Vodafone Group Plc.

Airbiquity Inc.

Vodafone Group Services Limited

John Mahony Watson

Leon Hong

Christopher Pudney

David Andrew Fox

Gavin Wong

John Leadley Moughton

Ann Marie Gargulak

We disclose a new type of wireless telecommunications subscription service and related methods. In some embodiments, the new subscription service may be used by an eCall only MS, or by any other suitable wireless access device (NAD), in order to operate in a restricted access and mobility management (RAMM) mode (). The RAMM service limits usage of network resources, while enabling utilization for certain limited kinds of calls. The service may be used for eCall, in the case of motor vehicles (FIG.), for example, or for machine to machine communications and remote alarms (FIG.). The new subscription service may be used to avoid an eCall only MS being denied access to a network due to non-use of a prepaid (USIM) subscription ().

Wireless emergency call (eCall) devices and eCall service subscription management

Wireless emergency call (ECALL) devices and ECALL service subscription management

A system and method for restricting public access to a mobile telecommunications network in order to prevent congestion. The system and method are particularly useful in situations where the number of end users exceeds, or is likely to exceed, network capacity, for example in emergency situations or for large public gatherings, such as sporting events or New Years Eve celebrations. The system and method disclosed uses filtering by network elements, such as the base stations and MSCs. In particular the system and method can filter low data messages, such as SMS, from more demanding services, such as voice calls, so that all low data messages are transmitted, while the more demanding services are terminated, unless special conditions are met.

Implementation of telecommunications network access restrictions

A mobile or cellular telecommunications network includes a plurality of terminals which are registered. The terminal may be fixed in position, such as a terminal in a vending machine. Alternatively, the terminal may be fixed to a vehicle used for sending an SOS message when the vehicle is involved in an accident. The terminal may be immobile, and therefore does not need to continually advise the network of its location. The terminal may not receive incoming calls or other communications. The terminals therefore may not require paging by the network. In the embodiments described, such terminals are assigned a special terminal type identifier which indicates to the network that these terminals do not require paging. The way in which the network interacts with the terminals is adjusted so that signaling to perform location updates is eliminated or at least reduced.

Provision of position information in telecommunications networks

A telecommunications system is disclosed including a host telecommunications network (A) having a radio access network () and a virtual telecommunications network (C) with which a telecommunications device () is registered and operable to communicate with a telecommunications device () using the radio access network () of the host telecommunications network (A). Network (C) is therefore an MVNO. The network (C) includes means for generating an identifier for indicating that the telecommunications device is registered with the network (C) and for adding that identifier to communications related to the telecommunications device () transmitted to elements of the host telecommunications network (A). This identifier is a virtual network identifier (VNID), and can be used by the elements of the network (A) to provide differentiated services to subscribers of the network (C).

Identifying communications between telecommunications networks

A half-duplex communication system is embodied in a push-to-talk cellular system such as a GPRS system. The system includes two or more terminals (A,B,C) one or more of which can operate in a hands-free mode. When in hands-free mode, a terminal (A) is offered the right-to-speak by a controller (A,A,A,A) within the system without the need for a talk request from a user. This allows a hands-free user to participate safely in a communications session.

Growing community of inventors

Newbury, United Kingdom

John Mahony Watson