Secure element, endpoint, and procedure for configuring a network search

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a secure element is provided for communication over a communication network. The secure element comprises: a memory area in which a home network configuration and a country identifier are stored; and a control device. The control device is configured to: receive a new country identifier during a registration attempt with the communication network; if the new country identifier differs from the stored country identifier, write a network identifier corresponding to the current country identifier to the home network configuration; and continue the registration attempt.

Description

Technical field of the invention The invention relates to a secure element, an end device and a corresponding method for configuring a network search, in particular for use cases in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT). Technical background of the invention Secure elements within the scope of this disclosure are hardware and / or software components by means of which an end device can register for or log into a communication network of a provider or network operator. The Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the development and deployment of a large number of end devices capable of transmitting diverse data via a communication network to servers, such as those used in cloud applications. These devices can be used, for example, as energy-autonomous units for monitoring objects, vehicles, goods, etc., to track their position and / or condition as close to real-time as possible. These devices may be subject to frequent changes of location and therefore may need to switch communication networks frequently. As so-called track-and-trace devices, these end devices can be used in various fields such as logistics, supply chain management, container tracking, and theft prevention. A secure element typically defines the order in which connection attempts are made with new communication networks. For public terrestrial mobile networks (PLMNs), this order is specified, for example, in the ETSI TS 123 122 (V18.7.1) standard. For this purpose, at least one home network, e.g., Home PLMN (HPLMN), is configured in the secure element. Additionally, a user or operator can configure further networks or PLMNs in case the home network is unavailable. When switching communication networks, connection attempts are first made with each of the home networks in the order they are listed in the secure element, and, if necessary, further connection attempts are then made with the relevant user-defined and / or operator-defined networks. This means that for an end device that frequently changes location and may have limited access to the HPLMN, several connection attempts are required with each communication network switch before the end device can register with a new communication network. However, networked devices for the Internet of Things, especially track-and-trace devices, have limited battery capacity that is often neither expandable nor renewable. Every connection attempt consumes energy, so switching between communication networks can significantly impact the operating time of these devices. In specific cases, end devices may be configured to communicate only over home networks, for example, to further reduce manufacturing and / or operating costs. With this configuration, it should be assumed that the end device will only be used within the home network area anyway. This configuration may work for home networks with sufficiently large coverage in a few countries worldwide. However, in other regions, such as those spanning numerous national borders, this configuration significantly limits the use of such end devices. US 2012 / 0282891 A1 relates to an end device for communication via a communication network with the features of independent claim 1. EP 4 580 227 A1 is prior art according to § 3 paragraph 2 sentence 2 PatG and relates to a generic end device. Summary of the invention Therefore, there is a need for a secure element, an end device, and a corresponding procedure that is designed for the most energy-efficient communication network switching possible. Furthermore, there is a need for a secure element and a corresponding method to extend the lifespan or operating time of existing, energy-autonomous terminal devices configured to communicate via a communication network. A further objective of the invention is to provide a secure element or terminal device that offers improved connectivity to new communication networks from originally discontinued home networks. At least one of these tasks is solved by the secure element, the terminal, and / or the method according to the respective independent claims. Further developments of these are specified in the respective dependent claims. The invention is based on the idea of ​​shortening the network search for a secure element or an end device equipped with it by dynamically writing one or more relevant network identifiers into the home network configuration. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a secure element is provided for communication over a communications network. The secure element comprises: a memory area in which a home network configuration and a country identifier are stored; and a control device. The control device is configured to: receive a new country identifier during a registration attempt with the communications network; if the new country identifier differs from the stored country identifier, write a network identifier corresponding to the current country identifier to the home network configuration; and continue the registration attempt. Thus, the control device is configured to write a network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier to the home network configuration. According to one aspect of the present invention, an end device is provided for communication via a communication network. The end device includes, among other things, a secure element according to one aspect of the present disclosure; a battery; and a transmitting and receiving device. The transmitting and receiving device is configured to search for networks and determine the new country code. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for configuring a network search for a registration attempt of a secure element in a communication network is provided. The method includes, among other things: receiving a new country code; comparing the new country code with a country code stored in the secure element; and, if the new country code differs from the stored country code: determining a network identifier that corresponds to the new country code; and writing the network identifier to the home network configuration. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a machine-readable storage medium is provided. The machine-readable storage medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a control device, in particular a safety element, cause it to execute the method according to another aspect of the present invention. The secure element, a terminal device based on it, and a corresponding procedure all work together to determine a network identifier corresponding to a new country code and to enrich the home network configuration with this determined network identifier. This allows a transmitting and receiving device connected to the secure element, which always first searches the home network configuration for available communication networks, to find a communication network corresponding to the new country code more quickly. This significantly shortens the network search, especially when switching communication networks. The secure element, the terminal, and / or the method may further have at least one of the following features: The communication network may be a PLMN within the scope of this disclosure. The communication network may be identifiable by a network identifier, preferably a PLMN identifier or PLMN ID. The network identifier may be globally unique. The network identifier may include a country code, preferably a Mobile Country Code (MCC). The network identifier may include a Mobile Network Code (MNC). A safe element, abbreviated SE, within the meaning of the invention is a reduced-size and resource-efficient electronic module that may include a control unit (microcontroller) and at least one interface (data interface) for communication with instances located outside the safe element, such as end devices, servers, etc. This communication preferably takes place via a communication protocol, in the case of a safe element, in particular via a protocol according to the standards ETSI TS 102 221, GSMA SGP.31 or GSMA SGP.32. The secure element can also be a software component in a trusted part of an operating system, a so-called Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) of the device. The secure element can also be an integral part of a larger integrated circuit, such as a modem or an application processor. Such UICCs are referred to as "integrated UICC," "integrated TRE," "integrated eUICC," or "integrated SE." These secure elements are permanently integrated into a SoC as an integrated processor block and can be connected via an in-chip bus. The home network configuration can include a list of network identifiers of the home networks. The home network configuration can be stored in an elementary file (EF) within the memory area of ​​the secure element. The home network configuration can also include a list of network identifiers of home equivalent networks. A registration attempt can be initiated by a transmitting and receiving device to which the secure element is connected. For example, a registration attempt can be initiated using an AT command. In this disclosure, the term "registration attempt in a communication network" is used synonymously with the term "connection attempt to the communication network." The secure element can receive the new country code from a transmitting and receiving device to which it is connected. For this purpose, the secure element or an applet within the secure element can be triggered using the Card Application Toolkit (CAT), as specified in ETSI TS 102 223 (V18.0.0). For example, the new country code can be transmitted to the secure element as an MCC in the form of a "LOCATION STATUS EVENT" and / or via the "PROVIDE LOCAL INFORMATION" command from the transmitting and receiving device or a terminal. Alternatively, the new country code can be transmitted to the secure element via an external function or application. The new country code can be stored in the secure element's memory area and / or replace the stored country code in the secure element's memory area. The secure element can read or determine the network identifier corresponding to the new or current country code, or in short, the "new network identifier," from its own memory area. For example, network identifiers may be stored in the operator-side network configuration, particularly the operator-controlled PLMN (OPLMN). A network identifier can correspond to the new country code, for example, by including the new country code, especially its MCC. By writing the network identifier corresponding to the new country code into the home network configuration, it can be ensured that a communication network corresponding to the new country code is specifically selected when the registration attempt is continued. The network identifier corresponding to the new country code can be written to the secure element's home network configuration with priority over the network identifier of the previous home network. The network identifier corresponding to the new country code can replace the network identifier of the previous home network. This configuration can reduce the number of connection attempts required during a communication network switch and thus improve the energy efficiency of the communication network switch. This ensures that when the registration attempt is resumed, a communication network corresponding to the new country code is selected immediately. This configuration can significantly reduce the number of connection attempts required when switching communication networks, thereby considerably improving the energy efficiency of the network switch. The secure element's memory area may also contain an operator-controlled network configuration. This operator-controlled or operator-specific network configuration may include a list of network identifiers. Specifically, the operator-controlled network configuration may be configured as OPLMN within the secure element. The operator-controlled network configuration may include a multitude of network identifiers, each representing a country identifier or country code. That is, one or more network identifiers may be stored in the operator-controlled network configuration for each country identifier. The control device may be configured to determine the network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier based on the operator-controlled network configuration. This configuration has the advantage that no additional connection is required to determine a suitable network identifier. The operator-driven network configuration can include a list of network identifiers, each corresponding to a country code from a multitude of possible country codes. The operator-driven network configuration can be stored as a base file called Operator Public Land Mobile Network (OPLMN). The operator could be, for example, the operator of the home network. The OPLMN is easily accessible within the secure element, making it particularly easy and effective to identify candidates for communication networks based on the new country code. The control device can be configured to receive the network identifier from outside the secure element. The home network configuration can include a list of equivalent home networks. The list of equivalent home networks is conventionally optional. However, if the home network configuration includes a network identifier of a home-equivalent network, this network identifier is processed in the same way as the network identifier of a home network. That is, during a communications network search, all home-equivalent networks are searched by default in addition to the home network. The list of equivalent home networks can preferably be stored as the Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network (EHPLMN) base file in the memory area of ​​the secure element. The EHPLMN base file, also referred to as EF_EHPLMN, can be specified according to the 3GPP TS 31.102 standard.The control device can be configured to write the network identifier corresponding to the new country code to the list of equivalent home networks. Since a modem coupled with the secure element first searches for home networks, it finds a suitable network more quickly if an entry in EF_EHPLMN matches one of the scanned networks. This can significantly reduce the time required to register a device with a communications network. This, in turn, can also significantly reduce the energy consumption of the corresponding terminal device. The content of the EF_EHPLMN is designed to be static. However, according to one aspect of the invention, the content of the EF_EHPLMN can be managed dynamically, for example by a JavaCard applet and / or by an external application that can communicate with the secure element, so that the EF_EHPLMN always contains at least one network identifier of an available communication network that can be recognized as the home network, even when changing countries (e.g., as a track-and-trace device). This configuration has the advantage that the HPLMN does not need to be modified. Consequently, the HPLMN cannot be accidentally corrupted by the solution according to one aspect of the invention, for example, by injecting a faulty MNC. Since the network identifiers stored in the EHPLMN can act as equivalent to the network identifiers stored in the HPLMN, the technical effect of the solution according to one aspect of the invention can be achieved in this configuration as well. The control device can be configured to copy at least one network identifier from the operator-controlled network configuration, whose country identifier corresponds to the new country identifier, from the operator-controlled network configuration into the list of equivalent home networks. Copying the network identifier corresponding to the new country code from the OPLMN to the EHPLMN can be interpreted as prioritizing the new network identifier over a network identifier corresponding to the previous country code. Copying between two base files or elementary files (EFs) in the secure element's memory area can be performed particularly quickly and reliably. When copying the new network identifier, the EHPLMN can be overwritten with the new network identifier. This configuration prevents the accumulation of network identifiers in the EHPLMN within the secure element during frequent communication network changes, such as those encountered in track-and-trace applications.By overwriting the network identifiers stored in the EHPLMN with the relevant new network identifier, the number of connection attempts required during a communication network change can be regularly reduced to a minimum, thereby further improving the energy efficiency of the communication network change and extending the runtime of a correspondingly networked terminal device. The control device can be configured to proactively trigger a "REFRESH" command to resume the registration attempt based on the updated home network configuration. For example, the control device can instruct a terminal containing the secure element to reboot the secure element and / or send a file change notification to the secure element. The control device can be configured to resume the registration attempt directly after receiving the new country code, provided the new country code is the same as the discarded or previous country code. In this case, no reordering of the communication networks to be searched is necessary. The terminal device includes a battery. The battery may be permanently installed in the terminal device, i.e., not replaceable. The battery may be a primary battery, i.e., not rechargeable. The operating time of the terminal device can therefore depend significantly on the battery's capacity. Consequently, a secure element according to one of the preceding aspects of the invention, incorporated into this terminal device, can substantially extend its operating time by eliminating unnecessary connection or registration attempts. The terminal device can also include a first interface between the transmitting and receiving equipment and the secure element. This first interface can be specified, for example, by the CAT (Computer Interface Specification). The transmitting and receiving device can be configured to search for communication networks specified in the home network configuration and / or a user-specific network configuration and / or an operator-specific network configuration during a network search for registration purposes. The transmitting and receiving device can also be configured to search only for networks specified in the home network configuration during a network search for registration purposes. The transmitting and receiving device can be a modem. The transmitting and receiving device can be configured to transmit the determined new country code to the secure element. The secure element can proactively initiate or trigger the transmitting and receiving device for this purpose. The new country code can then be transmitted to the secure element using the CAT (Country Information Transfer). According to the invention, the terminal device comprises a functional unit. The functional unit can be configured to provide the terminal device with a specific function, for example, a track-and-trace function, a status and / or transport monitoring function, and / or a behavior-based motor vehicle insurance function, without being limited to these functions. The functional unit can be located outside the secure element and / or outside the transmitting and receiving device. The functional unit includes its own control device and a sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a location sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor unit can include an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a rotation angle sensor, and / or an environmental sensor.The functional unit's own control device is configured to receive a location signal from the tracking sensor, determine the new country identifier based on the location signal, and provide the new country identifier to the secured element. The tracking sensor can be configured to determine the coordinates of the terminal device, for example, based on a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and so on. The location signal can include a position value. The position value can include geographic coordinates with latitude and longitude. The position value can include a segment or progress along a predefined transport route. The dynamic management of the home network configuration, particularly the EF_EHPLMN, by the functional unit has the added advantage of improved monitoring. Compared to the control unit of the secure element or an applet running on it, the functional unit itself can determine new country codes. The functional unit's own control device is further configured to determine the new country code for the current country or region and at least one adjacent neighboring country or region, based on the location signal. The functional unit's own control device is also configured to provide the determined new country codes to the secure element. The functional unit's own control device can be configured to transmit the determined new country codes to the secure element's control device and / or to write new network identifiers directly into the home network configuration based on the new country codes. In this configuration, the secure element's home network configuration can be proactively prepared, for example, for communication network changes when crossing borders into a neighboring country. The terminal device may also include a second interface between the functional unit and the secure element. This second interface allows, in particular, the functional unit's own control device to transmit data to the secure element's control device. The terminal device may also include a third interface between the functional unit and the secure element, through which the functional unit's own control device can directly write network identifiers to the secure element's home network configuration. In an exemplary use case, a predetermined route or (transport) path can be transmitted to the functional unit's control device. The control device can divide the route into communication network segments, i.e., segments whose boundaries are defined by the coverage of corresponding communication networks. As a simplified approximation, these boundaries can be equated with national borders. The control device can determine the corresponding country code for each segment and, based on this, generate new network identifiers. In this case, the home network configuration of the secure element can be set up for all segments along the route, i.e., the newly determined network identifier can be entered for each segment. The functional unit's own control device can also be configured to transmit the new country identifier(s) of the secure element's control device. Alternatively or additionally, the functional unit's own control device can be configured to write the respective new network identifiers directly to the list of equivalent home networks, particularly if the control device knows of corresponding roaming partners. The terminal device, in particular the transmitting and receiving equipment of the terminal device, includes a communication interface for communication via the communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the functional unit's own control device can be configured to access the secure element, execute functions of the terminal device, and provide messages to be sent via the terminal device's communication interface. Furthermore, the terminal device can include a secure communication unit. In some embodiments, the secure communication unit is the functional unit itself. The procedure may further include: determining the network identifier that corresponds to the new country identifier, based on an operator-controlled network configuration stored in the secure element; and / or writing the network identifier to a list of equivalent home networks stored in the secure element. The method can further include determining the new country code by a transmitting and receiving device, preferably during network scanning, and / or by a functional unit outside the secure element based on a location signal. To determine the new country code based on the location signal, the functional unit can read and preferably include a lookup table. The method may further include copying at least one network identifier of the operator-controlled network configuration, whose country identifier corresponds to the new country identifier, from the operator-controlled network configuration, preferably stored in the base file OPLMN, into the list of equivalent home networks, preferably stored in the base file EHPLMN. Detailed description of implementation examples The invention, further embodiments, and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures, which merely depict exemplary embodiments of the invention. Identical components in the figures are identified by the same reference numerals. The figures are not to be considered to scale; individual elements of the figures may be exaggerated in size or simplified. Optional elements are represented by dashed lines. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a secure element according to one aspect of the disclosure. Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a secure element that is communicatively integrated or coupled into an end device according to one aspect of the invention. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an end device according to one aspect of the disclosure. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for configuring a network search according to one aspect of the disclosure. Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a secure element SE according to one aspect of the invention. The secure element SE comprises a memory area SU and a control device CU. A home network configuration HN and a country identifier CC1 are stored in the memory area SU. The country identifier CC1 can be referred to as the first country identifier. The control device CU is configured to read and / or write to the memory area SU. Figure 1 shows two states of the secure element SE, which are logically linked by executing procedure step S08, "Writing the new network identifier to the home network configuration." The difference between these two states of the secure element SE lies in the home network configuration HN. In the first state, shown in the upper left of Figure 1, the home network configuration HN contains a preset network identifier that a modem connected to the secure element should search for after it starts up. The preset network identifier of the home network configuration HN can include the first country code. The control device CU is configured to receive a new country code CC2. The new country code CC2 will be received during a registration attempt in the communication network, which may correspond to the network identifier stored in the home network configuration HN. If the new country code CC2 differs from the old or first country code CC1, the control device CU is configured to determine a network identifier for the new country code CC2 and to write this new network identifier to the home network configuration HN in process step S08. This functionality of the control device CU, which is the core of the invention, is described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. In the second state, shown in the lower right of Fig. 1, the home network configuration HN therefore also contains the new network identifier, preferably in the base file EF_EHPLMN. Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a secure element SE that is communicatively integrated or coupled into an end device TD according to an aspect of the invention. In the embodiment of the safe element SE according to Fig. 2, the process of determining the new network identifier and writing it to the home network configuration HN is shown in detail. The safe element SE can be coupled with a transmit / receive device IO, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the safe element SE can be coupled with a functional unit FU, shown in Fig. 2 as a purely optional feature. The secure element SE can receive a new country code from the transmitting and receiving unit IO and / or the functional unit FU, for example, during a registration attempt in a communication network. In the present example, the secure element SE, or rather its control device CU, can receive the new country code "MCC2," while a different country code is stored in the memory area SU of the secure element SE (not shown). As shown in Fig. 2, the control device CU can then, for example, read the operator-controlled network configuration ON to determine which network identifiers are possible for the new country code "MCC2." In this example, these are the network identifiers "MCC2 / MCN1" and "MCC2 / MCN2," i.e., two different network identifiers for the same country code "MCC2."The control device CU can be configured to copy the two determined network identifiers from the base file EF_OPLMN of the operator-controlled network configuration ON and insert them into the home network configuration HN, preferably into the list of equivalent home networks EN. The list of equivalent home networks EN can be in the form of the base file EF_EHPLMN. The control device CU can be configured to insert the determined network identifiers at the beginning of the base file EF_EHPLMN. If the registration attempt is continued, e.g. by restarting the secure element SE or by a file change notification from the transmitting and receiving device IO, the transmitting and receiving device can prioritize searching for the network identifiers determined for the new country code "MCC2", and therefore register the terminal device considerably faster in a new communication network. Optionally, the secure element SE can also be connected to an external functional unit FU. The functional unit FU can be integrated into the terminal device TD or even be external to the terminal device. The functional unit FU can include its own control device CT and a sensor unit. A positioning sensor LS is shown as an example of the sensor unit in Fig. 2. If the functional unit FU has a location sensor LS, the control device CT of the functional unit FU can be configured to determine a new country identifier, such as "MCC2", based on a location signal from the location sensor LS. The functional unit FU, in particular its own control device CT, can be configured to transmit the new country identifier to the control device CU of the safe element SE. The functional unit FU, in particular its own control device CT, can be configured to determine at least one new network identifier based on the new country identifier and transmit this new network identifier to the control device CU of the safe element SE. The functional unit FU, in particular its own control device CT, can be configured to write this new network identifier directly into the home network configuration HN, in particular into the base file EF_EHPLMN, of the safe element SE. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an end device TD according to one aspect of the disclosure. The end device TD can also be designed or referred to as a terminal device. The terminal device TD comprises a secure element SE, in particular as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The terminal device TD comprises a transmitting and receiving device IO, e.g., a modem. The terminal device TD further comprises a battery BAT for supplying the secure element SE, the transmitting and receiving device IO, and an optional functional unit (FU, see Figure 2) with electrical energy. Preferably, the battery is a primary battery that is not rechargeable. This results in a significant benefit for the secure element according to one aspect of the invention, since the reduced number of connection attempts allows the battery to last longer, thereby ultimately extending the operating time of the terminal device TD considerably. The communication between the secure element SE and the transmitting and receiving device IO is explained above with reference to Fig. 2. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a procedure for configuring a network search for an aspect of the disclosure. In the first process step S02, a new country code CC2 is received. The new country code CC2 can be received by a transmitting and receiving device IO, to which the safe element SE is connected, and / or by a functional unit FU, to which the safe element SE is connected. In a second process step S04, the new country code CC2 is compared with a country code CC1 stored in the memory area SU of the secure element SE. It can be determined that the two country codes CC1 and CC2 are identical. This case is represented by a circled checkmark in Fig. 4. In this case, the process continues directly with the fifth process step S10. If, however, it is determined that the new country code CC2 differs from the stored country code CC1, the process continues with the third process step S06. This case is represented by a circled "X" in Fig. 4. In a third process step, S06, a new network identifier is determined based on the new country code CC2. For this purpose, the list of registered roaming partners, i.e., EF_OPLMN, can be read. Typically, one or more network identifiers for the new country code CC2 can be found or determined. In a fourth process step S08, at least one new network identifier, each of which corresponds to or includes the new country code CC2, is written to the home network configuration HN. Preferably, the at least one new network identifier is written to the list of equivalent home networks EN. Most preferably, the at least one new network identifier is written at the first position of the base file EHPLMN, also referred to as EF_EHPLMN. In a fifth process step, S10, the registration process continues. This process may include a refresh of the secure element. The method is configured for execution in a safe element SE, e.g., as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. For this purpose, machine-readable code can be provided, e.g., as a JavaCard applet for the control device CU, containing commands that, when executed by the safe element, cause it to execute the method. Alternatively or additionally, the procedure can be configured for execution in an end device TD, in particular in the interaction of the secure element SE with a functional unit FU and / or a transmitting and receiving device IO. Reference symbol list TD Terminal IO Transmit and Receive Unit SE Secure Element SU Memory Area HN Home Network Configuration EN List of Equivalent Home Networks ON Operator-Controlled Network Configuration CC1 Discarded Country Code CC2 New Country Code CU Secure Element Control Device BAT Battery FU Functional Unit CT Functional Unit Control Device LS Location Sensor S02 Procedure Step "Receive a New Country Code" S04 Procedure Step "Compare the New Country Code with the Discarded Country Code" S06 Procedure Step "Determine a New Network Code" S08 Procedure Step "Write the New Network Code to the Home Network Configuration" S10 Procedure Step "Continue the Registration Attempt"

Claims

Terminal (TD), comprising: a secure element (SE); a battery (BAT); a transmit / receive device (IO) for communication over the communication network, configured to search for networks and determine a new country code (CC2); and a functional unit (FU) comprising its own control device (CT) and a location sensor (LS), wherein the functional unit's (FU's) own control device (CT) is configured to receive a location signal from the location sensor (LS), determine the new country code (CC2) based on the location signal, and provide the new country code (CC2) to the secure element (SE), wherein the secure element (SE) comprises: a memory area (SU) containing a home network configuration (HN) and a country code (CC1), and a control device (CU) configured to: receive (S02) the new country code (CC2) during a registration attempt to the communication network.If the new country identifier (CC2) differs from the discarded country identifier (CC1) (S04: X), write (S08) a network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier (CC2) to the home network configuration (HN), and continue (S10) the registration attempt; the terminal (TD) is characterized in that the functional unit's (FU) own control device (CT) is further configured to determine the new country identifier (CC2) for the current country and at least one neighboring country based on the location signal and to provide the determined new country identifiers (CC2) to the secure element (SE). Terminal device (TD) according to claim 1, wherein the functional unit's (FU) own control device (CT) is further configured to transmit the new country identifier (CC2) or the new country identifiers (CC2) to the control device (CU) of the secure element (SE) and / or to write the network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier (CC2) directly into the list of equivalent home networks (EN). Terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage area (SU) of the secure element (SE) further contains an operator-controlled network configuration (ON), and the control device (CU) of the secure element (SE) is configured to determine the network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier (CC2) based on the operator-controlled network configuration (ON). Terminal device according to the preceding claim, wherein the operator-controlled network configuration (ON) comprises a list of network identifiers, each corresponding to a country identifier from a plurality of country identifiers, and is preferably stored as a base file Operator Public Land Mobile Network - OPLMN. Terminal device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the home network configuration (HN) comprises a list of equivalent home networks (EN), preferably stored as a base file Equivalent Home Public Land Mobile Network - EHPLMN -, and wherein the control device (CU) is configured to write the network identifier to the list of equivalent home networks (EN). Terminal device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (CU) is configured to copy at least one network identifier of the operator-controlled network configuration (ON), whose country identifier corresponds to the new country identifier (CC2), from the operator-controlled network configuration (ON) into the list of equivalent home networks (EN). Terminal device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (CU) is configured to directly continue the registration attempt after receiving the new country code (CC2) if the new country code (CC2) is equal to the deposited country code (CC1). Method for configuring a network search for a registration attempt of a secure element (SE) encompassed by an end device (TD) in a communications network, comprising: determining a new country identifier (CC2) by a transmitting and receiving device (IO) of an end device (TD) during the network search; receiving, by a dedicated control unit (CT) of a functional unit (FU) of the end device (TD), a location signal from a location sensor (LS) of the functional unit (FU); determining a new country identifier (CC2) based on the location signal; and providing the new country identifier (CC2) to the secure element (SE); receiving, by the secure element (SE), the new country identifier (CC2); and comparing the new country identifier (CC2) with a country identifier (CC1) stored in the secure element (SE).If the new country identifier (CC2) differs from the discarded country identifier (CC1): Determine a network identifier that corresponds to the new country identifier (CC2); and write the network identifier to the home network configuration (HN), characterized by: Determine, by the control unit (CT), the new country identifier (CC2) for the current country and at least one neighboring country based on the location signal; and provide the determined new country identifiers (CC2) to the secure element (SE). Method according to the preceding claim, further comprising: determining the network identifier corresponding to the new country identifier (CC2) based on an operator-controlled network configuration (ON) stored in the secure element (SE); and / or writing the network identifier to a list of equivalent home networks (EN) stored in the secure element. Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising copying at least one network identifier of the operator-controlled network configuration (ON), whose country identifier corresponds to the new country identifier (CC2), from the operator-controlled network configuration (ON), preferably stored in the base file OPLMN, into the list of equivalent home networks (EN), preferably stored in the base file EHPLMN.

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