Method for handling global challenge authentication registration, mobile switching center and mobile station therefor

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for handling global challenge authentication registration in a cellular telecommunications network. A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) receives a registration message from a mobile station, and it determines whether it has capabilities for bypassing global challenge authentication. In instances where the MSC has capabilities for bypassing global challenge authentication, it verifies whether a Visitor Location Register (VLR) relating thereto has a record for the mobile station from which the registration message has been received, and if so, it bypasses the global challenge authentication for the mobile station. When the VLR does not have a record for the mobile station from which the registration message has been received, it performs the global challenge authentication. Alternatively, if the MSC does not have capabilities for bypassing global challenge authentication, it performs the global challenge authentication for the mobile station from which the registration message has been received. The invention also relates to a MSC and a mobile station for performing the method.