WO2018034899A1

WO2018034899A1 - Method, apparatus, and computer program product for radio access network sharing in wireless networks

Info

Publication number: WO2018034899A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/046018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmad AWADA; Anup Talukdar; Paolo Zanier
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy; Nokia Usa Inc.
Priority date: 2016-08-15
Filing date: 2017-08-09
Publication date: 2018-02-22

Abstract

An example embodiment enhances wireless network based radio link capacity. A radio access point maintains at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string. The radio access point decomposes MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string. The radio access point compiles a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

Description

TITLE: METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

PRODUCT FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORK SHARING IN WIRELESS NETWORKS

INVENTORS: Ahmad AWADA, Anup TALUKDAR and Paolo ZANIER

The is a non-provisional patent application based on the provisional U. S. Patent Application Serial Number 62/375,084, filed August 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD:

The technology field relates to wireless networks, and more particularly to enhancement to wireless network based radio link capacity.

BACKGROUND:

Modern society has adopted, and is becoming reliant upon, wireless

communication devices for various purposes, such as, connecting users of the wireless communication devices with other users. Wireless communication devices can vary from battery powered handheld devices to stationary household and / or commercial devices utilizing electrical network as a power source. Due to rapid development of the wireless communication devices a number of areas capable of enabling entirely new types of communication applications have emerged.

The Fifth Generation (5G) wireless communications technology is expected to use high-frequency carriers of between 10 and 300 gigahertz (GHz), in the millimeter- wave band (mmWave), enabling the transmission of higher speed, higher-quality multimedia content. Cellular network architecture is expected to implement the mmWave wireless communications technology, with implementations ranging in size from stationary base stations serving kilometer-sized cells, to portable base stations serving microcells, femtocells or picocells.

Although mmWave radiofrequencies provide a significant bandwidth advantage in telecommunications, the high frequency mmWave carriers are subject to rain attenuation and atmospheric absorption during propagation and have a decreased signal penetration through or around obstacles, resulting in a large path loss. High frequency mmWave carriers are highly directional, permitting communication paths to operate close to one another without causing interference. Where a line-of-sight (LOS) path exists between the transmitter and receiver, the advantages of very high speed data transmission using mmWave carriers may be obtained for ranges of up to approximately one kilometer.

Fifth generation networks are currently being designed to provide a variety of services such as extreme mobile broadband, massive machine type of communications and ultra-reliable low-latency communications. While there would be various types of network nodes providing connectivity in 5G, one of the key enablers for supporting these use cases is through the deployment of ultra-dense 5G-Radio Access Points (RAPs) operating in higher frequency bands such as millimeter wave.

RF beamforming is essential in 5G New Radio (NR) operating at high carrier frequencies to compensate the high loss in propagation. However, the broadcast of system information becomes expensive in terms of radio resources since the beam conveying the system information can point only to one specific direction. To cover all directions in azimuth and elevation, beam sweeping is performed using a grid of beams.

Since the broadcast of system information is expensive, it is foreseen for 5G New Radio (NR) to broadcast the most essential system, i.e., information related to public land mobile network (PLMN) selection, cell-selection and access, and to let the user equipment (UE) fetch the remaining system information on a dedicated channel using unicast transmission. Two broadcast physical channels are envisioned: Physical

Broadcast Channel (PBCH) carrying the Master Information Block (MIB) containing e.g., System Frame Number, and extended PBCH (ePBCH) containing the minimum amount of information to perform PLMN and cell access and selection. It is estimated that the capacity of ePBCH would be between 100 bits up to 200 bits (maximum) to limit the signaling overhead.

Broadcasting multiple PLMN IDs consumes a high percentage of ePBCH capacity, which may not allow broadcasting the remaining system information required for initial access, such as radio resource configuration, cell-selection parameters, cell- access parameters and Extended Access Class Barring (EAB) parameters required to limit the access of Machine Type Communication (MTC).

