Vodafone IP Licensing Limited

Vodafone Intellectual Property Licensing Limited

Vodafone Group Services Limited

Vodafone Italia S.p.a.

Peter Robert Dawes

Nick Russell

Christopher Pudney

Gavin Wong

Robert Edward Banks

David Hutton

Bruno Cornaglia

The invention relates to operating a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device for communication with a cellular radio network. A transmission is made from the MTC device to the cellular radio network to register the MTC device with the cellular radio network. The transmission includes a message from the MTC device to the cellular radio network, identifying the MTC device as an MTC device to the cellular radio network. Also, the MTC device has an associated HPLMN. An instruction is received at the MTC device from the network not to make a transmission from the MTC device for accessing the network. The instruction specifies a criteria for the MTC device's HPLMN or preferred list of networks. The MTC Device compares the criteria with the HPLMN associated with the MTC device and avoids making a transmission to access the network for a period of time based on the result comparing step.

Operation of machine-type communication devices

An apparatus for delivering a message from an originating subscriber to a target subscriber across a communication network comprising; means for receiving in a first network a message from an originating subscriber to a target subscriber and an identifier of the target subscriber, the target subscriber being associated with the first network and the originating subscriber being associated with a second network, the message and identifier being received from the second network; means for identifying at least one network node associated with the target subscriber and being responsible for delivering messages to the target subscriber; means for selecting a network node from the at least one network node for delivery of the message; means for receiving from the second network an allowed time period for delivery of the message; means for determining the expected delivery time of the message for the selected network node; means for comparing the expected delivery time with the allowed time period for delivery; and means for forwarding the message to the selected network node for delivery to the target subscriber in dependence on the allowed time period exceeding the expected delivery time.

Method and apparatus for message delivery

Growing community of inventors

Newbury, United Kingdom

Peter Robert Dawes