A method of supporting location privacy of a mobile station includes receiving, from a base station, a message including a temporary station identifier (TSTID) during an initial ranging procedure, wherein the TSTID is temporarily used to protect the location privacy of the mobile station; performing, with the base station, a basic capabilities negotiation procedure after the initial ranging procedure; performing, with the base station, an authentication procedure after the basic capabilities negotiation procedure; performing, with the base station, a registration procedure after the authentication procedure; and releasing the TSTID after receiving a station identifier (STID) which is assigned during the registration procedure, wherein the STID uniquely identifies the mobile station in the base station.