What is needed is a new means to reduce the number of bits required to send multiple PLMN IDs in an ePBCH message. SUMMARY:

Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments enable enhancement to wireless network based radio link capacity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: maintaining, by a radio access point, at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; decomposing, by the radio access point, MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and compiling, by the radio access point, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: determining, by the radio access point, whether to skip including MCC or MNP in representing a next PLMN identity; if MCC or MNP is the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then skipping the MCC or MNP in representing the next PLMN identity; and if MCC or MNP is not the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then the MCC or MNP is specified in a next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the MNC bit string is a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the MNC bit string is a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the decomposing of each MNC bit string into an MNP bit string and an MNI bit string is performed by a search in an MNC lookup table of MNC bit strings.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; composing, by the user equipment, at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and composing, by the user equipment, the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: determining, by the user equipment, whether the MCC or MNP has been skipped in the received ePBCH message; and if the MCC or MNP has been skipped, replicating the MCC or MNP from a respective MCC or MNP in a preceding PLMN identity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by concatenating the MNP bit string and the MNI bit string to form the MNC bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by searching an MNC look-up table for an MNC bit string having corresponding MNP and MNI bit strings.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; 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 at least to: maintain at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; decompose MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and compile a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine whether to skip including MCC or MNP in representing a next PLMN identity; if MCC or MNP is the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then skip the MCC or MNP in representing the next PLMN identity; and if MCC or MNP is not the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then the MCC or MNP is specified in a next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message. An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the MNC bit string is a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the MNC bit string is a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the decomposing of each MNC bit string into an MNP bit string and an MNI bit string is performed by a search in an MNC lookup table of MNC bit strings.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; 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 at least to: receive a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; compose at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and compose the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine whether the MCC or MNP has been skipped in the received ePBCH message; and if the MCC or MNP has been skipped, replicate the MCC or MNP from a respective MCC or MNP in a preceding PLMN identity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by concatenating the MNP bit string and the MNI bit string to form the MNC bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by searching an MNC look-up table for an MNC bit string having corresponding MNP and MNI bit strings. An example embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus comprising: wherein the MNC bit string is a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non- transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for maintaining, by a radio access point, at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; code for decomposing, by the radio access point, MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and code for compiling, by the radio access point, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

An example embodiment of the invention includes a computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non- transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for receiving, by a user equipment, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; code for composing, by the user equipment, at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and code for composing, by the user equipment, the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:

Figure 1 A illustrates a functional block diagram of an example 5G radio access point being provisioned, for example, by a mobile virtual network operator enabler (MVNE) server, downloading a mobile network code (MNC) lookup table. The MNC lookup table will be used by the radio access point to compile an extended physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message having a reduced number of bits required for transmitting multiple public land mobile network (PLMN) identities. The physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message, which may include information related to PLMN selection, cell-selection and access, will be transmitted to wireless user equipment (UE) located in a cell controlled by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure IB illustrates a functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point of Figure 1 A, receiving an assignment from a network manager, of PLMN identities of networks that may be accessed in the cell managed by the radio access point. Each PLMN identity is expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string. The figure also illustrates a functional block diagram of an example wireless user equipment (UE) located in the cell controlled by the radio access point. In its default embodiment, the user equipment (UE) is shown including computer logic 103 or computer program instructions to compose MNC bit strings by concatenating MNP and MNI bit strings received in physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) messages from the 5G radio access point. The user equipment (UE) combines a composed MNC bit string with a mobile country code (MCC) bit string in a received ePBCH message, to form the identity of a public land mobile network (PLMN). The PLMN may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1C illustrates a functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point of Figures lA and IB, receiving an assignment from a network manager, of PLMN identities of networks that may be accessed in the cell managed by the radio access point. The figure also illustrates a functional block diagram of the example wireless user equipment (UE) located in the cell controlled by the radio access point. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the user equipment (UE) is shown being provisioned, for example, by the mobile virtual network operator enabler (MVNE) server, downloading the mobile country code (MNC) lookup table. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the MNC lookup table will be used by the user equipment (UE) to convert the contents of the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message received from the 5G radio access point, into the identities of multiple public land mobile networks (PLMNs) that may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 A illustrates a cellular network and functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point and the user equipment (UE) of Figure 1C. The figure shows the radio access point using the MNC lookup table to compile the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message. The radio access point is shown transmitting the ePBCH message, which includes multiple public land mobile network (PLMN) identities. A PLMN identity is expressed as an MCC, an MNP and an MNI. The wireless user equipment (UE) is shown receiving the ePBCH message. In its default embodiment, the user equipment (UE) uses the computer logic 103 or computer program instructions to compose MNC bit strings by concatenating MNP and MNI bit strings received in physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) messages from the 5G radio access point. The user equipment (UE) combines a composed MNC bit string with a mobile country code (MCC) bit string in a received ePBCH message, to form the identity of a public land mobile network (PLMN). In its alternate embodiment, the user equipment (UE) uses the table of MNC values 104 to convert the contents of the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message into the identities of multiple public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The PLMNs may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point. The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2B shows the first example MNC table 104 of Figure 1A, with decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, the corresponding binary coded decimal numbers (reference number 105), and the corresponding Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The first example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104 shown decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a six bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and a six bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2C illustrates a second example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104', decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a seven bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106' and a five bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108'. The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2D illustrates a third example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104", decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108". The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2E illustrates a fourth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"', decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into an nine bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"' and a three bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"'. The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2F illustrates a fifth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"", decomposes 12-bit straight binary values of MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"". The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 A is an example graph for the Case when MNC = 8 bits for all PLMN identities (IDs). The figure shows the number of bits required to broadcast 6 PLMN IDs as a function of size of MNP in [bits] for solution of LTE and legacy systems and an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3B is an example graph for the Case when MNC = 8 bits for all PLMN identities (IDs), showing the number of MNI per MNP, as a function of the size X of MNP.

