Information

Call Handling

Mobile Originated Call/Mobile Termi-

nated Call MOC/MTC
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MOC/MTC Call Handling

Important Notice on Product Safety

!
Elevated voltages are inevitably present at specific points in this electrical equipment. Some of the
parts can also have elevated operating temperatures.
Non-observance of these conditions and the safety instructions can result in personal injury or in prop-
erty damage.
Therefore only trained and qualified personnel may install and maintain the system.
The system complies with the standard EN 60950. All equipment connected has to comply with the
applicable safety standards.

Copyright (C) Siemens AG 1998.

Issued by the Inforamtion and Communication Networks Group

Hofmannstraße 51
D-81359 München

Technical modifications possible.

Technical specifications and features are binding only insofar as
they are specifically and expressly agreed upon in a written contract.

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This document consists of a total of 17 pages. All pages are issue 1.

Contents
1 Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 The Feature in D900/D1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.1 Basic Principles of the MOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 Basic Principles of the MTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Mobile-to-Mobile Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 Mode of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.1 Mobile Originated Call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4.2 Mobile Terminated Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 Implementation of the Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3 Call Charge Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4 Compatibility with other Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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1 Definition
The public land mobile network (PLMN) offers its mobile subscribers the possibility to
make and to receive calls. But, due to the subscriber’s mobility, setting up calls requires
specific functions to be fulfilled by the different nodes in the PLMN.
From the subscriber’s point of view, there are two different call setup procedures
requiring a different approach.

Mobile originated call (MOC)

If the mobile subscriber initiates the call, we talk about a mobile originated call (MOC).
Then, the mobile subscriber is the calling party.
Basically, the necessary functions are carried out by the servicing mobile-services
switching center/visitor location register (MSC/VLR). They are:
– security control
– subscription checking
– call routing towards the destination.

Mobile terminated call (MTC)

If the subscriber receives the call, he is involved in a mobile terminated call (MTC).
Then, the mobile subscriber is the called party.
In this case, all entities cooperate to direct an incoming call to the mobile subscriber.
First of all, only the home location register (HLR) knows the subscriber’s location.
Therefore, during call setup, a certain switch in the network has to ask the HLR for this
information, i.e. interrogation. If the call originates in the same PLMN, the interrogation
procedure is started by the originating MSC/VLR, otherwise by the gateway MSC
(GMSC).
Secondly, when the call arrives at the servicing MSC/VLR, i.e. the MSC/VLR in whose
area the subscriber is located, contact is made with the mobile subscriber and call setup
is completed.
In this document, we will discuss the basic principles of MOC and MTC setup and
explain the functions fulfilled by the network entities. We will also explain some major
deviations of call setup, which are the result of introducing new features and supplemen-
tary services into the PLMN. Finally, the charging aspects will be mentioned.

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2 The Feature in D900/D1800

An MOC and an MTC are made possible by the functionality of the different PLMN enti-
ties. They enable the subscriber to move freely within the D900/D1800 system and, at
the same time, to receive incoming calls and to make outgoing calls.

2.1 Basic Principles of the MOC

The MSC/VLR procedures for MOC initiation and completion contain all functions to
complete the setting up of call attempts from mobile stations.

