ETSI STC SMG2 #30						Tdoc SMG2 467/99
Dublin, Ireland					
12-16 April 1999						         

Source: 	SMG2
To: 		ITU-T SG2
CC:		SMG, SMG1, SMG12, GSM MoU

LS on assigning one unique MCC(PLMN) code for the GSM “Support of Localised Service Area” (SoLSA) exclusive access

SoLSA is a GSM PBX service functionality to carry the hot spot traffic within a GSM PLMN public service area. A problem has been to find a method for exclusive access which allow old mobile stations to make emergency call. The consensus in the meeting of SMG2 was that the method below is the best way forward  as a basis for  implementation of exclusive access.

This method is based on the PLMN selection procedure. Instead of the country code of the PLMN (MCC), the BSS broadcasts a unique code, not assigned to any country, as an escape code. This escape code indicates that the cell is a SoLSA exclusive access cell and the real MCC is broadcast in another system information, together with the LSA identities of the cell. The function will be as follows:
•	For non-SoLSA compatible MS: The MS identifies the escape code as an unknown PLMN. If the HPLMN is available, the MS will not select the cell. Otherwise, the MS may perform a location update to the cell, which will be rejected with the cause ”PLMN not allowed”. The MS will save the code corresponding to exclusive access cells in the list of forbidden PLMNs, and not select those cells again. 
•	For SoLSA compatible MS: The MS recognises the escape code. If the MS has access rights to any LSA, it will check the real MCC and the LSA identities of the cell. If the MS has access right to this cell it will select it using the cell selection criterion. The cell may be prioritised by the normal cell C2 criterion or by special SoLSA criterion. If the MS does not have access right to this cell it will not select the cell.
All MSs will camp on the cell for emergency calls if no other suitable cell is available. 
Note that for one operator, the exclusive access cells belongs to the same PLMN as the other cells. It is only the method of broadcasting the MCC that is changed. Thus there are no problems with handover between exclusive access cells and other cells.
ETSI SMG2 kindly ask for assignment of one unique MCC (PLMN) code being used as an SoLSA exclusive access code for the GSM SoLSA functionality described here to distinguish old GSM MS to use the GSM PLMN public cells from the new GSM SoLSA MS to use the special SoLSA cells for the hot spot traffic.
Which MCC code to allocate as an exclusive access code is not critical, any free code is possible, however it might be natural to select the code in the 9xx range.
An answer back to ETSI SMG2 is very much appreciated for further considerations at their next plenary meeting 31 May – 04 June 1999 before final decision on ETSI SMG#29 late June 1999.