Vodafone Group Plc.

Vodafone IP Licensing Limited

Robert Edward Banks

Colin Dougal McEwen

Christopher Pudney

Gavin Wong

Nick Russell

Peter Robert Dawes

Karen Jude

Alex Tame

Colin Dougal Mcewen

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

There is provided a system for facilitating communications over a telecommunications network, the system comprising a data communications device having a unique identifier, the device adapted to generate information elements comprising machine information, the information elements conforming to a first message protocol, the first message protocol being a session-based message protocol. The system further comprises a network subsystem to provide an interface for communication with a plurality of entities. The network subsystem is adapted to receive the information elements and extract the machine information, generate an output message comprising the machine information, the message conforming to a second message protocol different from the first message protocol, and, forward the message to a specific entity of the plurality of entities in dependence on the unique identifier of the data communications device. The data communications device may be a cellular data communications device. An associated method is also provided.

Communications system

A mobile terminal configured for use in a mobile telecommunications network, the mobile terminal having an emergency notification facility and an identifier, the identifier usable by the network to recognize the mobile terminal as having the emergency notification facility and to change a system access priority for the terminal, where required. Preferably, the terminal also includes a sensing means configured to determine when the mobile terminal is in motion and/or associated with a vehicle and notify the network of such, in order to allow the network to change the system access priority based upon whether or not the terminal is in motion and/or associated with a vehicle. In this regard, mobile terminals with an emergency notification facility, particularly when moving or in a vehicle, are given a higher priority so that an emergency call can be quickly dispatched in the event of an accident.

Emergency communication device

A communication device is disclosed which includes a wireless communicator part for use with a cellular telecommunications network and a supplementary part to which the wireless communicator part is coupleable. The wireless communicator part has an associated identifier for uniquely identifying it to the network. The supplementary part also has an associated identifier for uniquely identifying it to the network. The identifiers enable the network to determine the functional attributes of the part with which the identifier is associated. Embodiments are described which allow the network to always be aware of the functional attributes of the device. The functional attributes of the device will change depending upon the coupling and uncoupling of the wireless communicator part to the supplementary part. The identifiers may be IMEIs and may be transmitted as a USSD string.

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Berkshire, United Kingdom

Robert Edward Banks