MOC initiation
The MOC initiation procedure is triggered by a service request which is sent from the
mobile station to the MSC/VLR via the base station system (BSS). Depending on the
contents of this service request, the MOC initiation procedure handles:
– speech and data calls
– emergency calls
– subscriber controlled inputs
– short messages (mobile originated).
Upon receiving the service request, the MOC initiation procedure will start the confiden-
tiality (security) functions. This means that the MSC/VLR will carry out authentication,
equipment control, ciphering/deciphering and/or TMSI reallocation should that be
required.
• Authentication
The authentication function determines a mobile subscriber’s authorization to
access the PLMN and protects the latter from unauthorized use. For this purpose,
triples generated by the AC and containing a random number (RAND), a signed
response (SRES) and a cipherkey (Kc) are used.
• Equipment control
The equipment control function checks the equipment status as to whether the
mobile equipment is allowed, is to be observed or is not allowed within the PLMN.
The equipment control is carried out using the international mobile equipment iden-
tity (IMEI) which is hard-coded at the mobile equipment.
• Ciphering/deciphering
Ciphering/deciphering secures the information exchange via the radio interface.
Therefore, both the mobile station and the BSS are loaded with the same cipherkey
(Kc).
• TMSI reallocation
The TMSI (temporary mobile subscriber identity) reallocation function periodically
assigns a new TMSI to a mobile subscriber. The purpose of this function is to
prevent an intruder from identifying a mobile subscriber by listening to the signaling
on the radio path. To increase confidentiality, the TMSI is reallocated at particular
moments in time.
For certain projects, however, emergency call setup must be possible without the
subscriber identity module (SIM) being inserted. Then, the IMEI is used for identification
purposes instead of the usual TMSI or IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity).
This also means that authentication, ciphering/deciphering and TMSI reallocation are
not carried out.

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MOC completion
Having received the setup message from the mobile station, the MSC/VLR starts the
MOC completion procedure. The MSC/VLR performs subscription and service compat-
ibility checks. When these checks are positive, meaning that the mobile subscriber’s
connection request is accepted, the latter is informed.
Afterwards, the MSC/VLR allocates a traffic channel, seizes a terrestrial circuit and
continues the analysis of the dialed digits. The result enables the MSC/VLR to select a
free trunk line towards the destination.
Connection establishment continues and if the called party answers the call, the
MSC/VLR receives an indication from the remote exchange. The MSC/VLR now
completes the call, i.e. connects the mobile subscriber and starts the data collection for
charging purposes.

2.2 Basic Principles of the MTC

A PSTN/ISDN/PLMN subscriber attempts to set up a call to a mobile subscriber by
dialing this subscriber’s MSISDN number. To deliver this incoming call to the mobile
subscriber, the network has to carry out two major procedures:
– interrogation
– MTC initiation and completion.

Interrogation
A certain switch in the network (generally the (G)MSC) performs the interrogation proce-
dure to obtain routing information. This information is then used to forward the call to
the MSC/VLR in whose area the mobile subscriber is currently roaming, i.e. the visited
MSC/VLR.
Interrogation is started after the (G)MSC has received an MSISDN. The digit translation
of the MSISDN provides for the information being necessary to address the called
subscriber’s HLR. The HLR knows the VLR in whose area the subscriber is roaming,
because it stores the VLR-ISDN number and updates this number during location
updating. The HLR in turn uses the VLR-ISDN number to address the VLR and to
request a mobile subscriber roaming number (MSRN).
The VLR temporarily allocates an MSRN to the called subscriber. It is only used to
forward the incoming call from the interrogating switch to the visited MSC/VLR. The
MSRN is sent from the MSC/VLR to the GMSC via the HLR. Once the call has arrived
at the visited MSC/VLR, the MSRN is released for future use.
During the interrogation procedure, the HLR/AC and the visited MSC/VLR perform
subscription and compatibility checks.

MTC initiation and completion

The MTC initiation and completion procedure in the visited MSC/VLR finishes the call
setup to a mobile subscriber after the call has been routed to this MSC/VLR (by means
of interrogation). The MSC/VLR starts the procedure if the digit analysis reports that it
has received an MSRN allocated by the VLR.
First, the MSC/VLR has to detect the exact cell within a known location area, in which
the mobile subscriber is located. For this purpose, the MSC/VLR carries out paging.
Paging consists of broadcasting a message, within the known location area, carrying the
identity of the called mobile subscriber. If the mobile station which recognizes the iden-

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tity responds to paging, the mobile subscriber is detected and MTC initiation starts. This
means that authentication, ciphering, TMSI reallocation and equipment control are
carried out if required.
Afterwards, the MSC/VLR allocates a traffic channel, seizes a terrestrial circuit and
starts alerting. If the mobile subscriber answers, the MSC/VLR completes the call, i.e.
connects the mobile subscriber and starts data collection for charging purposes.

