WO2013102693A1

WO2013102693A1 - Method and apparatus for managing network access

Info

Publication number: WO2013102693A1
Application number: PCT/FI2012/050002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eng Hwee Ong; Janne Marin; Niko Kiukkonen
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2012-01-02
Filing date: 2012-01-02
Publication date: 2013-07-11

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one database comprising information concerning access networks, at least one processing core configured to cause at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal, and an interface configured to receive information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise an ANDSF function, for example, and at least one of the at least one external access network may comprise a third-party access network.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING NETWORK ACCESS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates generally to managing access to

communication networks.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Wireless communication between electronic devices requires that devices participating in the communication, for example a base station and a mobile station, are configured to conform to an agreed framework for communication. The agreed framework comprises procedures that are used to effect the communication in the framework context, wherein the context may comprise for example air interface resources, or radio resources, such as at least one frequency band. Such frameworks may be known as radio access technologies, or RATs. A RAT may be defined in industry standards that device manufacturers can refer to when designing products such that they are capable of communicating according to the RAT.

[0002] When standards are used correctly, interoperability between devices from a plurality of suppliers may be achieved. For example, a cellular telephone produced by a first manufacturer may be capable of communicating with a cellular telephone produced by a second manufacturer, using a base station produced by a third manufacturer and a core network produced by a fourth manufacturer.

[0003] Radio access technologies may be designed for specific use cases in mind. For example, cellular telephony RATs may be optimized for ease of roaming, wide-area coverage and battery power efficiency. On the other hand, other RATs such as those designed for wireless hotspots for stationary users may be optimized to produce high peak datarates in the network to mobile direction.

[0004] Some wireless communication devices, such as for example cellular telephones or tablet computers, are furnished with a capability to communicate wirelessly by using more than one RAT. Although such devices may offer benefits of more than one RAT, they may also suffer drawbacks of having more than one RAT. For example, keeping several RATs active may involve supplying power to a transceiver or transceivers comprising several radios. Each RAT may also be associated with a certain base processor load needed to maintain the RAT in an active state. Interworking with more than one RAT in a portable device may also give rise to problems when radio transmissions of a first RAT interfere with radio operations of a second RAT, for example.

[0005] Methods to improve interoperation between RATs may include, for example, selecting non-overlapping frequency ranges for the respective RATs to avoid interference. Alternatively or in addition communications pertaining to each RAT may be sequenced so that only one RAT is active at any given time. For example, a

communication device may partition time into consecutive non-overlapping timeslots, and assign the timeslots to different RATs the communication device is configured to communicate in accordance with.

[0006] Interoperability between networks operating in conformance with a single

RAT, or alternatively different RATs, may also be optimized, for example by arranging for mobile devices to be able to access information from databases, the information comprising advice or policies concerning attaching to and utilizing different networks. SUMMARY

[0007] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one database comprising information concerning access networks, at least one processing core configured to cause at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal, and an interface configured to receive information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising storing information concerning access networks in at least one database comprised in an apparatus, causing at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal from the apparatus, and receiving, via an interface comprised in the apparatus, information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least receiving from a database node information concerning at least one access network, the information comprising an indicator that the received information relates to an external access network, and transmitting to the database node feedback, wherein the feedback relates to the at least one access network.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least transmitting to a database node a registration of an external access network for inclusion in at least one database comprised in the database node, wherein the database node and the apparatus are comprised in different domains, wherein the apparatus is comprised in the same domain as the external access network.

[0012] According to further aspects of the present invention, methods and computer programs are provided relating to operating apparatuses configured to implement various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIGURE 1 illustrates a system capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example apparatus 201 capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] FIGURE 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operations according to a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, and

[0017] FIGURE 4 illustrates operation of a database node as an access network broker according to at least some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings.

[0019] FIGURE 1 illustrates a system capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the invention. Mobile apparatus 160, or mobile 160, for example a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, PDA, cellular phone, palmtop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer or other mobile communications-capable device, is connected to base station 120 by means of wireless link 121. Wireless link 121 may comprise an uplink capable of conveying information from mobile 160 to base station 120 and a downlink capable of conveying information from base station 120 to mobile 160. Wireless link 121 may operate in conformance with a cellular radio-access technology such as, for example, wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, global system for mobile

communications, GSM or long term evolution, LTE. Mobile 160 may be powered by a battery comprised in mobile 160. Device 160 is herein referred to as a mobile, but it is to be understood that in some embodiments the device may be immobile.

