Subject

Handover from 2G to 3G for restricted IMSI

Body

We are experiencing a problem with Handover from 2G to 3G for

restricted IMSI. The restriction is made with partial roaming feature.
The 3G equipment is new and not in commercial use, but the sites
have been on-air because we assumed no disturbance would occur
but now the operator has received multiple complains of restricted
2G subscribers.
An analysis we have made can be seen below and I am looking for
responses to back-up our analysis or for some clearity.
Initial Analysis:
Partial roaming feature allows operators to restrict roaming into the
WCDMA or GSM access for subscribers, which are classified accordingly
in the IMSI number series data defined in the MSC. MSC will check the
access rights together with the radio access technology used.
In case end user is not allowed for that particular radio access, LA
Updating request will be rejected with a new cause code 'No Suitable Cells
In Location Area' (#15). This will indicate to the terminal to search for a
suitable cell in another Location Area within the same PLMN and not to
move to another network.
This new cause code is defined in 3GPP TS 23.122 and TS 24.008. When
UE receives this cause code, then location area is added to the list of
'forbidden LAs for roaming', which is stored in the MS. The MS shall then
search for a suitable cell in the same PLMN but belonging to an LA which
is not in the 'forbidden LAs for roaming' list.
Attached e-mail confirms that cause code 15 received during location
update reject. This is normal behavior during Location Update to WCDMA
or Cell-Reselection.
However, this feature does not restrict handover from 2G to 3G network to
be performed for subscriber with WCDMA restriction. Call in WCDMA will
continue unless it is released. After that MS shall try to do location update
in WCDMA, receiving cause code 'No Suitable Cells In Location Area'
(#15). Then it comes back to 2G.
Such a behaviour of WCDMA network corresponds to 3GPP specs. Call is
handed over to WCDMA to allow subscriber to continue call in bad 2G
conditions.
To decrease that effect network planning should be done for GSM
accordingly - restrict handovers to WCDMA or to minimise them by setting
lowest priorities to IRAT handovers.
Comments on latching in 3G:
We experienced that Nokia phones latched for a while in 3G, Sony
Ericsson releselected to 3G faster.
Another case - SMS to subscribers asking to switch off dual band in
phones until commercial launch or recommend subscribers to switch it off
during complaint call to customer service.