2.3 Mobile-to-Mobile Call

A mobile-to-mobile call (MMC) is a call between two mobile subscribers. The MMC
may be considered an MOC followed by an MTC. The MOC initiation and completion
procedures are then handled by the originating-MSC/VLR and the MTC initiation and
completion procedures are handled by the destination-MSC/VLR. The originating-
MSC/VLR may also be responsible for the interrogation procedure.
In addition, when the two mobile subscribers are registered in the same MSC/VLR area
and the traffic channels are switched entirely within this one MSC/VLR, we speak about
a mobile internal call (MIC). In this case the servicing MSC/VLR performs both the
MOC and MTC initiation/completion procedures. To assure that both procedures do not
affect each other, an ’interworking function’ is used, i.e. the trunk loop. HLR interroga-
tion is still necessary and, for an MIC, it is carried out by the servicing MSC/VLR itself.

2.4 Mode of Operation

In this section, we will describe in more detail the total sequence of call setup for both
the MOC and the MTC. In both cases we assume that the mobile subscriber’s commu-
nication partner is a PSTN/ISDN subscriber.

2.4.1 Mobile Originated Call

As mentioned before, the MOC initiation and completion procedure is used for
speech/data calls, emergency calls, subscriber controlled inputs and short messages.
For subscriber controlled inputs and short messages, no traffic channel is required. The
user information is transmitted to the MSC/VLR after the MOC initiation has ended
(when the security functions are carried out) and using the existing signaling connection.
For more information about these subjects, refer to the respective documents.

Call sequence
(See figure Call sequence for an MOC to the PSTN/ISDN)
1. At first, a radio resource connection is set up. This connection provides for a
signaling channel between the mobile station and the BSS on the one hand, and
between the BSS and the MSC/VLR on the other.
Then, the mobility management connection is set up when the mobile station sends
the service request to the MSC/VLR via the signaling channel.
2. The VLR is informed of the incoming request. If required, it initiates authentication,
ciphering and TMSI reallocation. The mobility management connection is used to
carry out these functions (which are signaling functions).
3. When these security tests are passed successfully, the mobile station starts the call
control establishment by sending the setup message. This message contains,

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among others, the dialed number and information elements related to the requested
basic service.
Equipment control is performed parrallel to the call establishment procedure.
4. The MSC/VLR performs subscription and compatibility checks. The subscription
check is used to verify the subscriber’s access to a certain service, whereas the
compatibility checks investigate the compatibility and the consistency of the informa-
tion received in the setup message. If the requested service is a bearer service or
data teleservice (e.g. facsimile), supplementary checks are carried out.
5. The MSC/VLR informs the mobile station of the successful outcome of the checks.
Then, the MSC/VLR allocates a traffic channel (radio interface) and seizes a terres-
trial circuit.
6. The dialed digits are analyzed to determine the destination of the call. For a call to
the PSTN/ISDN, the MSC/VLR searches for a free trunk and forwards the initial
address message (IAM) to the next exchange.
7. If the MSC/VLR receives the address complete message (ACM) from the network
side, it informs the mobile station that alerting of the called party has been started
(i.e. alert message).
8. The called party answers and the MSC/VLR is informed by means of the answer
message. The call is completed towards the mobile station which immediately
acknowledges the through-connection. From that moment on, the MSC/VLR starts
charging.