[0020] Base stations 120 may be capable of communicating in accordance with at least one, and in some embodiments more than one, cellular technology such as, for example, those mentioned above. Base stations 120 may be powered from a stable power source and may be furnished with a backup battery. Base stations 120 may be connected to a database node 110 by means of connection 115. Connection 115 may be a wire-line connection or, for example, a directional microwave link. Database node 110 may perform an access network discovery and selection function, dispersing advice concerning accessible access networks, for example. Database node 110 may be comprised in a core network of a cellular system. In this case connection 115 may be indirect in the sense that intermediate nodes which are not illustrated in FIG. 1 may act as relays between base stations 120 and database node 110. In embodiments where database node 110 is not comprised in a core network, database node 110 may be comprised in a radio-access network. Database node 110 may be co-located with another network node performing functions related to managing the cellular system.

[0021] Database node 110 may be communicatively connected to an external network node 130 via connection 116. Connection 116, which may be a wire-line connection, may traverse a communication network 150 such as, for example, the internet. External network node 130 may be configured to control or otherwise manage an external network, using in the illustrated example connection 117, which may be a wire- line or wireless connection. In the context of the present document, an external network or an external access network means an access network that is independent of the cellular system in which base stations 120 and database node 110 are comprised. An external network may comprise a third-party network in the sense that it is operated by another operator than the operator of the cellular system in which base stations 120 and database node 110 are comprised. Alternatively an external network may comprise a network operated by the same operator as the operator of the cellular system in which base stations 120 and database node 110 are comprised, but be outside the trust network, or domain, of database node 110 and base stations 120. Network management and configuration of the external network may be independent of those of the cellular system in which base stations 120 are comprised. The external network, for example a third-party network, may have no access to internal internet protocol traffic of the cellular system in which base stations 120 are comprised. The external network may be owned and/or operated by a different legal entity than the cellular system in which base stations 120 are comprised. The external network illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises the external network node 130 and access points 140. In some embodiments, other nodes that are not illustrated in FIG. 1 may be present in the external network. In some embodiments, not all nodes illustrated as part of the external network in FIG.1 are present. For example, the external network may comprise no external network node 130 and only one access point, which may be configured for wireless communication with mobiles, and for communication with database node 110 via connection 116 as discussed above.

[0022] Access points 140 may be base station nodes essentially similar to base stations 120, or they may be non-cellular access points, conforming for example to wireless local area network, WLAN, standards. Access points 140 may be configured for wireless communication with mobile 160 via wireless link 141. Like wireless link 121, wireless link 141 may also comprise an uplink and a downlink. Wireless link 141 is in conformance with the cellular or non-cellular RAT that access points 140 are configured to use. Where wireless link 121 is in conformance with a different RAT than wireless link 141, mobile 160 is a multi-RAT, or multimode, mobile in order to be capable of communicating via both wireless links.

[0023] The external network may comprise a so-called home nodeB, FINB, to facilitate offloading traffic from macro cells to local, smaller-radius cells. In case the external network comprises an FINB, it may operate according to the same RAT as base stations 120, although it may operate on a different carrier frequency than base stations 120. Alternatively it may operate on the same carrier frequency. Data offloading with FINB or WLAN, for example, is seen as a cost-effective solution to lower the cost and increase the flexibility of mobile data delivery, which are critical in sustaining the network operator's business model, as compared to deploying a new macro cell where the cost of deploying a base station may be significantly higher, or it may be impossible due to restrictions in transmit power or for technical reasons, for example. In other words, data offloading solutions may help to decrease the cost per bit while maintaining the same monthly bill of end-users, while providing for improved flexibility and overall throughput of data.

