Shared network area (SNA) information is distributed using indicators that represent the SNA information. First SNA information for a first group of first network mobile subscribers is mapped to a first SNA indicator. Similarly, (SNA) information for a second group of second network mobile subscribers is mapped to the second SNA indicator. Those mappings are established in a core network node and sent to radio network nodes and used to determine from the SNA mappings the network access restrictions for a subscriber. The network access restriction information is not sent--only the indicator. The indicator is used to ensure that the cell selected to establish a call connection or for a handover is permitted based on the SNA information.