Exchange

(6)
(6)

Called party

(7)
(8)
PSTN/ISDN
Gateway
PLMN
(6)
(8)
(7)

MSC/VLR
(4)
(2)
(1) (5)
(3)

BTS/BSC

(1)
(3)

(2)
(5)
(7)

Calling party

Fig. 2.1 Call sequence for an MOC to the PSTN/ISDN

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An emergency call setup differs from the normal MOC procedure in the following way.
– Emergency calls may be allowed without the subscriber identity module (SIM) being
inserted in the mobile equipment. Then, the security functions are not carried out
and the IMEI is used for identification purposes.
– Call setup continues irrespective of any call restrictions stored in the VLR (e.g. call
barring, operator determined barring).
– The MSC/VLR must evaluate the mobile subscriber’s location, i.e. determine the
location area code and the cell identity. This information is used to retrieve the loca-
tion mark number (LMN) from the MSC database. The analysis of the LMN is
carried out to determine the destination of the call (an appropriate emergency
center).

2.4.2 Mobile Terminated Call

The MTC initiation and completion procedure is used for speech/data calls and to deliver
short messages to the mobile subscriber.
Delivering a short message does not require any traffic channel. The user information
is transmitted to the mobile station after successful paging and MTC initiation, and using
the existing signaling connection. For more information about the short message
service mobile terminated, refer to the relevant document.

Call sequence
(See figure Call sequence for an MOC to the PSTN/ISDN)
1. A PSTN/ISDN subscriber dials an MSISDN number. Via digit translation in the
exchanges, the call is routed to an exchange (the GMSC) which is able to interrogate
the subscriber’s HLR. This GMSC receives the subscriber’s MSISDN within the
initial address message (IAM)
2. The GMSC analyses the MSISDN and filters out the HLR identity (by means of the
global title translation function). This information enables the GMSC to set up a
signaling connection to the HLR and to request routing information (message: send
routing information).
3. Upon receiving the request, the HLR searches in the mobile subscriber record and
figures out whose area the subscriber is currently located in. In addition, the HLR
performs subscription and compatibility checks.
By means of the VLR-ISDN number, the HLR sets up a signaling connection to the
VLR and requests a roaming number (message: provide roaming number).
4. The VLR in turn performs subscription and compatibility checks and allocates an
MSRN. This MSRN is returned to the HLR and forwarded to the GMSC. At the
same time, the VLR starts a timer for supervision purposes.
5. The GMSC replaces the MSISDN with the MSRN and restarts the digit analysis to
route the call further to the visited MSC/VLR. This means that the GMSC sends an
IAM to the visited MSC/VLR containing the MSRN.
6. The visited MSC recognizes the MSRN and informs the VLR of an incoming call
attempt. The VLR first releases the MSRN for future use and resets the supervision
timer. Secondly, the VLR starts the paging procedure to locate the mobile
subscriber.
For this purpose, the VLR consults its database to determine the location area
where the mobile subscriber is located in. Using this information, it sends a paging
request to all base stations covering this location area. The base stations then
broadcast the paging request via the radio interface over the complete area.

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7. The mobile station the paging request is meant for answers with a paging response
and at the same time, the radio resource and mobility management connections are
set up.
8. The VLR is notified about successful paging and, if required, initiates authentication,
ciphering and TMSI reallocation.
9. After these security tests, the MSC/VLR starts the call control establishment by
sending the setup message to the mobile station. The latter acknowledges. After-
wards, the MSC/VLR allocates a traffic channel and seizes a terrestrial circuit.
Equipment control is performed in parallel.
10. User alerting is started and the originating network is notified by means of the
address complete message (ACM).
11. If the mobile subscriber answers the call, the MSC/VLR informs the originating
network by means of the answer message and completes the call towards the
mobile station. From that moment, the MSC/VLR starts charging.

Exchange
Calling party MSISDN
(10) (11)

(1)

PSTN/ISDN
Gateway
PLMN
(2)
(4) (10)
HLR/AC (11)

(5)

MSC/VLR
(3)
(7) (6)

(6) BTS/BSC
(6)
BTS/BSC (8)
(9)
(6)
(6) BTS/BSC

(7)
(8)
(6)
(9)
(10)

Called party

Fig. 2.2 Call sequence for an MTC

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2.5 Implementation of the Feature

The services ’mobile originated call’ and ’mobile terminated call’ are realized in the
D900/D1800 system as call processing software functions integrated in the basic soft-
ware of the different PLMN entities. Furthermore, the call processing tasks are shared
between the group processor (GP) in the line/trunk group, and the coordination
processor (CP).

