GB2437346A

GB2437346A - Establishing a packet switched radio bearer session with an emergency service

Info

Publication number: GB2437346A
Application number: GB0607940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Kelvin Bishop; Chen-Ho Chin
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-21
Filing date: 2006-04-21
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Also published as: GB0607940D0

Abstract

A method of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: the mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with dispensing with security procedures, and the core network dispensing with security procedures and establishing the session.

Description

I

IMPROVEMENTS IN PACKET SWITCHED SESSION

ESTABLISHMENT

The present invention relates to improvements in packet switched session establishment. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for establishing a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network.

In current GSM-GPRS systems conversational voice calls to the emergency services, such as the police, ambulance and fire services, using specified predetermined identifiers, such as 911, 999, 112 or the like, can only be made over the circuit switched (CS) network. Referring to Figure 1, the operation of a circuit switched emergency call is described. It can be seen that a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone or user equipment (UE), is initiated to make an emergency call. A radio connection is established between the UE and the radio access network (RAN). A request for service is then forwarded to the mobile switching centre (MSC) from the UE. The core network (CN) determines from the received service request message that the circuit switched call is an emergency call, and so skips the authentication and security procedures. This mechanism is built into the circuit switched domain of the core network. Further steps follow which allow the user plane resources to be allocated and for the UE and core network to complete the emergency call. Upon creation of the GSM-GPRS system, it was determined that emergency calls using the circuit switched system should be allowed to be established without the UE having a SIM (subscriber identification module) card. The same applies to UEs in the UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) network where the UE does not have a UICC (UMTS integrated circuit card) or SIM card.

However, no such mechanism has been provided for packet switched calls to the emergency services using the packet switched domain.

Further, it is known in GSM-GPRS systems that packet switched radio bearer sessions can be made over the network using mechanisms such as push to talk over cellular (POC) and WAP (wireless application protocol).

However, currently there is no mechanism for calls to emergency services to be established using a packet switched radio bearer session over the GSM-GPRS network where the UE does not have a UICC.

In UMTS systems, it is only possible to make packet switched voice calls (including voice calls to the emergency services) over the packet switched domain if the UE has a UICC.

In both the GSM-GPRS and UMTS network configurations, voice calls to the emergency services cannot be established over the packet switched domain if the relevant security procedures are not carried out when establishing the packet switched radio bearer session.

If the security procedures are not complied with, the 0MM (GPRS mobility management) context cannot be established. That is, the UE is not able to register or declare its presence at a mobility level at the core network.

If the GMM context is not established, it is not possible to establish a session management (SM) session. An SM session is required to establish a PDP (packet data protocol) context, also known as a data context. Thus, without establishing an SM/data context, it is not possible to establish an IMS (IP multi-media sub-session) on the UE.

Figure 2 refers to the existing packet switched emergency call scenario, which is only possible for UEs that contain a UICC/SIM. It is assumed that the UE has already been IMS registered. Further, it is further assumed that there is either a general PDP context or a dedicated signalling context.

The UE makes the determination that the call being made is a packet switched emergency call. This is based on the number entered into the UE by the user, and whether that number corresponds to a specific identification associated with an emergency service. An RRC connection is established between the UE and the radio access network. The UE further sends a service request message to the SGSN (serving GPRS support node). An IMS dialog for the packet switched voice call is then established using SIP (session initiation protocol) messages that cater for the emergency nature of the call.

Therefore, a link is made between the UE and a voice server system. Finally, the PDP context is activated between the UE and the GGSN (gateway GPRS support node) to allow packets of data to pass between the UE and the connected emergency service.

Further, even if a SIMJUICC is fitted to the UE, it is not currently possible for the core network to differentiate between normal voice conversation calls and emergency voice calls. That is, the core network is not aware that the session being provided is specifically for use in an emergency scenario, and so is not able to ensure that the connection is securely established and maintained.

Further information related to Network Architecture (TS 23.002 v6.10.0), GPRS service description (TS 23.060 v6.11.0), Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification; Core network protocols; Stage 3 (TS 24.008 v6. 11.0) and Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification (TS 25.133) can be found at the 3gpp website at www.3gpp.org.

