scope:

The present document describes the location management procedures for the circuit switched domain, with respect to the application level functional behaviour. This is to be distinguished from the corresponding protocol handling behaviour, which is specified in 3G TS 29.002. The following location management procedures are included:

- location updating;

- location cancellation;

- MS purging;

- IMSI attach/detach.

The procedures in the Mobile Station (MS) are described in GSM 03.22. The procedures between MSC, VLR and HLR utilise the Mobile Application Part (MAP) and details concerning the protocol handling are contained in 3G TS 29.002.

The present document excludes location management procedures for the packet switched domain, which are covered in 3G TS 23.060.

The descriptions herein depict a logical separation between the MSC and VLR. This logical separation, as well as the messages transferred between the two logical entities are the basis of a model used to define the externally visible behaviour of the MSC/VLR, which a may be a single physical entity. They do not impose any requirement except the definition of the externally visible behaviour.