3 Call Charge Registration

Charging records can be generated for all mobile originated and mobile terminated calls.
These MOC/MTC charging records are generated at the visited MSC/VLR for the
calling/called mobile subscriber. The charging records include date and time, charge-
able time interval, type of telecommunication service (teleservices or bearer services),
call origination or destination and the invocation of supplementary services. After gener-
ation the records are stored within a file, waiting for a transfer to a billing center (i.e. post
processing center) where the subscriber bills will be generated.

4 Compatibility with other Features

The MOC and MTC initiation and completion procedures are enhanced or changed due
to the invocation of the following services and features.

Basic services
The basic services can be divided into:
– the bearer services which correspond to the transportation of user data between two
terminal-network interfaces (e.g. circuit switched asynchronous data transmission)
– the teleservices providing the transmission of information between two terminals
(e.g. telephony, facsimile).
For certain of these basic services, the visited MSC/VLR must insert an interworking
function (IWF) in the traffic connection. This IWF basically consists of transmission and
protocol adaptation equipment. It enables the interconnection with other networks (e.g.
PSDN, CSDN).
Before an IWF can be inserted, the MOC/MTC procedure is enhanced allowing the
MSC/VLR to perform certain checks during setup. These checks are:
– network facility check to verify whether the network supports the requested service
– consistency check for the information elements to evaluate the contents and param-
eters
– IWF availability check to investigate whether suitable resources are available to
support the requested service.
For more information about the subject ’handling of data calls’, refer to the relevant
document.

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Supplementary services
A supplementary service is a service which modifies or enhances the basic services and
is used in association with one or all basic services. The following supplementary
services enhance or modify the MOC and MTC initiation/completion procedure as
follows.
• Call forwarding
Call forwarding redirects a call to another destination in accordance with certain
conditions. They have the following impact on the performance of an MTC.
– Call forwarding unconditional and call forwarding when mobile subscriber not
reachable (roaming in forbidden area, IMSI detach, no VLR number is available):
during interrogation, the HLR returns the forwarded-to number to the (G)MSC
which restarts digit translation with this number.
– Call forwarding conditional (on mobile subscriber busy, on no reply, on mobile
subscriber not reachable due to radio congestion or no paging response): when
the condition is fulfilled, the MSC retrieves the forwarded-to number from the VLR
database and starts call setup to the new destination.
• Call barring
Call barring prevents the mobile subscriber from receiving or setting up certain cate-
gories of calls (except emergency calls). The call barring services have the following
impact on the performance of an MOC/MTC.
– Barring of incoming calls (barring of all incoming calls, barring of incoming calls
when roaming outside the home PLMN): during interrogation, the HLR checks the
barring conditions and rejects the incoming call. The (G)MSC is informed and
clears down call setup.
– Barring of outgoing calls (barring of all outgoing calls, barring of outgoing interna-
tional calls, barring of outgoing international calls except those directed to the
home PLMN country): during MOC call setup, the VLR informs the MSC of the
installed call barring programs. When appropriate, the MSC clears down the call.
• Closed user group (CUG)
A closed user group is a group of PSTN/ISDN/PLMN subscribers to whom access
is restricted. The PLMN supporting the service guarantees the integrity of such a
group by checking the authorization of a CUG member on call setup.
For an MOC, the MSC/VLR receives the CUG information from the mobile station
and checks the calling party’s authorization. If the mobile subscriber has authoriza-
tion, the call setup proceeds, otherwise, the call is rejected.
For an MTC, CUG information is forwarded to the HLR during the interrogation
procedure. The HLR checks the called party’s authorization and depending on the
result, the call setup proceeds or is cleared down.
• Calling line identification presentation (CLIP)
This service enables the called subscriber to receive the calling party’s number. If
the subscriber has subscription to the service, the calling line identity is forwarded
to the mobile station within the setup message.
• Calling line identification restriction (CLIR)
This service enables the calling party to restrict the presentation of his identification
number. If the subscriber has subscription to the service, the MSC/VLR sets the
presentation restriction indicator and forwards it to the next exchange in the initial
address message.