[0024] As noted above, database node 110 may be configured to provide an access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF, to provide network discovery and assistance data according to cellular operator policy. To be more specific, the ANDSF may be a centralized server or database that comprises data management and control functionality to assist in the distribution of at least one of three types of information, namely, inter- system mobility policy, access network discovery information, and inter- system routing policy. The ANDSF may provide information in response to a request for ANDSF-related information received from mobile 160 via at least one of base stations 120 and connection 115. Alternatively, the ANDSF may be configured to provide information proactive ly, for example upon being informed that mobile 160 has entered a cell controlled by one of base stations 120 that database node 110 is in communication with. Another example of proactive, or push, delivery of information from the ANDSF is delivery of information in response to mobile 160 registering in a cellular network database node 110 is comprised in. Upon receipt of ANDSF-related information, mobile 160 may become aware of connectivity options near its location, and mobile 160 may then attempt to use them to obtain connectivity to the internet or place calls, for example. Without such information, mobile 160 would need to discover the connectivity options, namely access networks, by scanning radio frequencies. This could entail substantial delay as scanning takes time, and mobile 160 may be unable to determine from scanning alone, which access networks would be preferable for which types of traffic, for example.

[0025] Access network discovery information may comprise, concerning a given access network, for example, at least one of information on access network type, an access network identifier, at least one carrier frequency and validity conditions. Validity conditions may comprise, for example, at least one of a location where the access network is available and time information defining when the access network is available.

[0026] Inter-system mobility policies may comprise, concerning a given access network, for example, at least one of information on whether a specific RAT is preferable to another, information on whether a specific access network identifier is preferable to another and information on whether handovers between certain RATs are forbidden. Inter- system mobility policies may also comprise validity conditions, for example conditions specifying times when, or locations where, the policies should be applied.

[0027] Inter-system routing policies may comprise, concerning a given access network, for example, at least one of information on whether a RAT or access network is restricted for a specific traffic flow or flow type and information on the most preferable RATs or access networks, which should be used by mobile 160 when available to route traffic that matches specific criteria. Examples of specific criteria in this regard may include, for example, traffic originating from specific applications, traffic of a certain quality-of-service requirement and/or traffic matching specified source/destination address criteria. Inter-system routing policies may also comprise validity conditions, for example conditions specifying times when, or locations where, the policies should be applied.

[0028] Database node 110, which may be adapted to host an ANDSF or other similar database function, may be configured to interoperate with external networks, such as for example third-party networks. To this end, database node 110 may be provided with an interface accessible to external networks. In other words, database node 110 comprised in a cellular core or radio-access network may be provided with an interface that is addressable from outside the cellular system, to allow access to at least one database comprised in database node 110. The interface may be provided with a public internet protocol, IP, address, or messages may be forwarded to the interface from outside the cellular domain via a dedicated forwarding service on the cellular domain - internet border. In the latter case, the forwarding service may be viewed as being comprised in the interface. The interface may be similar in type to an interface database node 110 has with subscribers of the cellular system where the database node is comprised in. An example of such an interface is a so-called S14 interface, modified so that external networks may access it. A modified S14 interface may be called a S15 interface. Where the interface is based on IP, it may comprise secured functions, such as an internet protocol security, IPSec, tunneling function.

[0029] An external access network provider may configure his access network to provide service in a certain geographic area, for example. In order to make the service more accessible to cellular subscribers, the external access network provider may register his access network in a database node 110 of a cellular operator that is active in the area where the external access network is available. The registering may take place over connection 116 and the interface comprised in database node 110. The registering may comprise the external access network provider sending, and database node 110 including in at least one database, information describing the external access network. Subsequently, database node 110 may be configured to include this information in messages it transmits to mobiles 160 of subscribers of the cellular operator that roam in the vicinity of the external access network, whereby mobiles 160 become aware of the external access network without needing to scan for it.

[0030] The registration of the external access network may comprise at least one of the following types of information: a lease price which states a desired price for leasing, a lease period which defines the availability of the external access network, a minimum quality of service, QoS, which states the baseline QoS provisioned by the external access network, and access parameters which provide system information required to access the external access network without performing cell search or scanning procedures. An example of an external access network is a third-party access network operated by a different operator than operator of the system comprising database node 110. Another example is an external access network operated by the same operator as the operator of the cellular system in which base stations 120 and database node 110 are comprised, but which is outside the trust network, or domain, of database node 110 and base stations 120.

