Selecting between radio access technologies

Abstract

A mobile terminal comprising: transceiver apparatus for accessing a wireless network using an earlier and a later generation radio access technology, to establish a voice channel and packet data channel; and an inter radio access technology selector configured to monitor a condition for disabling the earlier generation access, being a condition other than coverage under the earlier generation technology falling below an acceptable lower level. The selector makes inter radio access technology decisions dynamically from the mobile terminal by updating registration with the network to indicate that the earlier generation technology is no longer supported. The selector thereby prevents the mobile terminal being subject to decisions from the network that would otherwise impose transfer to the earlier generation. At least some of the decisions made from the mobile terminal thus disable the earlier generation access whilst in presence of at least the lower level of coverage under the earlier generation.