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• Call hold
The call hold service allows a user to stay with an existing communication, and just
briefly interrupt it. A typical application for the user is to be able to establish another
call.
When the subscriber puts a call on hold, the MSC interrupts the traffic channel to the
other party, but reserves the connection. This allows a fast resumption of the inter-
rupted call when so desired by the party asking for the held state.
• Call waiting
The call waiting service allows the user to be warned of an incoming call and then
choose what to do. The user can reject the call or stop an ongoing call and accept
the new one.
When the MSC receives an incoming call, it checks whether the called user is
already engaged in another communication. If so and provided call waiting is active,
the MSC proceeds with setting up the call using the signaling connection which
already exists between the MSC and the mobile station. An indication is sent to the
served subscriber to inform him about the new incoming call. Now, the subscriber
is able to release one of the calls or to juggle between them if call hold is available.
• Multi-party services
Multi-party services enable a mobile subscriber to merge several communications,
so that everybody hears what everybody else says. This applies only to speech
communications. The way to proceed is to start with an established communication,
to put it on hold, to establish a second call, and to ask for the conference. The
process can be repeated so that a given user can merge up to 5 communications.
• Call transfer
Call transfer allows a mobile subscriber (B-party) to transfer two calls between users
A-B and B-C to one call between the remote parties (A-C). The served subscriber
will not be involved in the call any longer. The way to proceed for the served mobile
subscriber is to have an established connection and a connection on hold and to
request for a call transfer.
• Completion of calls to busy subscriber
Completion of calls to busy subscriber (CCBS) enables a calling subscriber encoun-
tering a seized destination (called party is busy) to ring back automatically.
When the calling subscriber encounters a busy condition, he can activate the
supplementary service CCBS. As soon as the requested destination becomes avail-
able, the network automatically rings back the calling subscriber (i.e. CCBS ringback
call). When the calling subscriber accepts the CCBS ringback call, the network auto-
matically reinitiates the call setup to the called subscriber (i.e. CCBS call).
• User-to-user signaling service 1
User-to-user signaling service 1 (UUS1) allows a calling mobile subscriber to
exchange a limited amount of information with a called ISDN subscriber during the
call setup and call clearing phase. The user-to-user information is exchanged by
using the existing call control messages of the MOC.
The calling subscriber can invoke the UUS1 service by sending the user-to-user
information (maximum 32 bytes) during the call setup. Once invoked, UUI is allowed
in both directions during the call setup and call clearing phase.

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Operator determined barring

The operator determined barring feature prevents the mobile subscriber from receiving
or setting up certain categories of calls, but applies separately from and independently
of the call restriction supplementary services (call barring). Operator determined barring
is managed by the PLMN operator only. However, the impact of operator determined
barring on the performance of an MOC/MTC is comparable to the impact of the supple-
mentary service call barring.

IMSI attach/detach
The IMSI attach procedure is an action taken by the MSC/VLR to set the subscriber
status to ’present’ when the subscriber initiates a certain action towards the PLMN (e.g.
MOC, location update). The IMSI detach procedure is also an action taken by the
MSC/VLR to set the subscriber status to ’absent’ upon the subscriber’s request (explicit
IMSI detach) or automatically after a certain period of time (implicit IMSI detach).
The consequences for an MOC/MTC are as follows.
– The subscriber status does not affect the MOC initiation/completion procedure, but
if the subscriber status is ’absent’, it is set to ’present’.
– If, during interrogation, the subscriber status is ’absent’, the call is rejected or a
forwarded-to number if call forwarding on mobile subscriber not reachable is active.

