The present invention describes a novel method, radio access node and
system for specifying and interpreting identifiers in a
telecommunications system. In the method of the present invention, an RNC
identifier extension element extending the RNC identifier is created and
one or more radio access network nodes are specified with the RNC
identifier and RNC identifier extension element extending the RNC
identifier in the first and/or second interface instance. In a preferred
embodiment, the RNC identifier and RNC identifier extension element
extending the RNC identifier specify a radio network access server and an
IP base station in the second interface.