Figure 4A is an example graph for the Case when MNC = 12 bits for all PLMN IDs. The figure shows the number of bits required to broadcast 6 PLMNs as a function of size of MNP in [bits] for solution of LTE and legacy systems and an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4B is an example graph for the Case when MNC = 12 bits for all PLMN IDs, showing the number of MNI per MNP as a function of the size X of MNP.

Figure 5 A is a flow diagram 500 of a programmed method executed by the 5G radio access point, compiling a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5B is a flow diagram 550 of a programmed method executed by the user equipment (UE), receiving the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message and composing the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN), in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention, wherein examples of removable storage media are shown, based on magnetic, electronic and/or optical technologies, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, semiconductor memory circuit devices and micro-SD memory cards (SD refers to the Secure Digital standard) for storing data and/or computer program code as an example computer program product, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

DISCUSSION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION:

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, a new structure for public land mobile network (PLMN) identities (ID) is disclosed. The new structure does not require a change to the currently specified PLMN selection procedure or to other procedures where identifiers including PLMN ID are used, for example cell global identity (CGI) and international mobile subscriber identity (FMSI). The new PLMN ID continues the standard format of expressing the PLMN ID as MCC and MNC, which are currently used in the LTE system. However, in accordance with the invention, the MNC is decomposed into a Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) portion and a Mobile Network Identity (MNI) portion when transmitted over the broadcast channel, i.e., ePBCH. Stated otherwise:

PLMN ID = MCC (12 bits) + MNC (Z bits) = MCC + MNP + MNI (4)

In this case, MNC (Z bits) = MNP (X bits) + MNI (Y bits) where Z = X + Y.

2 MNPs may be supported for one MCC and 2^Y MNIs for each MNP.

The advantage of this approach over the LTE solution is that if all PLMN IDs sharing the same carrier frequency(ies) use the same MNP, then the MNP may be signaled once leading to a high reduction in number of bits over the radio.

Figure 1 A illustrates a functional block diagram of an example 5G radio access point 110 being provisioned, for example, by a mobile virtual network operator enabler (MVNE) server 115, downloading a reference mobile network code (MNC) lookup table 104. The lookup table 104 will be used by the radio access point 110 to compile a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message 160 (Figure 2 A) having a reduced number of bits required for transmitting multiple public land mobile network (PLMN) identities. The physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message, which may include information related to PLMN selection, cell-selection and access, will be transmitted to wireless user equipment (UE) 100 (Figure 2 A) located in a cell controlled by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

The 5G radio access point 110 is compatible with the 5th generation (5G) wireless communications technology, which operates in the high frequency millimeter wave (mm Wave) band. The 5G radio access point 110 includes a processor module 122, a mmWave module 130, and a beam steering logic 140. The processor module 122 may include a dual core or multi-core central processing unit 124 and 125, a random access memory (RAM) 126, a read only memory (ROM) 127, and interface circuits to interface with the mmWave module 130, battery or mains power and optionally other power sources. The processor module components may be embodied as hardware, firmware, or software. The RAM and ROM may be removable memory device, such as smart cards, SFMs, WFMs, semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, flash memory device, etc.