Off air call setup

In the basic MOC setup scenario as described in the previous sections, the transmission
path between the calling party’s mobile station and the MSC is fully operational before
the MSC is aware that both parties are ready to converse. The call is connected through
immediately.
The feature “off air call setup” (OACSU) is a variant whereby the allocation of the suit-
able radio resources on the air interface (between the calling party’s mobile station and
MSC) is delayed until the called party has answered the incoming call. In this way, radio
resources can be saved.
OACSU is realized as follows:
– When the MSC receives a service request, it first performs the security functions
and checks whether the OACSU feature is active.
– If so, the MSC establishes the connection towards the called party.
– As soon as the called party answers, a traffic channel is seized on the air interface
towards the calling party.
– In the meantime, the called party is connected to an announcement machine until
he is actually connected through.
Note that OACSU can only be applied for MOCs with TS11 (speech) when the call
concerns a national call and no emergency call.

Queuing and priority

The queuing and priority feature allows the base station to queue incoming call requests
when no suitable resources are available at the moment. The queued requests are
treated based on a priority strategy. The feature applies to speech and emergency calls
only.
During the call setup, the priority is sent from the MSC, where the priority is determined,
to the base station. When no suitable resources are available, the call request is
queued. The consequence for an MOC/MTC is that the call setup is delayed until the
request in the queue is served.

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MOC/MTC

Cell-oriented routing
Cell-oriented routing allows a call being routed to a nearby service provider point (e.g.
emergency center, shell station) based on the calling mobile subscriber’s location.
During the MOC call setup, the MSC has to evaluate the dialled short code and the
mobile subscriber’s location (location area code and cell identity). Based on these, the
nearest service location is determined. By means of the service provider number, the
call is routed to the requested service provider.

Subscriber-related routing
Service providers can offer services to mobile subscribers whereby the services can be
located in service centers distributed over the whole PLMN area. Subscriber-related
routing allows a call being routed to one specific service center (e.g. information,
banking).
During the MOC call setup, the MSC has to form the universal service number from the
dialled short code. Using this service number, the MSC interrogates the HLR in order
to find the subscriber service address. By means of this service center address, the
MSC routes the call to the service center.

Basic IN calls
Basic intelligent network (IN) services (e.g. televoting) are based on the currently avail-
able IN PSTN services. These IN services are invoked by the subscriber by dialing a
specific IN number. The basic IN services can be requested by every subscriber.
During the MOC call setup, the MSC detects that the called number is an IN service
number. The MSC routes the call to a service switching point (SSP) where the IN func-
tions are performed. The SSP can be integrated within an MSC or is located within the
PSTN/ISDN.

User-subscribed IN calls
User-subscribed IN services (e.g. time dependent call forwarding) can be invoked by
mobile subscribers which are subscribed to these services. These IN services are
invoked in an MSC combined with SSP (M-SSP) when a normal MOC or MTC is set up.
Therefore, a special mark is provided within the HLR and VLR databases for IN detec-
tion within the M-SSP.
In the case of a MOC/MTC call setup, the HLR/VLR is interrogated, which delivers the
IN mark (service class mark, SCM). The M-SSP puts this SCM in front of the dialed
digits (MOC) or the MSISDN (MTC). This SCM plus the dialed digits/MSISDN causes
the IN triggering after digit translation.

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MOC/MTC

Restoration of location registers

• VLR restoration
If the VLR database is cleared due to e.g. VLR recovery, restoration activities are
started. At that moment, no location information is available and paging cannot be
carried out for an MTC. Then, the VLR starts the searching procedure. This proce-
dure causes the BSS to broadcast paging requests all over the complete MSC/VLR
area.
VLR restoration does not prohibit mobile originated calls. An MOC request will only
initiate location updating allowing the VLR to recover the subscriber data from the
HLR.
• HLR restoration
The HLR restoration does not prohibit mobile terminated calls, because a backup
facility for the subscriber mobility data is foreseen. This data is reloaded during
restoration.

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