IDENTIFIZIERUNG EINER MOBILSTATION IN EINEM PAKETFUNKNETZ

A method of allocating a temporary identity (TLLI) in a cellular network to a mobile station (MS) by a first network element (SGSN, BSC, RNC) which has an identifier (NEI) of its own, characterized in that the temporary identity (TLLI) comprises at least part of an identifier (NEI) indicating the first network element and that said temporary identity (TLLI) also comprises a paging identity which is unique to each mobile station (MS) in the paging area in question, and further characterized by using only part of said temporary identity (TLLI) in connection with paging. In conventional cellular systems, the identifier of network elements (SGSN) allocating a temporary identity (TLLI) to a mobile station (MS) can be derived from the identities of the cells they serve. In the future, this assumption may no longer be valid. One paging area could be handled by several network elements, such as SGSN nodes, or one network element could serve many paging areas. When the mobile station changes its paging area, the new supporting network element may have trouble in determining the old supporting network element on the basis of the paging area identifier. It is also possible for two supporting network elements to allocate the same TLLI to two different mobile stations. Therefore the network element (SGSN, BSC, RNC) allocating a temporary identity (TLLI) to a mobile station (MS) should incorporate at least part of its own identifier (NEI) into the temporary identity (TLLI).