The mmWave module 130 may include transmit and receive data buffers TX/RX 133, mmWave media access control (MAC)/physical layer (PHY) 134, and mmWave radio 136 transceiver for high-frequency carriers of between 10 and 300 gigahertz (GHz), in the millimeter-wave band. The mmWave module components may be embodied as hardware, firmware, or software.

For the high frequency millimeter wave (mmWave) band, the antennas in the 5G radio access point 110 are arranged as an array and connected through different phase shifters in the beam steering logic 140 to the mmWave radio 136 transceiver. The beam steering logic 140 performs beamforming by applying analog weight vectors to concentrate radiated energy in specific directions to transmit signals in a spatial beam. Different spatial beams may be transmitted by changing the applied phase shifts. To receive spatial beams, the beam steering logic 140 performs beamforming by applying analog weight vectors to concentrate radiated energy in specific directions to receive transmitted spatial beams. Different spatial beams may be received by changing the applied phase shifts.

The 5G radio access point 110 maintains the Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104, which is a table of MNC bit strings. In the MNC table 104, each MNC bit string may be expressed as a binary coded decimal number (reference number 105), which is presented as decomposed into a Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and a Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. Figure 1 A and Figure 2B show a first example MNC table 104 with decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, the corresponding binary coded decimal numbers (reference number 105), and the corresponding Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The first example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104 shown decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a six bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and a six bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The first example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104 of Figure 1 A appears as follows:

In example embodiments, the MNP bit string may be at least one bit of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string may be a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

In example embodiments, the MNP bit string may be at least one bit of most significant bits of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string may be a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

In example embodiments, the MNC bit string may be a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string may be at least one bit of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string may be a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

In example embodiments, the MNC bit string may be a binary coded decimal bit string, the MNP bit string may be at least one bit of most significant bits of the binary coded decimal numbers of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string may be a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

Figure IB illustrates a functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point 110 of Figure 1 A, receiving an assignment from a network manager 142, of PLMN identities 144 of networks that may be accessed in the cell managed by the radio access point 110. Each PLMN identity is expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string. The example assignment of PLMN identities 144 appears as follows:

Figure IB also illustrates a functional block diagram of an example wireless user equipment (UE) located in the cell controlled by the radio access point. In its default embodiment, the user equipment (UE) is shown including a computer logic 103 or computer program instructions to compose MNC bit strings by concatenating MNP and MNI bit strings received in physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) messages from the 5G radio access point. The user equipment (UE) combines a composed MNC bit string with a mobile country code (MCC) bit string in a received ePBCH message, to form the identity of a public land mobile network (PLMN). The PLMN may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1C illustrates a functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point of Figures lA and IB, receiving an assignment from a network manager, of PLMN identities of networks that may be accessed in the cell managed by the radio access point. The figure also illustrates a functional block diagram of the example wireless user equipment (UE) located in the cell controlled by the radio access point. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the user equipment (UE) is shown being provisioned, for example, by the mobile virtual network operator enabler (MV E) server, downloading the mobile country code (MNC) lookup table. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the MNC lookup table will be used by the user equipment (UE) to convert the contents of the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message received from the 5G radio access point, into the identities of multiple public land mobile networks (PLMNs) that may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

The user equipment (UE) 100 is shown having similar components as those shown in the radio access point 110. In an example embodiment of the invention, the user equipment (UE) 100 may also optionally include one or more of a key pad, touch screen, display, microphone, speakers, ear pieces, camera or other imaging device, etc.

Figure 2 A illustrates a cellular network and functional block diagram of the example 5G radio access point 110 and the user equipment (UE) 100 of Figure 1C. The figure shows the radio access point 110 using the lookup table 104 to compile the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message 160. The radio access point 110 is shown transmitting the ePBCH message 160, which includes multiple public land mobile network (PLMN) identities.