[0031] A final leasing price may be a function of at least one of: the external access network's trust level, a minimum QoS and prevailing demand of the network operator. In addition, a trust level may be a function of a satisfaction index and average QoS reported by mobiles 160 to database node 110 as feedback. A minimum QoS may be statistical or guaranteed.

[0032] The database node 110 may, before transmitting information to mobile 160, filter the information to be sent so that only information relevant to mobile 160 is sent. For example, where mobile 160 requests information from database node 110, mobile 160 may specify in the request which RATs and/or carrier frequencies mobile 160 is capable of operating with. Database 110 may then send only information concerning access networks that mobile 160 is capable of contacting. Where database node 110 transmits information without a request from mobile 160, database node 110 may be configured to fetch from a subscriber database of a cellular operator, for example, information on mobile 160 that is usable for filtering. The information on mobile 160 that is fetched may comprise information concerning which RATs and/or carrier frequencies mobile 160 is capable of operating under and/or the current or last known geo-location of mobile 160, for example. [0033] Mobile 160 may, after receiving access network discovery information comprising information on the external access network, attach to the external access network using the received information to facilitate the attachment process. The access network discovery information comprising information on the external access network may comprise an indication that the information relates to a external access network. Mobile 160 may be configured to send feedback information to database node 110 concerning the external access network responsive to mobile 160 detecting the indication. The feedback information may comprise information on perceived QoS such as delay times and jitter, a satisfaction index which may be derived from the perceived QoS, coverage area in which the signal strength is found to be acceptable, and availability of services via the external access network. Database node 110 may be configured to compile statistics on feedback received, and modify information concerning an external access network stored in database node 110 based at least in part on the statistics derived from the feedback. For example, if several mobiles 160 report that a specific external access network was not available at a designated time based on its registration, database node 110 may be configured to modify the information concerning the external access network by changing the validity time to exclude times when feedback indicates the external access network is unavailable.

Database node 110 may also maintain a trust level indicator relating to external access networks based on feedback.

[0034] Database node 110 may provide information to mobiles 160, such that mobiles 160 may compare access networks of the cellular operator to third-party access networks using the same parameters. Thus, for example, database node 110 may provide information on a plurality of access networks, wherein the information comprises a cost per bit, for example, for an access network operated by the cellular operator and a cost per bit for a third-party access network registered in database node 110. In general, database node 110 may be configured to provide common metrics for external access networks and access networks associated with the cellular operator's domain. Examples of common metrics may include the aforementioned cost/bit and QoS information. Examples of QoS information may include packet delay, packet loss rate, packet error rate, bit rate, QoS class support, such as support for realtime or browsing sessions, and capability to access a certain online banking service.

[0035] In general there is provided an apparatus, for example a database node or database function comprised in a node, comprising at least one database comprising information concerning access networks. As discussed above, the information concerning access networks may comprise, for example, at least one inter-system mobility policy, access network discovery information, and/or inter-system routing policy. The apparatus further comprises at least one processing core configured to cause the apparatus to provide at least part of the information concerning access networks to at least one user terminal. The apparatus further comprises an interface configured to receive information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus. A domain of the apparatus may be defined, for example, as a closed packet network with an internal addressing scheme. A domain of the apparatus may be defined as a trust network separated from a public section of the internet with border nodes configured to restrict access to the trust network. In some embodiments, a domain comprises both internal addressing and a trust network. In some embodiments, an external access network comprises a third-party access network. The external access network may be associated with its own trust network and domain.

[0036] In some embodiments, the interface comprises at least one of a terminal- database type interface and a secured internet protocol interface, wherein the terminal- database interface comprises at least one of mutual authentication, integrity protection, confidentiality protection and protection against replay attacks. A secured internet protocol interface may comprise, for example, an internet protocol security, IPSec, tunneling function. A terminal - database type interface may comprise a S14 interface, as defined by the 3^rd-generation partnership project, in modified form. A modified S14 interface may comprise an S14 interface modified so that an external access network, or a node in communication with an external access network, may access the modified S14 interface.

