Selection of a msc from among a pool of mscs for communication with an access node in a cellular mobile radio network

摘要

To achieve an efficient and flexible routing of signaling messages between a core network and an access network in a mobile communication cellular network, it is proposed to provide a pool of mobile switching apparatuses between the core network and the access network. Each mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) comprises a signaling unit (32) adapted to issue a paging message to the access network for connection establishment to a mobile terminal. Further, according to the present invention it is proposed to provide each mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) with a relay unit (28) adapted to receive a paging response from the access network. Further, the relay unit (28) is adapted to determine a mobile switching apparatus in the pool (10) of mobile switching apparatuses handling the paging response.