Figure 2 A shows the resulting ePBCH message 160, which appears as follows:

A PLMN identity is expressed as an MCC, an MNP and an MNI. Each of the six public land mobile network (PLMN) identities represented in the ePBCH message 160, has the same mobile country code (MCC) of 310, for networks located in the USA. Thus, a single MCC bit string represents the MCC of the six PLMN identities. Each of the six PLMN identities has the same mobile network prefix (MNP). Thus, a single MNP bit string represents the MNP of the six PLMN identities. Each of the six PLMN identities has its own unique mobile network identity (MNI). Thus, there are six MNI bit strings representing the six PLMN identities.

In example embodiments, in compiling the ePBCH message, the radio access point 110 includes computer logic or computer program instructions to determine whether to skip including MCC and MNP in representing a next PLMN identity. If the MCC and/or MNP are the same as those in the preceding PLMN identity, the MCC and/or MNP are skipped in representing the next PLMN identity. Otherwise the MCC and/or MNP are specified in the next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message.

The wireless user equipment (UE) 100 is shown in Figure 2A receiving the ePBCH message 160. In its default embodiment, the user equipment (UE) uses the computer logic 103 or computer program instructions to compose MNC bit strings by concatenating MNP and MNI bit strings received in physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) messages from the 5G radio access point. The user equipment (UE) combines a composed MNC bit string with a mobile country code (MCC) bit string in a received ePBCH message, to form the identity of a public land mobile network (PLMN).

In its alternate embodiment, the user equipment (UE) uses the table of MNC values 104 to convert the contents of the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message into the identities of multiple public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The PLMNs may be accessed by the user equipment (UE) in the cell managed by the radio access point. The resulting shorter ePBCH message is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

The mobile network code (MNC) bit string is an MNP bit string concatenated with an MNI bit string and a public land mobile network (PLMN) identity is expressed as an MCC bit string and an MNC bit string.

The figure shows the 5G radio access point 110 performing the following example steps:

[1] FOR PLMN ID OF EACH NETWORK, DECOMPOSE MNC = MNP + MNI [2] DETERMINE WHETHER TO SKIP MCC OR MNP IF SEQUENCE IS REPEATED

[3] COMPILE ePBCH MESSAGE FOR PLMN IDs, WITH FIELDS FOR MCC, MNP, AND MNI

[4] TRANSMIT ePBCH MESSAGE.

The figure shows the user equipment (UE) 100 performing the following example steps:

[1] RECEIVE ePBCH MESSAGE

[2] PARSE ePBCH MESSAGE FIELDS FOR MCC, MNP, AND MNI

[3] DETERMINE WHETHER MCC OR MNP HAVE BEEN SKIPPED, IF SO, REPLICATE MCC OR MNP

[4] COMPOSE MNC = MNP + MNI FOR EACH NETWORK,

[5] COMPOSE PLMN = MCC + MNC FOR EACH NETWORK.

Figure 2B shows the first example MNC table 104 of Figure 1A, and the resulting shorter ePBCH message 160 transmitted by the radio access point 110. The first example MNC table 104 contains decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, the corresponding binary coded decimal numbers (reference number 105), and the corresponding Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The assigned PLMN IDs for the table 104 shown in the figure are the same as those which are assigned in Fig. IB, and are only a subset of the values that could be assigned by the network manager. The first example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104 shown decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a six bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and a six bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The dashed line 102 is shown separating the 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a six bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106 and a six bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108. The resulting shorter ePBCH message 160 of Figure 2 A, is shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Figure 2C illustrates a second example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104', which decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a seven bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106' and a five bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108'. The dashed line 102 is shown separating the 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a seven bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106' and a five bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108' . The resulting shorter ePBCH message 160' transmitted by the radio access point 110, is also shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields. The example MNC table contains decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, corresponding to the assigned PLMN IDs in Fig. IB, and are only a subset of the values that could be assigned by the network manager. The second example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104' would appear as follows:

Figure 2D illustrates a third example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104", decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108". The dashed line 102 is shown separating the 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108" . The resulting shorter ePBCH message 160" transmitted by the radio access point 110, is also shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields. The example MNC table contains decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, corresponding to the assigned PLMN IDs in Fig. IB, and are only a subset of the values that could be assigned by the network manager. The third example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104" would appear as follows:

Figure 2E illustrates a fourth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"', decomposes each 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into an nine bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"' and a three bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"'. The dashed line 102 is shown separating the 12-bit binary coded decimal MNC 105 into a nine bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"' and a three bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"' . The resulting shorter ePBCH message 160"' transmitted by the radio access point 110, is also shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields. Note that the sixth MNP is different from the preceding MNP, and thus the sixth PLMN is represented in the ePBCH message 160"' by the concatenated MNP and MNI. The example MNC table contains decimal values for the MNC from 333 to 338, corresponding to assigned PLMN IDs, and are only a subset of the values that could be assigned by the network manager. The fourth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"' would appear as follows: MNC MNC MNP MNI

Decimal BCD (105) Part (106) Part (108)

333 001100110011 001100110 Oi l

334 001100110100 001100110 100

335 001100110101 001100110 101

336 001100110110 001100110 110

337 001100110111 001100110 111

338 001100111000 001100111 000

Figure 2F illustrates a fifth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"", decomposes 12-bit straight binary values of MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"". The dashed line 102 is shown separating the 12-bit straight binary values of MNC 105 into an eight bit Mobile Network Prefix (MNP) part 106"" and a four bit Mobile Network Identity (MNI) part 108"" . The resulting shorter ePBCH message 160"" transmitted by the radio access point 110, is also shown representing six PLMN identities with MCC, MNP, and MNI fields. Note that the sixth MNP is different from the preceding MNP, and thus the sixth PLMN is represented in the ePBCH message 160"" by the concatenated MNP and MNI. The example MNC table contains decimal values for the MNC from 331 to 336, corresponding to the assigned PLMN IDs in Fig. IB, and are only a subset of the values that could be assigned by the network manager. The fifth example Mobile Network Code (MNC) lookup table 104"" would appear as follows:

332 000101001100 00010100 1100

333 000101001101 00010100 1101

334 000101001110 00010100 1110

335 000101001111 00010100 1111

336 000101010000 00010101 0000

MNC allocation is subject to regulation. MNCs are administered by the National numbering plan administrator within each country in accordance with the principles in Annex B of the ITU-T Rec. E.212. These principles are used for the assignment of MNCs under assigned geographic MCCs. In order to benefit from the proposed MNC structure in an ePBCH on the broadcast channel (i.e. MNP+MNI), an MVNE would ask for a set of contiguous MNCs for all its supported MVNOs or each MVNO would acquire an MNC that is contiguous with that of MVNE. This is not an issue, considering that for each 8 bit MCC (two decimal digits with each digit having values 0 to 9), we can theoretically have 256 MNCs (100 in practice). Similarly, for each 12 bit MCC (three decimal digits for each MCC) we can theoretically have 4096 MNCs (1000 in practice). Moreover, large countries such as United States or India have multiple MCCs increasing in turn the space of MNCs. If the MCC and MNP fields are absent in the ePBCH message on the broadcast channel, then they take the same values as the MCC and MNP of the immediately preceding PLMN-Identity in the ePBCH message on the broadcast channel.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, some of the MNPs may not be contiguous in an ePBCH message on the broadcast channel. For example, a first MNP may be specified and the second, third, fourth MNPs may be skipped if they are the same. If the fifth MNP is not the same as the first MNP, then the fifth MNP will be stated in the ePBCH message. If the sixth MNP is the same as the fifth MNP, then the sixth MNP may be skipped in the ePBCH message. For example, if 4 PLMN IDs were to be broadcast with same MNP and the next one with different MNP, the ePBCH message would represent the sequence of MNPs as: MNP[1] Absent Absent Absent MNP[5].

Note that MNP and MNI are used only in the broadcast channel, i.e., broadcast radio transmission from the radio access point to the UE. In all other procedures, the UE would use the PLMN ID = MCC + MNC as defined for LTE and 3G systems. As such, there is no impact on attach procedure, authentication, derivation of security keys, roaming or any other procedure involving PLMN ID or an identifier containing PLMN ID as component.

To quantify the overhead reduction advantage, the number of bits required to signal N PLMN IDs is equal to

#bits = MCC (12 bits) + MNP (X bits) + N * MNI (Y= Z-X bits)

= 12 + X + N*(Z-X) = 12 + N*Z - X*(N-1) (5) which is less than 12 + N*Z by X*(N-1).