The present invention aims to overcome or at least alleviate some or all of the above-mentioned problems.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: the mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with dispensing with security procedures, and the core network dispensing with security procedures and establishing the session.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of requesting a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication device adapted to request a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a core network of a telecommunications network, the mobile communication device further adapted to send a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of receiving, at a core network of a telecommunications network, a request for a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of: the core network receiving the request, the core network determining if the request is associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures, and, upon a positive determination, the core network establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a core network of a telecommunications network adapted to a receive a packet switched radio bearer session request associated with an emergency service from a mobile communication device, the core network further adapted to determine if the request is associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures, and, upon a positive determination, establish the session while dispensing with security procedures.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, wherein the mobile communication device does not have a smart card activated therein, the method comprising the steps of: the mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, and the core network establishing the session.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of requesting a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the step of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, wherein the mobile communication device does not have a smart card activated therein.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication device without a smart card activated therein adapted to send a request to the core network of a telecommunications network to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of sending a request to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service to a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the step of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, wherein the request provides an indication to the core network that the session is associated with an emergency service.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication device adapted to send a request to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service to a core network of a telecommunications network, wherein the request provides an indication to the core network that the session is associated with an emergency service.

The present invention provides the advantages of speeding up the process of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session by providing a message to the core network from the UE that informs the core network to forego the security procedures. Further, as the core network is not required to run security procedures, the UE is thus not required to have an active UICC/SIM card fitted.

Further, the present invention provides the advantage of identifying to the core network that the packet switched radio bearer session being requested is for use in an emergency scenario and so allows the core network to prioritise the establishment of the radio bearer session and provide high quality fixed resources to provide the session in order to ensure that the session is maintained even during, for example high congestion. That is, the core network is able to provide a required quality of service (Q0S) that would be expected for an emergency call.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagram indicating the current steps required to establish a circuit switched emergency call; Figure 2 shows a diagram indicating the steps taken to establish an existing packet switched emergency call using a UE with a UICC/SIM; Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a UE for use in the present invention; Figure 4 shows a network diagram for use in the present invention; Figure 5 shows a detailed network diagram for use in the present invention; Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of specific steps required to carry out certain embodiments of the present invention in a GSM-GPRS system; Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of the operational steps required to implement an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of specific steps required to cany out certain embodiments of the present invention in a UMTS system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior to discussing specific embodiments in detail, a description of some of the elements used in the present invention is provided.

Referring to Figure 3, the components of a mobile telephone are shown. The mobile telephone 300 includes a transmitting and receiving device 301 for sending and receiving packets of data via a wireless communication channel utilising a system such as, for example, UMTS, GPRS or GSM. The device further includes a smart card 303, such as a SIM (subscriber identity module) or UICC (UMTS integrated circuit card), a memory storage device 305, such as an E2PROM, and a processor 307. All these components are connected to a power supply 309, such as a battery. All of the above components work in conjunction with each other in order for a user to communicate with other mobile telephones and packet data services over the associated network.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 a UMTS network will now be described.

A basic structure of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network is shown in Figure 4. UMTS concerns a 3G (3"' generation) radio network that uses wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) technology. One or more core networks 401 are connected to a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) 403 via an lu interface. The UTRAN 403 is connected to User Equipment (UE) 405 via a radio interface Uu. The UEs are mobile communication devices, for example, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or the like.

A more detailed view of UTRAN architecture is shown in Figure 5.

UTRAN 403 is made up of a number of Radio Network Systems (RNS) 507.

The RNS is connected to the core network 401 via the lu interface, as described above. Within each RNS 507 are a number of Radio Network Controllers (RNC) 509 and a number of base stations 511. In the case of UTRAN, the base station is called a Node B. Each base station 511 connects to the RNC 509 via an lub interface. Each RNC 509 may be interconnected to one or more other RNCs 509 using an lur interface.

The problem addressed by the present invention is multi-layered, wherein at each layer that layer's problem is related to or dependent on the layer below. So in order that the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) emergency call can be established on the IMS level, all the problems of the underlying layers have to be solved.