[0037] In some embodiments, the interface is configured to receive a registration of an external access network for inclusion in the information concerning access networks, the received registration comprising registration information. Including may comprise including information in the at least one database of information concerning the external access network alongside access networks of a cellular operator controlling the apparatus.

[0038] In some embodiments, the registration information comprises information on at least one of: a period of availability of the external access network, a quality of service indicator relating to the external access network, access parameters of the external access network, location information and a suggested lease price. A period of availability of the external access network may comprise information defining when the external access network is available, which may comprise a reccurring time, such as 10:00 - 20:00 on weekdays, or it may be non-reccurring, such as January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. A quality of service indicator relating to the external access network may comprise, for example, an indicator that the external access network supports conversational-class services, or that the external access network can guarantee at minimum a datarate of 1 Mbit/s, for example. Access parameters of the external access network may comprise an operating frequency, network identifiers, timing and synchronization information, capability information, and/or authentication methods supported by the external access network, for example. Location information may comprise information defining where the external access network is accessible, which may be defined in terms of Cartesian coordinates or Geodetic coordinates such as WGS-84, for example. A suggested lease price may refer to a price the operator of the database node 110 is willing to pay for the utilization of a registered external network based on its availability, its QoS reliability, or prevailing demand of the operator, for example. The suggested lease price may

alternatively refer to a price the operator of the external access network is willing to pay for having its registration to be included in the at least one database.

[0039] In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to receive feedback from a user terminal, the feedback relating to a first external access network, the apparatus being configured to modify information in the at least one database concerning the first external access network based at least in part on the feedback. In some embodiments the apparatus is configured to, when providing to a user terminal information on an external access network, furnish the information with an indicator indicating that the provided information relates to an external access network, to trigger the user terminal to provide feedback after utilizing services of the external access network.

[0040] In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to define, in the at least one database, common parameters to internal and external access networks, wherein internal access networks are comprised in the same domain as the apparatus. Examples of possible common parameters include quality of service information, quality of service metrics and cost information. Common parameters may facilitate comparing different access networks to each other by user terminals, such as for example mobile 160.

[0041] In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to operate as an access network broker. In some embodiments where the apparatus is configured to operate as an access network broker the apparatus further comprises a database-database type interface between the apparatus and a spectrum broker or manager. [0042] A database-database interface may be configured to enable reconfiguration of external access networks upon interaction with the spectrum broker or manager, and to receive a dynamic spectrum assignment or spectrum sharing decision.

[0043] In general, there is provided a second apparatus, which may comprise for example a user terminal, such as for example mobile 160. The second apparatus may be configured to receive from a database node information concerning at least one access network. The received information may comprise an indicator indicating that the received information relates to an external access network. The second apparatus may be configured to transmit feedback to the database node concerning the at least one access network. In some embodiments, the second apparatus is configured to compile material for inclusion in feedback, and to transmit the feedback, in response to the indication that the received information relates to an external access network. Thus the database node is enabled to quality-control information contained in its database or databases that concern external access networks, for example third-party external access networks.

[0044] In some embodiments, the second apparatus is configured to transmit to the database node a request for information, the request for information comprising at least one requirement of the second apparatus.

[0045] In general, there is provided a third apparatus, which may comprise an external access network node such as external access network node 130 of FIG. 1, for example. The apparatus may be configured, by a processor and software, to transmit to a database node a registration of an external access network for inclusion in at least one database comprised in the database node, wherein the database node and the third apparatus are comprised in different domains, wherein the third apparatus is comprised in the same domain as the external access network.