Higher X or N leads to higher signaling reduction advantage over the radio but to a smaller Y and in turn to a more limited network sharing capabilities, i.e., less number of MNIs that can share the same MNP. On the other hand, higher Y increases the network sharing capabilities at the expense of reduced advantage over the radio, i.e., smaller X. As such, there is trade-off between the reduction advantage and the network sharing capabilities that is dependent on the configuration of X and Y.

This trade-off is illustrated in Figures 3 A, 3B, 4A, and 4B for MNC = 8 and 12 bits for all PLMN IDs, respectively. Figure 3 A or 4A on the left shows the number of bits required to send e.g. 6 PLMN IDs over the radio as a function of the size X of MNP in bits for LTE and legacy systems and the example embodiment of the invention. Figure 3B and 4B on the right, shows for the example embodiment of the invention the number of MNI that can have same MNP as a function of the size of MNP [bits] with the size Z of MNC as a parameter.

Figure 5A is a flow diagram 500 of a programmed method executed by the 5G radio access point, compiling a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The programmed method determines whether to skip MCC or MNP in the ePBCH message if the sequence of MCC or MNP is repeated. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU), carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:

Step 502: maintaining, by a radio access point, at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string;

Step 504: decomposing, by the radio access point, MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and

Step 506: compiling, by the radio access point, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

In compiling the ePBCH message, the radio access point determines whether to skip including MCC and MNP in representing a next PLMN identity. If the MCC and/or MNP are the same as those in the preceding PLMN identity, the MCC and/or MNP are skipped in representing the next PLMN identity. Otherwise the MCC and/or MNP are specified in the next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message.

Figure 5B is a flow diagram 550 of a programmed method executed by the user equipment (UE), receiving the physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message and composing the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN), in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The programmed method determines whether the fields for the MCC and/or MNP have been skipped in the received ePBCH message. If the fields of the MCC and/or MNP have been skipped, the MCC and/or MNP are replicated from the respective MCC and/or MNP in the preceding PLMN identity. The steps of the flow diagram represent computer code instructions stored in the RAM and/or ROM memory, which when executed by the central processing units (CPU), carry out the functions of the example embodiments of the invention. The steps may be carried out in another order than shown and individual steps may be combined or separated into component steps. The flow diagram has the following steps:

Step 554: receiving, by user equipment, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity;

Step 556: composing, by the user equipment, at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and

Step 558: composing, by the user equipment, the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

In composing a PLMN identity, the computer logic 103 or computer program instructions of the user equipment determines whether the fields for the MCC and/or MNP have been skipped in the received ePBCH message. If the fields of the MCC and MNP have been skipped, the MCC and/or MNP are replicated from the respective MCC and/or MNP in the preceding PLMN identity.

An additional Step 552 would precede that above step 554, in an alternate embodiment of the invention:

Step 552: maintaining, by a user equipment, at least one mobile network code (MNC) bit strings, each MNC bit string represented as a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with an mobile network identity (MNI) bit string, wherein a public land mobile network (PLMN) identity is expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and an MNC bit string.

When the user equipment (UE) 100 wishes to camp on the cell managed by the 5G radio access point 110, it begins by synchronizing with the radio access point 110 to acquire the physical cell ID (PCI), time slot and frame synchronization. For cell synchronization, the user equipment (UE) 100 under the coverage of 5G radio access point 110, may use the synchronization signal transmitted by the mmWave module 130 of the radio access point 110. After completing initial cell synchronization, the user equipment (UE) 100 receives the ePBCH message 160. The ePBCH message 160 includes multiple public land mobile network (PLMN) identities and the user equipment may select a PLMN from that list. The user equipment (UE) 100 may select from the list the Home PLMN defined in its SIM card, or select from the list the PLMN having the strongest signal, or select from the list the PLMN having a specified access technology. The user equipment (UE) 100 then reads information blocks for the downlink channel bandwidth and cell access parameters, such as the radio access point 110 identity, Uplink physical channel configurations, Uplink power control, and Uplink carrier frequency and Bandwidth. The user equipment (UE) 100 may then register with the radio access point 110 by

transmitting an Attach Request to the radio access point 110, which includes the user equipment (UE) 100 identity and authentication information. The user equipment (UE) 100 may measure the Channel Quality Information of the mmWave signals from the radio access point 110, indicating the channel quality and line-of-sight (LOS) propagation characteristics to the radio access point 110.