In what follows, the present invention provides solutions to overcome: * the issue at the GMM level of establishing a GMM Context or a GMM connection between the UE and the core network for a mobile telephone without a UICC * the issue at SM level with establishing and maintaining a data session between the UE and the PS domain of the core network for a mobile telephone without a UICC * the issue at Non Access Stratum (NAS) and Access Stratum (AS) level that without a UICC there is no security context and without which there can be no over the radio interface security procedure, the lack of which will effectively abort any peer-to-peer signalling at the NAS layer.

It should be noted that references to establishing a GMM context refer to establishing a presence at mobility level at the core network through signalling messages in the control plane.

Further, it should also be noted that references to establishing an SM or Data context refer to establishing a presence at an application level.

It should also be noted by way of background that the circuit switched and packet switched domain individually and asynchronously establishes its security context with the peer sides of the UE. This security context can be considered (in its simplest form) to be established by running an Authentication procedure which generates the security keys associated and belonging to that Security Context. The Authentication procedure is optional and its execution is a decision of the network. This Authentication procedure and the Security Context resulting from it does not ensure security of the radio interface, for that it is required that the Security Setting procedure be run. The Security Setting procedure is the actual procedure that initiates and secures the RRC Connection. The security procedures in UMTS include integrity procedures andlor ciphering procedures. The security procedures in GSM-GPRS include only ciphering procedures. Further information on security procedures for UMTS can be found in document TS 33.102 available at the 3GPP website at www.3gpp.org.

It should be noted that the terms UICC and SIM apply to the smart card hosted on the UE.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

This first embodiment describes the utilisation of the present invention in relation to a UE operating in a GSM-GPRS network. However, it should be noted that the use of the following mechanisms could also be applied to the UMTS network.

Referring to Figure 6, a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

In this embodiment the UE does not have a smart card, such as a SIM/UICC activated therein, see step S601. At step S603, it is determined that the UE is to make a packet switched emergency call based upon a user entering a predefined identifier, such as 911, 999, 112 or the like into the keypad of the UE. That is, a user activates the UE in order to inform the core network that a packet switched radio bearer session is to be established so the user can contact the emergency services over the packet switched domain.

At step S605, GPRS radio access is established between the UE and the BSS (base station system). This results in a temporary block flow (TBF).

At step S607a, a request for attachment (ATTACH_REQUEST) is forwarded from the UE to the SGSN. This attachment request is comprised of a new attach type = emergency GPRS attach. When the SGSN receives the attach request with the new attach type = emergency GPRS attach, the core network is able to determine that the GMM context should be established without processing security procedures. That is, the GMM context can be established even if the UE does not have an avtive UICC/SIM incorporated therein. The core network establishes that the call set up is for an emergency session and so bypasses the security procedures. This is shown at step S609.

As security procedures are to be bypassed, the GMM context can be established, along with an SM context, allowing the packet switched emergency voice call to proceed.

A flow diagram of the process is shown in Figure 7. At step S701, a user enters an emergency identifier into the UE keypad. For example, the emergency identifier may be any of 911, 999, 112 or any other predefined emergency identifier for contacting an emergency service.

At step S703, the UE determines that an emergency identifier has been input by recognising the numbers entered onto the keypad and referencing them to a predefined list of emergency identifiers stored within the UEs memory.

At step S705, the UE sends an ATTACH_REQUEST with attach type = Emergency GPRS Attach to the SGSN of the core network.

At step S707, the SGSN receives the ATTACH_REQUEST.

At step S709, the SGSN sends an ATTACH_ACCEPT back to the UE.

At step S71 1, the SGSN establishes a packet switched radio bearer session with the UE without initiating any security procedures. The call to the emergency services is then allowed to proceed at step S7 13.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment describes as further implementation of the invention for use in the GSM-GPRS network. However, it should be noted that the use of the following mechanisms could also be applied to the UMTS network.

Referring to Figure 6, steps S601, S603, S605 as described above are followed.

In the second embodiment, at step S607b, a new message comprising an EMERGENCY ATTACHREQUEST is sent to the SGSN from the UE.