[0046] FIGURE 3 is a flow diagram illustrating operations according to a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention.In phase 310, information is received from an apparatus, for example database node 110, concerning at least one access network, wherein the at least one access network and the apparatus are in different domains. The received information may comprise an indicator indicating that the received information relates to an external access network with respect to the apparatus that sent the information. In phase 320, feedback information may be compiled, for example in response to the indicator in embodiments where the information comprises the indicator. In phase 330, the compiled feedback information is transmitted, or caused to be transmitted, to the apparatus that sent the information concerning at least one access network. [0047] FIGURE 4 illustrates operation of a database node as an access network broker according to at least some embodiments of the invention. Database node 110, illustrated in FIG. 4 as H-ANDSF comprising a closed part and an open part, may be configured to act as an access network broker. The open part may be arranged to be contactable, via an interface comprised in database node 110, from outside the domain, or trust network, of the operator of database node 110. The closed part may be arranged to be configurable only from within the domain, or trust network, of the operator of database node 110. The access network broker may lease access networks from third-party access network providers on demand for fixed durations, for example. As the number of third- party access networks with reconfigurability increases there may be a need to optimize frequency usage for improving spectral utilization, capacity enhancement, or interference mitigation. Hence, a new interface, known herein as SI 6, may exist between database node 110 and a spectrum broker/manager to enable dynamic spectrum assignment and/or sharing. In this way, the third party access networks may be reconfigured according to dynamically assigned frequency channels. This would provide an additional degree of freedom in radio resource management in the case of inter-access networks carrier aggregation where frequency channels can be aggregated based on demand to improve capacity and spectral utilization. These additional frequency channels may be acquired from the spectrum broker/manager by leasing new spectrum, sharing existing spectrum, or even spectrum reassignment. It is useful, for example, in a case where third party access networks are leased for an indoor mass event. In this case, it would be more efficient to add capacity during peak loads by reconfiguring a third party access network with additional frequency channels, or wider bandwidth, as compared to leasing multiple third party access networks with single frequency channels, or narrow bandwidth.

[0048] In FIG. 4, third-party access networks are illustrated over the heading "3.

Third Party IP Access (Open Access)". They are illustrated as being capable of contacting the open segment of database node 110. Internal access networks, within the trust network of database node 110, are illustrated with the heading "1. 3GPP IP Access" and are illustrated as capable of contacting the closed segment of database node 110. The connections between the internal access networks RAT 1, RAT 2 and RAT n and the spectrum broker/manager are optional.

[0049] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example apparatus 201 capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus may correspond to database node 110 or mobile 160, for example. The apparatus is a physically tangible object, for example a network node, a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, data dongle or a similar device. The apparatus may comprise a control apparatus 210, for example a microprocessor, digital signal processing, DSP, processor, field-programmable gate array, FPGA, application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC, chipset or controller. The apparatus may further comprise a transmitter and/or a receiver 210a configured to enable the apparatus 201 to connect to other apparatuses. A combination of transmitter and receiver may be called a transceiver. The apparatus may comprise memory 210b configured to store information, for example configuration information. The memory may be solid-state memory, dynamic random access memory, DRAM, magnetic, holographic or other kind of memory. The apparatus may comprise logic circuitry 210c configured to access the memory 210b and control the transmitter and/or a receiver 210a. The logic circuitry 210c may be implemented as hardware or a combination of software and hardware. The logic circuitry 210c may comprise at least one processing core. The logic circuitry 210c may execute program code stored in memory 210b to control the

functioning of the apparatus 201 and cause it to perform functions related to embodiments of the invention. The logic circuitry 210c may be configured to initiate functions in the apparatus 201, for example the sending of data units via the transmitter and/or a receiver 210a. The logic circuitry 210c may be control circuitry. The transmitter and/or a receiver 210a, memory 210b and/or logic circuitry 210c may comprise hardware and/or software elements comprised in the control apparatus 210. Memory 210b may be comprised in the control apparatus 210, be external to it or be both external and internal to the control apparatus 210 such that the memory is split to an external part and an internal part. If the apparatus 201 does not comprise a control apparatus 210 the transmitter and/or a receiver 210a, memory 210b and logic circuitry 210c may be comprised in the apparatus as hardware elements such as integrated circuits or other electronic components. The same applies if the apparatus 201 does comprise a control apparatus 210 but some, or all, of the transmitter and/or a receiver 210a, memory 210b and logic circuitry 210c are not comprised in the control apparatus 210. In embodiments where apparatus 201 is a mobile user equipment, apparatus 201 may comprise at least one antenna.

[0050] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that spectrum is utilized more efficiently and improved flexibility in radio resource management. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that battery usage of mobiles is optimized and a more seamless handover may be achieved via efficient sharing of information on available connectivity options. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that a single database node may be shared between a plurality of network operators, facilitating multi-access, as well as joint coverage and capacity enhancements.