Figure 6 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention, wherein examples of removable storage media are shown for RAM and/or ROM memories 126 and/or 127, based on magnetic, electronic and/or optical technologies, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, semiconductor memory circuit devices and micro-SD memory cards (SD refers to the Secure Digital standard) for storing data and/or computer program code as an example computer program product, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Using the description provided herein, the embodiments may be implemented as a machine, process, or article of manufacture by using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce programming software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof.

Any resulting program(s), having computer-readable program code, may be embodied on one or more computer-usable non-transitory media such as resident memory devices, smart cards or other removable memory devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the embodiments.

As indicated above, memory/storage devices include, but are not limited to, disks, optical disks, removable memory devices such as smart cards, SEVIs, WEVIs,

semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, PROMS, etc. Transmitting mediums include, but are not limited to, transmissions via wireless communication networks, the Internet, intranets, telephone/modem-based network communication, hard-wired/cabled communication network, satellite communication, and other stationary or mobile network systems/communication links.

Although specific example embodiments have been disclosed, a person skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific example embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: maintaining, by a radio access point, at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; decomposing, by the radio access point, MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and compiling, by the radio access point, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

2. The method of claim 1, Further comprising: determining, by the radio access point, whether to skip including MCC or MNP in representing a next PLMN identity; if MCC or MNP is the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then skipping the MCC or MNP in representing the next PLMN identity; and if MCC or MNP is not the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then the MCC or MNP is specified in a next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the decomposing of each MNC bit string into an MNP bit string and an MNI bit string is performed by a search in an MNC lookup table of MNC bit strings.

6. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; composing, by the user equipment, at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and composing, by the user equipment, the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: determining, by the user equipment, whether the MCC or MNP has been skipped in the received ePBCH message; and if the MCC or MNP has been skipped, replicating the MCC or MNP from a respective MCC or MNP in a preceding PLMN identity.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by concatenating the MNP bit string and the MNI bit string to form the MNC bit string.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by searching an MNC look-up table for an MNC bit string having corresponding MNP and MNI bit strings.

10. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; 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 at least to: maintain at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; decompose MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and compile a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine whether to skip including MCC or MNP in representing a next PLMN identity; if MCC or MNP is the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then skip the MCC or MNP in representing the next PLMN identity; and if MCC or MNP is not the same as in a preceding PLMN identity, then the MCC or MNP is specified in a next PLMN identity in the ePBCH message.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the MNP bit string is at least one bit of most significant bits of the MNC bit string, and the MNI bit string is a remaining portion of the MNC bit string exclusive of the MNP bit string.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the decomposing of each MNC bit string into an MNP bit string and an MNI bit string is performed by a search in an MNC lookup table of MNC bit strings.

15. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; 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 at least to: receive a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; compose at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and compose the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine whether the MCC or MNP has been skipped in the received ePBCH message; and if the MCC or MNP has been skipped, replicate the MCC or MNP from a respective MCC or MNP in a preceding PLMN identity.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by concatenating the MNP bit string and the MNI bit string to form the MNC bit string.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the user equipment composes the at least one MNC bit string by searching an MNC look-up table for an MNC bit string having corresponding MNP and MNI bit strings.

19. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for maintaining, by a radio access point, at least one public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, each PLMN identity being expressed as a mobile country code (MCC) bit string and a mobile network code (MNC) bit string; code for decomposing, by the radio access point, MNC bit strings of selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, into a mobile network prefix (MNP) bit string concatenated with a mobile network identity (MNI) bit string; and code for compiling, by the radio access point, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message comprising the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the selected ones of the at least one PLMN identity.

20. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable, non-transitory storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code for receiving, by a user equipment, a physical broadcast channel (ePBCH) message expressing at least one PLMN identity, the ePBCH message comprising at least one MCC bit string, at least one MNP bit string, and an MNI bit string for each of the at least one PLMN identity; code for composing, by the user equipment, at least one MNC bit string from the at least one MNP bit string concatenated with each MNI bit string, for the at least one PLMN identity; and code for composing, by the user equipment, the at least one PLMN identity expressed as the at least one MCC bit string and the at least one MNC bit string, representing at least one public land mobile network (PLMN).