This new message identifies to the SGSN that the establishment of the packet switched radio bearer session is for a packet switched session associated with an emergency service, and so the security procedures should be bypassed.

In the same manner as that described above in the first embodiment, the core network is able to establish a packet switched radio bearer session by bypassing the security procedures. That is, a GMM context is established without running the security procedures.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

This third embodiment describes the present invention being utilised within a UMTS environment. In this embodiment, the UE does not have an active UICC/SIM incorporated therein, as shown at step S801.

At step S803, the UE determines that a packet switched session associated with an emergency service is to be established over the packet switched network based on the numbers input by the user. That is, the determination is made when a user enters one of the predetermined identifiers for contacting the emergency services such as 911, 999, 112 or the like.

At step S805, an RRC connection is established between the UE and the UTRAN (UMTS terrestrial radio access network).

At step S807, a request for service in the form of a new decode SERVICE_REQUEST message is sent to the SGSN from the UE. The service request message has a new service type = emergency session establishment. This new service type informs the core network that the packet switched radio bearer session to be enabled is for a packet switched conversational call associated with an emergency service. Upon the core network receiving this service request, the network immediately responds with a SERVICE ACCEPT and allows the GMM context to be established even if the UE does not have a UICC/SIM incorporated therein. The core network enables this by forgoing security procedures.

In the same manner as described above in the first and second embodiments for the GSM-GPRS system, a packet switched conversational call associated with an emergency service may then be established even if the UE does not have a UICC/SIM incorporated therein.

Further, at step S8 11, the UE is enabled to allow non-integrity session management messages to be received.

If Integrity protection (part of the security procedure in UMTS) has not been established the side effect is that many Control Plane signaling messages will get dropped by the UE. This is because currently all but a handful of NAS signaling messages that are not Integrity protected can be accepted by the NAS, and all SM messages currently will not be accepted if they do not pass Integrity protection checks. Therefore, to overcome this problem, this embodiment of the present invention adapts the UE such that the NAS of the UE shall accept the following non-Integrity protected messages:- * SERVICE_ACCEPT if and only if the SERVICE_ACCEPT is received as a response to a SERVICE_REQUEST with Service Type set to Emergency Session' * all SM messages for an emergency SM session, regardless of whether the GMM context established by that emergency SM session was initiated by the SERVICE_REQUEST That is, if a security procedure is not processed in an UMTS system, the majority of non-integrity protected messages sent to the UE will not be accepted. Therefore, the UE system is specifically adapted to determine that a service accept associated with the service request message in step S807 has been received and so enabled to allow any non-integrity session management messages from the core network to be received in this manner. The emergency session may be maintained until the user or the network requires otherwise.

FOURTH EMBODiMENT This fourth embodiment describes the present invention in relation to the UMTS network. In this embodiment, the UE does not have an active UICC/SIM incorporated therein, as shown at step S801 of Figure 8.

This embodiment shows the present invention being used to establish a session management (SM) and data context at the SM level, or application level.

AT step S813a, an ACTIVATE_PDP_CONTEXT_REQUEST message with a new Traffic Class = Emergency Session is sent by the UE to the SGSN of the core network. The core network upon receiving this request message determines that an emergency session is to be established at the session management level at bypasses the security procedures. A session management context and a data context are established for the UE without a UICC/SIM. The radio bearer session is created by establishing an IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) dialog for the packet switched voice call. Using SIP (session initiation protocol) signalling, as is known within the industry (see the IETF website www.ietf.org), it is possible to cater for the emergency nature of the call. That is, a connection is established between the UE and the emergency services using the SIP protocol.

As in previous embodiments, the sending of this new traffic class of message is initiated by the user indicating that an emergency service is required by inserting a predetermined identifier, such as 911, 999, 112 or other suitable identifier into the UE keypad.