[0051] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on memory 210b, the control apparatus 210 or electronic components, for example. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer- readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted in FIGURE 2. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. The scope of the invention comprises computer programs configured to cause methods according to embodiments of the invention to be performed.

[0052] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

[0053] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0054] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example

embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one database comprising information concerning access networks;

at least one processing core configured to cause at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal, and an interface configured to receive information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information concerning access networks comprises at least one of: at least one inter-system mobility policy, access network discovery information and at least one inter- system routing policy.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface comprises at least one of a terminal-database type interface and a secured internet protocol interface, wherein the terminal-database interface comprises at least one of mutual authentication, integrity protection, confidentiality protection, and protection against replay attacks.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the interface is configured to receive a registration of an external access network, the registration comprising registration information for inclusion in the at least one database comprising information concerning access networks.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the registration information comprises information on at least one of: a period of availability of the external access network, a quality of service indicator relating to the external access network, access parameters of the external access network, location information and a suggested lease price.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive feedback from a user terminal, the feedback relating to a first external access network, the apparatus being configured to modify information in the at least one database concerning the first external access network based at least in part on the feedback.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the information concerning access networks comprises parameters common to internal and external access networks, wherein internal access networks are comprised in the same domain as the apparatus.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the parameters common to internal and external access networks comprise at least one of quality of service

information, quality of service metrics and cost information.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to operate as an access network broker, and a database-database type interface is established between the apparatus and a spectrum broker or manager.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the database-database interface is configured to enable reconfiguration of external access networks upon interaction with the spectrum broker or manager and receiving a dynamic spectrum assignment or sharing decision.

11. A method, comprising:

storing information concerning access networks in at least one database comprised in an apparatus;

causing at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal from the apparatus, and

receiving, via an interface comprised in the apparatus, information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus.

12. A method according claim 11, comprising receiving a registration of an external access network for inclusion in the at least one database comprising information concerning access networks.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the registration comprises

information on at least one of: a period of availability of the external access network, a quality of service indicator relating to the external access network, access parameters of the external access network, location information and a suggested lease price.

14. A method according to any of claims 11 - 13, comprising receiving feedback from a user terminal, the feedback relating to a first external access network, the apparatus being configured to modify information in the at least one database concerning the first external access network based at least in part on the feedback.

15. A method according to any of claims 11 - 14, wherein the information concerning access networks comprises parameters common to internal and external access networks, wherein internal access networks are comprised in the same domain as the apparatus.

16. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:

receive from a database node information concerning at least one access network, the information comprising an indicator that the received information relates to an external access network, and

transmit to the database node feedback, wherein the feedback relates to the at least one access network.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit to the database node a request for information, the request for information comprising at least one requirement of the apparatus.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving from a database node information concerning at least one access network, the information comprising an indicator that the received information relates to an external access network

transmitting to the database node feedback, wherein the feedback relates to the at least one access network.

19. An apparatus, comprising :

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code

transmit to a database node a registration of an external access network for inclusion in at least one database comprised in the database node, wherein the database node and the apparatus are comprised in different domains, wherein the apparatus is comprised in the same domain as the external access network.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the registration comprises information on at least one of: a period of availability of the external access network, a quality of service indicator relating to the external access network, access parameters of the external access network, location information and a suggested lease price.

21. A method in an apparatus, comprising:

transmitting to a database node a registration of an external access network for inclusion in at least one database comprised in the database node, wherein the database node and the apparatus are comprised in different domains, wherein the apparatus is comprised in the same domain as the external access network.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the registration comprises information on at least one of: a period of availability of the external access network, a quality of service indicator relating to the external access network, access parameters of the external access network, location information and a suggested lease price.

23. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising:

code for storing information concerning access networks in at least one database comprised in an apparatus;

code for causing at least part of the information on access networks to be provided to at least one user terminal from the apparatus, and

code for receiving, via an interface comprised in the apparatus, information concerning at least one external access network for inclusion in the at least one database, wherein the at least one external access network is comprised in a different domain than the apparatus.

24. A computer program configured to cause a method according to at least one of claims 11 - 15, 18 and 21 - 22 to be performed, when run on at least one processor.