands.
15. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the one or more first-type wireless networks in the list comprise one or more cellular wireless networks.
16. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first-type wireless network is operable in a first band different from a second band of operation of the second-type wireless network.