Method for traffic management in a wireless network system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for traffic management in a wireless network system, the method including the steps of identifying a mobile device that is outside a home network and is admitted to the wireless network system based on at least one predetermined parameter, and reducing an allowed data transfer rate for the identified mobile device, where reducing the data transfer rate comprises reducing a data transfer rate of payload data and / or preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for traffic management in a wireless network system, and more particularly to traffic management in a roaming scenario. [Background technology]

[0002] The growth in the number of networked devices associated with the "Internet of Things (IoT)" has led to an exponential growth in these devices in recent years. It can still be assumed that the number of these devices will continue to grow exponentially in the future. All of these devices have in common that they require a connection to the Internet in order to operate.

[0003] Many of the companies producing these "networked" devices for international markets are requesting international / global connectivity from network operators to support these applications. This connectivity can be provided through various means (fixed, mobile, WiFi, LoRa, etc.). In the case of global connectivity in particular, this is often via mobile communications and therefore ultimately via roaming. Global Data predicts more than 11 billion devices worldwide in 2024, with more than 3.1 billion of those devices being powered by connectivity via mobile communications (primarily via 2G, 3G, 4G, and LTE-M).

[0004] In contrast to "standard" roaming, where customers of a third-party network operator are typically only temporarily on another network operator's network, many IoT devices are permanently on the third-party network. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for traffic management of mobile devices in a wireless network. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a method for traffic management in a wireless network system, the method including the steps of identifying a mobile device that is outside a home network and is admitted to the wireless network system based on at least one predetermined parameter, reducing a data transfer rate allowed for the identified mobile device, and / or preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network.

[0007] The step of identifying a mobile device outside the home network may be performed on an external server, i.e., preferably, each at least one predetermined parameter is received and analyzed in relation to a particular mobile device at an external server configured to identify a mobile device outside its home network based on the at least one predetermined parameter.

[0008] It is further preferred that the external server sends a respective signal to the network entities described below to reduce the data transfer rate. However, the present invention is not limited by the particular entities of the communication network that may perform the data transfer rate reduction. That is, the data transfer rate reduction may be implemented on various network entities (network nodes), for example, those that establish GTP tunnels (see below). Furthermore, it is possible to implement this method on new network elements that are added to an existing network structure. This applies to both the identification and / or data transfer rate reduction described above.

[0009] The GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GPG) is a tunneling protocol for carrying data traffic.

[0010] GTP is used to establish a GTP tunnel between a Serving Gateway (S-GW) and Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) for a user equipment. The GTP tunnel is a channel between two GPRS support nodes through which the two hosts exchange data. The S-GW receives packets from the user equipment and encapsulates them in a GTP header before forwarding them to the P-GW through the GTP tunnel. Upon receiving the packets, the P-GW decapsulates them and forwards them to the external host.

[0011] GTP includes the following separate protocols: i) GTP-C, which performs signaling between the S-GW and P-GW in the core GPRS network to activate and deactivate subscriber sessions, adjust quality of service parameters, or update sessions for roaming subscribers arriving from another S-GW. GTP-C supports the forwarding of control packets. ii) GTP-U, which transports user data within the core GPRS network and between the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the core network. It is the payload, and reducing / throttling GTP-U only reduces the data rate and does not prevent the device from communicating. To stop a device from communicating, in addition to reducing GTP-U to "zero," blocking GTP-C is also required.

[0012] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features.

[0013] Preferably, reducing the data transfer rate includes reducing the data transfer rate of payload data, i.e., the portion of the transmitted data that is the actual intended message (communication data), and additionally, reducing the data transfer rate includes reducing the data transfer rate of header data, i.e., signaling data.

[0014] In contrast, reducing the data transfer rate of only header data, i.e., signaling data, may not be advantageous. In particular, by reducing the data transfer rate of at least payload data, the data transfer of roaming devices may be significantly limited, and the visited network may be significantly relieved from the overall data transfer required by roaming devices. In contrast, limiting only header data may not result in significant relief from the overall data transfer required by roaming devices.

[0015] Preferably, the step of preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes prohibiting the wireless network system from forwarding any messages from the mobile device to the home network or from the home network to the mobile device.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one parameter includes at least one of an access point name, an international mobile equipment identity, a type allocation code, a type approval code, a media access control address, a mobile subscriber integrated service digital network number, an international mobile subscriber identity, a radio access technology, an internet protocol address, or at least one predetermined traffic data of the mobile device.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one predetermined traffic data includes data consumption of the mobile device, network connection duration, SMS activity data, voice call activity data, location update messages, or login behavior.

[0018] Preferably, the network connection duration is a network connection duration associated with the mobile device and pre-stored. Once the GTP-C is established, the duration starts counting regardless of whether there is a payload through the tunnel. The duration data is stored in the Packet-Gateway.

[0019] Preferably, identifying mobile devices that are outside the home network further comprises identifying mobile devices that have data consumption below a predetermined threshold.

[0020] Preferably, identifying mobile devices that are outside the home network includes identifying mobile devices that have a network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

[0021] Preferably, identifying mobile devices that are outside their home network includes identifying mobile devices that have a ratio of data consumption to network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

[0022] Preferably, the method further comprises a location update procedure prior to the step of identifying the mobile device as being outside the home network.

[0023] Preferably, the location update procedure comprises receiving a location update request message from the mobile device and sending a location update accept message to the mobile device.

[0024] Preferably, preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes blocking user data within a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) firewall.

[0025] Preferably, blocking user data in the GTP firewall includes blocking a mobile application part (MAP) cancel location message.

[0026] Preferably, preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes removing the identified mobile device's access point name from the wireless network system.

[0027] Preferably, the mobile device carries a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. That is, the mobile device may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In particular, a mobile phone may be any device that can change location and has a SIM card. Also, heavy objects such as shipping containers are considered mobile devices because they can change location by being transported with a ship. That is, only objects that cannot change location at all and / or cannot carry a SIM card at all cannot be considered mobile devices. All devices, modules, or even chipsets that can establish a mobile connection to a mobile network should be encompassed.

[0028] Additionally, the phrase "a mobile device that carries a SIM card" may include a SIM card that is physically located on or in the mobile device, or a SIM card that is connected (wired or wirelessly) to the mobile device (e.g., an eSIM).

[0029] The present disclosure also includes computer readable program medium code stored on a computer readable medium, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the methods described above.

[0030] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to providing features that will be readily apparent from reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example, and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art reading this disclosure that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be made while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Moreover, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely exemplary. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in a disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or acts in an example order, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0032] These and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the drawings, specification, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of data consumption versus network connection duration for a roaming mobile device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a signaling scheme of a location update procedure in 2G / 3G according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a GPRS tunneling protocol according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates data consumption versus network connection duration, where data consumption may vary from low to high and network connection duration may vary from short to long. The graph in FIG. 1 is divided into four segments I-IV, each illustrating a relationship between data consumption and network connection duration. In particular, the first segment I illustrates high data consumption and short network connection duration. The second segment II illustrates high data consumption and long network connection duration. The third segment III illustrates low data consumption and short network connection duration. The fourth segment IV illustrates low data consumption and long network connection duration. It should be understood that the division into four segments is for illustrative purposes only. Other divisions (e.g., more than four segments) may be applied in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0035] More specifically, it is clear that the number of IoT devices will increase exponentially in the coming years. However, due to certain peculiarities of some of these applications, mobile operators may only have limited possibilities to take this increase into account in their strategic network plans. In contrast to traditional applications, in this case, only the manufacturers of the respective devices may have approximate knowledge of the countries in which these devices will be used; however, the respective regions in these countries where the devices will ultimately be used are often beyond their knowledge as well.

[0036] The network technology (2G, 3G, 4G, LTE-M, 5G or NB-IoT) used by the device may not be known, at least not if the device supports all these listed technologies, so-called multimode devices. These devices register with an external mobile network when they are launched as soon as they are exported. The network is usually selected based on a roaming agreement and initial settings on the SIM card by the mobile carrier that provided the SIM card (e.g., using a preferred partner list on the SIM card or steering the device using a signaling-based (network-based) steering method). As soon as the device logs into the respective external mobile network, it "gains" connectivity there as long as it is connected to the network.

[0037] The involved mobile network operators incur various costs in the process: the sending home operator has to pay roaming fees to the local network operator, which in turn has (variable) network costs that must be covered. Therefore, the business profitability for the receiving network operator depends quite heavily on data consumption (roaming fees) and the duration of the network connection (network costs) (see Figure 1).

[0038] In particular, usage scenarios I and II in Figure 1, which involve high data usage by SIM cards from a foreign mobile network operator, are costly or profitable. Here, the roaming fees that a network operator can charge its roaming partners are sufficient to cover variable network costs and, if necessary, generate profits beyond this. On the other hand, when data usage is low and billing is based solely on consumed data, these SIM cards are generally unprofitable for the host network operator (scenarios III and IV in Figure 1). Here, the revenue generated by roaming is not sufficient to cover the variable network costs from month to month. These "SIM costs" (VLR, PGW, signaling, RAN) can amount to several euro cents per card per month. In other words, the mere "parking" of the card inevitably leads to coverage shortages in the visited mobile network.

[0039] Furthermore, there is a risk of (partial) network breakdowns due to so-called signaling storms, in which a large number of roaming SIM cards are in a foreign network and simultaneously contact the Home Location Register (HLR). Examples of such network breakdowns, in which customers of the visited network can no longer use the service, have become more frequent recently. SIM cards in 50,000 smart containers on a cargo ship may try to dial into the local network as soon as it enters the shore, resulting in the collapse of the roaming partner's network. It is therefore doubly not in the roaming partner's interest to accept these unprofitable SIM cards in uncontrollable quantities within its network.

[0040] In light of the above, the network operator of the visited network can send a so-called "roaming not allowed" signal during the first login attempt of the foreign SIM card. If the GSM module "understands" this command, the network on the SIM card is blocked until the entry on the SIM card is overwritten by the home network operator. Unfortunately, modules with low data usage also have somewhat cheaper GSM modules, so most devices are unable to process the "roaming not allowed" command and continue to log in to the network. If the visited network operator actively prevents network access for these devices, this will only lead to a significant increase in signaling requirements. Therefore, it becomes the case that protection against excessive signaling combined with attempts to remove the card from its own network will lead to even more signaling and therefore potential network outages.

[0041] Cancelling the entire roaming relationship is also not an effective remedy, since on the one hand it affects the service / quality of "standard" customers and the operator's own customers, and on the other hand it is precisely these cards that continue to initiate network requests. Therefore, in contrast, if the cards are rejected, the problem only grows larger and nothing is gained. Many network operators are not even aware of this growing challenge, and only become aware of it when a signaling storm occurs and they have to deal with a (partial) network failure. These network operators are therefore faced with a dilemma: if they allow unprofitable cards into their network, they will ideally incur losses, but if they reject them, this could lead to significant network failures.

[0042] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, although not prohibited / restricted by any standardization, these devices may also be allowed to log into the network and in response send a message sent by the device, i.e., "Login Successful," to the network operator's HLR, which will then throttle the device's data flow to prevent service degradation and / or further communication between the home network operator and these particular devices.

[0043] In the first case (preventing communication with the home network), it is still possible for the sending network operator to redirect the device to another roaming network, but this is no longer possible in the second case (preventing communication with the home network). All "commands" from the network operator (e.g., MAP Cancel Location) are not forwarded. Also, messages from the device (e.g., location updates) are not forwarded to the home network. Thus, the device is disconnected from the home network and can no longer be reached by the home network operator. One way to get the device back "on the network" is through manual network selection in the field and the selection of another network. However, this option may fail due to the distance and large number of devices installed.

[0044] Next, the identification of such devices, i.e., "unwanted" devices in the visited network, will be described according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The identification of these devices can be done in the mobile network operator (MNO) system based on the following parameters:

[0045] 1) The Access Point Name (APN) of the gateway between the backbone of the MNO's network (e.g., GPRS, 3G, 4G or 5G) and the external packet-based data network. 2) International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI): This is a 15-digit number that is unique to every device worldwide and allows anyone who knows the number to unambiguously assign a smartphone or other device. There is also a Type Allocation Code or Type Approval Code (TAC), which is usually a six-digit code used to identify mobile phones and smartphones. The MAC address (Media Access Control address) is the hardware address of each network adapter and serves as a unique identifier for devices in a computer network. 3) Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number or Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN), which is a globally unique number that callers dial to reach a mobile subscriber. 4) International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a mobile communication number for the unique identification (internal subscriber identifier) of a network subscriber in a mobile communication network. In addition to other data, the IMSI is stored in the SIM. It is assigned globally only once per SIM by the mobile network operator. 5) IP Address (IP: Internet Protocol): Every computer, server, device, mobile phone, etc. connected to the Internet is assigned a globally unique IP address, which is then used for the device's communication with the server.

[0046] In an embodiment, identifying a mobile device is based on selected parameters mentioned above, e.g., IMSI, IMEI, MSISDN, and additional traffic data such as data consumption, SMS, and voice activity, as well as the device's login behavior within the network. These "patterns" can be used to detect other devices within the same IMSI range if the device does not transmit certain characteristics (APN, IMEI, etc.).

[0047] It should be understood that the exact combination of parameters may vary according to current demands. That is, the present disclosure is not limited to the parameters described above, nor is the present disclosure limited to the exact method of identification. Rather, all parameters available at the time of implementation may be used to identify the device. Furthermore, the definition of an identified "device" may also vary. That is, a network operator may define the individual parameters and / or thresholds suitable for identifying each device, i.e., a device that the network operator may consider to be an "undesirable" device that may be subject to subsequent methods as described herein.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 2, the signaling scheme of the location update procedure in 2G / 3G is exemplarily described below. In the case of roaming, a terminal device of a network operator (HPMN) connects to a foreign mobile network (VPMN). The foreign mobile network recognizes the IMSI of the foreign network it wishes to register with and sends a location update request to this foreign network. After an exchange between the Visitor Location Register (VLR) and the Home Location Register (HLR), this request is confirmed by a Location Update Accept. The mobile subscriber (MS) terminal can then roam within the foreign network. In this first Location Update (LU), only the IMSI and IMEI are "sent"—not the APN, another important piece of information. Therefore, even "unwanted" devices are provided with an LU request and an authentication response in the first step. This can then be used individually and collectively for identification based on the APN, IMEI / TAC code exchange, and the above-mentioned mobile device identification.

[0049] That is, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, devices are automatically identified by unique parameters and the data is subsequently automatically filtered as described herein.

[0050] In the other case (preventing communication with the home network), devices are registered in the same way as in Figure 2. Then, when these devices establish communication with their home network, this communication link is established via the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP). GTP-C is used to transfer control information such as tunnel creation and teardown, and GTP-U is used to transfer user data. Both GTP-U and GTP-C typically go through a GTP firewall at the MNO. Such a scenario is shown schematically in Figure 3.

[0051] In a GTP firewall, a Tunnel End Point Identifier (TEID) is flagged in GTP-C messages for a particular device (identification is similarly done via features such as IMSI, IMEI, APN, etc., as described above) to prevent GTP-U. In this case, a data tunnel is established, but corresponding adjustments in the firewall prevent data exchange with the home network.

[0052] That is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, devices are automatically identified by unique parameters, and then the transfer of user data (GTP-U) in the GTP firewall for these "special" devices is prevented.

[0053] Another way to prevent these devices from communicating is to remove the Internet APN from the respective system of the visited roaming network. As soon as these dedicated APNs are no longer supported by the network, sessions can no longer be established. Thus, these devices are prevented from "communicating." The devices must be rerouted to another mobile network by the home network operator via a "cancellation location."

[0054] That is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, devices are automatically identified by unique parameters, and then dedicated APNs for only these "special" devices on the network side are eliminated.

[0055] 4 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method shown in FIG. 4 includes the following steps:

[0056] Step 41 identifies a mobile device that is outside the home network and that is to be admitted into the wireless network system based on at least one predetermined parameter.

[0057] At step 42, the data transfer rate allowed for the identified mobile device is reduced and / or communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network is prevented.

[0058] In one embodiment, reducing the data transfer rate includes reducing the data transfer rate of payload data, i.e., the portion of the transmitted data that is the actual intended message (communication data).

[0059] In an embodiment, reducing the data transfer rate may include reducing the data transfer rate of payload data and header data, i.e., signaling data.

[0060] However, reducing the data transfer rate of only header data, i.e., signaling data, may not be advantageous. In particular, by reducing the data transfer rate of at least the payload, the data transfer of roaming devices may be significantly limited, and the visited network may be significantly relieved from the overall data transfer required by roaming devices. In contrast, limiting only header data may not result in significant relief from the overall data transfer required by roaming devices.

[0061] In one embodiment, preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes prohibiting the wireless network system from forwarding any messages from the mobile device to the home network or from the home network to the mobile device.

[0062] In an embodiment, the at least one parameter is an access point name, an international mobile equipment identity, a type allocation code or type approval code, a media access control address, a mobile subscriber integrated service digital network number, an international mobile subscriber identity, a radio access technology, an internet protocol address, or at least one predetermined traffic data of the mobile device.

[0063] In an embodiment, the at least one predetermined traffic data includes data consumption of the mobile device, network connection duration, SMS activity data, voice call activity data, location update messages, or login behavior.

[0064] In one embodiment, the network connection duration is a pre-stored network connection duration associated with the mobile device.

[0065] In an embodiment, the network connection duration may be a single duration of the mobile device's network connection (a short signaling burst) or the total duration of the mobile device's network connection during the time the mobile device is present in the visited network.

[0066] In an embodiment, such network connection duration (or other parameters) may be stored in a database associated with the mobile device and may be used for the identification process when the mobile device may later attempt to reconnect to the visited network, i.e., when the mobile device returns after leaving the coverage of the visited network.

[0067] In one embodiment, identifying mobile devices that are outside the home network includes identifying mobile devices that have data consumption below a predetermined threshold.

[0068] In one embodiment, identifying mobile devices that are outside the home network includes identifying mobile devices that have a network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

[0069] In one embodiment, identifying mobile devices that are outside the home network includes identifying mobile devices that have a ratio of data consumption to network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

[0070] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a location update procedure prior to the step of identifying the mobile device as being outside the home network.

[0071] In an embodiment, the location update procedure comprises receiving a location update request message from the mobile device and sending a location update accept message to the mobile device.

[0072] In one embodiment, preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes blocking user data within a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) firewall.

[0073] In an embodiment, blocking user data in the GTP firewall includes blocking a mobile application part (MAP) cancel location message.

[0074] In one embodiment, preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the mobile device's home network includes removing the identified mobile device's access point name from the wireless network system.

[0075] In one embodiment, the mobile device carries a subscriber identity module ((e)SIM) card.

[0076] In view of the present disclosure, and from a network operator's perspective, the following advantages can be achieved:

[0077] 1) The receiving network can effectively protect itself from signaling storms, since the communication between the home network and the device is blocked. 2) Furthermore, the home network operator may be required to sign a so-called "No-Harm Network Agreement", whereby the transmitting network operator commits to programming the SIM card / device in such a way that signaling storms no longer occur. 3) Home network operators may also be mandated to use narrowband IoT networks designed for such applications rather than 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.

[0078] The above-described embodiments provide an efficient method for "actively" removing devices from a network that conforms to current GSMA standards. In particular, embodiments according to the present disclosure may protect a network from devices that can expose the network to signaling storms.

[0079] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Similarly, various figures may depict example architectures or configurations provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand example features and functionality of the present disclosure. However, such skilled artisans will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of an embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described example embodiments.

[0080] It should also be understood that any reference herein to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0081] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced in the above description may be represented by, for example, voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which for convenience may be referred to herein as "software" or "software units"), or any combination of these techniques.

[0083] To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of these techniques depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, and such implementation decisions do not cause a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. The terms “configure to” or “configure for,” as used herein with respect to a particular operation or function, refer to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, and / or arranged to perform the particular operation or function.

[0084] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, units, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented in or performed by an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, units, and circuits may further include an antenna and / or transceiver for communicating with various components within a network or device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0085] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and computer communication media, including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0086] In this document, the term "unit" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the relevant functions described herein. Additionally, for purposes of discussion, various units are described as discrete units; however, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, two or more units may be combined to form a single unit that performs the relevant functions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0087] Additionally, memory or other storage devices, as well as communication components, may be employed in embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that, for clarity, the above description describes embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without departing from the present disclosure. For example, functionality shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units do not indicate a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but merely to suitable means for providing the described functionality.

[0088] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for traffic management in a wireless network system, comprising: identifying a mobile device that is outside a home network and that is to be admitted to the wireless network system based on at least one predetermined parameter; the at least one predetermined parameter includes at least one predetermined traffic data of the mobile device; the at least one predetermined traffic data comprises at least one of data consumption, network connection duration, SMS activity data, voice call activity data, location update messages, or login behavior of the mobile device; reducing the data transfer rate allowed for the identified mobile device, wherein reducing the data transfer rate comprises reducing the data transfer rate for payload data; and / or Preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the home network of the mobile device, wherein the preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the home network of the mobile device comprises blocking user data within a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) firewall.

2. Preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the home network of the mobile device includes:

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of prohibiting the wireless network system from forwarding any messages from the mobile device to the home network or from the home network to the mobile device.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one predetermined parameter further comprises at least one of an access point name, an international mobile equipment identity, a type allocation code, a type authorization code, a media access control address, a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number, an international mobile subscriber identity, a radio access technology, or an internet protocol address.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network connection duration is a pre-stored network connection duration associated with the mobile device.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the mobile device outside a home network further comprises identifying the mobile device having data consumption below a predetermined threshold.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the mobile device outside a home network comprises identifying the mobile device having a network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

7. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the mobile devices that are outside a home network includes identifying the mobile devices that have a ratio of data consumption to network connection duration below a predetermined threshold.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a location update procedure before the step of identifying the mobile device outside a home network.

9. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the location update procedure comprises receiving a location update request message from the mobile device and sending a location update accept message to the mobile device.

10. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein blocking user data in a GTP firewall comprises blocking a Mobile Application Part (MAP) Cancel Location message.

11. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein preventing communication between the identified mobile device and the home network of the mobile device includes removing an access point name of the identified mobile device from the wireless network system.

12. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device carries a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

13. 13. A computer program product comprising code stored on a computer readable program medium, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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