4 Description

22.0423GPPNetwork Identity and TimeZone (NITZ)Service descriptionStage 1TS

The feature Network Identities and Timezone shall make it possible for a serving PLMN to transfer its current identity, universal time, DST and LTZ to MSs, and for the MS to store and use this information. Each one of these elements is optional. The feature significantly enhances roaming as itenables the accurate indication of network identities that are either newer than the ME or have changed their name since the ME was manufactured or sold. Additionally time and timezone information can be utilised by MEs as desired.

When using the default character set (see 3GPP TS 23.038 [3]), the serving PLMN shall make both a "short" and a "long" name available to the MS. As an alternative or, in addition, to the default character set, the serving PLMN can make a name available in UCS2. The MS shall be free to choose one of these names depending upon its own characteristics and/or limitations, such as those of its display.

NOTE: Guidance is sought, particularly from non-European operators, as to whether long and short name is required in UCS2 format.

The Network Operator may change the network identity at any time. However the change of network identity need not force immediate transfer of information to the MS.

As a network option, it shall be possible to send universal time (UT) by the network. Time information shall include: Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute, Second, Timezone and DST. The expected accuracy of the time information is in the order of minutes.

NOTE: Universal time indicates the time at which this information element (see 3GPP TS 24.008 [2]) may have been sent by the network. Thus it can be assumed that the accuracy of the time information when it arrives at the MS is usually within a couple minutes.

The serving PLMN shall make Local Time Zone (LTZ) available to the MS as an offset from Universal Time in units of 15 minutes.

When the LTZ is compensated for DST (summertime), the serving PLMN shall provide a DST parameter to indicate this. The adjustment for DST can be +1h or +2h.

For PLMNs which cover more than one timezone, it is assumed that the Network Operator will arrange for boundaries between subsets of the PLMN service area to be approximately aligned with timezone boundaries. When an MS changes Local Time Zone the PLMN is not required to immediately transfer new time zone information. Similarly the PLMN will transfer the LTZ changes arising from summer/winter adjustments when convenient to the network operator.

The MS will implement the new time zone information at an appropriate time following receipt.

The information passed to MSs supporting the NITZ feature is controlled by the serving PLMN Operator through administrative interaction. The interface necessary to support this administrative interaction is outside the scope of the present document.