As the core network is informed that the requested packet switched radio bearer session is to be established for the use of an emergency call, it is therefore able to provide a QoS (quality of service) profile that is suitable for an emergency call. That is, priority is given to allocate radio bearers and radio access bearers (i.e. establish radio connections) for the purpose of the emergency call. Further, the call may be allowed to connect ahead of any other user requests, in order to connect the call in a shorter time period. That is, the emergency call is given a higher priority and provided with better resources in order to ensure that the call is established and maintained without disconnecting the call during any high congestion period.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

As an alternative to the new traffic class = Emergency Session for the ACTIVATE_PDP_CONTEXT_REQUEST message described in the fourth embodiment, a new message ACTI VATE_EMERGENCY_PDP CONTEXT REQUEST may be implemented as shown in step S8 I 3b of Figure 8. All other mechanisms as described in the fourth embodiment also apply to this embodiment. That is, a new SM level message is sent to the SGSN from the UE in order to establish a radio bearer session over the packet switched domain while forgoing security procedures such that the UE is not required to have an active SIM/UICC incorporated therein.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

This sixth embodiment describes the present invention in relation to the GSM-GPRS network. As an alternative to using the ATTACH_REQUEST attach type = emergency GPRS attach and EMERGENCY_ATTACH_REQUEST messages as described in the first and second embodiments with reference to Figure 6, the UE may undergo a normal attachment as known in the prior art when the UE has an active UICC/SIM incorporated therein.

Upon the UE sending an ATTACH_REQUEST to the SGSN in a normal manner as is known in the prior art, an ATTACH_ACCEPT is forwarded by the SGSN to the UE. In this way a packet switched radio bearer session is established after the security procedures have been executed Once the UE is attached to the core network, the UE must connect to the network at a sessionmanagement level. That is, at an application level.

When the UE sends an ACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST message with a new Traffic Class = Emergency Session the request for establishing a packet switched bearer associated with an emergency service is differentiated from a standard packet switched bearer session. The core network upon receiving this request message determines that an emergency session is to be established at the session management level. A session management context and a data context are established for the UE. The session management is created by establishing an IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) dialog for the packet switched voice call. Using SIP (session initiation protocol) signalling, as is known within the industry, it is possible to cater for the emergency nature of the call. That is, a connection is established between the UE and the emergency services using the SIP protocol.

As in previous embodiments, the forwarding of this new traffic class of message is initiated by the user indicating that an emergency service is required by inserting a predetermined identifier, such as 911, 999, 112 or other suitable identifier into the UE keypad.

As the core network is informed that the requested packet switched radio bearer session is to be established for the use of an emergency call, it is therefore able to provide a QoS (quality of service) profile that is suitable for an emergency call. That is, priority is given to allocate radio bearers and radio access bearers (i.e. establish radio connections) for the purpose of the emergency call. Further, the call may be allowed to connect ahead of any other user requests, in order to connect the call in a shorter time period. That is, the emergency call is given a higher priority and is provided with better resources in order to ensure that the call is established and maintained without disconnecting the call during any high congestion period.

SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

As an alternative to the activate PDP context request message with the new traffic class = emergency session of the sixth embodiment, a new ACTIVATE_EMERGENCY_PDP_CONTEXT_REQUEST message may be used as an alternative to inform the SGSN that a session management level request is being established in order to set up a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service. The provision of this new message works in the same way as described above in relation to the sixth embodiment.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein are by way of example only, and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

It will also be understood that the message in the first embodiment could also be utilised in a UE that does have an active UICC/SIM fitted. In this case, the speed of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session is increased as the security procedures are bypassed within the core network.

It will also be understood that the reference to packet switched calls may comprise not only voice calls, but also text messaging, video calls or any other form of packet switched communication services.

It will also be understood that the EMERGENCY ATTACH REQUEST of the second embodiment can be implemented even if the UE does have a UICC/SIM incorporated therein. In this case, the use of the new message EMERGENCY ATTACH REQUEST enables the core network to establish an emergency call within a shorter time period than if security procedures were to be followed.

It will also be understood that the new service type message in the third embodiment can be used with a UE having a valid UICC/SIM card incorporated therein. The use of the new message enables the emergency call to be established in a shorter time period as the core network foregoes the security procedures. Further, the new message also ensures the session is maintained.

Further, it will also be understood that, in relation to the third embodiment, a UE using a GSM-GPRS network that has integrity protection could also be adapted to receive non-integrity protected messages.

