Packet radio communications system

Abstract

A packet radio communications system communicates internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment. The system comprises a core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements operable to communicate internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node. The gateway support node is operable to route the internet packets via communications bearers established through the packet data networks using the network communications elements. The system includes a plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks for communicating the internet protocol packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. Each of the radio access networks is operable to provide radio access bearers for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment. The system includes a packet service control subsystem function comprising an access network part and a non access network part. The access network part is arranged to control the communication of the internet packets via the radio access bearers and the non-access network part is arranged to control the communication of the internet packets via the communications bearers using the network communications elements of the packet data networks. At least one of the radio access networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other radio access networks, and at least one of the plurality of packet data networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other packet data networks.

1 . A packet radio communications system for communicating internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment, the system comprising
 a core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements operable to communicate internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node, the gateway support node being operable to route the internet packets via communications bearers established through the packet data networks using the network communications elements,   a plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks for communicating the internet protocol packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment, each of the radio access networks being operable to provide radio access bearers for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment,   a packet service control subsystem function comprising an access network part and a non-access network part, the access network part being arranged to control the communication of the internet packets via the radio access bearers and the non-access network part being arranged to control the communication of the internet packets via the communications bearers using the network communications elements of the packet data networks, wherein at least one of the plurality of packet data networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other packet data networks.   
     
     
         2 . The packet radio communications system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the common gateway support node is operable to establish common packet communications bearers via the packet data communications networks and the radio access networks, the common packet data communications bearers being arranged to communicate internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment using a plurality of different internet protocols. 
     
     
         3 . The packet radio communications system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the common gateway support node is operable to establish in combination with the network communications elements common packet data protocol context for providing resource allocation control and connection of the internet packets communicated via the common packet data communications bearers. 
     
     
         4 . The packet radio communications system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the common packet data communications bearers are shared by more than one mobile user equipment. 
     
     
         5 . The packet radio communications system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the radio access networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other radio access networks. 
     
     
         6 . A method of communicating internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment using a packet radio communications system, the system comprising a core network, a plurality of radio access networks and a packet service control subsystem function, the core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements for communicating internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node, the plurality of radio access networks being connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the packet data networks, the method comprising
 establishing communications bearers through the transport plane of the packet data networks using the network communications elements,   routing the internet packets via the established communications bearers,   providing radio access bearers using the plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks,   communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment via the radio access bearers,   controlling the communication of the internet packets via the radio access bearers using the access network part of the packet service control subsystem function, and   controlling the communication of the internet packets via the communications bearers using the non-access network part of the packet service control subsystem function, wherein at least one of the plurality of packet data networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other packet data networks.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for communicating internet packets to and/or from mobile user equipment using a packet radio communications system, the system comprising a core network, a plurality of radio access networks and a packet service control subsystem function, the core network comprising a plurality of packet data networks, each including network communications elements for communicating internet packets using an internet protocol transport plane, and a common gateway support node, the plurality of radio access networks being connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the packet data networks, the method comprising
 means for establishing communications bearers through the transport plane of the packet data networks using the network communications elements,   means for routing the internet packets via the established communications bearers,   means for providing radio access bearers using the plurality of radio access networks connected by the internet protocol transport plane to the core network components of the packet data networks,   means for communicating the internet packets to and/or from the mobile user equipment via the radio access bearers,   means for controlling the communication of the internet packets via the radio access bearers using the access network part of the packet service control subsystem function, and   means for controlling the communication of the internet packets via the communications bearers using the non-access network part of the packet service control subsystem function, wherein at least one of the plurality of packet data networks is arranged to operate in accordance with a different telecommunications standard than the other packet data networks.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled)