General
For the purpose of selecting a PLMN two lists may be present in the UICC: the "User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" and the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN". It is not mandatory for the UICC to support these lists, however if the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" is supported then the "User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" shall also be present. Both lists contain the preferred PLMNs for I-WLAN in priority order, and the "User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" has higher priority than the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN". Where the UE supports these lists, it shall utilise all the information stored in the USIM related to network selection, e.g. the information in the Operator controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN and the User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN.
The purpose of the procedure is to enable the WLAN UE to find an I-WLAN, however, in case no PLMN is found to be supported by any of the available WLANs, the behaviour of the UE is not specified.
For the purpose of selecting the preferred I-WLAN in case multiple I-WLANs can support the connection to the desired PLMN and for optimising the PLMN selection, two lists may be present in the UICC: the "User Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" and the "Operator Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN". It is not mandatory for the UICC to support these lists, however if the "Operator Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" is supported then the "User Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" shall also be present. Both lists contain the preferred WLAN identities in priority order, and the "User Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" has higher priority than the "Operator Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN".
If the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" and the "Operator Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" are present, it shall be possible to efficiently update these lists over-the-air.
At switch on, when in coverage of the last accessed I-WLAN as stored in the UE, the UE shall attempt to register with the last accessed PLMN via that I-WLAN. As an option, if the UE finds that it is also in coverage of an I-WLAN that is known to support HPLMN connectivity whilst searching for the last accessed I-WLAN , the UE may attempt to register with that I-WLAN and then attempt to register on the HPLMN. The HPLMN shall be able to control, by USIM configuration, the UE behaviour.
The default behaviour for a UE is to select the last registered I-WLAN and PLMN accessed via that I-WLAN.
A)
Automatic selection mode
In the automatic mode the WLAN UE shall perform the following procedure:
-
For each of the WLANs available the WLAN UE shall attempt to discover the PLMNs available via the particular I-WLAN. If the UICC contains I-WLAN identities' preference lists, this initial step shall be done in the order of the "User Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN" and then the "Operator Controlled WLAN identities list for I-WLAN". For each I-WLAN, if the WLAN UE receives a list of available PLMNs, then
-
The UE shall select an EHPLMN if the EHPLMN list is present or the HPLMN (derived from the IMSI) if the EHPLMN list is not present. In the case that there are multiple EHPLMNs present then the highest priority EHPLMN shall be selected
-
If the HPLMN is not found, the UE creates a list of PLMNs accessible over the particular WLAN
-
Among all the PLMNs obtained in step 1b), select a PLMN following this order:
-
PLMNs contained in the " User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN" data file in the USIM in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " data file in the USIM in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "User Controlled PLMN Selector list with access technology", if available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list with access technology", if available;
-
PLMNs contained in the optional "User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " in the ME in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the optional "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " in the ME in priority order, if the list is available;
-
any other PLMN not included in the lists (randomly)
-
Attempt association with the highest priority I-WLAN in the I-WLAN identities' preference list (if available) providing connection to the PLMN selected in step 2 and attempt authentication with the selected PLMN.
B)
Manual selection mode
In manual selection mode the WLAN UE shall perform the following procedure:
-
For each of the available WLANs the WLAN UE shall attempt to discover the PLMNs available via the particular WLAN.
-
If the WLAN UE receives a list of available PLMNs, then the WLAN UE presents the available PLMNs in the following order:
-
HPLMN (if the EHPLMN list is not present); or if one or more of the EHPLMNs are available then based on an optional data field on the USIM either the availability of the highest priority EHPLMN is to be presented to the user or all available EHPLMNs are presented to the user in priority order; if the data field is not present, then only the availability of the highest priority EHPLMN is presented;
-
PLMNs contained in the " User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " data file in the USIM in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " data file in the USIM in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "User Controlled PLMN Selector list with access technology", if available;
-
PLMNs contained in the "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list with access technology", if available;
-
PLMNs contained in the optional "User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " in the ME in priority order, if the list is available;
-
PLMNs contained in the optional "Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN " in the ME in priority order, if the list is available;
-
any other PLMN not included in the lists (in random order)
In case more than one I-WLAN gives access to the same PLMN, an indication of the I-WLAN identity should also be presented to the user. The HPLMN of the user may provide on the USIM additional information about the available PLMNs, if this is provided then the UE shall indicate that information that may be displayed to the user. This information, provided as free text may include:
-
Preferred partner,
-
roaming agreement status,
-
supported services
Furthermore, the UE may indicate whether the available PLMNs are present on one of the PLMN selector lists (e.g, User Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN or Operator Controlled PLMN Selector list for I-WLAN) as well as not being present on any of the lists.
-
Upon user selection of the desired PLMN the WLAN UE shall attempt to register on this PLMN. If more than one I-WLAN offers connection to the selected PLMN, then the WLAN UE shall attempt registration via the selected I-WLAN . To do so, the WLAN UE associates with the I-WLAN supporting the PLMN selected by the user and attempt authentication.
C)
Steering of Roaming
Steering to a specific I-WLAN PLMN
It shall be possible for the HPLMN at any time to direct the UE to search for a specific PLMN connected by I-WLAN and, if it is available, move to that PLMN as soon as possible unless the UE is in manual mode. This PLMN shall then be regarded as the highest priority PLMN as defined by the operator. This process shall be done transparently and without inconvenience to the user.
I-WLAN PLMN Redirection
It shall be possible for the HPLMN to request the UE to find and register on a different PLMN connected by I-WLAN from the one it is currently using or trying to register on if another PLMN is available. If the UE is in manual mode the UE shall ignore this request. The original PLMN shall then be treated as the lowest priority PLMN and would not be selected by the UE unless it is the only one available to the UE or has been selected in manual mode.
This process shall be done transparently and without inconvenience to the user.