Further, it will be understood that the fourth and fifth embodiments may also be applied to a UE with an active UICC/SIM card incorporated therein. In this manner, the core network is not required to establish security procedures and so the time period for establishing the packet switched radio bearer session is shortened. Further, the new message also ensures the session is maintained.

It will further be understood that the invention as described in relation to the first or second embodiments (whether it is on a UMTS system or a GPRS system) may additionally incorporate the features of either the fourth or fifth embodiments.

Further, it will be understood that the features of the third embodiment in relation to the UMTS system may additionally incorporate the features of either the fourth or fifth embodiments.

Further, it will be understood that the features of the sixth and seventh embodiments may also be applied to the UMTS system.

Further, it will be understood that dispensing with the security procedures may include not initiating security procedures or cancelling security procedures after initiation.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of establishing a packet switched radio bearer

session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: the mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with dispensing with security procedures, and the core network dispensing with security procedures and establishing the session.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of the mobile communication device determining whether an identifier input into the mobile communication device is associated with an emergency service, and, upon a positive determination, sending the request to the core network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of the session comprises establishing a presence at mobility level at the core network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the establishment of the session comprises the mobile communication device sending a request for service to the core network, the core network recognising that the service request requires security procedures to be dispensed with in order to allow the request to be accepted.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the request for service comprises a service type associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of the core network transmitting a service acceptance associated with the request for service, and the mobile communication device receiving the service acceptance, and upon receipt of the service acceptance, the mobile communication device initiating the acceptance of non-Integrity protected messages from the core network.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the establishment of the session comprises the mobile communication device sending a request to attach to the core network, the core network recognising that the attach request requires security procedures to be dispensed with in order to allow the request to be accepted.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the request to attach comprises an attach type associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the request to attach comprises an emergency attach request message associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

10. The method of claim 7, whereupon the mobile communication device accepting an attachment acceptance from the core network in response to the request for attachment, the method further comprises the step of the mobile communication device initiating the acceptance of non-Integrity protected messages from the core network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of the session comprises establishing a presence at an application level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of the mobile communication device sending a request to activate a packet switched radio bearer session to the core network, the core network receiving the request and establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of the core network identifying the session as being associated with an emergency service.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the activation request message comprises a traffic class that associates the session with an emergency service.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the activation request message comprises a message to request activation of a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein priority is given to allocate radio connections.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the data packets associated with the emergency service receives higher priority than non-emergency service data packets.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of the mobile communication device sending the request is made without a smart card activated in the mobile communication device.

19. A mobile communication device adapted to carry out the associated mobile communication device steps according to the method of any of claims Ito 18.

20. A core network adapted to carry out the associated core network steps according to the method of any of claims ito 18.

21. A method of requesting a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

22. A mobile communication device adapted to request a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a core network of a telecommunications network, the mobile communication device further adapted to send a request to the core network to establish the session, said request associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

23. A method of receiving, at a core network of a telecommunications network, a request for a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service from a mobile communication device, the method comprising the steps of: the core network receiving the request, the core network determining if the request is associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures, and, upon a positive determination, the core network establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures.

24. A core network of a telecommunications network adapted to a receive a packet switched radio bearer session request associated with an emergency service from a mobile communication device, the core network further adapted to determine if the request is associated with establishing the session while dispensing with security procedures, and, upon a positive determination, establish the session while dispensing with security procedures.

25. A method of establishing a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, wherein the mobile communication device does not have a smart card activated therein, the method comprising the steps of: the mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, and the core network establishing the session.

26. A method of requesting a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service between a mobile communication device and a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the step of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, wherein the mobile communication device does not have a smart card activated therein.

27. A mobile communication device without a smart card activated therein adapted to send a request to a core network of a telecommunications network to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service.

28. A method of sending a request to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service to a core network of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the step of: a mobile communication device sending a request to the core network to establish the session, wherein the request provides an indication to the core network that the session is associated with an emergency service.

29. A mobile communication device adapted to send a request to establish a packet switched radio bearer session associated with an emergency service to a core network of a telecommunications network, wherein the request provides an indication to the core network that the session is associated with an emergency service.